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. Muster teams

1.1. Access, interpret and apply compliance documentation  relevant to providing support for rescue operations

1.2. Validate team members' current rescue competency and constitute teams to incident requirements, and rescue guidelines

1.3. Record rescue team membership

1.4. Assess and monitor team members' state of readiness for rescue operation

1.5. Allocate individual team preparation and mustering areas

1.6. Maintain team's state of readiness and utilise when advised by Incident Control 

1.7. Regularly update team members on incident status

2. Organise team and equipment

2.1. Enlist and utilise support personnel

2.2. Identify and procure appropriate equipment  to meet response to the incident

2.3. Allocate equipment to team and record allocation details

2.4. Repair, or replace and test faulty equipment

2.5. Record and review test results to ensure compliance with rescue guidelines, legislative requirements and site procedures

2.6. Advise and consult Incident Control on personnel and equipment status

3. Maintain supply of resources

3.1. Arrange transport for teams entering the mine

3.2. Identify, locate and procure ongoing resource requirements

3.3. Report unavailability of vital equipment to Incident Control

3.4. Distribute ongoing resource requirements to teams and fresh air base 

3.5. Ensure continuity of catering and supplies for team

3.6. Ensure equipment is tested before going underground

4. Record and report resource allocation and usage

4.1. Keep and collate written records at completion of duties

4.2. Log in and out and account for equipment

4.3. Carry out handover briefings to ensure continuity of operations and team safety by on coming personnel

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

Required skills 

Specific skills are required to achieve the performance criteria in this unit, particularly for the application in the various circumstances in which this unit may be applied. This includes the ability to carry out the following as required to provide support for rescue operations:

• apply legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures
• apply procedures to coordinate activities and resources
• apply procedures to access and coordinate with external services and agencies
• apply problem solving techniques
• read maps and interpret symbols
• apply call-out response procedures
• work as a member of a team

Required knowledge 

Specific knowledge is required to achieve the Performance Criteria of this unit, particularly its application in a variety of circumstances in which the unit may be used. This includes knowledge of the following, as required to provide support for rescue operations:

• role and responsibilities of support person
• mine surface layout
• use and care of self-rescuers
• breathing apparatus equipment and operation
• identification, sourcing and pre-testing of mine gas testing and monitoring instruments
• types of fire and fire fighting equipment
• equipment requirements for rescue operations
• rescue team procedures and equipment
• call-out procedures
• team composition and procedures
• air measurement and ventilation equipment
• extrication equipment
• hydraulic rescue equipment
• transport systems
• stretchers and lashings
• roping equipment
• communications equipment and signals
• route marking equipment
• ground support systems and equipment
• role of external services and agencies
• roles and responsibilities and membership of Incident Control

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 providing support for rescue operations
• implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient provision of support for rescue operations
• working with others to undertake and complete rescue operations that meet all of the required outcomes
• consistent timely provision of support for rescue operations 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.
• 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.
• Assessment of this competency requires typical resources normally used in the work environment. Selection and use of resources for particular worksites may differ due to site circumstances.
• 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
• consistently achieving the required outcomes

• first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:

• working with others to undertake and complete rescue operations

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, organisation and site requirements and procedures
• manufacturer's guidelines and specifications
• Australian standards
• code of practice
• Employment and workplace relations legislation
• Equal Employment Opportunity and Disability Discrimination legislation

Incident Control :

• has control and makes decisions on the operations associated with dealing with the incident

Equipment may include :

• vehicles
• competent personnel
• breathing apparatus
• team safety equipment
• atmospheric monitoring equipment
• hydraulic and pneumatic rescue equipment
• rope equipment
• incident-specific equipment such as body bags

Fresh air base  can be defined as:

• a continuously monitored station for dispatch or return of teams in close proximity to active zones in known fresh air