Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers identifying risks and safely working on and moving around vessels - for sales, service or repair - on and out of the water.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to recreational vessels in both land and water environments. It also applies to workplaces in which vessels are built, repaired, stored, sold and transported. These workplaces may involve the use of dangerous goods and hazardous materials and may produce noxious waste products.

The unit includes skills and knowledge that are particular to a marine environment and are in addition to those safety requirements normally applied in the workplace.

All work and work practices are undertaken to regulatory and legislative requirements.

This unit could be assessed in conjunction with Unit MEM13002B (Undertake occupational health and safety activities in the workplace) and Unit MEM13003B (Work safely with industrial chemicals and materials).

Band : A 

Unit Weight : 1 

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Identify safe access methods and working platforms

1.1. Appropriate access methods are used to gain access to the work location.

1.2. Work platforms are inspected to confirm that they are appropriate for the purpose, are correctly located and comply with any regulatory controls.

2. Move around vessels safely

2.1. Risks and hazards are identified from observation, including confined spaces, and workplace approved risk controls are identified.

2.2. Appropriate engineering controls and personal protection equipment for work with recreational vessels are used.

2.3. Appropriate warning signs and signals are used.

3. Work safely on recreational vessels

3.1. Work methods and tools are selected appropriate for the task.

3.2. Appropriate engineering controls and personal protection equipment are identified from workplace procedures, and are selected and used.

3.3. Work residues are minimised, controlled and disposed of following approved procedures.

3.4. Work site is maintained in a clean and tidy state, following approved workplace housekeeping methods.

4. Follow emergency procedures for incidents in the marine environment

4.1. Appropriate responses are used in reaction to incidents and accidents.

4.2. Communication systems and methods are used to convey emergency messages.

4.3. Drills are followed for fire, explosion, toxic/dangerous spills and leakage, personal illness or injury, man overboard, collision or vessel damage.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

Look for evidence that confirms skills in:

• undertaking risk assessment
• communicating with others
• performing proper manual handling techniques
• interpreting safety signage, labelling and placarding

Required knowledge 

Look for evidence that confirms knowledge of marine environment-specific:

• dangerous goods classification and labelling/placarding
• testing, use and maintenance of PPE
• inherent hazardous properties of the chemicals used
• interpretation of the relevant MSDS
• basic fire fighting procedures
• site-specific emergency plan procedures
• spill confinement procedures
• dangerous occurrence (near miss) reporting procedures
• hierarchy of control

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

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

Overview of assessment 

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to work safely in and on marine craft by identifying any risks, moving and working safely and following emergency procedures.

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

Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently perform all elements of the unit as specified by the criteria, including required knowledge, and be capable of applying the competency in new and different situations and contexts.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

This unit may be assessed on the job, off the job or a combination of both. Where assessment occurs off the job, i.e. the candidate is not in productive work, an appropriate simulation must be used where the range of conditions reflects realistic workplace situations. The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team. The assessment environment should not disadvantage the candidate.

This unit could be assessed in conjunction with any other units addressing the safety, quality, communication, materials handling associated with a marine environment, or other units requiring the exercise of the skills and knowledge covered by this unit.

Method of assessment 

Assessors should gather a range of evidence that is valid, sufficient, current and authentic. Evidence can be gathered through a variety of ways including direct observation, supervisor's reports, project work, samples and questioning. Questioning should not require language, literacy and numeracy skills beyond those required in this unit. The candidate must have access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required. The candidate must be permitted to refer to any relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications, codes, standards, manuals and reference materials.

Guidance information for assessment 

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, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Access to the work location 

Includes:

• gang planks
• hatches
• access ladders
• bosun's chairs
• rigging

Work platforms 

Work platforms include:

• purpose built work platforms
• mobile and prefabricated scaffold
• elevated work platforms

Engineering controls 

These include:

• ventilation and extraction systems
• dust control devices
• screens

Personal protection equipment  (PPE )

PPE includes:

• goggles/face shields
• masks or respirators
• air supplied or self-contained helmets
• appropriate footwear, gloves and appropriate garments
• hearing protection
• fall arrest devices
• UV protection

Workplace housekeeping methods 

Relevant housekeeping methods include:

• covering/protecting surfaces prior to starting work
• returning materials/equipment to storage area
• sweeping and cleaning
• containment and mopping of spills
• appropriate disposal of waste products

Communication systems and methods 

These include:

• direct voice
• megaphone
• flares
• radio
• hand signals
• telephone
• flags
• computer
• EPIRB

Unit sector 

Co-requisite units 

Competency field 

Boating services