Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to secure cargo including preparing to secure cargo/containers, lashing and unlashing cargo, protecting cargo from weather, and packing and unpacking cargo. It may apply in cargo securing contexts in the stevedoring, transport, distribution and allied industries. Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements are applicable to this unit.

Application of the Unit 

Work must be carried out in compliance with the relevant regulations and workplace requirements concerning the securing of cargo.

Work is performed under some supervision generally within a team environment. It involves the application of workplace procedures and regulatory requirements to the securing of cargo as part of work activities in the stevedoring, transport, distribution and allied industries.

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. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1 Prepare to secure cargo /containers 

1.1 Work area is prepared and maintained in accordance with the national standards, safety codes and site operating procedures

1.2 Unsafe work practices and/or equipment are reported to appropriate personnel

1.3 Appropriate protective clothing, equipment and fittings are selected

1.4 Formwork is erected where no lashing points exist

1.5 Lashing plan is read and interpreted

2 Lash and unlash cargo 

2.1 Work is conducted in accordance with industry standards, statutory requirements, safety codes, site operating requirements and any special requirements of the cargo

2.2 Lashing points are identified and appropriate fittings and lashing equipment are used for each lashing point

2.3 Cargo is lashed and secured to lashing points ensuring the correct spread of lashings and that lashings are secured, attached and tensioned

2.4 Tensioners are securely fastened

2.5 When unlashing, fittings are released, disconnected and removed from the cargo

2.6 Lashing equipment is placed in designated storage areas or cleared from work area

2.7 Lashing/unlashing operations ensure no injury to personnel or damage to machinery or cargo

2.8 Lashing is completed in accordance with lashing plan

3 Protect cargo from weather 

3.1 Cargo is covered/uncovered safely ensuring appropriate covering and lashing, no injury to personnel or damage to cargo or equipment

3.2 Work is conducted in accordance with the requirements of national standards, safety codes and site operating procedures

4 Pack and unpack cargo 

4.1 Damaged cargo is identified and reported following enterprise procedures

4.2 Cargo is sorted and stacked prior to packing or after unpacking, ensuring the stack is in the correct location, in accordance with national standards, safety codes, and site operating procedures

4.3 Cargo is identified through the interpretation of marks or numbers

4.4 Tight stow of cargo is maintained

4.5 Cargo is handled ensuring no injury to personnel or damage to cargo or equipment

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS 

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

Required knowledge :

• Procedures for managing and controlling hazardous situations when carrying out work activities

• The marking and numbering systems for cargo

• Problems that may occur when securing cargo or freight and appropriate action that can be taken to resolve the problems

• Focus of operation of work systems, equipment, management and site operating systems for the securing of cargo or freight

• Workplace procedures and policies for the securing of cargo or freight

• Australian and international standards, codes and regulations relevant to the securing of cargo or freight including the Australian and International Dangerous Goods Codes

• Relevant bond, quarantine or other legislative requirements

• Relevant handling and safety codes

• Relevant OH&S and environmental procedures and regulations

Required skills :

• Communicate effectively with others when securing cargo or freight

• Read and interpret instructions, procedures, information and labels relevant to securing cargo or freight

• Identify cargo, container and goods, coding, ADG and IMDG markings and where applicable emergency information panels

• Interpret and follow operational instructions and prioritise work

• Receive, acknowledge and send messages with available communications equipment

• Complete documentation related to the securing of cargo or freight

• Work collaboratively with others when securing cargo or freight

• Adapt appropriately to cultural differences in the workplace, including modes of behaviour and interactions with others

• Promptly report and/or rectify any identified problems, faults or malfunctions in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

• Implement contingency plans for unplanned events

• Apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist during work activities

• Monitor work activities in terms of planned schedule

• Modify activities depending on differing operational contingencies, risk situations and environments

• Apply fatigue management knowledge and techniques

• Work systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self or others, or damage to goods or equipment

• Identify, select and use relevant equipment, processes and procedures when securing cargo or freight

• Operate and adapt to differences in cargo handling equipment in accordance with standard operating procedures

• Use the lashing and protection equipment

• Select and use required personal protective equipment conforming to industry and OH&S standards

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

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

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 and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria of this unit and include demonstration of applying:

• the underpinning knowledge and skills
• relevant legislation and workplace procedures
• other relevant aspects of the range statement

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

• Performance is demonstrated consistently over a period of time and in a suitable range of contexts
• Resources for assessment include:

• a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or other simulated practical and knowledge assessment, and/or
• access to an appropriate range of relevant operational situations in the workplace

• In both real and simulated environments, access is required to:

• relevant and appropriate materials and equipment, and
• applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals

Method of assessment 

• Assessment of this unit must be undertaken by a registered training organisation
• As a minimum, assessment of knowledge must be conducted through appropriate written/oral tests
• Practical assessment must occur:

• through activities in an appropriately simulated environment at the registered training organisation, and/or
• in an appropriate range of situations in the workplace

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.

Work may be conducted:

• in a range of work environments
• by day or night

Customers may be:

• internal or external

Workplaces may comprise :

• large, medium or small worksites

Work may be conducted in:

• limited or restricted spaces
• exposed conditions
• controlled or open environments
• at height
• in a workbox or workcage

Cargo may include:

• goods with specialist requirements, including temperature controlled goods and dangerous goods

Lashing equipment for containers may include:

• twistlocks
• pelican hooks
• lashing rods (bars)
• turn handles (keys)
• bottle screws
• bridging clamps
• cones

Securing equipment may include:

• chocks
• racks
• lashings
• ropes
• chains

Covers may include:

• rain and dust covers

Hazards in the work area may include exposure to:

• chemicals
• dangerous or hazardous substances
• movements of equipment, goods and materials

Personnel in work area may include:

• workplace personnel
• site visitors
• contractors
• official representatives

Personal protective equipment may include:

• gloves
• safety headwear and footwear
• safety glasses
• two-way radios
• protective clothing
• high visibility clothing
• full arrest safety harness

Communication in the work area may include:

• phone
• radio
• oral, aural or signed communications

Depending on the type of organisation concerned and the local terminology used, workplace procedures may include:

• company procedures
• enterprise procedures
• organisational procedures
• established procedures

Information/documents may include:

• goods identification numbers and codes
• manifests, bar codes, and container identification/serial number
• Australian and international codes of practice and regulations relevant to the securing of cargo
• Australian and international regulations and codes of practice for the handling and transport of dangerous goods and hazardous substances
• operations manuals, job specifications and induction documentation
• manufacturers specifications for equipment
• workplace procedures and policies
• supplier and/or client instructions
• dangerous goods declarations and material safety data sheets (where applicable)
• award, enterprise bargaining agreement, other industrial arrangements
• relevant Australian standards and certification requirements
• quality assurance procedures
• emergency procedures

Applicable regulations and legislation may include:

• relevant codes and regulations for the securing of cargo
• Australian and international regulations and codes of practice for the handling and transport of dangerous goods and hazardous substances, including:

• Australian and International Dangerous Goods Codes
• Australian Marine Orders and the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code
• IATA Dangerous Goods by Air regulations
• Australian and International Explosives Codes

• licence, patent or copyright arrangements
• water and road use and licence arrangements
• export/import/quarantine/bond requirements
• marine orders
• relevant Australian standards and certification requirements
• relevant state/territory OH&S and environmental protection legislation
• workplace relations regulations
• workers compensation regulations

Competency Field 

A - Handling Cargo/Stock