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Unit of competency details

PUASAR028A - Undertake rescue from a partial structural collapse (Release 1)

Summary

Usage recommendation:
Superseded
Mapping:
MappingNotesDate
Supersedes PUASAR007B - Undertake structural collapse rescueNew unit Unit is based on PUASAR007B Undertake structural collapse rescue Unit updated to reflect current work requirements Units are not equivalent 10/Feb/2011
Is superseded by and equivalent to PUASAR028 - Undertake rescue from a partial structural collapse 15/Jul/2019

Releases:
ReleaseRelease date
(View details for release 2) 17/Aug/2012
1 (this release) 09/Feb/2011

Replaced release

You are currently viewing the components related to release 1.
The current release is release 2View release 2 details.

Qualifications that include this unit

CodeSort Table listing Qualifications that include this unit by the Code columnTitleSort Table listing Qualifications that include this unit by the Title columnUsage RecommendationRelease
PUA30410 - Certificate III in Public Safety (SES Rescue)Certificate III in Public Safety (SES Rescue)Superseded
PUA30701 - Certificate III in Public Safety (Firefighting Operations)Certificate III in Public Safety (Firefighting Operations)Superseded
PUA30613 - Certificate III in Public Safety (Firefighting and Emergency Operations)Certificate III in Public Safety (Firefighting and Emergency Operations)Superseded1-2 
PUA30713 - Certificate III in Public Safety (Firefighting Operations)Certificate III in Public Safety (Firefighting Operations)Superseded1-2 
PUA30601 - Certificate III in Public Safety (Firefighting and Emergency Operations)Certificate III in Public Safety (Firefighting and Emergency Operations)Superseded
PUA30412 - Certificate III in Public Safety (SES Rescue)Certificate III in Public Safety (SES Rescue)Superseded1-4 
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Classifications

SchemeCodeClassification value
ASCED Module/Unit of Competency Field of Education Identifier 091105 Police Studies  

Classification history

SchemeCodeClassification valueStart dateEnd date
ASCED Module/Unit of Competency Field of Education Identifier 091105 Police Studies  03/Dec/2012 
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Modification History

Not applicable.

Unit Descriptor

Unit Descriptor 

This unit covers the competency required to provide safe and effective response to an incident involving compromised structural stability, partial or complete collapse to gain access to and extricate entrapped casualty/s.

This unit requires the responder to stabilise the structure. Where entrapped casualty/s or victims are present the responder is required to remove the casualty or victim using a range of techniques relevant to the type of structure and nature of entrapment.

This unit is designed for a response within the capability of a local response unit. This unit cannot be used to certify an operator as a member of an Urban Search and Rescue Task Force.

Application of the Unit

Application of the Unit 

This unit applies to a member of a rescue team.

Licensing/Regulatory Information

Not applicable.

Pre-Requisites

Not applicable.

Employability Skills Information

Employability Skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Pre-requisite Unit /

PUASAR023A Participate in an urban search and rescue Category 1

Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content

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.

Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Prepare for structural collapse operation 

1.1 Operation and task information  is obtained and assessed upon call out

1.2 Appropriate rescue resources  are identified and selected based on incident information received and checked to ensure they are ready for use

1.3 Personal protective equipment  (PPE ) and clothing  is selected based on the nature of the incident  and rescue resources to be used

1.4 Systematic approach  to identifying potential hazards and associated risks is discussed with team members en route and on approach to the incident

2. Establish and maintain rescue scene safety 

2.1 Rescue scene reconnaissance  and size up is conducted

2.2 Situational  and environmental hazards  are identified, analysed, evaluated and treated , marked and monitored

2.3 Scene is managed to control access  and maintain a safe and effective operational environment

2.4 Communication with other personnel on site is established and maintained

3. Determine location and condition of casualties 

3.1 Evidence of the location of casualties  within the collapsed structure is collected, analysed and reported in accordance with organisational policies and procedures

3.2 Appropriate resources are used for surface or lightly trapped casualties

3.3 Condition of surface or lightly trapped casualties and nature of entrapment is ascertained where possible

3.4 Search marking systems are utilised where applicable

4. Stabilise and make safe incident scene 

4.1 Exclusion zone is established to provide a safe working environment

4.2 Stabilisation techniques  are utilised to make the collapsed site safe

4.3 Rescue operations can be conducted in a range of environments

4.4 Incident scene is constantly monitored for situational and environmental hazards and structural stability to prevent injury to self or others

5. Gain access to casualties 

5.1 Techniques appropriate to the nature of the entrapment are utilised to access the casualty

5.2 Located casualties are treated in consultation with medical personnel in accordance with organisational policies

5.3 Hygiene precautions are implemented in accordance with organisational requirements

6. Remove casualties 

6.1 Techniques and equipment are used to remove the entrapped casualty or victim  from within the structure

6.2 Entrapped casualties are released, treated and stabilised in accordance with organisational procedures

6.3 Casualties are removed from scene using recognised techniques

6.4 Evidence of casualty's identity is collected and processed according to agreed procedures

6.5 Appropriate actions are taken to preserve the incident scene where possible for evidentiary purposes

7. Conclude rescue operations 

7.1 Equipment is recovered, cleaned and serviced according to organisational standards and manufacturer's guidelines

7.2 Hygiene precautions are implemented in accordance with the organisational requirements

7.3 Signs and symptoms of operational stress are recognised are reported to relevant personnel

7.4 Operational documentation  is completed to organisational standards

7.5 Exposure records  are completed

Required Skills and Knowledge

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required Skills 

  • establish exclusion zones
  • operate equipment in accordance with organisational procedures
  • take notes
  • use appropriate rescue equipment
  • use cutting and breaking equipment
  • use debris removal techniques
  • use generators and lighting equipment safely and effectively
  • use lifting and hauling equipment
  • use pneumatic equipment
  • use props and basic shoring techniques
  • use ropes, anchors and rigging systems
  • wear PPE in accordance with organisational requirements
  • work in teams
  • work within the responsible agency's command and control structure

Required Knowledge 

  • agency incident command and control systems
  • equipment capabilities and limitations
  • medical considerations and patient packaging for structural collapse casualties
  • operational briefing and debriefing procedures
  • organisational policies and procedures (such as relevant legislation; operational, corporate and strategic plans; operational performance standards; operational policies and procedures; organisational personnel and occupational health and safety practices and guidelines; organisational quality standards; organisation's approach to environmental management and sustainability)
  • principles of structural collapse operations
  • relevant occupational health and safety (OH&S) principles and procedures
  • signs and symptoms of operational stress

Evidence Guide

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:

  • work autonomously and as part of a team
  • conduct a dynamic risk assessment
  • maintain situational awareness and be alert to environmental and situational hazards
  • safely use debris removal, shoring and propping techniques
  • safely use hauling and lifting techniques
  • extricate casualty minimising further injury to self, others or the casualty
  • apply safe work practices in a range of environments.

Consistency in performance 

Competency should be demonstrated over time in a range of actual and/or simulated workplace environments.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Context of assessment 

Competency should be assessed an industry-approved simulated and/or workplace environment involving structural instability and rescue.

Specific resources for assessment 

Access is required to:

  • structural collapse rescue or simulation of a structural collapse incident
  • equipment, personnel, facilities etc. appropriate to the range of incidents covered by this unit of competency.

Method of assessment 

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

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.

Task information may include 

Environmental and other hazards

Nature, cause and location of incident

Occupancy

Type and magnitude of incident

Type and number of casualties/vehicles

Type of structure

Rescue resources may include 

Atmosphere monitoring equipment

Buckets

Chain saws

Communications equipment

Drills

Electrical detectors

Generators

Hand tools

Lifting/hauling equipment

Lighting

Medical equipment

Ropes

Shoring and building stabilisation

Wheel barrows

Personal protective equipment and clothing must meet the desired Australian /New Zealand Standards and may include 

Boots

Ear protection (plugs, and muffs)

Eye protection (goggles, glasses)

Gloves

Hand held lighting

Helmet and light

Knee/elbow protection

Masks and respirators

Protective clothing

Safety harnesses

Surgical gloves

Wet weather gear

Whistle

Nature of the incident 

Structural instability due to:

  • events of nature such as earthquake, flood, landslide, wind, storm
  • explosions
  • fire
  • inadequate construction
  • transport vehicle into residential or commercial building

Systematic approach must include 

Assessment i.e. call out and response, route, scene, liaison, casualties

Positioning of vehicle i.e. dangers, access and casualties

Procedures i.e. dangers, casualty protection, extrication, warning devices and lighting

Rescue scene reconnaissance must include 

Assessing physical features of structural collapse before rescue operations are deployed by supervisor

Conducting size up

Identifying hazards

Maintaining liaison with primary response team and other relevant personnel

Recognising personal capabilities and limitations and referring to supervisor

Reporting need for additional personnel and/or specialist equipment to supervisor

Reporting results to supervisor

Situational and environmental hazards may include 

Adverse weather conditions

Below debris hazards, including:

  • flooding
  • oxygen deficient atmosphere
  • toxic environment
  • flammable environment
  • different levels of elevation
  • Biological hazards, including:
  • body fluids
  • untreated sewage
  • Dangerous goods and hazardous substances
  • Overhead hazards, including:
  • falling debris
  • loose or unstable sections of structure
  • power lines

Irrespirable atmospheres

Surface hazards, including:

  • climate
  • different types of surfaces
  • sharp and jagged objects
  • water pooling
  • dust and wind
  • noise and vibration
  • Utilities

Treating hazards may include 

Eliminating the hazard

Isolating the area/source

Stabilising overhead hazards

Using atmospheric monitoring equipment

Using PPE and clothing

Managing the scene to control access may include 

Implemented structural collapse marking system

Sectorising site of structural collapse and defining boundaries

Evidence of location of casualties may include use of these search techniques 

Primary surface search and rescue:

  • audible
  • line and hail search
  • physical search
  • visual

Stabilisation techniques to make safe the incident scene may include 

Controlling entry and entry permits if appropriate

Cribbing

Removing debris

Tie backs

Using shoring and props

Equipment used to remove the entrapped casualty or victim may include 

HAZMAT detection and isolation

Cutting lifting and moving of:

  • general building material
  • other entrapment components

Shoring stabilise and support structural components with use of:

  • cribbing and wedges
  • vertical, horizontal and window and/or door shores

Operational documentation may include 

  • AIRS/coroner report

Communication logs

Equipment running and repair logs

Incident reports

  • Injury register

Near miss/accident forms

Notes or sketches and other relevant information required for potential coronal or other legal proceedings

  • Operational debrief

Site sectorisation plan

Exposure records may include 

  • Reporting form that documents any exposure that may result in a short or long term associated injury such as:
  • hazardous substances, such as dust, vapours, fumes, radiation and chemical substances
  • heavy repetitive work over long periods of time
  • lifting heavy loads
  • noise
  • psycho-social hazards (e.g. critical incident stress)

Unit Sector(s)

Not applicable.