Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

This unit covers the competency required to remove explosive ordnance  from damaged aircraft by members of the Australian Defence Force.

Application of the Unit 

This competency normally applies to members of the Australian Defence Force required to remove explosive ordnance from damaged aircraft.

These removal operations can be conducted under a variety of conditions, including wartime, peacekeeping, in support of the civilian community/authority, as part of a joint services and/or coalition operation and also in training. The damaged aircraft can be friendly, enemy or of unknown origin.

Employability Skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Pre-requisite Unit /s 

Nil

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 removal operations 

1.1 Equipment , tools and stores  required for removal operations  are collected, stored and checked for presence and serviceability in accordance with instructions and procedures

1.2 Personnel required to participate are briefed on their duties and advised of their responsibilities

1.3 Contact and liaison with other agencies  is established and maintained in accordance with current procedures

1.4 Pre-scene arrival planning is conducted in accordance with instructions and procedures

2. Conduct render-safe procedures /disposal and removal of explosive ordnance 

2.1 Explosive ordnance and associated components are located and identified  in accordance with specified procedures

2.2 Equipment, tools and stores required to remove, dispose of/render explosive ordnance safe are identified and prepared for use in accordance with authorised procedures

2.3 Controlling authority  is advised of safety and evacuation requirements

2.4 Method of conducting removal , disposal /render -safe procedure  is determined and planned/prepared

2.5 Equipment is operated in accordance with current instructions

2.6 Render-safe/disposal procedure is conducted in accordance with current policies and procedures addressing all relevant occupational health and safety requirements 

2.7 Explosive ordnance and immediate area are inspected and either declared safe or alternate disposal operation is planned as required by current policy and procedures

3. Finalise activities 

3.1 Equipment is recovered, refurbished and secured in accordance with current policy and procedures

3.2 Post explosive ordnance removal clearance  is conducted in accordance with current policy and procedures

3.3 Explosive ordnance removal reports are completed and processed in accordance with current policy and procedures

3.4 Technical evidence is provided to investigations, inquiries and courts as required

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required Skills 

• apply consequent mitigation principles
• apply operational safety
• apply removal, render-safe/disposal methods
• apply safety template requirements
• apply time management
• calculate and apply time and safety distance
• conduct liaison
• conduct site preparation and refurbishment
• identify aircraft types
• identify explosive ordnance types
• maintain documentation
• operate specialist explosive ordnance disposal vehicle
• read, access, interpret and apply technical instructions

Required Knowledge 

• aircraft systems
• blast/fragmentation/thermal effects and mitigation
• characteristics, technical capabilities and explosive ordnance loads of damaged aircraft
• characteristics, technical capabilities, effects and limitations of explosive ordnance to be removed, disposed of/rendered safe
• documentation requirements
• equipment handling requirements
• initiation procedures
• net explosive quantity estimations
• operational safety
• relevant testing procedures
• removal procedures
• render-safe/disposal methods
• safety distance calculation procedures
• site preparation and refurbishment requirements
• theory of explosive ordnance design

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 this Training Package.

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

Assessment must confirm the ability to comply with:

• relevant occupational health and safety requirements
• recognised safety precautions.

Assessment must confirm the ability to:

• locate and identify explosive ordnance to be removed
• liaise with other agencies
• prepare and operate equipment, tools and stores
• safely remove, dispose of/render-safe explosive ordnance
• apply consequent mitigation principles
• gather and secure evidence
• maintain documentation.

Consistency in performance 

Competency should be demonstrated in a range of actual or simulated explosive ordnance removal 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 Defence requirements.

Specific resources for assessment 

Access is required to:

• damaged aircraft
• specialised explosive ordnance disposal equipment\
• and explosive ordnance to be removed.

Method of assessment 

This unit may be assessed with the following unit:

• PUADEFEO101D 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.

Explosive ordnance includes 

All munitions containing explosives, nuclear fission or fusion materials and biological and chemical agents such as bombs and warheads; guided and ballistic missiles; artillery, mortar, rocket and small arms ammunition; all mines, torpedoes and depth charges; demolition charges; pyrotechnics; clusters and dispensers; cartridge and propellant actuated devices; electro explosive devices; clandestine and other improvised explosive devices; and all similar or related items or components explosive in nature

Equipment , tools and stores may include 

Chemical detection/analysis equipment

Digging tools

Electrical firing equipment

Hook and line

Personal protective equipment

Specialist explosive ordnance disposal vehicle

Telescope

Weapons, which may include:

• shaped charges
• explosively formed projectiles
• de-armer

X-ray including complete equipment schedules and processing equipment

And may include reference materials such as:

• STANAGS
• Defence service instructions
• memorandums of understanding
• standing operating procedures
• range instructions

Removal operations may be conducted 

Above or below the high water mark

By day and/or night

In all weather conditions

In any environment

In confined spaces

Contact and liaison with other agencies may cover 

Authorisation

Chain of evidence

Control arrangements

Evacuation requirements

Media details and releases

Safety aspects

Identifying explosive ordnance may include 

Application of the theory of explosive ordnance design

Approved publications

Engravings

Markings

Controlling authority may be 

Civil authorities

Coalition Military

Defence

Joint Service Command

Parent Service

Removal , disposal /render-safe procedure may be 

By remote or manual means

Effected by:

• disruption
• explosive
• non-explosive
• other approved render-safe procedure

And may include all natures of explosive ordnance and associated components

Relevant occupational health and safety requirements may 

Be subordinate to the operational requirement in the performance of explosive ordnance disposal operations

Involve applying recognised safety precautions

Post explosive ordnance removal clearance may include 

Collecting and securing forensic evidence