Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 3:22 PM AWST
22/07/2026 3:22 PM 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.
Receive and action notification of uncontrolled hazardous materials situations
Receive and action notification of uncontrolled hazardous materials situations
Unit of competency
National Code
PUAECO008A
PUAECO008A
State Code
D5488
D5488
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Transition (Replaced)
Transition (Replaced)
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
18/08/2011
Field of Education
080313 - Public And Health Care Administration
Original Release Date
18/08/2011
Nominal Hours
10
Description
This unit covers the competency required to receive and action incoming calls and enquiries about an uncontrolled hazardous materials situation.'Hazardous materials' is a generic term used to refer to an incident involving any material such as dangerous goods and hazardous substances that poses an unreasonable risk to life, property and the environment.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Gather information in relation to a call/enquiry about an uncontrolled hazardous materials situation
- 1.1 Caller is questioned, prompted and/or interrogated about the potential hazardous materials situation.
- 1.2 A range of sources is used to identify hazardous materials information based on information received from the caller.
- 1.3 Specific hazardous materials present at the scene are identified.
2. Analyse information gathered in relation to an uncontrolled hazardous materials situation
- 2.1 Information about the dangerous good or hazardous substance is gathered using a range of sources.
- 2.2 Information obtained from the caller is assessed to determine the level of immediate risk to personnel and the public.
- 2.3 Information gathered about dangerous good or hazardous substance is interpreted.
- 2.4 Information accessed about appropriate safety precautions and remedial action is applied to the current situation.
3. Transmit appropriate information to attending personnel
- 3.1 Relevant information about the hazardous material, potential risk and safety precautions is conveyed to attending personnel, in accordance with organisational procedures.
- 3.2 Information transmitted is recorded in accordance with organisational procedures.
- 3.3 Resources appropriate for use in hazardous materials situations are located and dispatched.
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.
Dangerous goods are:
substances which are either specifically listed in the Australian Dangerous Goods (ADG) Code, or meet the classification criteria of the ADG Code
materials and articles that are considered to present, in most cases, an immediate risk to people, property and/or the environment if they are not properly controlled during handling, transportation or storage; these risks are described in terms of the nine classes in the ADG Code
Hazardous substances are:
substances which:
are listed in the national occupational health and safety commission’s list of designated hazardous substances [nohsc: 10005 (1999)], or
have been classified as hazardous substances by the manufacturer or importer, in accordance with the national occupational health and safety commission’s approved criteria for classifying hazardous substances [nohsc: 1008 (1999)]
any substance that is assessed by an emergency service as likely to endanger people, property or the environment and includes:
dangerous goods
hazardous substances
scheduled poisons
listed wastes
radioactive substances
environmental pollutants
Sources used to identify hazardous materials information may include:
databases/documents:
books designed specifically to assist in the identification, storage and handling of hazardous materials
electronic databases
emergency procedure guides
information cards
material safety data sheets
safe storage and information handling cards
storage manifests
transport documents
human resources such as:
personnel within the organisation
personnel from other agencies
organisations who store or convey hazardous materials
members of the public reporting an uncontrolled hazardous materials situation (prompting and/or interrogation processes may be required to ensure accurate recognition of the situation)
technical experts (such as chemists)
Specific hazardous materials may include:
agricultural chemicals
asbestos
biological warfare agents
biomedical hazards
boiling liquid expanding vapour explosions
chemical warfare agents
clandestine drug laboratories
cryogenic liquids and refrigerated gases
radiation
Gathering information about the dangerous good or hazardous substance may include:
chemical names and CAS numbers
dangerous goods class labels
emergency information panels
packing groups
placarding
product names or trade names
proper shipping names
storage manifests
transport documents
un numbers
Interpreting information gathered about dangerous good or hazardous substance may include:
emergency response guide books
HAZCHEM code
NFPA code
European marking ADR hazard identification numbers
emergency procedure guides
electronic databases
HAZMAT action guides
material safety data sheets
safe storage and handling information cards
technical advice
Resources may include:
personal protective clothing and equipment
personnel
response equipment
Dangerous goods are:
substances which are either specifically listed in the Australian Dangerous Goods (ADG) Code, or meet the classification criteria of the ADG Code
materials and articles that are considered to present, in most cases, an immediate risk to people, property and/or the environment if they are not properly controlled during handling, transportation or storage; these risks are described in terms of the nine classes in the ADG Code
Hazardous substances are:
substances which:
are listed in the national occupational health and safety commission’s list of designated hazardous substances [nohsc: 10005 (1999)], or
have been classified as hazardous substances by the manufacturer or importer, in accordance with the national occupational health and safety commission’s approved criteria for classifying hazardous substances [nohsc: 1008 (1999)]
any substance that is assessed by an emergency service as likely to endanger people, property or the environment and includes:
dangerous goods
hazardous substances
scheduled poisons
listed wastes
radioactive substances
environmental pollutants
Sources used to identify hazardous materials information may include:
databases/documents:
books designed specifically to assist in the identification, storage and handling of hazardous materials
electronic databases
emergency procedure guides
information cards
material safety data sheets
safe storage and information handling cards
storage manifests
transport documents
human resources such as:
personnel within the organisation
personnel from other agencies
organisations who store or convey hazardous materials
members of the public reporting an uncontrolled hazardous materials situation (prompting and/or interrogation processes may be required to ensure accurate recognition of the situation)
technical experts (such as chemists)
Specific hazardous materials may include:
agricultural chemicals
asbestos
biological warfare agents
biomedical hazards
boiling liquid expanding vapour explosions
chemical warfare agents
clandestine drug laboratories
cryogenic liquids and refrigerated gases
radiation
Gathering information about the dangerous good or hazardous substance may include:
chemical names and CAS numbers
dangerous goods class labels
emergency information panels
packing groups
placarding
product names or trade names
proper shipping names
storage manifests
transport documents
un numbers
Interpreting information gathered about dangerous good or hazardous substance may include:
emergency response guide books
HAZCHEM code
NFPA code
European marking ADR hazard identification numbers
emergency procedure guides
electronic databases
HAZMAT action guides
material safety data sheets
safe storage and handling information cards
technical advice
Resources may include:
personal protective clothing and equipment
personnel
response equipment
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
interrogate a caller to determine whether hazardous materials are present at a scene and obtain sufficient relevant information to be able to confirm the type of hazard present, using a range of documentation
access information about a hazardous material, personal protective clothing and equipment requirements, and safety considerations by using a range of documentation and transmitting this information to the field.
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated over time during emergency communications centre operations or simulated operations that include a range of different hazardous materials situations.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
Competency should be assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace environment under conditions expected in the workplace.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to:
agency protocol documentation
back-up systems
operations and systems manuals
organisational documentation
reference material relevant to hazardous materials identification
relevant databases
telephony system
training databases, where available
training manual
workplace expert/s.
Method of assessment
This unit may be assessed with the following units:
PUAECO002A Process emergency incident calls and enquiries
PUAECO003A Operate and control radio networks
PUAECO004A Operate computer aided dispatch system.
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.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
interrogate a caller to determine whether hazardous materials are present at a scene and obtain sufficient relevant information to be able to confirm the type of hazard present, using a range of documentation
access information about a hazardous material, personal protective clothing and equipment requirements, and safety considerations by using a range of documentation and transmitting this information to the field.
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated over time during emergency communications centre operations or simulated operations that include a range of different hazardous materials situations.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
Competency should be assessed in the workplace or in a simulated workplace environment under conditions expected in the workplace.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to:
agency protocol documentation
back-up systems
operations and systems manuals
organisational documentation
reference material relevant to hazardous materials identification
relevant databases
telephony system
training databases, where available
training manual
workplace expert/s.
Method of assessment
This unit may be assessed with the following units:
PUAECO002A Process emergency incident calls and enquiries
PUAECO003A Operate and control radio networks
PUAECO004A Operate computer aided dispatch system.
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.
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| OAZ44 | PUAECO008 | Receive and action notification of uncontrolled hazardous materials situations | Unit of competency |
