Elements and Performance Criteria

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.
Task information may include:
cause of collapse
current situation
environmental and other hazards
incident location
other public safety organisations
type and magnitude of incident
type and number of casualties/vehicles
Rescue resources may include:
basic rescue equipment such as lighting, hydraulic tools, ropes and hand tools
canines
communications
heavy plant
logistics support services such as portable toilets, tents, food
medical equipment
more sophisticated rescue equipment such as search cameras, chainsaws, jack hammers and air monitors
Personal protective equipment and clothing must meet the desired Australian/New Zealand Standards and may include:
appropriate protective clothing
boots
dust mask
eye protection
gloves
hearing protection
helmets
knee/elbow protection
whistle
Systematic approach must include:
assessment i.e. call out and response, route, scene, liaison, casualties
positioning of vehicle i.e. dangers, access and casualties
procedures i.e. dangers, casualty protection, extrication, warning devices and lighting
Rescue scene reconnaissance and size up may include:
collecting relevant information about structural damage, e.g. casualties, victims, physical characteristics, hazards
isolating and eliminating utilities such as broken gas pipes, damaged electrical wiring, leaking water
relating knowledge of building and structure classifications to the incident scene
surveying the incident scene
Situational hazards may include:
adverse weather conditions
below debris hazards, including:
flooding
oxygen deficient atmosphere
toxic environment
flammable environment
different levels of elevation
biological hazards, including:
body fluids
decomposing bodies
untreated sewage
dangerous goods and hazardous substances
overhead hazards, including:
falling debris
loose or unstable sections of structure
power lines
structural instability due to:
events of nature such as earthquake, flood, landslide, wind
explosions
fire
inadequate construction
surface hazards, including:
climate
different types of surfaces
sharp and jagged objects
water pooling
dust and wind
noise and vibration
utilities
Environmental hazards may include:
dangerous goods and hazardous substances
utilities
weather
Treating hazards may include:
eliminating the hazard
isolating the area/source
stabilising overhead hazards
using atmospheric monitoring equipment
using PPE and clothing
Assessing physical features of structural collapse may include:
collapse patterns, including:
curtain fall wall collapse
lean over collapse
lean to floor collapse
pancake floor collapse
secondary collapse/other building
inverted 'V' or tent collapse
'V' collapse
cantilever collapse
methods of construction, including:
timber
light frame
besser block
reinforced masonry
concrete tilt-up
reinforced concrete and steel
Communication may include:
marking systems
posted signage
radio communications (radio, telephones and information technology)
whistle/horn warning signals
Structural collapse sectors and boundaries may include:
geographic area structure identification (sectorisation)
location identification within single structures
Structural collapse marking system includes:
INSARAG Guidelines and Marking System:
structural assessment marking
victim location marking
site sectorisation marking
Preserving the incident scene may include:
disturbing only to gain access or make scene safe
note taking and reporting to supervisor of observations made
preserving the integrity of evidence
Surface casualties may include:
casualties not trapped within the structure
casualties who would suffer most from injuries inflicted from debris
Safe work practices must include:
ability to traverse unstable surfaces in a safe manner
stretcher pass
three points of contact at all times
Techniques and equipment to stabilise and make safe site may include:
controlling entry and entry permits if appropriate
removing debris
Techniques and equipment to locate trapped casualties may include:
audible search method
rescue team - surface search procedures, line and hail
visual
Primary survey:
is a methodical process used to quickly identify immediate life threatening injuries and conditions that require intervention
should be completed promptly upon initial patient contact if no immediate life threatening injuries and conditions requiring intervention are found during the survey
should be completed as soon as possible if it is interrupted
should only be interrupted when:
life threatening condition is identified and immediate life saving interventions are initiated
scene conditions require that the patient be moved immediately due to danger to first emergency care responders or the patient
Treating casualties prior to being moved may include:
cervical collar
first aid
primary/secondary survey
respiratory protection, if required
Releasing located casualties may include:
use of stretcher packaging
surface extrication
Recognised techniques and equipment for removing casualties may include:
exit route for rescuers and packaged casualty
1:1/2:1 mechanical advantage hauling/lowering systems
rescue/spine boards
stretchers
team stretcher handling
Recovering, cleaning and servicing of equipment may include:
cleaning or disposing of contaminated clothing and equipment
inspecting equipment for damage and serviceability
checking inventories
Signs and symptoms of operational stress may include:
critical incident stress
dehydration
fatigue
hypothermia
Debriefings may include:
critical incident stress debriefing
operational analysis
post-incident analysis
performance evaluations
Documentation may include:
AIRS/coroner report
near miss injury register
notebooks completed
operational debrief
Hygiene precautions may include:
avoiding contact with body fluids
decontaminating equipment and personnel
washing hands
wearing appropriate protective clothing
Exposure records may include:
reporting form that documents any exposure that may result in a short- or long-term associated injury such as:
dangerous goods and hazardous substances, such as dust, vapours, fumes, radiation and chemical substances
heavy repetitive work over long periods of time
lifting heavy loads
noise
psycho-social hazards (e.g. critical incident stress)

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
work effectively as part of a team
apply safe work practices when providing assistance to a USAR rescue team
conduct a dynamic risk assessment
conduct a primary survey of casualty
maintain situational awareness and be alert to environmental and situational hazards
implement basic search techniques using approved marking systems
operates equipment in accordance with organisational procedures
traverse unstable environments
safely and effectively gain access to surface casualties with no further injury to persons or damage to property
respond and react to instructions in a safe, correct and timely manner
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated over time in a range of actual and/or simulated workplace environments.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
Competency should be assessed in an industry-approved simulated and/or workplace environment.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to:
USAR incident or simulation of a USAR incident
equipment, personnel, facilities etc. appropriate to a USAR incident
Method of assessment
In a public safety environment assessment is usually conducted via direct observation in a training environment or in the workplace via subject matter supervision and/or mentoring, which is typically recorded in a competency workbook.
Assessment is completed using appropriately qualified assessors who select the most appropriate method of assessment.
Assessment may occur in an operational environment or in an industry-approved simulated work environment. Forms of assessment that are typically used include:
direct observation
interviewing the candidate
journals and workplace documentation
third party reports from supervisors
written or oral questions