This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to load and secure aviation freight and baggage, in compliance with relevant regulatory requirements of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and national operating standards.

It includes operating in-hold aircraft loading systems, stowing and securing aviation freight and baggage, and responding to problems in loading aviation freight and baggage.

This unit addresses aviation technical skill requirements (physical, mental and task-management abilities) related to load handling duties of ground operations personnel, 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 to be in accordance with relevant Defence Orders, Instructions, Publications and Regulations.

ELEMENTS 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

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

1 

Operate in-hold aircraft loading systems 

1.1

Pre-operational checks of in-hold aircraft loading systems are conducted in accordance with workplace procedures

1.2

In-hold aircraft loading system is prepared for operation in accordance with workplace procedures and manufacturer instructions

1.3

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

1.4

Appropriate personal protective equipment is selected and worn/used as required

1.5

In-hold aircraft loading system is used to facilitate loading and stowing of in-hold freight/baggage in accordance with workplace procedures, aircraft load instruction report and/or aircraft load/trim sheet and regulatory requirements

2 

Stow and secure aviation freight and baggage  

2.1

Correct manual handling techniques and procedures are used when stowing freight and baggage in aircraft hold in accordance with work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements

2.2

Freight and baggage are secured and restrained in aircraft hold in accordance with workplace procedures, aircraft manufacturer instructions and regulatory requirements

2.3

Cargo hold door/s is/are secured in accordance with workplace procedures, aircraft manufacturer instructions and regulatory requirements

2.4

Security seals are placed on aircraft cargo hold door/s as required in accordance with workplace procedures and regulatory requirements

3 

Respond to problems in loading aviation freight and baggage  

3.1

Faults during loading, stowing and securing freight/baggage in aircraft hold are correctly and promptly identified and appropriate solution/s is determined in conjunction with other team members and/or load supervisor/team leader, in accordance with workplace procedures and regulatory requirements

3.2

In-hold aircraft loading system malfunctions are correctly and promptly identified and appropriate action is taken to rectify and/or report problem in accordance with workplace procedures and regulatory requirements

3.3

Identified problem that cannot be readily resolved by load team is reported and referred to appropriate personnel

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

Loading and securing freight/baggage must be carried out in one or more of the following:

• international airports, domestic airports, regional airports and remote airfields
• any aircraft types in service in Australia

Aviation freight and baggage must include one or more of the following:

• air cargo/freight
• aircraft components
• allowable dangerous goods
• containers/pallets loaded with freight/baggage
• diplomatic items
• fragile and perishable goods
• human remains
• live freight
• loose freight
• mail
• unaccompanied baggage
• unit load device (ULD) loaded with freight/baggage
• valuables

Hazards that may exist when loading and securing aviation freight/baggage must include one or more of the following:

• climatic conditions/extreme temperature
• dust
• falling freight/baggage
• fire
• freight/baggage containing dangerous goods (declared and/or undeclared)
• freight/baggage containing illegal substances
• freight/baggage found to be a security risk
• freight/baggage of unusual shape or physical size
• heavy freight/baggage
• incorrect lifting and manoeuvring techniques (manual handling) for type of freight/baggage concerned, usually in aircraft cargo hold confined spaces
• incorrectly labelled freight/baggage
• moving equipment within hold including belt loaders
• noise
• overweight freight and baggage
• poorly stacked/stowed/secured freight and baggage
• protruding surfaces in aircraft bulkhead and hold structures
• uneven surfaces or gaps in floor of aircraft hold

Personal protective equipment must include one or more of the following:

• hearing protection
• high visibility clothing
• protective clothing
• safety footwear
• safety glasses
• safety gloves
• sun protection

Documentation must include one or more of the following:

• air waybills
• aircraft load instruction report
• aircraft load/trim sheets
• conditions of service, legislation and industrial/workplace agreements and awards
• emergency procedures
• equipment logs/records
• flight schedules and gate allocations
• in a Defence context, relevant Defence Orders and Instructions
• induction and training materials
• load manifests
• manufacturer specifications and instructions for in-hold loading system for aircraft type
• operational checklists for in-hold loading systems
• pre/post operational equipment checklists
• procedures for handling special freight/baggage such as live freight, dangerous goods, oversized baggage, fragile freight/baggage and perishable freight/baggage
• relevant sections of Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASRs) and Civil Aviation Orders pertaining to loading and securing of aviation freight/baggage
• WHS regulations
• workplace procedures and instructions and job specification

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 regulations, legislation and workplace procedures
• applying safe manual handling techniques
• communicating effectively with others
• completing relevant documentation
• correcting techniques for loading an aircraft in accordance with aircraft load instruction reports and/or aircraft load/trim sheets
• identifying and correctly using relevant equipment
• implementing contingency plans
• implementing work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) procedures and relevant regulations
• interpreting and following operational instructions and prioritising work
• modifying activities dependent on differing workplace contingencies, situations and environments
• monitoring and anticipating operational problems and hazards and taking appropriate action
• monitoring work activities in terms of planned schedule
• operating electronic communication equipment to required protocol
• reading and interpreting relevant instructions, regulations, procedures and other information
• reporting and/or rectifying any identified problems 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:

• features and differences of in-hold loading systems used in various aircraft types
• layout of airport and location of aircraft gates
• manufacturer instructions for relevant in-hold loading systems
• people to be consulted about loading and securing aviation freight and baggage:

• aircrew
• check-in staff
• ground support staff
• load controllers
• load supervisors, team leaders and managers
• other members of the freight/baggage loading and ramp teams
• technical staff

• principles and procedures relevant to trimming and balancing load on an aircraft
• principles for safely and effectively handling, loading and securing of freight and baggage into an aircraft cargo hold
• problems that may occur when loading and securing aviation freight and baggage, and appropriate action that should be taken in each case
• purpose, use and interpretation of aircraft load instruction reports and aircraft load/trim sheets
• relevant local instructions pertaining to operating in-hold loading systems and loading aircraft cargo holds
• relevant WHS/OHS and environmental procedures and regulations
• relevant sections of Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASRs) and Civil Aviation Orders
• risks that exist when loading and securing aviation freight/baggage, and related risk control procedures and precautions
• workplace procedures for loading and securing freight/baggage onto an aircraft.

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.