Description

Pre/Co-Requisites

Pre-requisite units:

• PUAFIR201B Prevent injury
• PUAFIR207B Operate breathing apparatus

Co-requisite units:

• PUAFIR306B Render hazardous materials incidents safe

Performance Criteria

1. Select and don protective clothing

1.1. Protective clothing is selected and checked in accordance with identified hazards and the organisation’s procedures
1.2. Protective clothing is donned and tested, where required, in accordance with the organisation’s safe work practices

2. Don and test protective equipment

2.1. Protective equipment is checked, donned and tested prior to entry into fire or hazardous atmosphere to ensure it is operational and meets the organisation’s occupational health and safety guidelines

3. Work in area of operations

3.1. Protective equipment is operated to minimise the risk of injury to the wearer and others from environmental health hazards in accordance with the organisation’s procedures
3.2. Activities undertaken by the wearer in the area of operations are in accordance with the organisation’s safe work practices and occupational health and safety guidelines

4. Complete operations

4.1. Decontamination procedures are undertaken, if required, upon leaving the area of operations in accordance with the organisation’s procedures
4.2. Protective clothing and equipment are removed without damage and in accordance with safe work practices
4.3. Protective clothing and equipment are cleaned, maintained or serviced and stowed 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

Personal protective clothing must include

• turnout uniform and gloves
• chemical protective clothing
• including splash suits and gas-tight suits

and may also include

• thermal protective clothing
• limited use (disposable)
• multi-use (reusable)

Sources for identifying protective clothing and equipment requirements must include

• Material Safety Data Sheets
• Emergency Procedure Guide – Transport
• electronic databases
• technical specialists
• relevant Australian standards
• codes of practice
• organisational procedures

and may also include

• emergency response guide books
• HAZCHEM Emergency Action Code
• HAZMAT Action Guide
• Emergency Procedure Guide – Transport
• electronic databases
• technical specialists

Procedures may include

• organisational procedures
• training manual procedures
• OH&S guidelines

Sources of environmental health hazards in the workplace may include

• light; heat; cold
• radiation; noise; vibration
• postural restrictions
• psychological stress

Testing procedures may include

• observance of organisation testing procedures
• manufacturer's specifications
• codes of practice

Protective equipment must include

• Breathing Apparatus
• Distress Signal Units (DSU)
• control boards

and may also include

• air lines
• respirator

Operational procedures include

• organisational procedures

and may also include

• manufacturer's specifications
• OH&S guidelines
• codes of practice

Evidence Guide

Critical Aspects of Evidence

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

• selection, donning, operation and maintenance of protective clothing and equipment using safe working practices and agency procedures
• Competency should be demonstrated in simulated environments before application on the job

Underpinning Knowledge

• protective clothing and equipment worn at dangerous goods and hazardous substances incidents
• limitations of protective clothing
• donning procedures for protective clothing
• agency procedures
• decontaminating protective clothing and equipment procedures
• maintenance procedures for protective clothing and equipment
• protective clothing and equipment selection procedures
• main routes of entry of toxins into the human body
• local and systemic effects of industrial toxins
• use and limitations of exposure standards
• purpose, component parts and operation of breathing apparatus
• maintenance and testing procedures for breathing apparatus
• safe working practices

Underpinning Skills

• don various types of protective clothing using agency procedures
• work in protective clothing and equipment at incidents
• test and maintain protective clothing
• identify appropriate protective clothing for a range of hazardous materials
• operate breathing apparatus

Resource implications

For this unit access will be required to operational and cleaning equipment including the use of breathing apparatus

Consistency in performance

Evidence should be gathered over a period of time in a range of actual or simulated workplace environments

Context of assessment

• Competency for this unit may be demonstrated through simulations, exercises and on the job activities.
• Verbal or written questions may be used to support the gathering of evidence