Homeland Security Qualifications Assessing explosives competence in the

Homeland Security Qualifications Assessing explosives competence in the workplace Denise Clarke Fort Worth, USA 10 – 13 February 2013 1

Standards Setting Body for Explosives, Munitions and Search Occupations (SSB for EMSO) • Recognized by UK government as relevant body to develop National Occupational Standards • Established in 2000 to develop Munition Clearance and Search Standards and qualifications • Approached by Mo. D in 2003 to develop standards and accreditation routes in wider explosives fields

Introduction “Competence” not defined till ESA standards developed Mo. D requirement to work to ESA standards Qualifications provide audit trail of competence

Work of the SSB for EMSO (1) 2000 – SSB for EMSO established 2002 – National Occupational Standards (NOS) & 6 qualifications in Munition clearance and search completed 2003 – Mo. D UK asks SSB for explosives NOS and qualifications 2006 – About 250 NOS and 24 competence-based VQs 2007 – Review & revision of Munition clearance and search NOS & extra NOS & search VQ

Work of the SSB for EMSO (2) 2008: • Additional NOS and VQs in explosives safety management • Additional NOS and VQ designs for the use of explosives in entertainment

What is “competence”? “Competence” or “competency”? The ability to perform consistently to occupational standards

A model of “competence”

Standards

Benefits of standards & qualifications For individuals: • acknowledge and accredit competence • provide portable recognition of achievement • clarify what’s expected of you For employers: • promote consistency of practice • assure employees’ competence • useful as management and development tools • Improve productivity • reduce exposure to loss and litigation

Explosives (ESA) coverage Research, design & development Safety management Test & evaluation Manufacture Maintenance Procurement Storage Transport Facilities management Entertainment Disposal Munition clearance & search Generic

Structure of standards They contain: • Criteria that describe the standard against which performance can be evaluated • Descriptions of the contexts of the required performance • Specifications of the knowledge underpinning competence

Unit 13. 11 Hand over explosive substances and/or articles

Unit 13. 11 Hand over explosive substances and/or articles Performance Criteria a) work safely at all times, complying with health and safety, environmental and other relevant regulations, legislation and guidelines b) confirm the identity of explosive substances and/or articles against the specification/documentation c) confirm that the condition of the explosive substances and/or articles is in an acceptable handover condition d) ensure that the information exchanged at handover is accurate, up to date and complete e) obtain additional information if there any areas of doubt or lack of clarity to complete the handover f) ensure that safety and quality requirements are met . . . & etc

Unit 13. 11 Hand over explosive substances and/or articles Contexts § Hand over: issuing; receiving § Hand over condition: when in an acceptable condition; when not in an acceptable condition Performance Criteria a) work safely at all times, complying with health and safety, environmental and other relevant regulations, legislation and guidelines b) confirm the identity of explosive substances and/or articles against the specification/documentation c) confirm that the condition of the explosive substances and/or articles is in an acceptable handover condition d) ensure that the information exchanged at handover is accurate, up to date and complete e) obtain additional information if there any areas of doubt or lack of clarity to complete the handover f) ensure that safety and quality requirements are met . . . & etc

Unit 13. 11 Hand over explosive substances and/or articles Contexts § Hand over: issuing; receiving § Hand over condition: when in an acceptable condition; when not in an acceptable condition Performance Criteria a) work safely at all times, complying with health and safety, environmental and other relevant regulations, legislation and guidelines b) confirm the identity of explosive substances and/or articles against the specification/documentation c) confirm that the condition of the explosive substances and/or articles is in an acceptable handover condition d) ensure that the information exchanged at handover is accurate, up to date and complete e) obtain additional information if there any areas of doubt or lack of clarity to complete the handover f) ensure that safety and quality requirements are met . . . & etc Knowledge Requirements • the health, safety and environmental legislation, regulations and safe working practices and procedures governing explosives, and their implications for your area of work • the relevance of personal protective equipment (PPE) • the nature, characteristics, hazards and risks of the explosive substances and/or articles • the actions to be taken in response to an unplanned event • any environmental considerations affecting or prohibiting handover • any operational considerations affecting or prohibiting handover • how to carry out a risk assessment . . . & etc

The Assessment Process Homeland Security Qualifications Awarding Body External Verifier Toytown Militia ACME Explosives Ltd C C A C C C: Candidate A: Assessor A A C Big Bang Fireworks Ltd Internal Verifier A External Verifier C C C Internal Verifier A C Bombs Я Us C C A C Internal Verifier A C C A A A

Evidence of competence Evidence must be current, relevant, valid, authentic, sufficient: Collected through: • Observation of work • Work products, including documents • Witness testimony (eg manager, client, peer) • Photos & audio/video recordings • Records of candidate’s own work • Previously recorded achievement • Candidate narrative • Questioning

UK’s explosives qualifications • 3 types of vocational qualification: • ‘New-style’ Qualifications & Credit Framework (QCF) Awards, Certificates and Diplomas at 3 levels • ‘Old-style’ Vocational Qualification (VQ) at 4 levels • ‘Bespoke’ qualifications • All can, to varying degrees: • Increase competitiveness, efficiency etc • Provide evidence to satisfy regulators and clients

Explosives nationally accredited qualifications • Level 4 Diploma in Defence Range Safety • Level 3 Certificate in Defence Range Safety • Level 2 Award in the Movement of Explosives • Levels 1 – 4 range of qualifications in Munition Clearance and Search • Level 2 Certificate in Explosives Storage Operations • Level 2 Certificate in Explosives Maintenance Operations • L 2 Diploma in Explosives Storage and Maintenance • Level 2 Award in Using Small Arms • Level 2 and 3 Certificate in Relief Operations

Explosives (ESA) Vocational Qualifications • • • Based on ESA NOS (competence, knowledge, contexts) Occupationally competent, qualified assessors Internal and external verification • Safety management • Test & evaluation • Manufacture • Maintenance • Storage • Transport • Disposal

Explosives bespoke qualifications • • • Employer designed (with HSQ advice) Accredit: • Knowledge • Training Not a guarantee of measured competence

Qineti. Q: business benefits • • • Amplification of Qineti. Q’s expectations Targeting training resources Formalization of common standards Improvements to processes & quality Enhancement of business practices Reductions in mistakes & re-work Common modus operandi across different sites Improved morale & motivation Improved individual performance

Qineti. Q: next steps • Ensure everyone is appraised against ESA standards • Train more assessors and internal verifiers • Deliver QCF qualifications

Defining and measuring competence • Assurance of competence in a safety-critical area • Systematic development of people: • competence • knowledge • Mobility of labour, long-term organizational skills development • Achievement of explosives qualifications

Homeland Security Qualifications Denise Clarke Homeland Security Qualifications 52 Ickburgh Road London E 5 8 AD United Kingdom Telephone: 0044 208 806 4910 Email: denise@deniseclarke. co. uk denise. clarke@homelandsecurityqualifications. co. uk Websites: www. homelandsecurityqualifications. co. uk www. deniseclarke. co. uk