Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the process of assisting with prescribed burning for agricultural or natural resource purposes and defines the standard required to: prepare machinery and equipment before burning; undertake burn operations and monitor weather conditions; use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as required and check, clean and store on completion of the burn; carry out clean up operations and monitor the site.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to working under close supervision with constant checking. Responsibility for some roles and coordination within a team may be required.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Assist with preparations for the burn

1.1. Machinery and equipment to be used in the burn are prepared for use as directed.

1.2. Safety equipment is checked and prepared for use.

1.3. Information about contingency plans is read or listened to and clarification sought where required.

1.4. Assets requiring protection during the burn are recognised and noted.

1.5. Personal role and activities during the burn are checked with supervisor.

1.6. Location and extent of the burn is discussed and clarified with the supervisor.

2. Support conduct of burn

2.1. Assistance with pre-burn checks is provided as directed by the supervisor.

2.2. Burn operations are undertaken in a safe manner.

2.3. Problems or concerns during the burn are raised with the supervisor.

2.4. Communication is maintained at all times in accordance with the organisation's procedures.

2.5. Conditions at the fire are observed and their effect on fire behaviour and development are noted and reported to the supervisor.

2.6. Weather conditions and changes to fire behaviour are observed and reported to the supervisor.

2.7. A safe escape route is identified and maintained at all times.

2.8. Personal protective equipment is fitted properly and worn throughout the burn.

3. Participate in clean-up activities

3.1. Cleaning-up activities are carried out under direction in accordance with the organisation's procedures.

3.2. Personal protective equipment is cleaned and returned to storage.

3.3. Machinery and equipment used in the burn are cleaned and returned to storage.

3.4. Cleaning and maintenance are carried out in accordance with the organisation's procedures.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

• identify hazards and adopt safe work practices
• assist with preparations for the burn
• support conduct of the burn
• monitor fire behaviour and risk
• participate in clean-up activities
• use literacy skills to follow sequenced written instructions and record information accurately and legibly
• use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification and seeking advice from supervisor
• use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures
• use interpersonal skills to relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge 

• fire behaviour
• extinguishing media and equipment
• burning tactics and techniques
• fire hazards, safety techniques
• organisations operating procedures
• OHS and environmental legislative and enterprise requirements.

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 

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

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:

• prepare machinery and equipment before burning
• undertake burn operations and monitor weather conditions
• use PPE as required and check, clean and store on completion of the burn
• carry out clean up operations and monitor the site.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.

Prescribed burning may include:

the burning of either agricultural or natural areas, impacting on a range of threatened areas including:

• buildings
• utilities:

• power and telephone lines
• water supply structures
• communications towers

• public lands
• area of rare or sensitive flora and fauna
• other crops
• tree plantations
• other property.

Unit sector 

Natural area restoration

Co-requisite units 

Competency field