Elements and Performance Criteria

General context
Work must be carried out in compliance with mandatory rules and regulations and IMO Conventions and Codes including the relevant sections of the AMSA Marine Orders and ensuring that applicable codes, guidelines and standards recommended by IMO, the classification societies and maritime industry organisations are taken into account.

Work is performed relatively independently under broad operational requirements, with accountability and responsibility for self and others in achieving the prescribed outcomes.

Work involves the planning and execution of a significant range of dangerous cargo handling techniques across a wide and often unpredictable variety of dangerous cargo types and operational contexts. Contribution to the development of a broad plan or strategy for dangerous cargo handling operations and stowage is required and accountability and responsibility for self and others in achieving the outcomes is involved.

Work requires significant judgement in planning, technical and leadership functions related to dangerous cargo handling operations and procedures.

Worksite environment
Dangerous cargo may be loaded or unloaded from any Australian or international commercial vessel.

Dangerous cargo handling operations may be carried out:
by day or night in both normal and emergency situations
under any permissible conditions of weather
at various shoreside loading and discharge terminals.

Dangerous cargo may include the various classes of dangerous goods as detailed in the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code including:
oil and petroleum products
corrosive and toxic chemicals
liquefied gas
toxic gas
toxic solid bulk cargo
explosives
munitions
radioactive cargo.

Cargo handling equipment may include:
single swinging derricks
union purchase derricks
ship-board cranes
terminal based cranes
pumps, valves and hoses.

Dangerous cargo handling hazards may include:
faulty cargo handling equipment
damaged cargo
cargo handling operations in poor weather or sea conditions
incorrectly stowed dangerous cargo
incorrectly lashed or secured dangerous cargo
using equipment beyond safe working limits
explosion
fire
spill of corrosive liquid
spill or release of toxic liquid, gas or material
radiation
non-compliance with safe working procedures.

Sources of information/documents
Documentation/records may include:
ISM Code safety management system plans, procedures, checklists and instructions
dangerous cargo handling operational orders and instructions
relevant sections of IMO STCW Convention and Code
relevant sections of AMSA Marine Orders
IMO SOLAS Convention
vessel's log
IMDG Code
vessel's 'Cargo Securing Manual'
vessel's Register of Materials Handling Equipment
vessel / shore safety checklist
company dangerous cargo handling procedures
cargo handling equipment manufacturer's instructions and recommended procedures
instructions of relevant Maritime Authorities
relevant Australian and international standards and regulatory requirements.

Applicable International, Australian and State/Territory regulations and legislation
Applicable procedures and codes may include:
sections of IMO STCW Code and Convention related to dangerous cargo handling
relevant sections of AMSA Marine Orders including:
Part 32 as it relates to cargo gear
Part 41 as it relates to dangerous cargoes
relevant international, Australian and State/Territory OH&S legislation
IMO SOLAS Convention
ISM Code.

Critical aspects of evidence to be considered
Assessment must confirm appropriate knowledge and skills to:
Plan and oversee dangerous cargo handling operations:
safely in both normal and emergency situations
in normal and adverse weather conditions
across a representative range of typical dangerous cargo handling contexts
Exercise all required safety, environmental and hazard control precautions and procedures when overseeing the handling of dangerous cargo during loading / unloading and stowage operations
Identify typical dangerous cargo handling problems and hazards and take appropriate action
Communicate effectively with others during dangerous cargo handling operations
Complete all required dangerous cargo documentation requirements.

Interdependent assessment of units
This unit of competency must be assessed in conjunction with other mandatory units that form part of a job role of the master of a vessel of 500 gross tonnage or more.

Required knowledge and skills
Knowledge of IMO STCW 95 Convention and Code and AMSA Marine Orders applicable to the management of dangerous cargo handling operations
Relevant OH&S and dangerous cargo handling legislation, codes of practice, policies and procedures
ISM Code Safety Management System
IMDG Code
Dangerous goods identification codes and signage requirements
Methods for handling various types of dangerous cargo
Characteristics, hazards and problems of different types of dangerous cargo and associated preventative and remedial action and solutions
Typical operational characteristics of different types of ship-board and terminal-based cargo handling equipment and facilities
Effects on dangerous cargo handling of wind, weather and sea conditions
Procedures for determining the forces acting on equipment used to lash dangerous cargo
Dangerous cargo handling communication techniques
Ballast management issues and procedures
Procedures for determining a vessel's displacement by draught survey
Factors that affect the reading of a vessel's draught
Procedures for calculating the longitudinal stresses acting on a vessel's hull using both manual and computer techniques
Effects of different types of cargo operations on vessel's trim and stability
Procedures for calculating the maximum deadweight available to a vessel that needs to subsequently enter various seasonal loadline zones
Procedures for calculating the stresses on lifting gear used in cargo handling operations
Dangerous cargo handling documentation including documentation to limit claims on cargo carried.

Resource implications
Access is required to opportunities to either:
plan and manage the actual dangerous cargo loading / unloading operations of a vessel; and/or
plan and manage suitably-simulated dangerous cargo loading / unloading operations over an appropriate range of dangerous cargo handling situations, weather and operational conditions.

Consistency in performance
Applies underpinning knowledge and skills when:
planning and overseeing dangerous cargo handling operations
identifying and evaluating dangerous cargo handling problems and determining an appropriate courses of action
identifying and implementing improvements to dangerous cargo handling procedures
applying safety precautions relevant to dangerous cargo handling operations
assessing operational capability of cargo handling equipment.

Shows evidence of application of relevant workplace procedures including:
Relevant sections of IMO STCW Convention and Code and AMSA Marine Orders
ISM Code and associated vessel's Safety Management System and procedures
OHS regulations and hazard prevention policies and procedures
issue resolution procedures
job procedures and work instructions
relevant manufacturer's guidelines relating to the use of machinery, including instructions on equipment capability and limitations
quality procedures (where existing)
security procedures
following on-board housekeeping processes
waste, pollution and recycling management processes.

Action taken promptly to report and/or rectify accidents and incidents in accordance with statutory requirements and company procedures.

Work is completed systematically with required attention to detail.

Context for assessment
Assessment of competence must comply with the assessment requirements of the relevant maritime regulations.

Assessment of this unit must be undertaken within relevant marine authority approved and audited arrangements by a registered training organisation:
As a minimum, assessment of knowledge must be conducted through appropriate written/oral examinations
Appropriate practical assessment must occur:
at the registered training organisation, and/or
on an appropriate working or training vessel.