Description

Pre-Requisites

Application of Unit

Performance Criteria

1. Assess the situation.
1.1 Identify physical hazards to own and others' health and safety.
1.2 Minimise immediate risk of hazard to self and casualty's health and safety in accordance with OHS requirements.
1.3 Assess the casualty's vital signs and physical condition in accordance with workplace procedures.

2. Apply basic First Aid techniques.
2.1 Provide First Aid management in accordance with established First Aid procedures.
2.2 Reassure and make casualty comfortable in a caring and calm manner using available resources.
2.3 Seek First Aid assistance from others in a timely manner and as appropriate.
2.4 Monitor and respond to casualty's condition in accordance with effective First Aid principles and workplace procedures.
2.5 Accurately record details of casualty's physical condition, changes in conditions, management and response to management in line with organisational procedures.
2.6 Finalise casualty management details according to casualty's needs and First Aid principles.

3. Communicate details of the incident.
3.1 Request medical assistance using relevant communication media and equipment.
3.2 Accurately convey details of casualty's condition and management activities to emergency services/relieving personnel.
3.3 Prepare reports to supervisors in a timely manner, presenting all relevant facts according to established company procedures.

Range Statement

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, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Context

This competency applies to people with a First Aid role.

Procedures

All operations are performed in accordance with procedures.

Procedures include all relevant workplace procedures, work instructions, temporary instructions and relevant industry and government codes and standards.

Tools and equipment

This competency includes use of equipment and tools such as:

• defibrillation units
• pressure bandages
• thermometers
• First Aid kits
• eyewash
• thermal blankets
• pocket face masks
• rubber gloves
• dressing
• spacer device
• cervical collars
• mobile phones
• satellite phones
• HF/VHF radio
• flags
• flares
• two way radio
• email
• electronic equipment
• medication which includes aerosol bronchodilators for asthma; casualty's own (or from First Aid kit) in accordance with State/Territory legislation, adrenaline for severe allergic reactions; subject to casualty's own regime.

Hazards

Typical hazards include:

• workplace hazards
• environmental hazards
• proximity of other people
• hazards associated with the casualty management process.

Problems

'Respond to routine problems' means 'apply known solutions to a limited range of predictable problems'.

Variables

Key variables to be monitored include:

• vital signs, including breathing, circulation, consciousness.

Variables indicating the casualty's condition, including:

• abdominal injuries
• allergic reactions
• bleeding
• burns - thermal, chemical, friction, electrical
• cardiac conditions
• chemical contamination
• cold injuries
• crush injuries
• dislocations
• drowning
• envenomation - snake, spider, insect and marine bites
• environmental conditions such as hypothermia, dehydration, heat stroke
• epilepsy, diabetes, asthma and other medical conditions
• eye injuries
• fractures
• head injuries
• minor skin injuries
• neck and spinal injuries
• needle stick injuries
• poisoning and toxic substances
• respiratory management of asthma and/or choking
• shock
• smoke inhalation
• soft tissue injuries, including sprains, strains, dislocations
• substance abuse, including drugs
• unconsciousness, including not breathing and no pulse.

Risks

Risks may include:

• worksite equipment, machinery and substances
• environmental risks
• bodily fluids
• risk of further injury to the casualty
• risks associated with the proximity of other workers and bystanders.

Evidence Guide

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

A holistic approach should be taken to the assessment.

Assessors must be satisfied that the person can consistently perform the unit as a whole, as defined by the Elements, Performance Criteria and skills and knowledge.

Assessment will occur using industrial treatment scenarios and will be undertaken in a work-like environment.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

It is essential that competence is demonstrated in the knowledge and skills defined in this unit. These may include the ability to:

• work individually, under supervision or as part of a First Aid team. Assessment method and context

Competence in this unit may be assessed:

• by using appropriate, industrial scenarios
• in a situation allowing the generation of evidence of the ability to respond to problems
• by using a suitable simulation and/or a range of case studies/scenarios
• through a combination of these techniques.

In all cases it is expected that practical assessment will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge and theoretical assessment will be combined with appropriate practical/simulation or similar assessment. Assessors need to be aware of any cultural issues that may affect responses to questions.

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the oracy, language and literacy capacity of the assessee and the work being performed.

In a major hazard facility, it may be appropriate to assess this unit concurrently with:

• PMPOHS200 Work safely
• PMASUP220 Monitor and control environmental hazards.

Specific resources for assessment

This section should be read in conjunction with the Range Statement for this unit of competency. Resources required include suitable access to an operating plant or equipment that allows for appropriate and realistic simulation. A bank of case studies/scenarios and questions will also be required to the extent they form part of the assessment method. Questioning may take place either in the workplace, or in an adjacent, quiet facility such as an office or lunchroom. No other special resources are required.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required. Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.

Required skills

Evidence should demonstrate the following skills:

• resuscitation
• demonstration of First Aid casualty management principles - assessing and minimising danger, maintaining the casualty's airway, breathing and circulation
• safe manual handling of casualty
• consideration of the welfare of the casualty
• report preparation
• communication skills
• ability to interpret and use listed documents.

Underpinning knowledge and skills:

• basic anatomy and physiology
• duty of care
• resuscitation
• bleeding control
• care of unconscious
• infection control
• airway management
• State/Territory regulatory requirements relating to currency of skills and knowledge
• decision-making
• legal requirements
• assertiveness skills
• communication skills.

Required knowledge

Knowledge and understanding of basic life support measures sufficient to provide an initial response where First Aid is required within the scope of their responsibilities and competencies.

Knowledge and application of the Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) guidelines.

The following knowledge should be demonstrated in assessment:

• basic anatomy and physiology
• company standard operating procedures (SOPs)
• legal responsibilities and duty of care
• dealing with confidentiality
• knowledge of the first aiders' skills and limitations
• Occupational Health and Safety legislation and regulations and requirements
• how to gain access to and interpret materials safety data sheets (MSDSs)
• First Aid management * State and Territory workplace health and safety requirements
• allergies the casualty may have
• location and nature of the workplace
• the environmental conditions, eg electricity, biological risks, weather, motor vehicle accidents
• location of emergency service personnel
• the use and availability of First Aid equipment and resources
• infection control
• established First Aid principles, including:
  - checking the site for danger to self, casualty and others and minimising the danger
  - checking and maintaining the casualty's airway, breathing and circulation.