Description

Pre-requisites

• PUAFIR201B Prevent Injury (Fire Specific)

Performance Criteria

1. Determine hazards at incident site
1.1. Issues affecting safety of self and other personnel are established by identification of hazards and assessment of risks, and by liaison with others at the scene
1.2. Relevant operational safety procedures are implemented in accordance with organisation’s policies
1.3. Duties are undertaken in line with organisational health and safety codes of practice and relevant legislation

2. Implement hazard controls at incident scene
2.1. Hazards are identified and mitigation procedures are selected in line with work instructions and procedures
2.2. Hazardous situations rectified where possible and reported and/or recorded according to organisation’s policies and procedures
2.3. Changes in situation and/or conditions are reported immediately to designated person
2.4. Hazard controls are monitored and communicated to relevant personnel to ensure continuing effectiveness
2.5. Hazard control and mitigation measures are implemented with minimum damage to the environment, while maintaining safety of self and others
2.6. Incident/accident scene is effectively secured to preserve the scene and maintain public safety in line with legislative requirements

3. Maintain personal safety
3.1. Personal protective clothing and equipment is selected and checked according to organisational procedures to ensure it is operational prior to entry into incident situation
3.2. Personal protecive clothing and equipment appropriate to dealing with the hazard is worn/fitted and used in accordance with organisation’s policies and procedures and manufacturer’s guidelines
3.3. Water and food intake, rest breaks and shelter requirements are maintained
3.4. Survival technique strategies are implemented in accordance with organisation’s policies and guidelines

4. Contribute to maintaining safety of other work group members
4.1. Impact of own actions on safety of others is recognised
4.2. Contact is maintained at all times with other work group members
4.3. Signals are correctly used, interpreted, confirmed and acted upon in a timely manner
4.4. Warnings of hazardous situations are clearly relayed to work group members using appropriate terminology and codes
4.5. Assistance is given to work group members in danger in accordance with standard operating procedures, ensuring personal safety is maintained.

Key Competencies

• Communicating ideas and information
• Collecting analysing and organising information
• Planning and organising activities 
• Working with others and in teams
• Using mathematical ideas and techniques 
• Solving problems 
• Using technology

Range Statement

Working environment may

• be hazardous
• unpredictable
• subject to time pressure
• chaotic and expose responders to risk

Public Safety workplaces include

• any location where a Public Safety incident occurs

Response situation includes

• single and multi agency response situations

Risk is

• the likelihood of injury or damage occurring and the potential consequences of any injury or damage

Hazards include

• all potential sources of injury or damage to property or the environment including identified and potential hazards to persons equipment or the environment

Incidents may include

• a variety of natural or man made events including but not limited to
  - rescues and extrications (flood, storm, tempest, natural disaster, vehicle, aircraft, rail, industrial, civil defence)
  - fires (structural, wild, prescribed burning)
  - search and rescue (urban, rural, sea)
  - hazardous materials and dangerous goods

Hazards may be identified by

• scene assessment
• visual inspections
• plan reviews
• recognising hazard warnings
• accessing data bases
• interviewing others at scene
• seeking expert advice

Others at scene may include

• organisational personnel
• personnel from other organisations
• general public

Hazardous materials may include

• thermal
• mechanical
• explosives
• toxic
• corrosive
• asphyxiant
• radiation
• etiological hazards
• mutagenic materials

Biological hazards may include

• bacteria
• viruses
• fungi and yeasts including exotic organisms

Physical hazards may include

• noise
• slippery surfaces
• poor visibility
• smoky environments
• fallen/falling objects
• fatigue

Electrical hazards may include

• pole fires
• electrical fires
• electricity in damaged/burning structures
• energised vehicles/structures due to downed wires

Manual handling hazards may include

• heavy objects
• content and shape of containers

Environmental hazards may include

• temperature
• darkness
• fire
• snow
• floods
• winds
• rain
• hail
• flora
• fauna
• postural restrictions and access
• terrain
• traffic

Hazard control measures may include

• erection of barriers
• establishment of control zone
• use of spill clean up kits
• use of electrically insulated tools and equipment
• vehicle protection hoses and devices
• life support equipment (heat radiation shielded crew cabin, vehicle cabins with/without sprays)
• entry control procedures to hazardous areas
• decontamination

Relevant legislation may include

• state or territory occupational health and safety acts and regulations

Personal protective clothing and equipment may include

• breathing apparatus
• personal lines
• air lines
• personal distress units
• respiratory protection
• protective hoods
• goggles
• hearing protectors
• sunscreen
• chemical protective clothing
• personal flotation devices
• wet suits
• turnout uniform
• gloves
• hard hat
• safety boots
• overalls
• chainsaw chaps
• bullet proof vests
• firearms
• batons
• handcuffs

Hazard control equipment may include

• atmospheric monitoring equipment
• meteorological equipment
• radiation monitoring equipment
• oxygen meters
• flammable gas detectors

Reporting may include

• verbal
• written reports
• completing standard forms
• logs
• sitreps
• note taking
• logging
• entry to hazardous areas

Designated person may include

• supervisor
• team leader
• workplace occupational health and safety representative
• officer in charge

Survival strategies which may be applied in

• buildings
• wildfire situations
• water
• extreme heat or cold

Factors which may require monitoring may include

• traffic
• weather conditions
• vegetation type
• spectators
• temperature
• structural integrity
• relative humidity
• slope
• terrain
• water supply/pressure
• fire development
• stream flows
• suspect atmospheres
• regulations

Contact with other personnel may include

• visual
• vocal
• touch
• radio
• audible warnings
• signalling

Evidence Guide

Critical Aspects of Evidence

• It is essential for this unit that competence be demonstrated in maintaining personal safety and safety of others.

Underpinning Knowledge

• accidents and incidents
• commonly encountered hazards and procedures and safety
• precautions to prevent injury on encountering various hazards
• employee responsibilities and obligations
• food intake
• hazards
• heat induced illness—factors leading to prevention
• injuries
• labelling and storage of hazardous substances
• manual handling hazards
• means of relaying warnings to other personnel
• methods of hazard control and reporting
• organisation’s occupational health and safety policy
• problems associated with insufficient water intake
• procedures for investigating injuries
• procedures for participating in occupational health and safety arrangements
• procedures for reporting hazards
• protection
• relevant standard operating procedures
• respiratory system—functions
• rest breaks
• State and Territory occupational health and safety requirements
• survival techniques for various situations
• symptoms and treatment
• techniques and aids
• use and limitations of relevant protective clothing and equipment

Underpinning Skills

• communicate non-verbally and verbally
• follow procedures and instructions
• record information
• use communication equipment
• work with others in a team situation

Resource implications

• A range of protective clothing and equipment may be required

Consistency in performance

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

Context of assessment

• A real life incident, exercise or simulation or 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 may be used as supporting evidence