Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit of competence applies to a person who is required to effect an initial rescue arising from an incident on or off-shore. It could apply to any person operating as a team member in a facility and may involve a confined space. This person might typically respond to an incident team leader once the incident is declared.

Application of the unit 

In a typical scenario, a person undertaking a task in a workplace may witness an incident involving a co-worker, or may be alerted to a difficulty involving a co-worker. In these few initial critical minutes before other help arrives, the actions of the person may have a significant effect on the wellbeing of their co-worker.

At no time however should the person take any action which is likely to cause them to be equally placed at risk.

Key aspects of the competence include:

• making the correct decisions concerning the initial actions to be taken
• taking the correct actions in the right sequence
• utilising all the available recourses
• obtaining the necessary assistance

The person may:

• evaluate the situation before taking any action
• use appropriate methods to assist the person to be rescued
• raise the alarm and alert others
• use the correct equipment in effecting the rescue

This person may be operating under a permit to work but would immediately contact other members of the team, other teams, management and possibly external emergency services as the circumstances and procedures allow.

Note : This competency does not cover the requirements to undertake comprehensive vertical, technical or confined space rescue, each of which may require the possession of:

• PUASAR004A Undertake vertical rescue 
• PUASAR003A Undertake technical rescue 
• PUASAR005A Undertake confined space rescue 

as described in the Public Safety Training Package PUA00.

Prerequisite units 

MSAPMOHS216A 

Operate breathing apparatus 

MSAPMPER205B 

Enter confined space 

MSAPMOHS220A 

Provide initial First Aid response 

MSAPMOHS217A 

Gas test atmospheres 

MSAPMPER200B 

Work in accordance with an issued permit 

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. Respond to the incident surroundings

1.1. Check the surroundings for signs of any hazards

1.2. Ascertain the condition of the person by visual and auditory means

1.3. Check that the person is wearing any prescribed PPE or harnesses

1.4. Test the atmosphere for safe, breathable air

1.5. Raise the alarm or alert other team members to the situation

2. Determine the condition of the person

2.1. Communicate with the person to check on their condition if possible

2.2. Check the ability of the person to move unassisted

2.3. Gain access to the person providing using appropriate techniques if safe to do so

2.4. Check the person's condition and vital signs and the extent of any injuries

2.5. Determine whether the person can be moved and any obstacles that may need to be overcome

3. Determine the appropriate rescue method

3.1. Consider the condition of the person to be rescued

3.2. Consider the time since the occurrence of the incident

3.3. Consider the options for rescue and choose that most suitable for a single person rescue

3.4. Discontinue rescue efforts if it is evident that the rescue is beyond the your current capabilities

3.5. Make the person as comfortable as possible

3.6. Seek the assistance of rescue or emergency team members

Note : If rescue efforts are discontinued go to Element 5

4. Use specialised rescue equipment

4.1. Select the appropriate rescue equipment compatible to the rescue method

4.2. Use rescue equipment to effect a rescue in accordance with manufacturer specifications and organisational procedures

5. Convey information to others

5.1. Frequently and critically monitor the person during the rescue attempt

5.2. Convey information concerning the affected person to arriving team members

5.3. Convey information concerning the surrounding environment to team members

5.4. Communicate with emergency team leader and advise progress of rescue

6. Effect rescue if within your capabilities

6.1. Consider local circumstances and effect rescue in the light of those circumstances

6.2. Use appropriate methods to remove person from incident location

6.3. Monitor the condition of the person once removed from immediate danger or incident area

6.4. Continue to communicate the need to obtain assistance in the event assistance has not arrived

6.5. Assist person affected by the incident to acquire necessary medical or other attention

6.6. Hand person over to appropriate individual for further attention

7. Complete incident reports

7.1. Provide a verbal briefing to incident manager giving any details of injuries or ongoing unsafe conditions

7.2. Complete incident report in accordance with organisational procedures

7.3. Report any injuries or trauma effecting self and seek appropriate support

7.4. Suggest any measures to control the risks in the incident area in accordance with procedures and duty of care.

8. Recommend improvements to the rescue process

8.1. Identify possible problems in rescue equipment or process

8.2. Identify problems needing action

8.3. Identify possible causes

8.4. Recommend appropriate solutions within area of responsibility

8.5. Report problems outside area of responsibility to designated person.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

Competence includes the ability to isolate the causes of problems within the incident response system and to be able to distinguish between causes of problems indicated by:

• inability to call for assistance at the incident scene
• non-functional or non-responding safety equipment
• non-functional or non-responding rescue equipment.

Required knowledge 

The knowledge referred to in the Evidence Guide for this unit includes:

• essential First Aid practices
• safe working practices related to the type of plant and equipment being worked on
• essential rescue principles and techniques
• basic rescue equipment types and uses
• obligations and implications of the organisation's work permit system
• PPE and special purpose safety devices such as safety harnesses required for the task being undertaken
• emergency communications systems, their location and operation.

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment 

Assessment for this unit of competency will be by way of simulation or observation under incident conditions. The unit will be assessed in as holistic a manner as is practical and may be integrated with the assessment of other relevant units of competency. Assessment will occur over a range of situations which can include a variety of incident circumstances.

Simulations must, as closely as possible, approximate actual incident conditions and should be based on the actual facility. Assessments should include walk-throughs of the relevant competency components and may include the use of case studies/scenarios and role plays.

This unit of competency requires a significant body of knowledge which will be assessed through questioning and the use of 'what-if' scenarios both in the facility (during demonstration of normal operations and walk-throughs of abnormal operations) and off the site.

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

Competence must be demonstrated in the ability to recognise and analyse potential situations requiring action and then in implementing appropriate responsive action. The emphasis should be on the ability to deal effectively with the incident or to contribute effectively to the recovery from the incident.

Consistent performance should be demonstrated. In particular look to see that:

• incident responses are in accordance with prescribed company procedures
• correct incident response equipment (where required) is used appropriately
• the safety and/or successful recovery of the individual and others affected by the incident response is afforded priority in the actions taken
• actions taken do not inhibit incident response effectiveness or further contribute to the incident
• appropriate documentation including reports, journal entries, logs and/or clearances are completed in accordance with procedures

These assessment activities should include a range of problems, including new, unusual and improbable situations which may have been generated from past workplace incident history, incidents in similar workplaces around the world, hazard analysis activities and/or similar sources.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment will require (1) access to an accurately simulated environment in the absence of an on-site incident environment, or (2) a suitable method of gathering evidence of responding ability over a range of situations. A bank of scenarios/case studies/what-ifs will be required as will a bank of questions which will be used to probe the reasoning behind the observable actions.

Method of assessment 

In all environments it may be appropriate to assess this unit concurrently with other relevant units.

Guidance information for assessment 

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the oracy, language and literacy capacity of the assessee and the work being performed.

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. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs if the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.

Codes of practice / standards 

Where reference is made to industry codes of practice, and/or Australian/international standards, the latest version must be used.

Context 

This unit of competency includes all such items of equipment and workplace activity which forms part of the incident response system.

For your work environment this may include (select relevant items):

• atmosphere testing equipment
• ladders
• lifting tackle
• slings and harnesses
• tripods
• stretchers
• other equipment integral to the rescue operation.

Typical problems for your facility may include:

• unsafe working conditions
• faulty or defective equipment
• lack of appropriate safety equipment on hand
• inappropriate work procedures
• lack of attention.

Health , safety and environment  (HSE )

All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent health, safety and environment requirements, which may be imposed through State or Federal legislation, and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between Performance Criteria and HSE requirements, the HSE requirements take precedence.

Unit sector 

Support/generic

Competency field 

Co-requisite units