This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to handle dangerous goods and hazardous substances in accordance with relevant work health safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) regulations concerning the safe handling of dangerous goods and hazardous substances, within the transport and logistics industry.

It includes identifying requirements for working with dangerous goods and/or hazardous substances, confirming site incident procedures and selecting handling techniques.

Work is performed under general supervision.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

ELEMENTS 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1 

Identify requirements for working with dangerous goods and/or hazardous substances 

1.1

Dangerous goods/hazardous substances are identified from information including class labels, manifests and other documentation

1.2

Job hazards are identified and required action is taken to minimise, control or eliminate identified hazards

1.3

Storage requirements for dangerous goods/hazardous substances are identified and applied

1.4

Legislative requirements for dangerous goods/hazardous substances are used to plan work activities

1.5

Handling procedures for different classes and characteristics of goods are observed

1.6

Confirmation is sought from relevant personnel where dangerous goods/hazardous materials do not appear to be appropriately marked

2 

Confirm site incident procedures 

2.1

Incident reporting processes are identified

2.2

Emergency equipment is located and checked in accordance with workplace procedures and statutory regulations

2.3

Emergency procedures are identified and confirmed

3 

Select handling techniques 

3.1

Load handling and shifting procedures are selected in accordance with identified requirements for particular goods

3.2

Handling equipment is checked for conformity with workplace requirements and manufacturer guidelines

3.3

Suitable signage or placards are checked for compliance with workplace procedures, as required

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria on at least one occasion and include:

• communicating and working effectively with others
• completing relevant documentation
• determining required permits
• estimating weight and dimensions of load and any special requirements
• identifying and assessing handling and storage precautions and requirements for dangerous goods/hazardous substances
• identifying and selecting safety requirements for handling dangerous goods/hazardous substances
• identifying containers and goods coding, markings and emergency information panels for mode of transport storage selected
• identifying dangerous goods/hazardous substances using labels, International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code markings, HAZCHEM signs and other relevant identification criteria
• identifying job and site hazards, and planning work to minimise risks
• implementing contingency plans
• maintaining workplace records and documentation
• modifying activities depending on operational contingencies, risk situations and environments
• monitoring and prioritising work activities in terms of planned schedule, predicting consequences and identifying improvements
• operating and adapting to differences in equipment in accordance with standard operating procedures
• operating electronic communications equipment to required protocol
• reading, interpreting and following relevant instructions, procedures, regulations, information and signs
• recognising hazards and applying precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate recognised hazards
• reporting and/or rectifying identified problems, faults or malfunctions promptly, in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures
• selecting and using required personal protective equipment (PPE) conforming to industry and work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) standards
• selecting appropriate equipment and work systems including PPE
• working systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self or others, or damage to goods or equipment.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and include knowledge of:

• equipment applications, capacities, configurations, safety hazards and control mechanisms
• housekeeping standards and procedures
• permit and licence requirements
• problems that may arise when handling of dangerous goods and hazardous substances and actions that should be taken to prevent or solve these problems
• relevant aspects of current Australian Dangerous Goods (ADG) Code and relevant Australian Standards
• relevant regulations and codes concerning handling dangerous goods/hazardous substances
• risks when handling dangerous goods/hazardous substances and related precautions to control risk
• workplace procedures for handling and storing dangerous goods/hazardous substances.

As a minimum, assessors must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

As a minimum, assessment must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must occur in workplace operational situations where it is appropriate to do so; where this is not appropriate, assessment must occur in simulated workplace operational situations that replicate workplace conditions.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Resources for assessment include:

• a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or simulations
• applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, current ADG Code, codes of practice and operation manuals
• relevant materials, tools, equipment, and personal protective equipment currently used in industry.