Unit of competency details

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to identify and apply an awareness of dangerous goods and hazardous materials requirements. It includes identifying legislation relating to dangerous goods and hazardous materials; segregating dangerous goods and hazardous materials; and dealing with incidents involving dangerous goods and hazardous materials.

Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements are applicable to this unit.

This unit is intended for persons with minimal or no contact with explosives or dangerous goods as part of their job role but who do require an awareness of how dangerous goods and hazardous materials are labelled and segregated when being transported.

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 Identify and apply appropriate legislation related to transporting dangerous goods and hazardous materials 

1.1 Legislation and organisational policies and procedures relating to the transport of dangerous goods and hazardous materials are identified and accessed

1.2 Labelling of different types of dangerous goods and hazardous materials is identified from accessed documentation

1.3 Hazardous loads are identified from transport manifests

2 Separate dangerous goods and hazardous materials 

2.1 Where applicable, dangerous goods are correctly separated in line with relevant documentation and according to class and subsidiary risk information

3 Deal with incidents involving dangerous goods and hazardous materials 

3.1 Where possible information is obtained for dangerous goods and hazardous materials involved

3.2 If applicable, documentation is checked for compliance with separation rules in accordance with organisational procedures

3.3 Information regarding dangerous goods and hazardous materials is relayed to the appropriate persons and authorities

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS 

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

Required knowledge: 

• Relevant federal, state and territory regulations and codes pertaining to identifying and labelling dangerous goods and hazardous materials, including appropriate sections of the current Australian Dangerous Goods (ADG) Code and any other applicable legislation

• Risks and hazards when transporting dangerous goods and hazardous materials

• Labelling of dangerous goods and hazardous materials

Required skills: 

• Communicate effectively with others

• Read and interpret instructions, procedures, information and signs relevant to transporting dangerous goods and hazardous materials

• Identify dangerous goods and hazardous materials labels

• Operate electronic communication equipment in line with required protocol

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 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/or equipment, and/or
• applicable documentation, including, workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals

Method of assessment 

• 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, 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.

Classes of dangerous goods and hazardous materials are: 

• as defined in the respective Australian codes

Standard marking and signage for identified dangerous goods and hazardous materials are: 

• as required in the respective Australian codes

Personnel may include: 

• organisational personnel
• emergency services
• contractors
• official representatives
• other network access providers

Communication in the work area may include: 

• telephone
• fax
• electronic, including email and internet
• radio

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 and documents may include: 

• dangerous goods identification numbers, codes, markings and signs
• codes of practice, including:

• ADG Code
• International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code
• Australian and international explosives codes

• manifests, bar codes, goods and container identification
• supplier instructions
• client instructions
• material safety data sheets (MSDS)
• 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 IMDG Code
• International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods by Air regulations
• Australian and international explosives codes

• relevant state or territory legislation relating to:

• environmental protection
• equal employment opportunity and affirmative action
• OH&S

• workplace relations regulations

F – Safety Management