Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

SISOCRP506A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Manage a high ropes course

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency SISOCRP506A - Manage a high ropes course
Description This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to manage and maintain a challenge high ropes course, including linked courses and courses with independent elements, where belay systems are used to keep participants safe. This unit does not cover the training of staff.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit applies to those working autonomously as challenge ropes managers who have ultimate responsibility for ensuring the safety of a high ropes course, and the development and provision of operational procedures for the conduct of activities on the high ropes elements and course. This may include those working for private outdoor adventure companies, volunteer organisations, not for profit organisations, government agencies, or group instructors in outdoor education programs.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites SISOCRP302A Conduct a high ropes sessionSISOCRP404A Supervise a high ropes session
Competency Field Challenge ropes
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Determine course operational procedures.
  • Establish procedures for the use of the course, including training of staff and verification and maintenance of staff skills.
  • Implement mechanisms to inform course users and facilitators of changes to elements and procedures.
  • Identify and document safety and emergency procedures and equipment required for use at the site according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
  • Develop vertical rescue techniques and procedures for a variety of scenarios.
  • Determine and document risks and hazards associated with individual elements and eliminate or reduce where possible.
  • Determine the impact of course installation on the conduct of activities and maintenance procedures.
       
Element: Conduct course maintenance.
  • Determine pre-activity course inspection protocols and procedures for monitoring compliance by individual course users.
  • Document course maintenance procedures, after consultation with challenge ropes course installation and maintenance specialists.
  • Conduct regular course maintenance according to operational procedures, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
  • Identify common problems with the natural environment surrounding the challenge ropes course and implement strategies to deal with or reduce the problem.
  • Refer maintenance and repair beyond personal ability and responsibility to relevant industry specialists.
  • Establish procedures for recording and reporting checks on elements and hardware.
       
Element: Select equipment for use in high ropes courses.
  • Select pulleys according to common practices for ropes course installation, operational procedures and organisational policies and procedures.
  • Select harnesses based on contextual issues.
  • Identify factors affecting the use of karabiners and rapid links in different situations.
       
Element: Determine course operational procedures.
  • Establish procedures for the use of the course, including training of staff and verification and maintenance of staff skills.
  • Implement mechanisms to inform course users and facilitators of changes to elements and procedures.
  • Identify and document safety and emergency procedures and equipment required for use at the site according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
  • Develop vertical rescue techniques and procedures for a variety of scenarios.
  • Determine and document risks and hazards associated with individual elements and eliminate or reduce where possible.
  • Determine the impact of course installation on the conduct of activities and maintenance procedures.
       
Element: Conduct course maintenance.
  • Determine pre-activity course inspection protocols and procedures for monitoring compliance by individual course users.
  • Document course maintenance procedures, after consultation with challenge ropes course installation and maintenance specialists.
  • Conduct regular course maintenance according to operational procedures, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.
  • Identify common problems with the natural environment surrounding the challenge ropes course and implement strategies to deal with or reduce the problem.
  • Refer maintenance and repair beyond personal ability and responsibility to relevant industry specialists.
  • Establish procedures for recording and reporting checks on elements and hardware.
       
Element: Select equipment for use in high ropes courses.
  • Select pulleys according to common practices for ropes course installation, operational procedures and organisational policies and procedures.
  • Select harnesses based on contextual issues.
  • Identify factors affecting the use of karabiners and rapid links in different situations.
       


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

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

Evidence of the following is essential:

conducts thorough routine inspections of high ropes course and surrounding area and applies safe installation techniques, practices and hardware

develops and reviews operational procedures for the set up, operation and maintenance of high ropes courses, including rescue procedures

devises methods of promptly informing course users and facilitators of changes made to elements and procedures and outlines staffing and training requirements for a high ropes course

documents safety and emergency procedures required for use at the site and aims, risks and spotting techniques appropriate for each element

consults with challenge ropes course installation and maintenance specialists to determine course maintenance procedures where required.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure application of detailed knowledge of high ropes course elements and maintenance requirements to develop and review comprehensive procedures.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

a minimum of two different high ropes courses, each with a minimum of five elements,

equipment required for the maintenance of a high ropes course

challenge ropes course installation and maintenance specialists, where required

resources such as relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to assist in the development of operational and maintenance procedures.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable adequate management and maintenance of high ropes course

observation of safe inspection and thorough maintenance and installation of course equipment and elements

review of devised operational and maintenance procedures, and course maintenance records and reports

third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

SISOODR405A Manage risk in an outdoor activity.

Guidance information for assessment

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

communication skills to:

inform course users and facilitators of changes to elements and operational procedures

consult with challenge ropes course installation and maintenance specialists where required

language and literacy skills to:

document, edit and review operational procedures for the overall set up, operation and maintenance of a high ropes course

record and report all maintenance and safety checks performed on course

problem-solving skills to:

manage and maintain a high ropes course

determine pre-activity course inspection protocols and procedures

document potential aims, risks and belay techniques appropriate for each element

implement strategies to reduce an identified problem

planning and organising skills to:

conduct regular and routine maintenance checks and repairs of high ropes course, elements and surrounding area

coordinate resources and equipment appropriately

manage risks safely

self management skills to understand legal responsibilities, and to organise time and priorities effectively.

Required knowledge

legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe management and maintenance of high ropes course

site and course specific information to enable safe and effective maintenance with minimal environmental impact, and management of potential hazards, risks and any special restrictions applying to the site

methods used and issues to consider when developing operational procedures for high ropes courses

equipment required for use at the course site and warranty requirements and implications

pre-activity course inspection protocols and methods of identifying hazards and risks

course maintenance procedures, such as re-tensioning fibre ropes and splicing

common practices for the installation of challenge ropes courses in Australia

best practice for the conduct of high ropes course activities, and the aims, risks and belay techniques appropriate to each element

staff training requirements for the conduct of high ropes course activities

recording and reporting procedures for checks on elements

challenge ropes course installation and maintenance specialists in the local area to assist with maintenance and repairs beyond responsibility

emergency and safety procedures to negotiate potential hazards and risks associated with management and maintenance of relevant high ropes course.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Relevant legislation may include:

occupational health and safety

permits or permissions for access

environmental regulations.

Organisational policies and procedures may include:

occupational health and safety

common practices for the installation of challenge ropes courses in Australia

warranty requirements

working load limits and tension formula

time and budget constraints

use and maintenance of equipment

recording and reporting procedures

operational procedures for specific high ropes course

code of ethics.

Course maintenance may include:

tightening nuts

covering wire rope ends

re-tensioning ropes

trimming of tree branches

tree hazard assessment

removal of other hazards

checking of anchors, belay systems and back up wires.

Problems may include:

tree disease

falling branches

soil compaction

unauthorised use

fauna.

Strategies may include:

use of mulch and or soft fall material

moving elements

resting areas and not using elements

signage

fencing.

Contextual issues may include:

weather conditions, including times

season

transport

location

trip distance and duration

group objectives

group size.

Factors may include:

requirement for locking

rope wear when passing over small diameter karabiners or rapid links versus use of shear reduction pulleys

need for steel versus alloy

preferred item for use in belay systems or for use for attaching to pulleys.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Establish procedures for the use of the course, including training of staff and verification and maintenance of staff skills. 
Implement mechanisms to inform course users and facilitators of changes to elements and procedures. 
Identify and document safety and emergency procedures and equipment required for use at the site according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures. 
Develop vertical rescue techniques and procedures for a variety of scenarios. 
Determine and document risks and hazards associated with individual elements and eliminate or reduce where possible. 
Determine the impact of course installation on the conduct of activities and maintenance procedures. 
Determine pre-activity course inspection protocols and procedures for monitoring compliance by individual course users. 
Document course maintenance procedures, after consultation with challenge ropes course installation and maintenance specialists. 
Conduct regular course maintenance according to operational procedures, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures. 
Identify common problems with the natural environment surrounding the challenge ropes course and implement strategies to deal with or reduce the problem. 
Refer maintenance and repair beyond personal ability and responsibility to relevant industry specialists. 
Establish procedures for recording and reporting checks on elements and hardware. 
Select pulleys according to common practices for ropes course installation, operational procedures and organisational policies and procedures. 
Select harnesses based on contextual issues. 
Identify factors affecting the use of karabiners and rapid links in different situations. 
Establish procedures for the use of the course, including training of staff and verification and maintenance of staff skills. 
Implement mechanisms to inform course users and facilitators of changes to elements and procedures. 
Identify and document safety and emergency procedures and equipment required for use at the site according to relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures. 
Develop vertical rescue techniques and procedures for a variety of scenarios. 
Determine and document risks and hazards associated with individual elements and eliminate or reduce where possible. 
Determine the impact of course installation on the conduct of activities and maintenance procedures. 
Determine pre-activity course inspection protocols and procedures for monitoring compliance by individual course users. 
Document course maintenance procedures, after consultation with challenge ropes course installation and maintenance specialists. 
Conduct regular course maintenance according to operational procedures, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures. 
Identify common problems with the natural environment surrounding the challenge ropes course and implement strategies to deal with or reduce the problem. 
Refer maintenance and repair beyond personal ability and responsibility to relevant industry specialists. 
Establish procedures for recording and reporting checks on elements and hardware. 
Select pulleys according to common practices for ropes course installation, operational procedures and organisational policies and procedures. 
Select harnesses based on contextual issues. 
Identify factors affecting the use of karabiners and rapid links in different situations. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

SISOCRP506A - Manage a high ropes course
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

SISOCRP506A - Manage a high ropes course

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: