Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
23/07/2026 10:04 AM AWST
23/07/2026 10:04 AM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Render hazardous materials incidents safe
Render hazardous materials incidents safe
Unit of competency
National Code
PUAFIR306B
PUAFIR306B
State Code
D2981
D2981
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
12/05/2010
Field of Education
039905 - Fire Technology
Original Release Date
12/05/2010
Nominal Hours
16
Description
This unit covers the competency required to safely combat incidents involving hazardous materials.'Hazardous Materials' is a generic term used to refer to an incident involving dangerous goods and hazardous substances.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Identify and handlehazardousmaterials
- 1.1 Pre-incident plans, site control and containment plan and directives from supervisor are identified and implemented
- 1.2 Personal protective clothing and equipment appropriate to the types of hazards reported, are selected and worn
- 1.3 The incident is approached using care and caution and a safe distance is maintained in accordance with the organisation's procedures and/or advice from appropriate authorities
- 1.4 Dangerous goods and hazardous substances are identified from a safe distance and information conveyed to the supervisor in accordance with the organisation's procedures
- 1.5 Information on hazards and handling procedures for the identified substance is obtained in accordance with the organisation's procedures
- 1.6 Suitability of personal protective clothing and equipment is re-assessed in accordance with information received
- 1.7 Dangerous goods and hazardous substances are handled according to the organisation's procedures
- 1.8 Assistance is provided in obtaining samples according to procedures and/or advice from other authorities
2. Assist with establishing hazard control and decontamination zones
- 2.1 Individual's responsibilities within the organisation's control plan are identified and followed
- 2.2 The scene is secured and hazard control and decontamination zones are established according to the organisation's procedures
- 2.3 Evacuation procedures are implemented, if directed, to protect life in accordance with the organisation's procedures
- 2.4 Assistance is provided to control personnel and equipment entering and leaving hazard control and decontamination zones in accordance with the organisation's procedures
- 2.5 Records are kept of personnel and equipment as they enter and leave hazard control and decontamination zones
3. Contain and recover hazardous materials
- 3.1 Appropriate containment strategies and resources are identified and implemented
- 3.2 Hazardous materials are diluted and/or contained in accordance with procedures and/or advice from appropriate authorities
- 3.3 Hazardous materials are recovered from the incident site according to guidelines and procedures from the appropriate authorities
4. Assist with decontaminating personnel and equipment
- 4.1 Personnel and equipment are decontaminated immediately following contamination, or possible contamination in accordance with the organisation's procedures and Occupational Health and Safety guidelines
- 4.2 Operations are completed, equipment collected, decontaminated and cleaned where appropriate and serviced in accordance with the organisation's procedures
- 4.3 Contamination incidents are recorded and reported to the appropriate personnel in accordance with the organisation's procedures
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. Bold italicised wording in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.
Identification of hazardous materials must include
Hazmat information
United Nations numbers
proper shipping names
product names or trade names
chemical names and chemical abstract service numbers
dangerous goods class labels
packing groups
emergency information panels
placarding
storage manifests
transport documents
visual signs and chemical indicators
colour coding (eg. gas cylinders)
Hazardous materials information sources must include
HAZCHEM Emergency Action Codes
emergency procedures guides
material safety data sheets
technical specialist
and may also include
emergency response guide books
National Fire Protection Association Codes
European Marking ADR hazard identification numbers
electronic databases
HAZMAT Action Guides
safe storage and information handling
Control zones must include
area of likely contamination (hot zone)
area of operations (warm zone)
support zone (cold zone)
Procedures must include
organisation procedures
and may also include
OH&S practices and procedures
government organisational procedures
company or organisational procedures
emergency management
evacuation
environmental
gas plume modelling
Equipment for containment and recovery may include
Hazbins - hazardous materials recovery bins
sealable drums
original containers
shipping containers
absorbent materials
protective clothing and equipment
plugs and patches
booms
pipes
extraction equipment and machinery
hand implements
earth moving equipment
spraying equipment
pumps
non-sparking tools
intrinsically safe tools
Neutralising and diluting agents may include
water
acids and bases
bicarbonate of soda
lime
Decontamination must include
wet decontamination techniques
combination of wet and dry
dry decontamination techniques
decontamination techniques
emergency decontamination
Decontamination areas must include
holding area
wash area
disrobing and rest area
Sampling may include
gaseous samples
liquid samples
solid samples
Analysis may include
sampling equipment
external organisation assistance
Organisations that assist operations may include
police
ambulance
local government
chemical companies
emergency services
government departments
The Range Statement relates to the Unit of Competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.
Identification of hazardous materials must include
Hazmat information
United Nations numbers
proper shipping names
product names or trade names
chemical names and chemical abstract service numbers
dangerous goods class labels
packing groups
emergency information panels
placarding
storage manifests
transport documents
visual signs and chemical indicators
colour coding (eg. gas cylinders)
Hazardous materials information sources must include
HAZCHEM Emergency Action Codes
emergency procedures guides
material safety data sheets
technical specialist
and may also include
emergency response guide books
National Fire Protection Association Codes
European Marking ADR hazard identification numbers
electronic databases
HAZMAT Action Guides
safe storage and information handling
Control zones must include
area of likely contamination (hot zone)
area of operations (warm zone)
support zone (cold zone)
Procedures must include
organisation procedures
and may also include
OH&S practices and procedures
government organisational procedures
company or organisational procedures
emergency management
evacuation
environmental
gas plume modelling
Equipment for containment and recovery may include
Hazbins - hazardous materials recovery bins
sealable drums
original containers
shipping containers
absorbent materials
protective clothing and equipment
plugs and patches
booms
pipes
extraction equipment and machinery
hand implements
earth moving equipment
spraying equipment
pumps
non-sparking tools
intrinsically safe tools
Neutralising and diluting agents may include
water
acids and bases
bicarbonate of soda
lime
Decontamination must include
wet decontamination techniques
combination of wet and dry
dry decontamination techniques
decontamination techniques
emergency decontamination
Decontamination areas must include
holding area
wash area
disrobing and rest area
Sampling may include
gaseous samples
liquid samples
solid samples
Analysis may include
sampling equipment
external organisation assistance
Organisations that assist operations may include
police
ambulance
local government
chemical companies
emergency services
government departments
EVIDENCE GUIDE
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
It is essential for this unit that competence be demonstrated in:
hazardous materials identification
implementing appropriate standard operating procedures
compliance with relevant legislation
demonstration of safe working practices
assisting in the establishment of incident control
containing and recovering hazardous materials
undertaking decontamination procedures
Consistency in performance
Evidence will need to be gathered over a period of time across a range of variables appropriate to organisation roles
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
Simulations or exercises and/or a series of tasks are required to demonstrate competence in this unit. This may involve setting scenarios to be completed either individually or as a member of a team. Written or verbal questions should be used to support gathering of evidence
Specific resources for assessment
Assessment of this competency will require access to relevant transport, communication and Hazmat equipment
Guidance information for assessment
Information that will assist or guide assessment will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
It is essential for this unit that competence be demonstrated in:
hazardous materials identification
implementing appropriate standard operating procedures
compliance with relevant legislation
demonstration of safe working practices
assisting in the establishment of incident control
containing and recovering hazardous materials
undertaking decontamination procedures
Consistency in performance
Evidence will need to be gathered over a period of time across a range of variables appropriate to organisation roles
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
Simulations or exercises and/or a series of tasks are required to demonstrate competence in this unit. This may involve setting scenarios to be completed either individually or as a member of a team. Written or verbal questions should be used to support gathering of evidence
Specific resources for assessment
Assessment of this competency will require access to relevant transport, communication and Hazmat equipment
Guidance information for assessment
Information that will assist or guide assessment will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| C3279 | PUAFIR306A | Render hazardous materials incidents safe | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| WG121 | PUAFIR320 | Render hazardous materials incidents safe | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| C600 | PUA30601 | Certificate III in Public Safety (Firefighting and Emergency Operations) | Qualification |