Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

This unit applies to personnel engaged in entering or exiting a hovering helicopter.

Application of the Unit 

The application of this unit in the workplace - the environments, complexities and situations involved - will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.

This text will be useful for the purposes of job descriptions, recruitment advice or job analysis; where possible, it will not be too job specific to allow other industries to import it into other Training Packages, where feasible.

Prerequisite Unit /s 

PUAFIR209B Work safely around aircraft

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 for hover-exit operations 

1.1 Appropriate clothing and equipment is worn

1.2 Hover -exit operations  are undertaken in accordance with occupational health and safety requirements

1.3 The necessary firefighting equipment, as advised from workplace instructions, is assembled

1.4 Pre -flight  aircraft safety briefing is obtained

1.5 The aircraft is loaded  in accordance with workplace instructions

1.6 Personnel  are secured in seatbelts in accordance with workplace instructions

2. Hover-exit from helicopter 

2.1 Seatbelts are unsecured following clearance to commence movement within the helicopter and resecured behind the wearer

2.2 Movement towards the helicopter doorway is undertaken in accordance with workplace instructions

2.3 Individual and equipment are transferred between the helicopter and the ground in accordance with workplace instructions

2.4 Actions are undertaken to minimise uncommanded movement of the helicopter during transfer to the ground in accordance with workplace instructions

2.5 Appropriate landing technique is selected and used in accordance with ground and safety conditions

2.6 The all clear signal is communicated to the pilot or crew person when landing activity is complete

2.7 Assembly point for individual and equipment is identified and reached

3. Hover-entry to helicopter 

3.1 Individual and equipment are located at the nominated assembly point in preparation for hover entry

3.2 Movement towards and into the helicopter is undertaken in accordance with workplace instructions

3.3 Actions to minimise uncommanded movement of the helicopter during transfer from the ground to the helicopter are undertaken in accordance with workplace instructions

3.4 Seatbelts are secured until clearance is obtained to commence movement within the helicopter in accordance with the organisation's safe work practices

3.5 Movement on board the helicopter and toward the helicopter seat is undertaken in accordance with workplace instructions

3.6 Seatbelts are secured and remain so until the helicopter has landed and clearance is obtained to commence movement within the helicopter

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required Skills 

ability to work as part of a team in the transfer of personnel and equipment between helicopter and the ground

actions to minimise movement during ascent and descent from helicopter

Required Knowledge 

correct method of carrying various types of equipment

safety and emergency procedures

types of landing techniques

site selection for hover-exits

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

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

It is essential for this unit that competence be demonstrated in:

undertaking operations in accordance with OH&S procedures, legislative and operational guidelines

preparation, inspection, carriage and stowing of equipment prior to, during and following exiting from the helicopter

following instructions and procedures within the helicopter

correct procedures for entering and exiting from the helicopter including correct sequencing of activities

demonstration of hover-exit procedures for exiting from different heights and from different helicopters

Consistency in performance 

Evidence should be gathered over a period of time in a range of actual or simulated workplace environments

Shows evidence of application of relevant workplace procedures including:

codes of practice

hazard policy and procedures

briefing procedures and work instructions

procedures relating to safe use of equipment

following workplace procedures

action taken promptly - accidents and incidents reported within regulatory and agency requirements

work completed systematically in accordance with safe operating procedures to minimise risk of injury to self, others or damage to equipment

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Context of assessment 

On the job or in a range of simulated hover-exit or entry activities

Specific resources for assessment 

equipment and materials

personal protective and safety equipment

an area to conduct operations

helicopter(s)

briefing reports

appropriate personnel

Guidance information for assessment 

Information that will assist or guide assessment will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.

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.

Hover-exit operations may or may not include 

helicopter

firefighting crew

individual

assistance from a helicopter crew person

Hover-exit operations may include equipment such as 

chain saws

rake-hoes

axes

other hand tools

personal rucksacks

food and drink containers

Hover-exit operations may be conducted from either 

helicopter types approved by the organisation

the right or left side of a helicopter

Pre-flight safety briefings will be conducted by 

the pilot, crew person or airbase/helibase manager

The pre-flight hover-exit briefing will be given by either 

the pilot or the crew person

Aircraft loading will be under the guidance of either 

the pilot or the crew person

If personnel are already on the ground 

briefings may occur by radio

Co-requisite Unit /s 

Nil