Unit Sector

Waste Management

Pre-Requisites

Nil

Performance Criteria

1.  Review internal and external emergency response requirements
1.1 Identify details of the nature, type and severity of internal and external emergencies , including existing and potentialhazards
1.2 Determine appropriate personnel to be responsible for and undertake workplace hazard audit
1.3 Identify all emergency requirements in accordance with company, OHS and legislative requirements
1.4 Account for existing site safety plan and emergency systems/equipment in developing emergency response requirements

 
2.  Develop emergency response plan 
2.1 Formulate emergency response plan in consultation with appropriate personnel , emergency servicespecialists and in line with company, OHS and legislative requirements
2.2 Ensure all information necessary to provide for the safety of all relevant stakeholders is included in the emergency response plan
2.3 Include all emergency escape details in emergency response plan
2.4 Include response procedures for vehicle contact with overhead wires
2.5 Ensure precise information of the chain of command, emergency response teams and emergency communication system is clearly identified within the plan
2.6 Include personnel training plans in emergency response procedures
2.7 Specify all actions necessary to protect company interests , in accordance with company and legislative requirements
2.8 Provide for emergency response report documentation within the emergency response plan

3.  Communicate emergency response plan to personnel and emergency services 
3.1 Communicate the emergency response plan clearly to all personnel, in accordance with company policy, OHS and relevant legislative requirements
3.2 Provide initial training, and review personnel training plans on all aspects of the emergency response plan
3.3 Confirm personnel understanding of the emergency response plan through questioning and observation
3.4 Provide regular opportunities for personnel to ask questions or obtain clarification on the emergency response plan as necessary
3.5 Supply a complete emergency response plan to relevant emergency service specialists

4.  Document emergency response plan 
4.1 Document emergency response plan in a format understandable to all personnel
4.2 Ensure emergency response plan is documented clearly and accurately in accordance with company, OHS and legislative requirements
4.3 Display and house emergency response plan in personnel work areas to ensure availability for immediate referral

5.  Review emergency response plan 
5.1 Monitor and evaluate emergency response plan continuously and make modifications to the plan, where appropriate, to reduce the impact of an emergency and to ensure compliance with company, OHS and legislative requirements

Range Statement

Appropriate personnel may include:

• all employees
• department head or manager
• emergency response teams
• employees' safety representative
• health and safety committee
• responsible officer
• supervisors or leading hands.

Clean-up includes but is not limited to:

• removal of plant/equipment/vehicle from site
• removal/disposal of contaminated soil/liquid
• shovelling
• sweeping out
• use of cleaning products/fluids
• use of high-pressure water or air-hosing
• vacuuming.

Client/company includes all forms of business enterprises in this context, including:

• general public
• government agencies
• local governments
• private and public companies
• residents/ratepayers.

Company requirements may include:

• company policy,
• contractual arrangements
• organisational procedures.

Containment and isolation may include:

• bund area
• erect barricades
• move vehicle or equipment away from hazardous area
• seal leaks
• transfer waste
• use fire extinguisher.

Emergency and personal protective equipment must include:

• appropriate footwear
• communications equipment
• eye protection
• eyewash kit
• fire extinguishers
• First Aid kit
• gloves
• overalls and protective clothing.

Emergency escape details include but are not limited to:

• all-clear procedures
• clean-up procedures
• procedure and route
• procedures for all critical plant operator personnel
• procedures to account for all personnel after emergency evacuation complete.

Emergency response plan includes but is not limited to:

• a chain of command or supervision in an emergency
• emergency communication system and central control
• emergency evacuation procedures including emergency escape route
• emergency response teams
• names or regular job titles of person or department to be contacted for further information or explanation of duties under the plan
• personal protective equipment (PPE)
• procedure for accounting for personnel
• procedures to account for all employees after emergency evacuation has been completed
• procedures to be followed by personnel who remain to perform or shut down critical plant operations before site is evacuated
• rescue and medical duties for those employees who are to perform them
• security measures
• the preferred means for reporting fires and other emergencies
  training
• vehicle contact with overhead wires.

Emergency response procedures include but are not limited to:

• assembly points
• controller and wardens
• emergency contacts
• evacuation points
• First Aid
• floor plans
• personnel checklists
• raising the alarm
• site safety plan
• standard orders
• the alarm system
• training of emergency response teams
• training of employees.

Emergency service specialists include:

• ambulance service
• fire brigade
• medical service
• police department.

Emergency systems/equipment may include:

• communication systems
• emergency lighting
• exit doors
• fire escape/stairwells
• fire protection equipment.

Evacuation procedures can be found in:

• company requirements
• elevant legislation (including occupational health and safety).

External emergencies may include:

• airplane crash
• bushfires
• civil disturbance
• explosion
• flood
• hazardous material/toxic emissions
• motor vehicle accident
• storm
• terrorism.

Internal emergencies may include:

• bomb threat/suspect package
• explosion
• fire
• hazardous material spill/toxic emissions
• machinery/equipment malfunction
• medical emergency
• other hazards specific to the organisation
• powerlines
• security breach/civil disturbance
• vehicle accident.

OHS requirements may include:

• company OHS reporting and audit systems
• company policy
• duty of care
• PPE
• safe work procedures.

Personnel training plans include but are not limited to:

• alarm systems
• containment and isolation procedures
• evacuation plans
• readiness for various types of potential emergencies
• reporting and shut-down procedures
• storage, selection and use of PPE.

Potential hazards include but are not limited to:

Those potential hazards identified by the organisation that may cause harm, injury or illness to its employees, contractors, visitors and general public; and damage to plant, vehicles, property or the environment.

This relates to on-site or off-site activities (whether company-owned or occupied premises customer/client premises or public property), over which it could be expected the organisation had control.

Protection of company interest may include:

• collecting details from witnesses
• not admitting liability
• not talking to media.

Relevant stakeholders include:

• client/customers
• company personnel
• emergency services
• emergency services
• general public
• government agencies
• local governments
• neighbouring people/premises
• other affected parties
• relevant environmental protection agency
• residents/ratepayers.

Report documentation includes but is not limited to:

• authorities notified
• cause or suspected cause of emergency
• damage incurred (including to personnel, vehicle, equipment and general public)
• emergency response procedures undertaken
• nature of clean-up
• nature, type, source and severity of emergency
• recommendations for preventing future emergencies
• regulatory authority documents.

Response to vehicle contact with overhead wires may include:

• ensure vehicle involved in incident has been thoroughly inspected prior to reintroduction to service
• liaise with relevant parties to ensure remedial action is implemented
• notify relevant statutory authority(s)
• notify wire owner and other parties who may be affected by incident
• response team attending incident scene and conducting preliminary investigation of the incident in
• acordance with company procedures
• review incident report form completed by operator
• review response team investigation findings and propose remedial/preventative actions with parties involved.

State and federal legislative requirements may include:

• Australian Code for the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road or Rail
• duty of care
• industry codes of conduct
• occupational health and safety
• relevant Australian Standards
• relevant environmental protection legislation.

Evidence Guide

Critical aspects of competency: 

• All risks are continually monitored in order to minimise the potential of an emergency.
• Emergency response plans are formulated and reviewed in consultation with personnel, emergency service specialists, and in line with statutory requirements.
• Plans are simple yet effective to implement.
• All personnel, including key emergency response personnel, are regularly trained in their appointed duties and appropriate emergency response procedures.
• Documentation of emergency situation and response actions is in standardised report template (in accordance with company requirements).
• Knowledge needed to achieve the performance criteria

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this unit 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.

• OHS requirements.
• Standard emergency response requirements.
• Components, features and layout of an emergency response plan.
• Company policy and procedures in relation to emergency response.
• Personnel work requirements and company site operations.
• Duty of care to personnel and general public.
• Personal protective equipment types and uses.
• Emergency communication systems.
• Relevant industry standards.
• Relevant legislation.
• Relevant industry standards.
• Relevant environmental regulations.
• Specific skills needed to achieve the performance criteria 

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

• communication skills including liaison with stakeholders, asking questions, providing information,
• explaining strategy and objectives
• reading and interpreting data, information and legislation
• prioritising
• evaluation.

Resources required to assess this unit

The following resources should be available:

• range of emergency situations
• case studies
• simulated evacuation/emergency response exercise in workplace environment
• emergency response plan
• emergency equipment and personal protective equipment.

Consistency in performance 

Assessment requires that the emergency response plan meets the needs of the workplace and complies with industry standards and legislative requirements.

It is important the plan's procedural elements reflect the emergency response requirements identified at the initial review stage. The plan needs to show a broad level of consultation with all relevant stakeholders. Equally, the plan is required to be clearly and accurately written to ensure concise understanding by all stakeholders.
 

Context of assessment 

Valid and reliable assessment of this unit can be obtained through the presentation of a documented emergency response plan.

Further evidence of competency can be achieved through observing the management processes within a simulated emergency response/evacuation in the workplace and a variety of waste environments.