This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to load and unload explosives/dangerous goods in a range of operational situations, in accordance with relevant Australian and state/territory regulations including current Australian Dangerous Goods (ADG) Code, current Australian Code for the Transport of Explosives by Road and Rail (AE Code), and mass and loading regulations.

It includes identifying explosives/dangerous goods, loading and unloading explosives/dangerous goods using appropriate equipment, securing and protecting vehicle load, and checking vehicle to ensure load is secure and vehicle is marked in accordance with regulatory requirements.

Work is performed under limited or minimum 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 

Prepare to load and unload vehicle 

1.1

Explosives/dangerous goods are identified and their characteristics are taken into account in accordance with relevant emergency procedures when determining appropriate handling, loading and storage procedures

1.2

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

1.3

Compatibility of explosives/dangerous goods is taken into account when assembling and segregating cargo for loading

1.4

Vehicle/loading equipment is checked to ensure it is suitable to handle/carry load

2 

Load/unload vehicle 

2.1

Vehicle is loaded/unloaded in accordance with workplace procedures and current ADG/AE Code as required

2.2

Load is segregated according to class and subsidiary risk, and load distribution is checked in accordance with workplace procedures, relevant mass and loading regulations, and current ADG/AE Code as required

2.3

Personal protective equipment is used during loading/unloading operations as required for type of explosives/dangerous goods concerned

2.4

Emergency procedures are followed in an incident or accident when loading or unloading explosives and/or dangerous goods

3 

Secure and protect vehicle load 

3.1

Vehicle load is secured using correct load restraint and protection equipment for different loads, vehicles and carriage conditions concerned

3.2

Load is protected in accordance with legal and workplace safety requirements

3.3

Load distribution is checked to ensure it is even, legal and within safe working capacity of vehicle

3.4

Vehicle is clearly marked/placarded to indicate carriage of explosives and/or dangerous goods, in accordance with government regulations and workplace procedures

4 

Check vehicle 

4.1

Loaded vehicle is inspected and checked to ensure it is suitable to carry explosives/dangerous goods, and load weight and dimensions are within vehicle safe carrying capacity and equipment capability

4.2

Loaded vehicle is checked to ensure it can be safely parked and secured

4.3

Dangerous goods declaration and required transportation documentation for cargo is completed in accordance with workplace requirements

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:

• applying precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate identified hazards
• communicating and working effectively with others
• completing relevant documentation
• estimating size, shape and special requirements of loads
• identifying and interpreting containers and goods coding, markings and emergency information panels for mode of transport/storage selected
• identifying load characteristics, loading equipment and related practices
• identifying load label in accordance with identified classification and subsidiary risk information
• identifying markings/placards for vehicle in accordance with relevant regulatory requirements
• implementing contingency plans and modifying activities depending on operational contingencies, risk situations and environments
• loading and unloading explosives/dangerous goods safely, in accordance with workplace procedures and current Australian Dangerous Goods (ADG)/current Australian Code for the Transport of Explosives by Road and Rail (AE Code) requirements
• monitoring and prioritising work activities in terms of planned schedule
• operating and adapting to differences in equipment in accordance with operating procedures
• reading, interpreting and following relevant instructions, procedures, information and signs
• reporting /rectifying identified problems, faults or malfunctions promptly, in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures
• segregating, distributing and securing load for safe transport in accordance with regulations and current ADG/AE Code requirements
• selecting and using required personal protective equipment conforming to industry and work health safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) standards
• using manual handling techniques and operating manually-operated load shifting equipment
• 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:

• characteristics of various classes of explosives/dangerous goods relevant to handling and transport
• compatibility of various types of explosives and/or dangerous goods
• housekeeping standards and procedures
• manual handling techniques and manually-operated load shifting equipment required for loading, unloading and handling explosives/dangerous goods
• methods of placarding or marking a vehicle carrying explosives and/or dangerous goods
• methods of securing a load on a vehicle
• WHS/OHS procedures and guidelines concerning lifting and moving loads
• relevant Australian explosives and/or dangerous goods codes and state/territory regulations for identifying, handling and marking explosives/dangerous goods
• relevant state/territory mass and loading regulations
• risks and hazards when loading, unloading and handling explosives/dangerous goods, and related precautions to control the risk
• workplace procedures and policies for loading and unloading explosives/dangerous goods.

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, ADG/AE Code, codes of practice and operation manuals
• relevant materials, tools, equipment and personal protective equipment currently used in industry.