Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

1)

1.1) Descriptor

This Competency Standard Unit covers the performance of rescue procedures from switchyard structures at heights in the work place. It specifies the mandatory requirements of rescue from switchyard structures and how they apply in the context of transmission, distribution or rail work functions. It encompasses responsibilities for health, safety and risk management processes at all operative levels and adherence to safety practices as part of the normal way of doing work.

Application of the Unit 

4)

This competency standard unit shall be selected as part of an endorsed skill set for the purposes of refresher training and/or to meet regulatory and/or network requirements.

Delivery and assessment of this unit should be undertaken within regard to the requirements of License to Practice (1.2 above), Prerequisite Competencies and Literacy and Numeracy skills (2 above) and the  recommendations for concurrent assessment and relationship with other units (9.5 below).

Practice in the workplace and during training is also subject to regulations directly related to occupational health and safety and where applicable contracts of training such as apprenticeships.

Note:

1. Compliance with permits may be required in various jurisdictions and typically relates to the operation of plant, machinery and equipment such as elevating work platforms, powder operated fixing tools, power operated tools, vehicles, road signage and traffic control and lifting equipment. Permits may also be required for some work environments such as confined spaces, working aloft, near live electrical apparatus and site rehabilitation.

2. Compliance may be required in various jurisdictions relating to currency in First Aid, confined space, lifting, risk safety measures etc

1.2) License to practice

The skills and knowledge described in this unit may require a licence/registration to practice in the work place subject to regulations for undertaking of electrical work. Practice in workplace and during training is also subject to regulations directly related to Occupational Health and Safety, electricity/telecommunications/gas/water industry safety and compliance, , environmental protection, anti discrimination and training. Commonwealth, State/Territory or Local Government legislation and regulations may exist that limits the age of operating certain equipment.

ESI employees are required to maintain currency in this Unit for authorisation/approval to work on ESI Networks.

Prerequisite Unit (s )

2)

2.1) Competencies

Granting of competency in this unit shall be made only after competency in the following unit(s) has/have been confirmed:

nil

Employability Skills 

3)

This unit contains employability skills.

6 ) Elements describe the essential outcomes of a competency standard unit

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

Prepare to perform rescue from switchyard structures at heights

1.1

Instruction in hazards and risk control measures for specific work areas and work activities are identified and obtained.

1.2

Systems and emergency rescue equipment are identified and placed to minimise and control hazards according to established procedures.

1.3

Tools and emergency equipment needed for a rescue are checked for safety, functionality and placed according to established procedures.

2

Carry out rescue from switchyard structures at heights

2.1

Workplace procedures and work instructions for controlling risk are followed.

2.2

Workplace procedures for accessing the switchyard structure, removing the victim where necessary, from contact with live apparatus are followed.

2.3

Workplace procedures for attaching the emergency lowering equipment and lowering the victim to the ground are followed.

2.4

Workplace procedures for applying first aid at the site and gaining access to treatment by a medical professional if necessary are followed.

2.5

The worksite is secured and entry controlled until appropriate authorities inspect and release the site.

3

Complete rescue procedures from switchyard structures at heights

3.1

Processes for reporting accidents and/or incidents to authorised personnel are confirmed in accordance with established procedures.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

7 ) Essential Knowledge and Associated Skills  (EKAS ): This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Evidence shall show that knowledge has been acquired of procedures required to perform rescue at heights from switchyard structures.

All knowledge and skills detailed in this unit should be contextualised to current industry practices and technologies.

The extent of the essential knowledge and associated skills (EKAS) required is given in Volume 2 - Part 2.2 EKAS. It forms an integral part of this unit.

T2.5.5

Powerline clearances and approach distances

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

9 ) This provides essential advice for assessment of the competency standard unit and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria and the range statement of the competency standard unit and the Training Package Assessment Guidelines.

The Evidence Guide forms an integral part of this Competency Standard Unit and shall be used in conjunction with all component parts of this unit and, performed in accordance with the Assessment Guidelines of this Training Package.

Overview of Assessment

9.1)

In accordance with the National Refresher Training Recognition Protocol for the Electricity Supply Industry, this unit is identified as a Refresher Training unit and is only available for use by industry to meet industry protocols and regulatory requirements.

Industry has defined Refresher Training as:

"A competency confirmation event which may include training, the purpose of which is to compensate for or prevent deterioration in a previously achieved standard of performance"

Under the protocol and the applicable State or Territory legislative and regulatory requirements, Electricity Supply Industry employees are required to maintain currency in this Unit for authorisation/approval to work on ESI Networks.

Industry accepts that opportunities to practice emergency procedures are generally restricted to simulated exercises in a controlled environment during competency confirmation programs.

The critical safety nature of working with electricity, electrical equipment, gas or any other hazardous substance/material carries risk in deeming a person competent. Hence, sources of evidence need to be 'rich' in nature so as to minimise error in judgment.

Methods chosen for a particular assessment will be influenced by various factors. These include the extent of the assessment, the most effective locations for the assessment activities to take place, access to physical resources, additional safety measures that may be required and the critical nature of the competencies being assessed.

These points are raised for the assessors to consider when choosing an assessment method and developing assessment instruments.

An industry endorsed Learning Assessment Plan has been developed to support this unit.

Critical aspects of evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

9.2)

Before the critical aspects of evidence are considered all prerequisites shall be met.

• Evidence for competence in this unit shall be considered holistically. Each element and associated Performance Criteria shall be demonstrated at each competency confirmation event.

In accordance with State and Territory regulations and the "Assessment Guidelines - UET09". Evidence shall also comprise:

• A performance demonstrated within the timeframes typically expected of the rescue procedure. In particular the assessment of this units shall confirm that a candidate is able to:

• Implement Occupational Health and Safety workplace procedures and practices including the use of risk control measures as specified in the Performance Criteria and range; and
• Demonstrate an understanding of the essential knowledge and associated skills as described in this unit to such an extent that the learner's performance outcome is reported in accordance with the preferred approach; namely a percentile graded result, where required by the regulated environment; and
• Demonstrate an appropriate level of employability skills; and
• Conduct work observing the relevant Anti Discrimination legislation, regulations, policies and workplace procedures; and

• Demonstrated performance across a representative range of contexts from the prescribed items below:

Range of tools /equipment /materials /procedures /workplaces /other variables 

Group No 

The minimum number of items on which skill is to be demonstrated 

Item List 

A

All, to the satisfaction of the network operator's assessor

Participation in consultation processes, identifying hazards and implementing and monitoring control measures at the work site.

B

All, to the satisfaction of the network operator's assessor

Applying work procedures and instructions as they apply to personal risk control and safety

C

All, to the satisfaction of the network operator's assessor

Inspection and placement of emergency rescue equipment to facilitate rescue from an accident/incident on a switchyard structure

D

All, to the satisfaction of the network operator's assessor

Accessing the switchyard structure, attaching and securing the emergency rescue equipment in accordance with workplace procedures

E

All, to the satisfaction of the network operator's assessor

Removing the victim from contact with any live conductors/apparatus, attaching the emergency rescue equipment and, where appropriate performing first aid in the switchyard structure in accordance with workplace procedures

F

All, to the satisfaction of the network operator's assessor

Lowering the victim to the ground and performing first aid in accordance with workplace procedures

G

All, to the satisfaction of the network operator's assessor

Initiating additional assistance and treatment by medical professional in accordance with workplace procedures

Context of and specific resources for assessment

9.3)

This unit should be assessed as it relates to normal work practice using procedures, information and resources typical of a workplace. This should include:

• OHS policy and work procedures and instructions.
• Suitable work environment, facilities, equipment and materials to safely undertake actual performance of rescue procedures at heights from switchyard structures in the workplace.

In addition to the resources listed above, in Context of and specific resources for assessment, evidence should show demonstrated competency working in realistic environment and a variety of conditions.

Method of assessment

9.4)

This competency standard unit shall be assessed by methods given in Volume 1, Part 3 "Assessment Guidelines".

Note:

Competent performance with inherent safe working practices is expected in the Industry to which this competency standard unit applies. This requires that the specified essential knowledge and associated skills are assessed in a structured environment which is primarily intended for learning/assessment and incorporates all necessary equipment and facilities for learners to develop and demonstrate the essential knowledge and associated skills described in this unit.

Concurrent assessment and relationship with other units

9 .5 )

For optimisation of training and assessment effort, competence in this unit is not recommended to be assessed concurrently with any other unit.

RANGE STATEMENT 

8 ) This relates to the competency standard unit as a whole providing the range of contexts and conditions to which the Performance Criteria apply. It allows for different work environments and situations that will affect performance.

This Competency Standard Unit shall be demonstrated in relation to performing rescue procedure at heights from switchyard structures in the workplace and will include the following:

Inspection and placement of rescue equipment to facilitate a prompt response and rescue from an incident from switchyard structures.

Applying work procedures and instructions as they apply to risk control and personal safety measures.

Accessing switchyard structures and placing, securing and attaching the lowering device to the victim in accordance with workplace procedures.

Removing the victim from contact with any live conductors/apparatus and performing first aid at the switchyard structure in accordance with workplace procedures.

Lowering the victim to the ground and performing first aid in accordance with workplace procedures.

Initiating additional assistance and treatment by medical professional in accordance with workplace procedures.

Participation in consultation processes, identifying hazards and implementing and monitoring control measures at the work site.

The following constants and variables included in the element/Performance Criteria in this unit are fully described in the Definitions Section 1 of this volume and form an integral part of the Range Statement of this unit:

• Appropriate and relevant persons
• Assessing risk
• Assessment
• Authorisation
• Emergency
• Established procedures
• Fall prevention
• Hazards
• Identifying hazards
• Inspect
• Legislation
• Notification
• OHS practices
• OHS issues
• Permits and/or permits to work
• Personnel
• Requirements
• Testing procedures
• Work clearance systems

2.2) Literacy and numeracy skills

Participants are best equipped to achieve this unit if they have reading, writing and numeracy skills indicated by the following scales. Description of each scale is given in Volume 2, Part 3 "Literacy and Numeracy"

Reading

3

Writing

3

Numeracy

3

Competency Field

5)

Refresher Training Unit