Unit of competency details

Release 

TP version 

Comments 

1

PUA12 V1

First release.

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 Range Statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the Evidence Guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Identify risk 

1.1 Sources of risk  are identified by considering the interaction of hazards, communities and the environment .

1.2 Elements at risk  are identified.

1.3 Stakeholders  are consulted throughout the risk assessment process.

1.4 Risk statements describing consequences are generated.

2. Analyse risk 

2.1 Risks are analysed by considering the likelihood of particular consequences occurring.

2.2 The vulnerability of communities and/or environments is determined by analysing their susceptibility and resilience to risks.

2.3 Risks are rated in accordance with agreed risk criteria. 

3. Evaluate risk 

3.1 Risks requiring additional analysis or treatment are determined.

3.2 Tolerability and acceptability of risks are agreed with stakeholders.

3.3 Risk treatments are prioritised using agreed risk criteria.

4. Monitor and review 

4.1 Evaluated risks are monitored in accordance with standards and guidelines. 

4.2 Evaluated risks are reviewed in accordance with standards and guidelines.

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

Required Skills 

• research skills to identify sources of risk to the social, built, economic and natural environments
• analysis skills for qualitative and quantitative risk analysis
• workshop facilitation skills
• identification of stakeholders
• negotiation with stakeholders
• problem definition
• risk analysis
• use emergency risk modelling processes to estimate risk

Required Knowledge 

• emergency risk management concepts and principles included in the current National Emergency Risk Assessment Guidelines
• risk identification tools
• format of risk statements and risk register
• structure of risk criteria and the application of scenario dynamics (how a hazard creates consequences)
• concepts of ‘credible consequence level’, likelihood rating, confidence rating, ‘as low as reasonably practicable’ principle
• application of spatial analysis techniques
• jurisdiction or organisational emergency risk management principles and guidelines
• problem solving and decision making techniques
• research, demographic and economic analysis techniques

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

Learners must demonstrate that they can apply an appropriate method to identify risk, produce meaningful risk statements and apply risk criteria in consultation with stakeholders.

Consistency in performance 

Candidates should be expected to present evidence from at least two different contexts, one of which may be simulated.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Context of assessment 

Evidence of competence in this unit may be collected in a simulated environment and real environment, often as part of a larger project with concurrent assessment of other emergency risk management competencies.

Specific resources for assessment 

For the demonstration of competence in this unit it will be necessary to participate a real life project.

Underpinning knowledge may be assessed through written assignments, project reports, debriefings and action learning projects in real or simulated environments.

Guidance information for assessment  

This unit contains many transferable skills, such as communication, consultation, research and analysis skills that can be applied in the emergency risk management context. Assessors should use formative assessment strategies in a simulated environment to contextualise underpinning knowledge. Summative assessment requires application of the unit in a real-life project, often in an action-learning context.

This unit may be assessed with other units that address the whole emergency risk management process.

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.

Sources of risk  may include

• commercial and legal relationships
• economic systems and relationships
• human behaviour
• natural events
• built environment failures
• disease (plant, animal or human)
• political circumstances
• technology/technical issues, management activities and controls

The environment  may include

• social environment (individuals, families and common interest groups that form whole communities)
• build environment (human-made assets that underpin the functioning of a community)
• economic environment
• natural environment

Elements at risk  may include

• people
• buildings and civil engineering works
• infrastructure
• economic activities
• public services
• natural environment

Stakeholders  may include

• staff
• client groups
• decision makers
• members of the public
• community groups
• industry groups
• public and private sector organisations
• non-government organisations
• elected officials

Risk criteria  may include

• the nature and types of causes and consequences that can occur and how they will be measured
• how likelihood will be defined
• the timeframe(s) of the likelihood and/or consequence(s)
• how the level of risk is to be determined
• the views of stakeholders
• the level at which risk becomes acceptable or tolerable
• whether combinations of multiple risks should be taken into account and, if so, how and which combinations should be considered

Standards and guidelines  may include

• AS/NZS ISO 31000:2009, Risk management—Principles and Guidelines
• HB 327:2010, Communicating and consulting about risk
• ISO Guide 73:2009, Risk management—Vocabulary
• National Emergency, Management Committee (2010), National Emergency Risk Assessment Guidelines
• jurisdictional or organisational emergency risk management policies and procedures