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. Assess danger to rescuers, bystanders and casualty

1.1. Access, interpret and apply compliance documentation  relevant to assessing and implementing of life support systems and stabilising casualties

1.2. Identify hazards  to rescue personnel and other personnel

1.3. Assess situation  to ensure safety of team and other persons

1.4. Take actions to ensure safety of team and affected persons in accordance with requirements and procedures

1.5. Re-assess hazards and implement relevant measures

1.6. Implement restricted area protocols/methods

2. Access and cooperate with emergency services

2.1. Assess the incident to determine the emergency service type to be called in

2.2. Contact support services and call in to mine emergency in accordance with protocols

2.3. Establish the roles and responsibilities of the emergency service and communicate  to rescue team members

2.4. Establish the roles and responsibilities of rescue team members in relation to emergency service people and communicate to both parties

3. Gain access to casualty

3.1. Apply TRIAGE  principles to multiple-casualty situations

3.2. Assess situation to determine the appropriate safe method of access

3.3. Identify and obtain access equipment  in accordance with requirements and procedures

3.4. Use equipment to gain access to people according to manufacturer recommendations and within the guidelines of Accredited Rescue Services  to ensure the health and safety of all affected people

4. Assess casualties' condition and implement life support systems

4.1. Perform primary and secondary assessments  for basic life support to an industry accepted standard

4.2. Apply identified life support  techniques

4.3. Continuously monitor casualties and record vital signs 

4.4. Record  all relevant information and communicate to relevant officials and emergency services

5. Stabilise casualty in Situ

5.1. Maintain implemented life support techniques to keep casualty in a stable condition

5.2. Continuously monitor and re-assess casualty's condition and take life support actions in accordance with requirements and procedures

5.3. Continuously monitor casualty's vital signs and take action to maintain casualty in a stable condition

6. Hand over to emergency services

6.1. Hand over casualty/s to relevant emergency service's personnel

6.2. Hand over record of casualty/s vital signs

6.3. Assist relevant emergency service with life support if requested

7. Restore and refurbish equipment to operational condition

7.1. Inspect all equipment used for any damage or contamination sustained in the operation

7.2. Dispose of contaminated medical waste as per Australian standards

7.3. Repair or replace all defective equipment to meet manufacturer specifications or Australian standards

7.4. Clean and sterilise equipment to meet manufacturer specifications or Australian standards

7.5. Return the rescue equipment to operational readiness 

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 assess and implement life support systems and stabilise casualties:

• apply legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures
• select appropriate types of equipment and apply safe methods of operation to gain access to casualties
• assess and control hazards and associated risks
• apply TRIAGE
• apply basic life support to casualties
• apply primary assessment to casualties
• fault-find and remedy equipment
• record operations for incident reports
• operate communication systems and observe communication protocols
• gain access to and liaise with emergency services and mine officials

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 assess and implement life support systems and stabilise casualties:

• TRIAGE principles, protocols and techniques
• basic life support
• primary assessment
• secondary assessment
• hazard/risk management principles and practices, including assessment and control
• CISD procedures and agencies
• mine site plant type and construction in relation to access methods and equipment
• accident investigations
• equipment used for gaining access to casualties - types, selection, application, safe method of operation, fault-finding
• recording systems and protocols (sequence of events and actions taken)
• liaison protocols with support services
• communication systems and protocols
• types, role and responsibilities of emergency services and mine officials

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 assessment and implementation of life support systems and the stabilising of casualties
• implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient assessing and implementing of life support systems and stabilising casualties
• working with others to assess and implement life support systems, stabilise casualties and meet all of the required outcomes
• consistent timely assessing and implementing of life support systems and stabilising casualties 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 assess and implement life support systems and stabilise casualties

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

Hazards  may include:

• environmental
• electrical
• hazardous substances

Hazards  inherent to open-cut mining methods and equipment may include:

• electrical
• mechanical
• magnitude / size of equipment
• heights / depths
• wall collapse
• engulfment
• traffic movements
• water
• weather conditions
• chemicals
• night conditions
• bulk fuel storage and transportation
• unsafe working practices
• topography
• explosives

Situations  may include:

• heights
• depths
• plant and equipment entrapment
• environment
• light vehicles
• heavy vehicles

Communications  may include:

• First Aid reports
• 2-way radio
• phone
• mobile phone
• fax
• e-mail

TRIAGE principles  and practices used must be:

• as recommended by recognised authorities such as St John

Access equipment  may include:

• hydraulic rescue equipment
• pneumatic lifting equipment
• crowbars
• hand tools
• hacksaws
• abrasive saws
• thermal cutting equipment
• tirfor
• oxygen therapy / resuscitation equipment

Equipment  use may include:

• pre-use checks / tests
• operation use checks / tests
• post-use checks /tests

Accredited Rescue Services  are all agencies associated with the State Rescue Board including:

• Police Rescue
• Ambulance Rescue
• Fire Brigade
• Bush Fire Council
• Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA)
• State Emergency Services (SES)

Primary and secondary assessment  is:

• an overall assessment and treatment of injuries to a person and further assessment and treatment after monitoring

Life support  requirements include, but are not limited to:

• airway management
• haemorrhage control
• stabilisation of injuries

Vital signs  include, but are not limited to:

• respiration
• pulse
• blood pressure
• conscious level

Recording  is:

• carried out to statutory and mine-specific guidelines and formats

Returning equipment to operational readiness  may include:

• inspection
• cleaning/sterilisation
• repair
• replacement
• re-fill to manufacturer and suppliers recommendations