Unit of competency details

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Plan for operating in remote environments

1.1. Access, interpret and apply compliance documentation  relevant to the work activity

1.2. Collate and record information relating to operating in the remote environment 

1.3. Establish detailed operating and travel plans, including a disaster plan and fallback position, in consultation with supervising staff

1.4. Notify appropriate authorities  of the action plans and time schedules according to enterprise policy

1.5. Identify and source relevant maps

2. Prepare for operating in remote environments

2.1. Prepare personal needs  for activities or travel in remote areas

2.2. Prepare transportation and equipment for use in prescribed work location or along prescribed routes

2.3. Obtain and study relevant maps prior to departure

2.4. Report and record planned activities and itinerary accurately prior to departure

3. Prepare for emergency situations

3.1. Check provisioning meets expected operational and possible emergency needs 

3.2. Check that initial planning  and regular monitoring ensures structured use of available provisions  and resources

3.3. Structure operating plan to include training in remote area survival techniques  prior to operating in remote situations

3.4. Include emergency management procedures as an integral part of operating plans and enterprise policy

4. Operate in remote environments

4.1. Complete activities according to instructions and established time schedules

4.2. Carry out all activities in remote situations in accordance with prescribed procedures

4.3. Handle emergency situations  in accordance with prescribed procedures and enterprise policy

4.4. Follow established reporting procedures on completion of planned activities and on return to base

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

Specific skills are required to achieve the Performance Criteria of this unit, particularly for its application in the various circumstances in which this unit may be used. This includes the ability to carry out the following, as required to operate in isolated and remote situations:

• apply legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures for operation in isolated and remote situations
• plan for operating in remote environments
• prepare for operating in remote environments
• prepare for emergency situations
• operate in remote environments

Required knowledge 

Specific knowledge is required to achieve the Performance Criteria of this unit, particularly for its application in the various circumstances in which this unit may be used. This includes knowledge of the following, as required to operate in isolated and remote situations:

• map reading and navigation skills including direction finding (e.g., GPS, use of compass, stars or watch)
• local topography, nearby inhabitants and locations within that area
• survival techniques and human needs relating to survival situations
• clothing requirements for sun or heat protection
• basic First Aid
• bush craft including making a fire, cooking and wild food gathering
• water supplies, sources and generation methods
• emergency vehicle and mechanical equipment repair
• the operation of communication equipment (e.g., field communications by two-way, satellite telephony and HF radio), and distress signalling including use of signalling mirrors
• weather and weather indicators
• basic rope skills including useful knots (reef, clove hitch, truckie's hitch, bowline); simple lashings and tying down loads

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment 

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

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to worksite operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit and include evidence of the following:

• knowledge of the requirements, procedures and instructions for operation in isolated and remote situations
• implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient operation in isolated and remote situations
• working with others to operate in isolated and remote situations that meets all of the required outcomes
• consistent timely completion of operation in isolated and remote situations that safely, effectively and efficiently meets the required outcomes

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

• This unit must be assessed in the context of the work environment. Where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment may occur in a simulated environment provided it is realistic and sufficiently rigorous to cover all aspects of workplace performance, including task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.
• Assessment of this competency requires typical resources normally used in a resources and infrastructure sector environment. Selection and use of resources for particular worksites may differ due to the site circumstances.
• The assessment environment should not disadvantage the participant. For example, language, literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required on the job.
• Customisation of assessment and delivery environment to sensitively accommodate cultural diversity.
• Aboriginal people and other people from a non English speaking background may have second language issues.
• Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities. Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required.

Method of assessment 

This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency. The assessment strategy for this unit must verify required knowledge and skill and practical application using more than one of the following assessment methods:

• written and/or oral assessment of the candidate's required knowledge
• observed, documented and/or first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:

• implementation of appropriate requirement, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient achievement of required outcomes
• consistent achievement of required outcomes

• first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:

• working with others to undertake and complete the operation in isolated and remote situations

Guidance information for assessment 

Consult the SkillsDMC User Guide for further information on assessment including access and equity issues.

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, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Relevant compliance documentation  may include:

• legislative, organisational and site requirements and procedures
• manufacturer's guidelines and specifications
• Australian standards
• Employment and workplace relations legislation
• Equal Employment Opportunity and Disability Discrimination legislation
• guidelines and reporting procedures for personnel operating in remote environments
• personal diary records as well as property records

Remote environment  may include:

• any workplace where the ability to get help because of distance is such that personal safety may be at risk

Appropriate authorities  may include:

• the property manager, other staff or recognised regulatory authorities (e.g., Police, Maritime Safety Authority, State Emergency Service, and Civil Aviation Authority)

Personal needs  may include:

• water generating and shade generating gear
• non-perishable survival rations
• clothing to provide for the worst case scenario

Emergency needs  may include:

• First Aid supplies
• spare parts
• telephones
• two way radios
• repair tools for the selected form of transportation
• retrieval, communications, prescribed emergency equipment for water travel
• emergency beacons and other position location devices
• emergency planning including establishment of contingency plans ("fall back position")

Planning  may include:

• establishment of time schedules and intended outcomes in consultation with managers and supervising staff
• provisioning for extreme circumstances, including worst case scenario
• identification of alternative routes, available water supplies and travel conditions such as checks of actual and forecast weather conditions
• consideration of any unplanned deviation from the planned route, itinerary or timing including the work processes involved
• establishment of rescue plans and the consideration of what circumstances might require such an operation to be mounted

Structured usage of provisions  may include:

• available provisions and resources used at a rate that sustains the individual or party and will last if possible until the end of any possible delays or emergency situations

Training in remote area survival techniques  may include:

• managing emergencies
• location and/or distilling of water
• provision and erection of shelter
• conservation of energy
• the identification and use of wild food (bush tucker)
• GPS position locating
• setting out beacons and distress signalling
• staying put or remaining with transport
• communicating with rescue teams

Emergency situations  may include:

• vehicle or equipment breakdown
• lack of food, water or protective clothing
• flood, fire or storm

Types of working situations  may include:

• working alone or in teams

Operational strategies  may include:

• planned provision of water and other survival clothing and requisites sufficient to meet the needs of all personnel

Personnel briefings  may include:

• provision of advice on intended routes, work locations, maps and direction finding equipment

Communication  may include:

• 2-way radio, satellite radio/phone, marine radio or mobile telephone

Distress signalling  may include:

• EPIRBs, signalling mirrors, fire or signals scratched on the ground

Licensing  may include:

• operating vehicles on roads, heritage reserves or public reserves, radio communications equipment