Description

Pre/Co-Requisites

Pre-requisite units:

• PUAFIR201B Prevent injury

Co-requisite units:

• PUAFIR308B Employ personal protection at a hazardous material incident

Performance Criteria

1. Identify and handle hazardous materials

1.1. Pre-incident plans, site control and containment plan and directives from supervisor are identified and implemented
1.2. Personal protective clothing and equipment appropriate to the types of hazards reported, are selected and worn
1.3. The incident is approached using care and caution and a safe distance is maintained in accordance with the organisation’s procedures and/or advice from appropriate authorities
1.4. Dangerous goods and hazardous substances are identified from a safe distance and information conveyed to the supervisor in accordance with the organisation’s procedures
1.5. Information on hazards and handling procedures for the identified substance is obtained in accordance with the organisation’s procedures
1.6. Suitability of personal protective clothing and equipment is re-assessed in accordance with information received
1.7. Dangerous goods and hazardous substances are handled according to the organisation’s procedures
1.8. Assistance is provided in obtaining samples according to procedures and/or advice from other authorities

2. Assist with establishing hazard control and decontamination zones

2.1. Individual’s responsibilities within the organisation’s control plan are identified and followed
2.2. The scene is secured and hazard control and decontamination zones are established according to the organisation’s procedures
2.3. Evacuation procedures are implemented, if directed, to protect life in accordance with the organisation’s procedures
2.4. Assistance is provided to control personnel and equipment entering and leaving hazard control and decontamination zones in accordance with the organisation’s procedures
2.5. Records are kept of personnel and equipment as they enter and leave hazard control and decontamination zones

3. Contain and recover hazardous materials

3.1. Appropriate containment strategies and resources are identified and implemented
3.2. Hazardous materials are diluted and/or contained in accordance with procedures and/or advice from appropriate authorities
3.3. Hazardous materials are recovered from the incident site according to guidelines and procedures from the appropriate authorities

4. Assist with decontaminating personnel and equipment

4.1. Personnel and equipment are decontaminated immediately following contamination, or possible contamination in accordance with the organisation’s procedures and Occupational Health and Safety guidelines
4.2. Operations are completed, equipment collected, decontaminated and cleaned where appropriate and serviced in accordance with the organisation’s procedures
4.3. Contamination incidents are recorded and reported to the appropriate personnel in accordance with the organisation’s procedures

Key Competencies

Communicating ideas and information

• Communicate ideas and information to reporting procedures (verbal and written) 

Collecting analysing and organising information

• Collect, organise and understand information related to recognising and reporting situations

 Planning and organising activities 

• Plan and organise activities which implement and follow standard procedures 

Working with others and in teams

• Work with others and in a team by assisting and cooperating with team members 

Using mathematical ideas and techniques 

• Use mathematical ideas and techniques to document and report numbers for emergency procedures

Solving problems 

• Establish diagnostic processes which recommend improvements for OH&S issues

Using technology 

• Use workplace technology related to the use of technology to assist with safe work practices

Range Statement

Identification of hazardous materials must include

• Hazmat information
• United Nations numbers
• proper shipping names
• product names or trade names
• chemical names and chemical abstract service numbers
• dangerous goods class labels
• packing groups
• emergency information panels
• placarding
• storage manifests
• transport documents
• visual signs and chemical indicators
• colour coding (eg. gas cylinders)

Hazardous materials information sources must include

• HAZCHEM Emergency Action Codes
• emergency procedures guides
• material safety data sheets
• technical specialist and may also include emergency response guide books
• National Fire Protection Association Codes
• European Marking ADR hazard identification numbers
• electronic databases
• HAZMAT Action Guides
• safe storage and information handling

Control zones must include

• area of likely contamination (hot zone)
• area of operations (warm zone)
• support zone (cold zone)

Procedures must include

• organisation procedures and may also include OH&S practices and procedures
• government organisational procedures
• company or organisational procedures
• emergency management
• evacuation
• environmental
• gas plume modelling

Equipment for containment and recovery may include

• Hazbins – hazardous materials recovery bins
• sealable drums
• original containers
• shipping containers
• absorbent materials
• protective clothing and equipment
• plugs and patches
• booms
• pipes
• extraction equipment and machinery
• hand implements
• earth moving equipment
• spraying equipment
• pumps
• non-sparking tools
• intrinsically safe tools

Neutralising and diluting agents may include

• water
• acids and bases
• bicarbonate of soda
• lime

Decontamination must include

• wet decontamination techniques
• combination of wet and dry
• dry decontamination techniques
• decontamination techniques
• emergency decontamination

Decontamination areas must include

• holding area
• wash area
• disrobing and rest area

Sampling may include

• gaseous samples
• liquid samples
• solid samples

Analysis may involve

• sampling equipment
• external organisation assistance

Organisations that assist operations may include

• police, ambulance
• local government
• chemical companies
• emergency services
• government departments

Evidence Guide

Critical Aspects of Evidence

It is essential for this unit that competence be demonstrated in:

• hazardous materials identification
• implementing appropriate standard operating procedures
• compliance with relevant legislation
• demonstration of safe working practices
• assisting in the establishment of incident control
• containing and recovering hazardous materials
• undertaking decontamination procedures

Underpinning Knowledge

• organisation policies and procedures
• legislation relevant to the organisation
• roles and responsibilities of agencies involved
• types of hazards and safe handling techniques
• methods of identifying hazardous materials
• principles of incident control
• decontamination principles and procedures
• containment techniques
• breathing apparatus procedures
• the nature and properties of hazardous materials

Underpinning Skills

• follow instructions and procedures
• use relevant equipment
• record information
• work as member of a team
• hazard assessments
• appropriate control techniques
• breathing apparatus procedures

Resource implications

• Assessment of this competency will require access to relevant transport, communication and Hazmat equipment

Consistency in performance

• Evidence will need to be gathered over a period of time across a range of variables appropriate to organisation roles

Context of assessment

• Simulations or exercises and/or a 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 should be used to support gathering of evidence