Unit of competency details

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

1 

Recognise characteristics of tanker cargo and tankers to ensure the safe transfer and transport of cargo 

1.1

Features  of various types of oil and chemical tankers are outlined

1.2

Cargo operations  of tankers are identified

1.3

Properties of cargo  being transported are identified and their impact on safety, the environment and vessel operations are recognised

1.4

Hazards  associated with the transport of cargo are clarified according to emergency response documentation

1.5

Hazard controls  associated with tanker cargo are employed according to organisational procedures

2 

Comply with legislative and organisational requirements for safe transfer and transport of tanker cargo 

2.1

Safety data sheets (SDS)/material safety data sheets (MSDS) relevant to cargo are accessed and procedures for tanker safety and safety management are identified

2.2

SDS/MSDS are interpreted to identify relevant cargo-related hazards to the vessel and to personnel

2.3

Legislative and organisational requirements are interpreted to identify appropriate actions for safe transfer and transport of cargo

3 

Take precautions to prevent hazards 

3.1

Organisational policies and procedures to minimise hazards are identified

3.2

Type and severity of hazard posed by cargo is recognised

3.3

Transfer and transport of cargo is monitored to prevent hazards

3.4

Monitoring equipment , where installed, is regularly inspected and used according to organisational procedures

4 

Act on becoming aware of a hazardous situation 

4.1

Source of hazard is identified according to organisational procedures

4.2

Risk is assessed considering severity and likelihood of consequences

4.3

Control measures to minimise risk are implemented to level of responsibility or referred to appropriate person for permission or further action

4.4

Containment procedures are applied where appropriate

4.5

Appropriate safety procedures are followed and personal protective equipment is used according to organisational procedures

4.6

Risk is eliminated where possible, and if not practical, actions are taken to control risk

4.7

Appropriate firefighting equipment  is identified to carry out firefighting operations

5 

Take precautions to prevent pollution of the environment from the release of oil or chemicals 

5.1

Procedures to prevent pollution are identified and observed at all times

5.2

Measures  to prevent pollution during normal and emergency situations are applied according to regulatory requirements and organisational procedures

5.3

All relevant information is immediately reported to appropriate persons when a spill is detected or a malfunction has occurred that poses a risk of a spill

5.4

All required spill containment procedures are correctly implemented according to regulatory requirements and organisational procedures

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required Skills: 

• Communicate clearly and effectively

• Correctly identify SDS/MSDS, relevant cargo-related hazards to vessel and to personnel, and take appropriate action

• Ensure cargo operations are carried out according to accepted principles and procedures to ensure safety of operations

• Identify and act on becoming aware of hazardous situation

• Interpret and apply knowledge of tanker layouts, tanker cargo features, characteristics and hazards, and related hazard prevention strategies to duties on various types of tankers and gas carriers

• Read and interpret SDS/MSDS

• Recognise problems and hazards that can arise when managing safety on a tanker, take appropriate remedial action and initiate appropriate solutions

Required Knowledge: 

• Actions to be taken in the event of spillage

• Cargo pumps

• Corrosion hazards

• Effects of oil and chemical pollution on human and marine life

• Features and characteristics of various types of tanker cargo

• Functions and processes for the calibration of various types of measuring instruments and devices used to test environments on tankers and gas carriers

• General arrangement and construction of tankers

• Hazard controls

• Hazard control procedures on tankers and gas carriers

• Hazards and control measures associated with tanker cargo operations

• Hazards associated with:

• tanker operations
• carriage of bulk liquids and gases

• Hazards to the environment

• Information on SDS/MSDS

• Loading and unloading

• Measures to be taken in the event of spillage

• Physical properties of oil and chemicals

• Piping systems and valves

• Principles of chemistry as they relate to tanker operations

• Procedures for the safe use of personal protective equipment

• Procedures to prevent air and water pollution

• Reactivity hazards

• Shipboard procedures to prevent pollution

• Tanker cleaning, purging, gas-freeing and inerting

• Tanker safety culture and safety management

• Terminology relating to the structure capacities and operations of various types of tankers and gas carriers

• Types of oil and chemical tankers

• Work health and safety(WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements and work practices

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, the required skills and knowledge, the range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

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

The evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the Elements, Performance Criteria, Required Skills, Required Knowledge and include:

• timely identification and reporting of potential hazards and risks
• providing the required amount of detail in reports.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Performance is demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.

Resources for assessment include access to:

• industry-approved marine operations site where contributing to safe cargo operations on oil and chemical tankers may be conducted
• tools, equipment and personal protective equipment currently used in industry
• relevant regulatory and equipment documentation that impacts on work activities
• range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or other simulated practical and knowledge assessments
• appropriate range of relevant operational situations in the workplace.

In both real and simulated environments, access is required to:

• relevant and appropriate materials and equipment
• applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals.

Method of assessment 

Practical assessment must occur in an:

• appropriately simulated workplace environment and/or
• appropriate range of situations in the workplace.

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate to this unit:

• direct observation of the candidate contributing to safe cargo operation on oil and chemical tankers
• direct observation of the candidate applying relevant WHS/OHS requirements and work practices.

Guidance information for assessment 

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.

In all cases where practical assessment is used it should be combined with targeted questioning to assess Required Knowledge.

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

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, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below.

Features of various types of oil and chemical tankers must include:

• General arrangement and construction
• Types of oil and chemical tankers

Cargo operations must include:

• Cargo handling equipment
• Loading, unloading and care in transit
• Piping systems and valves
• Tank cleaning, purging, gas-freeing and inerting

Properties must include:

• Chemical symbols
• Pressure and temperature including vapour pressure/temperature relationship
• Types of electrostatic charge generation

Cargo must include:

• Chemicals
• Oil

Hazards must include:

• Corrosion hazards
• Electrostatic hazards
• Environmental hazards
• Explosion and flammability hazards
• Health hazards
• Pressure hazards
• Reactivity hazards
• Sources of ignition
• Toxicity hazards
• Vapour leaks and clouds

Hazard controls must include:

• Anti-static measures
• Atmospheric control
• Cargo inhibition
• Gas testing
• Importance of cargo compatibility
• Inerting, drying and monitoring techniques
• Segregation
• Ventilation

Firefighting equipment must include:

• Firefighting agents
• Fixed dry chemical systems
• Fixed foam systems
• Portable foam systems

Measures must include:

• Assisting in implementing shipboard spill containment procedures
• Reporting relevant information to the responsible person