Elements and Performance Criteria

What might workplace procedures refer to?
Search procedures (search of likely routes followed, systematic search, voice or whistle contacts), evacuations, use of isolating equipment, prevention of escalation of risk, containment, clean up, control of fire, administering of first aid, assistance to injured team member, retrieval of team member and activity-specific rescue techniques.

Where may occupational health and safety requirements be found?
State/Territory/Commonwealth legislation, Australian Standards, Occupational Health and Safety legislation, industry Codes of Practice and organisation's policies and procedures and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs).

What personal protective equipment is relevant to this standard?
Firefighter protective clothing, helmets and hardhats, boots, gloves, breathing apparatus, protective clothing, protective hose lines or sprays, safety eye washes and safety showers.

Which industrial gases may be included?
Compressed and liquefied fuel gases, oxygen, acetylene, nitrogen, anhydrous ammonia and carbon dioxide.

What emergencies may be relevant to this standard?
Fire, hazardous releases, fuel spillage, gases, chemical spills, bomb threats, civil disorder, medical (e.g., bites, stings, epileptic fit, heart attack), road accidents, injury from machinery and equipment, fall, climbing accident, swimming or diving accident, snake bite or poisoning, respiratory or cardiac arrest, and electrocution, injuries, panic and other emotional responses, equipment failure, lost team or team member, result of environmental conditions (e.g., heat, cold, wet, snow, wind, lightning, bushfires, floods, high seas), and activity-specific.

Who may be classified as relevant people?
Managers, OHS officers, workplace first aiders, fire wardens, emergency service people, other external experts and consultants.

What types of hazards could this standard refer to?
Biological, chemical, mechanical, electrical, thermal, explosive, structural, climatic, psychological (e.g., critical incident stress), nuclear, proximity of other people, vehicles and machinery, fire, gas, fumes, electrical situations, security related and wildlife related situations.

What injuries might be relevant to this standard?
Shock, external bleeding, burns, limb, abdominal and pelvic injuries, head and neck injuries, poisoning, bites and stings, facial injuries and management of a casualty with chest pains, who is fitting, who is known to have diabetes and collapses, who is choking, who is drowning, who has a swollen neck, who has asthma, who is not breathing, who is suffering from overexposure, who is suffering from a chest injury, and/or who has been hit by a motor vehicle or injured by machinery and equipment.

Who may be classified as others in this competency standard?
Participants in an activity or program, colleagues, general public, small group or larger group, experienced or inexperienced personnel.

What might be classified as a development of the situation?
Spread of fire, threat to adjoining areas, danger of explosion, loss of communications and involvement of additional persons.

What emergency reports and signals are included?
Observation, verbal, emergency warning system, emergency alarm system, hand signals, verbal reports, telephone communications, radio communications and whistles.

What emergency services may be relevant to this standard?
Police Search and Rescue, State Emergency Service, Fire Brigade, Ambulance Service, Land Management Authorities (e.g., National Parks, Forestry) and Australian Volunteer Coastguard.

Who may be classified as management authorities?
Land and facility owners, city councils, local government authorities, national parks and forestry services, fisheries departments, agricultural producers, private land owners, crown land lessees, defence forces, Aboriginal communities, water authorities and utility agencies and commissions.

What situation variables may apply to this standard?
Capabilities of the group/clients, weather conditions, topography, time factors, human resources, available food and water, size of search area, distance from emergency response providers, delays in accessing emergency help, time of day, communications facilities and difficulties, and emotional and physical condition of casualties.

What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this unit are listed below:

The use of safe working practices.
The emergency network.
Enterprise plan and evacuation procedures.
OHS legislative requirements and Codes of Practice.
Legal responsibilities and Duty of Care.
Use of communications equipment.
Organisational and legal policies and procedures in the event of an accident/incident.
Local call out procedures to access emergency services personnel.
Practical first aid skills using prepared and improvised materials.
Hazard identification, assessment and control.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These skills include the ability to:

Accurately evaluate the emergency.
Avoid/control escalation of the emergency.
Develop a plan of action decisively.
Efficiently implement a plan of action.
Render first aid care.
Deal with contingencies.
Communicate with others.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard could be assessed on its own or in combination with other competencies relevant to the job function.

Essential Assessment Information
There is

What processes should be applied to this competency standard? There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life, which are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies, although others may be added. The questions below highlight how these processes are applied in this competency standard. Following each question a number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency needs to be demonstrated where 0 = not required, 1 = perform the process, 2 = perform and administer the process and 3 = perform, administer and design the process.
Communicating ideas and information
Verbally including through communication systems. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Observation and reporting to supervisor or appropriate authorities. (2)

Planning and organising activities
According to Occupational Health and Safety practices and policies. (2)

Working with others and in teams
Through reacting to emergency situations in a coordinated way. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Determining pulse rates. (1)

Solving problems
Identifying solutions to preserve life or counteract emergencies. (2)

Using technology
Use of communications equipment. (1)