Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

This unit covers the competency required to maintain pyrotechnics and countermeasures to requirements as specified by the Australian Defence Force.

Application of the Unit 

This competency normally applies to the individual who is required to maintain pyrotechnics and countermeasures to requirements as specified by the Australian Defence Force.

The unit includes the identification and selection of tools and equipment, the application of organisational safety requirements and appropriate legislative and regulatory requirements.

Pre-requisite Unit /s 

Nil

Employability Skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

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 Required Skills and Knowledge and/or the Range Statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the Evidence Guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Prepare for maintenance 

1.1 Maintenance requirements of pyrotechnics and countermeasures  are identified from work requests/instructions, analysed and confirmed

1.2 Occupational health and safety (OH&S) requirements, including those contained in organisational  procedures, are applied throughout the operation

1.3 Pyrotechnics and countermeasures to be maintained are identified, confirmed and acquired in accordance with organisation policy and procedures, and technical documentation

1.4 Technical references , tools, equipment, consumables and packaging components are identified, acquired and prepared in accordance with organisation procedures

1.5 Net explosive quantities  and compatibility  are identified, calculated, assessed and applied throughout the operation

1.6 Environmental conditions  are monitored and, where appropriate, maintained in accordance with organisation policy

2. Maintain pyrotechnics and countermeasures 

2.1 Pyrotechnics and countermeasures are inspected in accordance with organisation policy and procedures

2.2 Relevant maintenance  is conducted in accordance with organisation procedures, technical specifications and drawings

2.3 Emergency and contingency procedures are applied in accordance with organisation policy

2.4 Relevant tests  are conducted and recorded in accordance with organisation procedures, technical specifications and drawings

3. Complete the maintenance activity 

3.1 Pyrotechnics and countermeasures are processed in accordance with the requirements specified in the work request

3.2 Equipment/tools are maintained in accordance with organisation policy and procedures

3.3 Housekeeping procedures are conducted in accordance with workshop requirements

3.4 Documentation and records  are maintained in accordance with statutory, organisation and workshop requirements

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required Skills 

• apply compatibility constraints
• apply environmental constraints
• apply operational safety
• apply relevant OH&S requirements
• calculate net explosive quantity
• communicate orally and in writing
• conduct tests
• identify appropriate pyrotechnics and countermeasures
• identify and select appropriate tools and equipment
• maintain documentation
• use tools and equipment

Required Knowledge 

• assessment of compatibility
• colour coding, marking and labels
• documentation requirements
• effects of environmental conditions
• maintenance procedures
• net explosive quantity calculations
• operational safety
• operations, characteristics and limitations of pyrotechnics and countermeasures to be maintained
• operations, characteristics and limitations of tools and equipment used in maintenance
• relevant OH&S requirements
• testing procedures

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

Assessment must confirm the ability to comply with:

• organisational safety requirements
• appropriate legislative and regulatory requirements while maintaining pyrotechnics and countermeasures.

Assessment must also confirm the ability to work safely within an explosive ordnance environment and to:

• calculate and apply net explosive quantity
• assess and apply compatibility
• conduct relevant tests
• maintain documentation.

Consistency in performance 

Competency should be demonstrated in a range of actual or simulated pyrotechnics and countermeasures maintenance contexts.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Context of assessment 

Competency should be assessed in the workplace or in a simulated work environment, in accordance with all relevant legislation and organisation requirements.

Specific resources for assessment 

Access is required to:

• facilities and resources used in the storage, distribution or maintenance of explosive ordnance, including a licensed explosive site.

Method of assessment 

This unit may be assessed with the following unit:

• DEFEO101D Work safely with explosive ordnance.

In a public safety environment assessment is usually conducted via direct observation in a training environment or in the workplace via subject matter supervision and/or mentoring, which is typically recorded in a competency workbook.

Assessment is completed using appropriately qualified assessors who select the most appropriate method of assessment.

Assessment may occur in an operational environment or in an industry-approved simulated work environment. Forms of assessment that are typically used include:

• direct observation
• interviewing the candidate
• journals and workplace documentation
• third party reports from supervisors
• written or oral questions.

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.

Pyrotechnics and countermeasures include 

All items currently on the Australian Defence Force in-service pyrotechnics and countermeasures inventory

Organisation may include 

Defence organisation

Enterprises that work with explosive ordnance

Other government departments or instrumentalities that work with explosive ordnance

Technical references may include 

Orders and instructions

Other publications

Technical drawings

Technical reference pamphlets

Net explosive quantities include 

The explosive capacity calculated in a wide range of activities related to the storage, distribution and maintenance of explosive ordnance

Compatibility is 

Assessed in a wide range of activities related to the storage, distribution and maintenance of explosive ordnance and other hazardous materials

Environmental conditions may include 

Air quality

Heat

Humidity

Pressure

Relevant maintenance may include 

Cleaning

Components change out

Fuzing and defuzing

Painting

Tests may include 

Continuity tests

Gauging

Measuring

Processing may include 

Forwarding pyrotechnics and countermeasures for inspection, testing, maintenance, storage or issue, and may include some additional preparation such as packaging

Documentation and records may include 

Receipt and issue records

Timesheets

Work records