PUAWER004B Respond to workplace emergencies

Revision Number: 2

PUAWER004B Respond to workplace emergencies

Modification History

Release	TP version	Comments
2	PUA12 V1	Layout adjusted. Application revised.
1	PUA00 V8.1	First release in TGA.

Unit Descriptor

This unit covers the competency required to recognise emergencies in the workplace, to report emergencies and to take appropriate action.

For this unit workplace is defined as the area encompassed by an individual’s responsibilities.

This unit has been developed to cover the broad range of emergencies and workplaces as considered in Australian Standard 3745—2010.

Application of the Unit

This unit applies to all personnel within an organisation, within all industries and in all contexts.

This unit places responsibility on individual employees in the workplace to recognise, report and take action during workplace emergency situations. This requirement is consistent with the legislative obligations of employees as prescribed in OHS legislation.

The knowledge and skills gained through the completion of this unit may be applied by all employees across all industries.

Licensing/Regulatory Information

Not applicable.

Pre-Requisites

Not applicable.

Employability Skills Information

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a Unit of Competency.	Performance Criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the Range Statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the Evidence Guide.

Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT	PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
1. Prepare for emergency situations	1.1 Current workplace emergency procedures to be used by employees and other workplace occupants are identified and followed. 1.2 Emergency resources in the workplace are identified and located. 1.3 Emergency response exercises are participated in according to workplace emergency procedures.
2. Report emergencies and potential emergencies	2.1 Emergencies and potential emergencies are identified and reported according to workplace emergency procedures. 2.2 People in any immediate danger from the emergency or potential emergency are alerted according to workplace emergency procedures.
3. Respond to emergency warnings and advice	3.1 Emergency warnings and advice are responded to according to workplace emergency procedures. 3.2 Instructions from emergency control response personnel are complied with during an emergency. 3.3 Sources of additional information are identified and information is sought from relevant people if the situation is not clear.
4. Evacuate from the work area	4.1 Need to evacuate from the work area is determined according to the level of immediate danger or instruction issued under the workplace emergency procedures. 4.2 Work area is prepared for evacuation according to workplace emergency procedures and the nature of the emergency. 4.3 Area of danger is evacuated according to workplace emergency procedures. 4.4 Where it is safe to do so, assistance is provided to people who may require assistance. 4.5 Evacuation procedures and instructions from emergency control organisation or emergency response personnel are followed. 4.6 Alternative pathways or methods of evacuation are identified, assessed and chosen according to workplace emergency procedures if usual means of evacuation are blocked or endangered. 4.7 Communication systems are used according to workplace procedures.

Required Skills and Knowledge

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.
Required Skills
communicate effectively in an emergency situation as outlined in the workplace emergency procedures identify an emergency/potential emergency adhere to documented workplace emergency procedures
Required Knowledge
circumstances where evacuation may need to be modified emergency reporting systems and procedures used on site emergency warning system, signals and instructions used on site evacuation alarms and workplace emergency procedures used at the workplace location of assembly areas and post-evacuation actions location of emergency equipment in the workplace procedures for reporting emergencies roles, responsibilities and authority of emergency personnel, emergency control organisation and emergency response team types of emergencies, the hazards and the evacuation actions associated with each one

Evidence Guide

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit	Assessment must confirm the ability to apply workplace procedures; to maintain own safety and the safety of others in emergency situations; and to follow workplace emergency procedures and the advice of emergency control organisation members. Consistency in performance Competency should be demonstrated over time with a range of emergencies that could be expected in the workplace including assisting people who may need assistance.
Context of and specific resources for assessment	Context of assessment Competency should be assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace. Specific resources for assessment Access to: scenarios that reflect a range of emergency situations that may be expected in the workplace appropriate emergency resources range of communication equipment relevant to the workplace workplace emergency procedures and documentation

Range Statement

The Range Statement relates to the Unit of Competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.
Emergency response exercises may include	briefings debriefings emergency exercises, simulations and reviews table/desk top exercises
Emergency warnings may include	audible/visual alarms audible or vibrating pagers coded or uncoded public address announcements e-mail screen alerts stench alarms verbal alert
People who may require assistance may include	babies and children people with a mobility, intellectual, visual, auditory or sensory impairment, either temporary or permanent, who require assistance during an emergency response people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds people who are injured people who are not able to comprehend the instructions given pregnant women the elderly
Emergency response personnel may include	emergency control organisation members counsellors emergency response team members police, fire and emergency services peer support recovery team

Unit Sector(s)

Not applicable.