This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to accept dangerous goods for air transport, in compliance with relevant regulatory requirements of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and national operating standards.

It includes interpreting freight documentation, recognising dangerous goods, accepting appropriate dangerous goods, declining to accept prohibited and improperly prepared dangerous goods, preparing required dangerous goods documentation, and stowing dangerous goods.

This unit addresses aviation technical skill requirements (physical, mental and task-management abilities) related to load handling duties that complement ground operations personnel non-technical skills, and contributes to safe and effective performance in complex aviation operational environments.

Operations are conducted as part of recreational, commercial and military aircraft activities across a variety of operational contexts within the Australian aviation industry.

Work is performed independently or under limited supervision as a single operator or within a team environment.

Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements are applicable to this unit.

Use for Defence Aviation is in accordance with relevant Defence Orders and Instructions.

ELEMENTS 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1 

Interpret freight documentation 

1.1

Received documentation for transporting freight by air is examined and interpreted in accordance with workplace procedures and regulatory requirements

1.2

Types of freight to be transported are identified in accordance with workplace procedures and regulatory requirements

2 

Recognise dangerous goods 

2.1

Freight containing dangerous goods is recognised in accordance with workplace procedures and regulatory requirements

2.2

Hazards are identified, risks are assessed and hazard management is implemented

2.3

All types of dangerous goods and items containing dangerous goods are correctly identified

2.4

Workplace policies and regulatory requirements concerning the types of dangerous goods are identified, interpreted and applied

3 

Accept appropriate dangerous goods 

3.1

Where identified dangerous goods are not permitted to be transported by air, shipper is advised that freight cannot be accepted

3.2

Shipper is given an explanation of reasons why prohibited dangerous goods freight cannot be accepted and is referred to relevant regulatory requirements in accordance with workplace procedures

3.3

Where identified dangerous goods are permitted to be transported by air, requirements for packaging, labelling and handling are confirmed in accordance with workplace procedures and regulatory requirements

3.4

Dangerous goods accepted for air transport are checked to ensure they are packaged and labelled in accordance with regulatory requirements

3.5

Dangerous goods accepted for air freight are handled in accordance with regulatory requirements including procedures for emergencies and spills

4 

Prepare dangerous goods documentation 

4.1

Relevant documentation, including an air waybill and check sheets are prepared and signed in accordance with workplace procedures and regulatory requirements

4.2

Relevant documentation is attached to freight, processed and filed in accordance with workplace procedures and regulatory requirements

5 

Stow dangerous goods 

5.1

All dangerous goods are stowed in appropriate storage facilities in accordance with workplace procedures and regulatory requirements

5.2

Relevant personnel are advised of the disposition of stowed dangerous goods in accordance with workplace procedures and regulatory requirements

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Hazards must include one or more of the following:

• contamination of, or from, materials being handled
• dust/vapours
• hazardous or dangerous materials
• spill, leakages, ruptures

Hazard management must include:

• principles of hierarchy of risk control:

• elimination
• substitution
• isolation
• engineering control measures
• safe working practices
• personal protective equipment

Documentation must include one or more of the following:

• air waybill
• Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASRs) relevant to accepting dangerous goods for air transport
• conditions of service, legislation and industrial agreements including workplace agreements and awards
• emergency procedures including procedures for handling spills
• flight schedules
• goods identification numbers and codes
• induction and training materials
• local instructions
• manifests, bar codes, goods and product identification
• safety data sheets (SDSs)/material safety data sheets (MSDSs)
• work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) regulations
• relevant Australian Standards and industry safety code
• relevant International Air Transport Association (IATA) dangerous goods regulations
• supplier and/or client instructions
• workplace checklists for accepting dangerous goods for air transport
• workplace procedures and instructions, and job specifications

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements, performance criteria and range of conditions on at least one occasion and include:

• adapting to differences in equipment and operating environment in accordance with standard operating procedures
• applying precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate identified hazards
• applying relevant legislation and workplace procedures
• communicating effectively with others
• completing relevant documentation
• identifying and correctly using relevant equipment
• implementing contingency plans
• implementing work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) procedures and relevant regulations
• modifying activities depending on workplace contingencies, situations and environments
• monitoring and anticipating operational problems and hazards and taking appropriate action
• monitoring work activities in terms of planned schedule
• reading and interpreting relevant documents, instructions, regulations, procedures and other information
• reporting and/or rectifying identified promptly, in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures
• selecting and using required personal protective equipment (PPE) conforming to industry and WHS/OHS standards
• working collaboratively with others
• working systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self or others, or damage to goods or equipment.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements, performance criteria and range of conditions and include knowledge of:

• characteristics and ways of identifying various types of dangerous goods
• documentation requirements for transporting appropriate dangerous goods by air
• people to be consulted about accepting dangerous goods for air transport:

• customers
• dangerous goods experts and advisors
• flight crew
• other members of the work team/s
• supervisors and managers
• technical staff

• problems that may occur when accepting dangerous goods for air transport and appropriate action that should be taken in each case
• relevant WHS/OHS and environmental procedures and regulations
• relevant regulatory requirements pertaining to accepting, packing, marking, labelling, documenting, storing and despatching dangerous goods designated for air transport, including International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) requirements
• risks that exist when accepting dangerous goods for air transport and related risk control procedures and precautions
• safety principles for accepting dangerous goods for air transport
• workplace procedures for accepting, packing, marking, labelling, documenting, storing and despatching dangerous goods designated for air transport.

As a minimum, assessors must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

As a minimum, assessment must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must occur in workplace operational situations. Where this is not appropriate, assessment must occur in simulated workplace operational situations that reflect workplace conditions.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Resources for assessment must include access to:

• a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or simulations
• acceptable means of simulation assessment
• applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals
• relevant materials, tools, equipment and personal protective equipment currently used in industry.