Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

This unit covers the competency required to plan, prepare, conduct and follow-up on a range inspection. It includes the requirement to ensure the safety of the range and to identify those aspects that may inhibit or jeopardise the safety of the range including maintenance requirements.

Designated range inspectors in the Department of Defence conduct these technical range inspections. Inspections are a statutory requirement and may be scheduled, special or follow-up. They include the inspection requirements of a Range Safety Board.

Application of the Unit 

This unit was developed for range management and range control work within Defence but may be applicable to work in this field.

Typically, people who or apply this unit would work independently or as part of a team under direct and indirect supervision, use discretion and judgement and take responsibility for the quality of their outputs. All activities are carried out in accordance with relevant organisational policies and procedures.

Prerequisite 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 to conduct range inspection 

1.1 Statutory requirements relevant to the range  and purpose of the inspection  are established and confirmed with relevant personnel

1.2 Training area and range access and relevant clearances are obtained as required by Range Standing Orders and instructions 

1.3 Resources  required for inspection are identified and acquired where appropriate

1.4 Research  on the range to be inspected is conducted in accordance with standard procedures

1.5 Detailed plans  for the inspection are established in accordance with standard procedures

2. Conduct range inspection 

2.1 Inspections are undertaken in accordance with relevant statutory requirements, range construction specifications and instructions

2.2 All appropriate safety precautions are applied in accordance with range construction specifications, instructions and legislation/regulation

2.3 Appropriate action  is applied immediately conditions are observed or encountered warranting such action

2.4 Observations are made and recorded in accordance with statutory requirements

2.5 Liaison is established and maintained with range staff  as required

3. Report on range inspection 

3.1 Post inspection reports and briefs  are completed as required by relevant instructions

3.2 Equipment and infrastructure maintenance and/or works requirements affecting safety are reported in accordance with relevant policy and procedures

3.3 Safety of the range is certified  in accordance with statutory requirements

3.4 Follow-up on reports and maintenance/works requirements is conducted as required

3.5 Inspection records and databases are maintained  in accordance with relevant orders, instructions, policy and procedures

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required Skills 

• apply environmental issues relevant to the training area
• apply interpersonal techniques
• conduct liaison
• exercise judgement in relation to range safety
• interpret and apply range safety requirements
• interpret range specifications and construction requirements
• interpret range user requirements
• interpret weapon and ammunition specifications and effects
• operate digital cameras and process images
• operate geographical information systems
• operate range communication facilities
• operate specialist measuring instruments
• participate as a team member
• perform elementary surveying tasks
• use a variety of verbal and non-verbal communication techniques
• write at the level required to complete workplace documentation and reports

Required Knowledge 

• application of ammunition danger area traces and templates
• communications
• composition of teams and roles and responsibility of team members
• elementary surveying
• environmental issues relevant to the range
• geographical information systems
• map reading
• navigation techniques
• photography
• planning processes
• principles of teamwork and teams aims and objectives
• range safety requirements
• range specifications and construction
• range user requirements for all services
• reporting requirements
• trigonometry
• verbal and non-verbal communication techniques including language style, active listening
• weapon and ammunition specifications and effects
• written communication to a level required to complete workplace documentation and reports

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

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

Assessment must confirm the ability to: plan and prepare the conduct of the range inspection, research the range, inspect the range, exercise judgement on the safety of the range, and prepare and present relevant inspection reports.

Consistency in performance 

Competency should be demonstrated in a range of actual or simulated range Inspection 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 statutory and organisation requirements. A portfolio of a range of appropriate reports should be submitted as evidence for assessment.

Specific resources for assessment 

Access is required to an operating range.

Guidance information for assessment 

In all cases assessment should be supported by questions to assess knowledge and those aspects of competency which are difficult to assess directly.

Questioning techniques should suit the language and literacy levels of the candidate.

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.

A range may include 

All air, land and/or sea areas used for Defence live-firing weapons practices, tests or operations

Inspections may include 

Access constraints

Boundary security and signs

Cultural/heritage constraints

Environmental impact/degradation/damage

Evidence of contravention of safety practices and area/range

Placement of targets and suitability for use

Prohibited and/or controlled hazardous materials, chemicals, plants and animals

Serviceability of:

• contamination of stop butts with heavy metals
• control towers, firing platforms and infrastructure
• erosion
• firing points
• flag poles and warning lights
• impact and demolition areas
• protective structures including bunkers and waiting bays
• stop butts, bullet catchers, mantlets and bunds
• targets (including mechanical/electronic)

Standing orders

Visibility and lines of fire in relation to firing points, targets and stop butts

Instructions may include 

Memorandums of understanding

Protocols

Resources may include 

Batteries

Compass

Computers

Digital cameras

Geographical information systems

Global positioning system receivers

Maps and digital geographic information

Measuring instruments

Radios

Vehicles

Research may include 

Complaints about the range

Database information reports

Maintenance on the range

Previous inspection reports

Previous range safety and siting boards

Restrictions on the range

Detailed plans may include 

Inspection process

Liaison with range staff

Travel and accommodation arrangements

Appropriate action may include 

Ceasing of activities

Check fire

Range closures

Range staff may include 

Contract staff

Contractors

Range control officer

Range manager

And may also include range users

Post inspection reports and briefs may include 

Application of judgement to decide on the safety of the range

And may include:

• certifying current usage requirements
• confirmation of original approval requirements
• restrictions on usage

Certification may include 

Closure

Limitations

Restrictions

Maintenance of safety records may include 

Distribution

Entry into databases

Filing

Producing reports from databases

Searching databases

Co-requisite Unit /s 

Nil