AHCCOM202A Recognise and respond to fire emergencies on a composting site

Release: 1

AHCCOM202A Recognise and respond to fire emergencies on a composting site

Modification History

Not Applicable

Unit Descriptor

Unit descriptor	This unit covers the process of preventing, recognising and providing first response to fire in material or compost piles and defines the standard required to: recognise and report fire risks and incidents; follow emergency procedures, including procedure for contacting fire brigade; read and interpret site operations plan or map, including safety and fire signs; operate pumps and set up water delivery system.

Application of the Unit

Application of the unit	This unit applies to the application of knowledge and skills to a limited range of defined tasks and responsibility. Tasks are likely to be performed by a yard hand or general hand under supervision of an operations team leader or site foreman and fire brigade personnel. The outcomes do not substitute for the attendance of fire brigade personnel in the event of a fire emergency.

Licensing/Regulatory Information

Not Applicable

Pre-Requisites

Prerequisite units

Employability Skills Information

Employability skills	This unit contains employability skills.

Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content

Not Applicable

Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT	PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
1. Recognise a fire risk and undertake preventative actions	1.1. Procedures for first response to fire are obtained from supervisor and clarified if required. 1.2. Location of basic firefighting equipment on site is identified and checks made to ensure all equipment is available and ready for use. 1.3. Conditions that can lead to fire and signs of fire are recognised and reported to supervisor. 1.4. Enterprise procedures for emergencies are observed. 1.5. Temperature and moisture management procedures are implemented according to enterprise requirements.
2. Recognise and initiate response to fire	2.1. Nature and extent of fire are identified. 2.2. Fire details are reported and alarm is raised according to enterprise procedures. 2.3. Preparations for water availability for fire brigade attendance are implemented as directed by supervisor and according to enterprise procedures. 2.4. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) hazards associated with fire emergency are identified and appropriate action is taken to minimise risks to self, others and property. 2.5. Immediate area of the emergency is secured as directed by supervisor and in line with enterprise procedures to ensure no further loss occurs. 2.6. Where safe to do so, machinery and equipment are removed from area. 2.7. Firefighting equipment is selected and set up in line with enterprise procedures, as directed by fire brigade personnel and supervisor.
3. Attack fire under direction of fire brigade	3.1. Appropriate firefighting and containment media are applied to attack and control fire, as directed and in a safe and coordinated manner. 3.2. Firefighting methods and tactics are employed as directed. 3.3. Potential for change in fire behaviour is reported to fire brigade and supervisor and acted upon under supervision to ensure safety of personnel and protection of property. 3.4. Clear line of retreat is identified and maintained at all times. 3.5. Conditions at fire are observed and their effects on fire development are reported according to company guidelines. 3.6. Significant changes to status of fire are immediately reported to supervisor and fire brigade.
4. Carry out post-fire activities	4.1. Smouldering fire residuals are identified and controlled as required according to enterprise procedures and fire brigade directions. 4.2. Break-up of windrows, buildings or structures is carried out as directed by supervisor and enterprise procedures. 4.3. Enterprise procedures for removal of spent fuel or burnt compost and debris are followed. 4.4. Activities to complement post-fire operations and prevent further damage are carried out as directed and according to enterprise procedures. 4.5. Site and equipment are cleared and cleaned to enterprise and manufacturer guidelines. 4.6. Assistance is given to fire brigade to complete and record appropriate incident information. 4.7. Effectiveness of tactics employed is reported to supervisor. 4.8. As part of one's participation in an incident debrief, feedback on performance is sought and any required improvements are noted for future action.

Required Skills and Knowledge

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.
Required skills
following emergency procedures, including procedure for contacting fire brigade following verbal instructions from fire brigade and supervisor observing signs of fire operating pumps reading and interpreting site operations plan or map reading written instructions sufficient to select and use correct firefighting media such as fire extinguishers recognising and reporting fire risks and incidents setting up water delivery system understanding and following safety and fire signs using communications equipment using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) correctly use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures use interpersonal skills to relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.
Required knowledge
characteristics and operation of joints, hoses, valves and sprinkler components enterprise operating procedures, including OHS and emergency management plan fire behaviour, extinguishing media and operating firefighting equipment fire control tactics and techniques, fire hazards and safety techniques operation of pumps pile size, moisture and porosity as causes of combustion procedures for safe use of equipment, such as power and hand tools standard risk control measures used in the industry to minimise risk associated with fire response.

Evidence Guide

EVIDENCE GUIDE
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment
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 workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following: recognise and report fire risks and incidents follow emergency procedures, including procedure for contacting fire brigade read and interpret site operations plan or map, including safety and fire signs operate pumps and set up water delivery system.
Context of and specific resources for assessment	Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.

Range Statement

RANGE STATEMENT
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.
Composting may include	aerobic composting vermiculture enterprises.
Essential emergency procedures may include:	fire drills identification of hazards reporting of fires risk assessment and control strategies evacuation procedures use of first response firefighting equipment.
Additional procedures that may be covered include	clearing composting areas of loose material housekeeping practices to control risk of fire knowledge of enterprise emergency management plan and ones role in it maintaining distances between compost and material piles monitoring temperatures planned maintenance cleaning of machinery and vehicles.

Unit Sector(s)

Unit sector	Composting

Co-requisite units

Co-requisite units

Competency field

Competency field