Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to identify and label explosives and dangerous goods, including assessing explosives/dangerous goods; handling explosives/dangerous goods in accordance with regulatory requirements; labelling explosives/dangerous goods in accordance with regulatory requirements; and complying with all required documentation. Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements are applicable to this unit.

Application of the Unit 

Work must be carried out in compliance with the regulatory requirements of the relevant Australian state/territory authorities concerned with the carriage of explosives and dangerous goods including the current Australian Dangerous Goods and Australian Explosives Codes.

Work is performed under limited or minimum supervision. It involves the application of standard procedures and regulatory requirements for the identification and labelling of explosives and dangerous goods.

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 Assess explosives /dangerous goods 

1.1 Load is checked for explosives/dangerous goods in accordance with the relevant codes and government regulations

1.2 Types of explosives/dangerous goods are identified from labels, DG declarations and placarding in accordance with workplace procedures, and all required action is taken to ensure compliance with relevant government regulations and ADG/Australian Explosives Codes as applicable

1.3 Hazards posed by load are identified from labels and material safety data sheets (MSDS)

2 Handle explosives /dangerous goods 

2.1 Identified explosives/dangerous goods are handled and loaded/unloaded in accordance with regulatory requirements, codes, National Load Restraint Guide, and employer policy

2.2 Appropriate personal protective equipment is used when handling explosives/dangerous goods in accordance with class, subsidiary risk and MSDS information

2.3 Handling of different types of load takes into account the identified hazards posed by the explosives/dangerous goods concerned

2.4 When loading/storing explosives/dangerous goods, segregation procedures are followed according to the class and subsidiary risk information

3 Label explosives /dangerous goods 

3.1 All packages/containers are labelled with the class and subsidiary risk in accordance with current ADG/Australian Explosives Codes as applicable

3.2 A dangerous goods declaration is included with manifest and other shipping documents

3.3 Vehicles carrying explosives and/or dangerous goods are placarded in accordance with current ADG/Australian Explosives Codes as applicable

4 Complete documentation 

4.1 All required transport documents are completed in accordance with current ADG/Australian Explosives Codes as applicable

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS 

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

Required knowledge :

• Relevant Australian and state/territory regulations and codes pertaining to the identification and labelling of explosives and dangerous goods including the current ADG and Australian Explosives Codes

• OH&S procedures and guidelines concerning the lifting and movement of loads

• Risks and hazards when loading, unloading and handling explosives and dangerous goods, and related precautions to control the risk

• Workplace procedures and policies for the identification and labelling of explosives and dangerous goods

• Characteristics of explosives and dangerous goods relevant to handling and transport

• Compatibility of various types of explosives and dangerous goods

• Site layout and obstacles

• Housekeeping standards procedures required in the workplace

Required skills :

• Communicate effectively with others when loading, unloading and handling explosives and dangerous goods

• Read and interpret instructions, procedures, information and signs relevant to the loading, unloading and handling of explosives and dangerous goods

• Interpret material safety data sheets, containers and goods coding, markings and other information describing explosives and dangerous goods including, where applicable, emergency information panels for the mode of transport/storage selected

• Interpret and follow operational instructions and prioritise work

• Complete documentation related to the loading, unloading and handling of explosives and dangerous goods

• Correctly mark/label explosives and dangerous goods

• Operate electronic communication equipment to required protocol

• Work collaboratively with others when loading, unloading and handling explosives and dangerous goods

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

• Promptly report and/or rectify any identified problems that may occur when loading, unloading and handling explosives and dangerous goods in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

• Implement contingency plans for unexpected events that may arise when loading, unloading and handling explosives and dangerous goods

• Apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist during the loading, unloading and handling of explosives and dangerous goods

• 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

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

• 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:

• identifying explosives and dangerous goods from labels in accordance with regulatory requirements and practices
• handling explosives and dangerous goods according to regulatory requirements, codes, National Load Restraint Guide and employer policy as appropriate
• locating, interpreting and applying relevant codes and regulations
• indentifying the hazards from labels of explosives and dangerous goods
• identifying the personal protective equipment required when handling explosives and dangerous goods
• maintaining workplace records for the explosives and dangerous goods

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.

Operations may be conducted:

• in a range of work environments and weather conditions
• by day or night

Customers may be:

• internal or external

Workplaces may comprise:

• large, medium or small worksites

Work may be conducted in:

• restricted spaces
• exposed conditions
• controlled or open environments
• a workplace, warehouse or depot
• in a vehicle on the road
• at a client's workplace

Goods/cargo to be identified and classified may:

• require special precautions for handling and storage

Classes of dangerous goods and explosives are:

• as defined in the respective Australian codes

Standard marking and signage for identified explosives and dangerous goods is:

• as required in the respective Australian codes

Personnel in the work area may include:

• workplace personnel
• site visitors
• contractors
• official representatives

Communication in the work area may include:

• phone
• electronic data interchange
• fax
• email
• internet
• 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

Personal protective equipment may include:

• gloves
• safety headwear and footwear
• safety glasses
• two-way radios
• high visibility clothing

Information/documents may include:

• goods identification numbers, codes, markings and signs
• codes of practice including the Australian/International Dangerous Goods Codes and the Australian/International Explosives Codes
• manifests, bar codes, goods and container identification
• manufacturers specifications for equipment/tools
• workplace procedures and policies for the loading and unloading of vehicles
• supplier and/or client instructions
• material safety data sheets
• award, enterprise bargaining agreement, other industrial arrangements
• standards and certification requirements
• quality assurance procedures
• emergency procedures

Applicable regulations and legislation may include:

• current 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

• relevant state/territory environmental protection legislation
• equal opportunity legislation
• workplace relations regulations
• equal employment and affirmative action legislation
• relevant state/territory OH&S legislation

Competency Field 

D - Load Handling