Elements and Performance Criteria

General context
Work must be carried out in compliance with the relevant sections of the AMSA Marine Orders and IMO STCW 95 Code and Convention, ISM Code, tanker safety guides and port regulations related to chemical tanker cargo operations.

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 application of a significant range of operational and supervisory principles and procedures, safety precautions and hazard minimisation strategies to the management of the loading, discharge, handling and condition maintenance of cargo on a chemical tanker. Contribution to the development of a broad plan for chemical cargo handling and maintenance operations 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 the handling and condition maintenance of cargo on a chemical tanker.

Worksite environment
Vessel may include any Australian or international chemical tanker.

Chemical cargo handling operations may be carried out:
by day or night in both normal and emergency situations
under any possible operational conditions
during loading and discharging of cargo
during ballasting and de-ballasting
during chemical cargo condition monitoring and maintenance
during chemical cargo sampling.

Operational cargo handling cycle of a chemical tanker may include:
chemical cargo loading preparation and operations
cargo monitoring and maintenance operations during a loaded voyage
chemical cargo discharging preparation and operations
tank-stripping and cleaning operations
ballasting operations
maintenance operations during a ballast voyage
de-ballasting operations.

Chemical cargo handling systems and related equipment may include:
chemical cargo pumps and pumping arrangements and venting and vapour return systems, piping systems and valves
tank temperature control systems and alarms
filters and strainers
gas freeing systems
storage, generation and distribution systems
temperature and pressure monitoring systems
cargo vent systems
cargo vapour return systems
tank cleaning systems
liquid re-circulation and re-liquefaction systems
cargo gauging, instrumentation systems and alarms.

Personal protection clothing and equipment may include:
masks and goggles
protective clothing, including headgear, gloves and footwear
breathing apparatus
resuscitation equipment
escape and rescue equipment.

Hazards associated with chemical cargoes may include:
reactivity hazards including effects of self-reaction, temperature and effects of air, water, impurities and other chemicals and reagents
environmental hazards to air and water
spills or release of toxic fluids, vapours and gases, involving skin contact, inhalation and ingestion
corrosion hazards to personnel, vessel structures and equipment
working in confined spaces.

Sources of information/documents
Documentation/records may include:
ISM Code safety management system plans, procedures, checklists and instructions
operational orders
established tanker and company chemical cargo operations procedures
sections of the AMSA Marine Orders and the IMO STCW Code and Convention related to chemical tankers
'Safety in Chemical Tankers' ICS
'Tanker Safety Guide (Chemical Tankers) ICS
'International Safety Guide for Oil Tankers and Terminals' ICS/OCIMF
'Ship to Shore Safety Checklist' ICS/OCIMF
'Ship to Ship Transfer Guide (Petroleum ) ICS/OCIMF
tanker manufacturer's instructions and recommended procedures
OHS and pollution prevention procedures relevant to the handling of chemical cargoes
instructions of relevant Maritime Authorities concerning chemical cargo operations
relevant Australian and international standards.

Applicable International, Australian and State/Territory regulations and legislation
Applicable procedures and codes may include:
sections of the IMO STCW 95 Code and Convention related to chemical tankers
relevant sections of AMSA Marine Orders
instructions of relevant Maritime Authorities concerning chemical cargo operations
relevant international, Australian and State/Territory OH&S and pollution control legislation.

Critical aspects of evidence to be considered
Assessment must confirm appropriate knowledge and skills to:
Manage the safe loading, discharge, handling and condition maintenance of cargo on a chemical tanker
Ensure all required safety and hazard control procedures are implemented during loading, discharge, handling and condition monitoring and maintenance operations
Identify typical problems that may occur during chemical cargo loading, discharge, handling and condition maintenance operations and take appropriate action
Identify emergency situations that may arise during chemical operations and take appropriate action
Apply relevant international conventions, IMO and national codes, tanker safety guides and port regulations related to chemical tanker cargo operations
Communicate effectively with others during chemical cargo handling and maintenance operations.

Interdependent assessment of units
This unit of competency must be assessed in conjunction with other units that form part of a job role of the master of a chemical tanker.

Required knowledge and skills
Knowledge of IMO STCW 95 Code and AMSA Marine Orders applicable for chemical tankers
Relevant OH&S and pollution control legislation, codes of practice, policies and procedures
Procedures and regulatory requirements for loading, discharge, handling and condition monitoring of chemical cargo including:
typical calculations required when coordinating the handling of chemical cargo
procedures for the preparation of loading and discharge plans for multiple grade tanker cargoes with due regard to cargo segregation and cargo care on passage.
cargo loading and discharging preparations and procedures
the purpose and use of check lists, including the Vessel/Shore checklist
the importance of correct supervision and the use of monitoring equipment when handling chemical cargoes
cargo condition monitoring and maintenance on passage and in harbour
principles and procedures for the segregation of cargoes
procedures for cargo transfer and changing cargoes
the use and maintenance of inert atmospheres during cargo operations
procedures for controlling entry into pumprooms and confined spaces
the principle of operation of gas detection and safety equipment
gas detection and safety equipment requirements for various shipboard scenarios on a chemical tanker
procedures to prevent air and water pollution including disposal of wastes and washings
the procedure for tank cleaning and gas freeing operations, including the use of absorption, wetting agents and detergents
cargo gauging, sampling and testing
ballasting and de-ballasting
emergency procedures, i.e. pre-planned action in the event of spillages, leaks, fire, collision, stranding, emergency cargo discharge and personnel casualty
Chemical cargo handling systems and equipment and the procedures for their use
Principles of chemical cargo containment, including:
containment systems
rules
surveys
tank construction
materials
coatings
temperature control
insulation
compatibility
The properties and characteristics of chemicals and their vapours, including:
the characteristics of chemicals typically carried
toxicity of various chemical cargoes
critical temperatures of typical chemical cargoes
hazards of typical chemical cargoes and measures for hazard control
safety guides applicable for typical chemical cargoes carried
Principles of toxicity of chemicals, including:
the modes by which chemicals and their vapours may be toxic
the toxic properties of inhibitors and of products of combustion of both materials of construction and of chemicals carried
acute and chronic effects of toxicity,
systemic poisons and irritants
the Threshold Limit Value (TLV)
hazards of skin contact, inhalation and ingestion
medical first aid and administering of antidotes
Maritime communication techniques as they are applied in the loading, discharge, handling and condition monitoring of chemical cargo.

Resource implications
Access is required to opportunities to either:
participate in a range of practical exercises, case studies and/or other exercises that demonstrate the skills and knowledge to manage the safe loading, discharge, handling and condition maintenance of cargo on a chemical tanker, and/or
manage the safe loading, discharge, handling and condition maintenance of cargo on a on board an operational chemical tanker.

Consistency in performance
Applies underpinning knowledge and skills when:
managing the safe loading, discharge, handling and condition maintenance of cargo on a chemical tanker
identifying and evaluating chemical cargo handling problems and determining appropriate courses of action
identifying and implementing improvements to chemical cargo handling procedures
applying safety and hazard control precautions relevant to chemical cargo handling operations.

Shows evidence of application of relevant workplace procedures including:
relevant sections of IMO STCW 95 Code and AMSA Marine Orders
OHS regulations and hazard prevention policies and procedures
ISM Code safety management system procedures and work instructions on the conduct of maintenance on liquefied gas tankers
relevant manufacturer's guidelines relating to the use of chemical cargo handling plant and equipment, including instructions on equipment capability and limitations
following on-board housekeeping processes
pollution management processes.

Action taken promptly to report and/or rectify operational 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.