Elements and Performance Criteria

Working environment may be
hazardous
unpredictable
subject to time pressure
chaotic and expose responders to risk

Public Safety workplaces include
Any location where a Public Safety incident occurs

Response situation includes
Single and multi agency response situations

Risk is
The likelihood of injury or damage occurring and the potential consequences of any injury or damage

Hazards include
all potential sources of injury or damage to property or the environment including identified and potential hazards to persons
equipment or the environment

Incidents may include
a variety of natural or man made events including but not limited to rescues and extrications (flood
storm
tempest
natural disaster
vehicle
aircraft
rail
industrial
civil defence)
fires (structural
wild
prescribed burning)
search and rescue (urban
rural
sea)
hazardous materials and dangerous goods

Hazards may be identified by
scene assessment
visual inspections
plan reviews
recognising hazard warnings
accessing data bases
interviewing others at scene
seeking expert advice

Others at scene may include
organisational personnel
personnel from other organisations
general public

Hazardous materials may include
thermal
mechanical
explosives
toxic
corrosive
asphyxiant
radiation
etiological hazards
mutagenic materials

Biological hazards may include
bacteria
viruses
fungi and yeasts
including exotic organisms

Physical hazards may include
noise
slippery surfaces
poor visibility
smoky environments
fallen/falling objects
fatigue

Electrical hazards may include
pole fires
electrical fires
electricity in damaged/burning structures
energised vehicles/structures due to downed wires

Manual handling hazards may include
heavy objects
content and shape of containers

Environmental hazards may include
temperature
darkness
fire
snow
floods
winds
rain
hail
flora
fauna
postural restrictions and access
terrain
traffic

Hazard control measures may include
erection of barriers
establishment of control zone
use of spill clean up kits
use of electrically insulated tools and equipment
vehicle protection hoses and devices
life support equipment (heat radiation shielded crew cabin
vehicle cabins with/without sprays)
entry control procedures to hazardous areas
decontamination

Relevant legislation may include
State or territory occupational health and safety acts and regulations

Personal protective clothing and equipment may include
breathing apparatus
personal lines
air lines
personal distress units
respiratory protection
protective hoods
goggles
hearing protectors
sunscreen
chemical protective clothing
personal flotation devices
wet suits
turnout uniform
gloves
hard hat
safety boots
overalls
chainsaw chaps
bullet proof vests
firearms
batons
handcuffs

Hazard control equipment may include
atmospheric monitoring equipment
meteorological equipment
radiation monitoring equipment
oxygen meters
flammable gas detectors

Reporting may include
verbal
written reports
completing standard forms
logs
sitreps
note taking
logging entry to hazardous areas

Designated person may include
supervisor
team leader
workplace occupational health and safety representative
officer in charge

Survival strategies which maybe applied in
buildings
wildfire situations
water
extreme heat or cold

Factors that may require monitoring may include
traffic
weather conditions
vegetation type
spectators
temperature
structural integrity
relative humidity
slope
terrain
water supply/ pressure
fire development
stream flows
suspect atmospheres

Contact with other personnel may include
visual
vocal
touch
radio
audible warnings
signalling

Critical aspects of evidence
It is essential for this unit that competence be demonstrated in maintaining personal safety and safety of others

Interdependent assessment of units
Pre-requisite units: PUAFIR201A Prevent Injury (Fire Specific)
Co-requisite units: Nil

Underpinning knowledge
use and limitations of relevant protective clothing and equipment
heat induced illness-factors leading to prevention
symptoms and treatment
relevant standard operating procedures
methods of hazard control and reporting
respiratory system-functions
hazards
protection
employee responsibilities and obligations
labelling and storage of hazardous substances
State and Territory occupational health and safety requirements
organisation's occupational health and safety policy
survival techniques for various situations
problems associated with insufficient water intake
food intake
rest breaks
commonly encountered hazards and procedures and safety precautions to prevent injury on encountering various hazards
manual handling hazards
techniques and aids
means of relaying warnings to other personnel
procedures for participating in occupational health and safety arrangements
procedures for reporting hazards
injuries
accidents and incidents
procedures for investigating injuries
accidents and incidents

Underpinning skills
communicate non-verbally and verbally
use communication equipment
record information
follow procedures and instructions
work with others in a team situation

Resource implications
A range of protective clothing and equipment may be required

Consistency of performance
Evidence should be gathered over a period of time in a range of actual or simulated workplace environments

Context of assessment
A real life incident, exercise or simulation, or 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 may be used as supporting evidence