Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to apply safe handling strategies when handling dangerous goods or explosives, including driving the vehicle concerned in a safe manner and consulting with relevant authorities/persons in accordance with regulatory requirements. 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 Australian and state/territory regulations and codes, including the current Australian Dangerous Goods Code, the Australian Explosives Code, and the Code of Practice for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Substances.

Work is performed under limited or minimum supervision. It involves the application of the basic principles, routine procedures and regulatory requirements to safe handling/transport of dangerous goods/explosives/hazardous substances in a range of operational situations.

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 Operate equipment and /or vehicle in a safe manner 

1.1 Safety equipment is checked for serviceability and required quantities and types

1.2 Equipment/vehicle is operated safely in accordance with the relevant industry regulations, licence/permit requirements/or standards and as directed by police and/ or competent authority

1.3 Safety guidelines and codes are correctly applied

1.4 Dangerous goods/explosives/hazardous substances are handled/conveyed in accordance with the relevant government regulations and codes

1.5 Relevant emergency procedures are assessed relative to the dangerous goods/explosives/hazardous substances concerned

1.6 Emergency procedures are instigated in accordance with the relevant codes and government regulations to ensure precautions are taken consistent with directions set out in the emergency procedures

1.7 Procedures are implemented to minimise damage to equipment, facilities and the environment and minimise injury to personnel

2 Consult with relevant authorities /persons 

2.1 Dangerous goods occurrences are reported to the competent authority, fire brigade and/or police using appropriate workplace procedures, in specified timeframes in accordance with relevant regulatory requirements

2.2 Assistance is provided to the competent authority as requested

2.3 Other persons within affected emergency area are warned about the hazard in accordance with workplace procedures

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, handling and marking of dangerous goods, explosives or hazardous substances including the current Australian Dangerous Goods Code

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

• The company's incident reporting system, and the responsibility of the employer to report incidents to the relevant State or Government authority

• Risks and hazards when handling and conveying dangerous goods, explosives or hazardous substances, and related precautions to control the risk

• Workplace procedures and policies for the handling and transport of dangerous goods, explosives or hazardous substances

• Characteristics of various dangerous goods, explosives or hazardous substances and their implications for handling and transport

• Compatibility of various types of dangerous goods, explosives or hazardous substances

• Housekeeping standards procedures required in the workplace

• Site layout and obstacles

Required skills :

• Communicate effectively with others when handling or transporting dangerous goods or explosives

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

• Interpret and follow operational instructions and prioritise work

• Complete documentation related to the handling or transporting of dangerous goods or explosives

• Operate electronic communication equipment to required protocol

• Work collaboratively with others handling or transporting dangerous goods or explosives

• 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 that may occur when handling or transporting dangerous or hazardous goods or explosives in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

• Implement contingency plans for unanticipated situations that may arise during the handling or transporting of dangerous goods or explosives

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

• 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 handling and transportation 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 characteristics and hazards of the dangerous goods/explosives/hazardous substances being handled
• interpreting relevant signs, labels and codes
• locating, interpreting and applying relevant information
• safely handling/transporting dangerous goods/explosives/hazardous substances in accordance with workplace procedures and regulatory requirements
• identifying, selecting and using appropriate handling/transport equipment, vehicles, personal protection equipment and related procedures

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:

• internal or external

Work may be conducted in:

• restricted spaces
• exposed conditions
• controlled or open environments
• a workplace, warehouse or depot
• a vehicle on the road
• client's workplace
• convoy of a group of vehicles

Goods/cargo being handled/conveyed may require:

• special precautions for handling, stacking and transport

Classes of dangerous goods/explosives/hazardous substances 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

Handling operations may be carried out:

• both manually and with the aid of lifting equipment and/or appliances

Load restraint procedures and equipment are:

• as specified in mass and loading regulations and guidelines

Personal protective equipment may include:

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

Information/documents may include:

• goods/materials identification numbers, codes and signs
• manifests, bar codes, goods and container identification
• manufacturers specifications for equipment/tools
• workplace procedures and policies for the handling of dangerous goods, explosives and radioactive and other hazardous substances, and incident reporting
• supplier and/or client instructions
• material safety data sheets
• relevant codes of practice, including the Australian Dangerous Goods Code, the Australian Explosives Code, the Code of Practice for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Substances, the Industry Safety Code, and National Standards for Manual Handling
• National Load Restraint Guide
• award, enterprise bargaining agreement, other industrial arrangements
• standards and certification requirements
• quality assurance procedures
• emergency procedures

Applicable regulations and legislation may include:

• Australian and state/territory regulations pertaining to the handling of dangerous goods/explosives/hazardous substances
• Australian and international regulations and codes of practice for the handling and transport of explosives, 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
• Code of Practice for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Substances
• state/territory legislation covering the safe handling of infectious substances

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

Competency Field 

F - Safety Management