Technical staff who use rigging on telecommunications radio structures apply the skills and knowledge in this unit. They may make use of rigging plant and equipment, fall arrest, fall guarding and fall constraint and work in teams.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare to use safe rigging practices

1.1. Notify appropriate personnel and take necessary precautions to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist during work activities

1.2. Prepare for given work according to minimum approach distances for hazards on telecommunications network structures as prescribed in relevant legislation, codes, regulations and standards

2. Assess the status and condition of telecommunications network structures and identify climbing route

2.1. Inspect and assess the status and condition of telecommunications structures according to industry practice

2.2. Plot optimum climbing route to avoid hazards and the most effective use of selected equipment according to manufacturer's instructions and industry practice

3. Prepare climbing equipment

3.1. Select climbing equipment in keeping with the structures to be climbed according to industry practice

3.2. Inspect climbing equipment for damage according to specifications and industry practice

4. Climb telecommunications network structures

4.1. Use safe climbing practices when ascending telecommunications network structures according to the occupational health and safety (OHS) Act

4.2. Maintain permanent attachment when more than three metres from the ground adhering to safety requirements when working at heights

4.3. Maintain three points of contact at all times according to industry practice while climbing telecommunications network structures

4.4. Manage ropes to avoid entanglement or fouling on the structure

4.5. Maintain safe working and minimum approach distances from hazards on telecommunications network structures at all times according to standards and regulations

5. Use climbing and working fall arrest systems

5.1. Perform transfers to and from the climbing system and the working system using fall prevention practices according to industry practice

5.2. Use the working fall arrest system according to specifications

6. Perform rescues

6.1. Perform rescues according to situation, industry practice and local instruction

6.2. Obtain medical treatment if required

6.3. Report accidents or incidents according to company procedures and local instructions

Required skills

analytical skills to accurately assess risk on telecommunications network structures

literacy skills to interpret technical documentation, plans and specifications

communication skills to liaise with other personnel, including the use of radio devices

numeracy skills to:

take measurements and interpret results

evaluate different types of technical data

planning and organisational skills to plan, prioritise and monitor own work and OHS responsibilities

problem solving and contingency management skills to adapt rigging activities and requirements to particular sites and conditions

safety awareness skills to:

apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist during work activities

select and use required personal protective equipment for rigging projects to suit different applications and for work at height conforming to industry and OHS standards

work systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self or others, or damage to goods or equipment

task management skills to work systematically with required attention to detail and adherence to all safety requirements

technical skills to:

select and use appropriate equipment and practices to suit different applications

assess the status and condition of telecommunications network structures to be climbed

identify climbing route according to industry practice

Required knowledge

falls:

fall factors according to the Guidelines for the Prevention of Falls

fall prevention

fall types according to Australian standards and regulations

features and operating requirements of rigging equipment

optical fibre cabling and equipment safety practices

personal protective equipment

radio frequency electromagnetic radiation (EMR):

associated risks

methods of detecting

need to verify and maintain the EMR hazard management plan against an on-site situation

preparing for work at a telecommunications site with potential EMR hazards

reporting EMR hazards safety practices

sources and types of radio frequency (RF) EMR

rescue methods and practices

safe rigging principles

suspension trauma:

cause

effect

prevention

treatment

using a safety harness:

hazards associated with wearing a safety harness

how to check, fit and use a safety harness

the types and application of different safety harnesses

licensing and regulatory issues applying to rigging practices and systems on telecommunications radio structures

risks present when working on telecommunications radio structures

specific OHS issues that affect rigging:

relevant regulations, and applicable site and company OHS procedures

rigging practices and systems for telecommunications radio structures

safe climbing practices including maintaining three points of contact while climbing

safe working and minimum approach distances for hazards on telecommunications network structures according to standards and regulations

safety requirements when working at heights according to the OHS Act

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 ability to:

use safe rigging practices according to OHS requirements, regulations and standards

assess the status and condition of telecommunications structure to be climbed and plot climbing route according to industry practice

select climbing equipment and climb telecommunications network structure

work safely on telecommunications network structures using climbing and working fall arrest systems

perform rescues from telecommunications network structures to industry standards.

Context of, and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

a mentor or supervisor appropriately experienced and certified in rigging and rescuing for telecommunications radio structures

a workplace conducting rigging operations with:

rigging equipment

safety equipment.

Methods of assessment

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

direct observation of the candidate climbing and performing a rescue on a telecommunications network structure

oral or written questioning of the candidate to assess OHS requirements associated with rigging.

Guidance information for assessment

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

ICTTCR2188A Use rigging practices and systems on telecommunications network structures

ICTTCR2189A Use operational safety in a telecommunications rigging environment.

Aboriginal people and other people from a non-English speaking background may have second language issues.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and assessment support when required.

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and appropriate to the oral communication skill level, and language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge. Questioning techniques should not require language, literacy and numeracy skills beyond those required in this unit of competency.

Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with special needs.

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, codes, regulations and standards may include:

Australian Communications Industry Forum (ACIF) standards and codes

Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) technical standards

appropriate licences that may be required:

crane

dogging

rigging

scaffolding

winch

Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) EMR standard

AS 1353.1:1997

AS 1353.2:1997

AS 1657:1992

AS 2089:2008

AS 2319:2001

AS 2626: replaced by AS/NZS 1891.4:2000

AS 3775.1:2004

AS 3775.2:2004

AS 3777:2008

AS 4497.2:1997

AS/NZS 1891.1:2007

AS/NZS 1891.4:2000

AS/NZS 4801:2001

AS/NZS ISO 14001:2004

Australian building codes and regulations

Australian standards

CE, American National Standards Institute (ANSI) equipment standards

enterprise standards

environmental protection

equipment certifications:

NFPA 1983 (2006 edition)

NFPA/UL G-rated (General Use)

equipment standards:

intrinsically safe lightning protection

site engineering standard

fire regulations

heritage legislation

international standards

local government

OHS

Radcoms Act

related publications

Telecoms Act

WI's, CI's, Business Operating Procedures (BOP), Radiocommunications Assignment and Licensing Instruction (RALI), assignment guidelines.

Status and condition of telecommunications structures may relate to:

hazardous areas

potential optical fibre and laser equipment hazards

safety issues in roof work

structural integrity.

Climbing equipment may include:

anchor points

anchors

climbing and working fall arrest systems

connectors

descenders

jointing splices

karabiners

lines

rigging screws

ascenders

shackles

slings

snatch blocks

strops

synthetic ropes

turn buckles

wire rope grips

wire ropes.

Specifications may include:

bolts:

mild

high tensile

stainless

high strength

torque

installation of equipment

load cells

range tensioning

temporary anchors

terminations:

bulldog grips

preformed dead ends.

Safety requirements when working at heights may include:

personal protective equipment:

hazards associated with wearing a safety harness

to suit different applications

risk assessment and methods:

assess the status and condition of telecommunications network structures to be climbed

climbing equipment for network structure

falls and fall prevention.

identify climbing route according to industry practice

industrial climbing on telecommunications network structures for maintenance

performing rescues

rescue planning

safe climbing practices

safe working methods

safe working practices:

lifting methods

load calculation

site hazard identification and control measures

use of fall arrest systems:

double lanyards

pole straps

static lines

use of safety equipment:

aerial safety belts and lines

anchor straps

anchors

ear muffs

equipment guards

fall arrest devices and systems

fall constraint systems

fall guarding systems

flashing lights

gloves

guards

helmet

lanyards

pulleys

rescue harness

rigging plates

rope clamps

safety cages

safety glasses

safety harnesses:

basic

full body fall arrest

sit harness

static lines

warning signs and tapes

tools:

crane

hand

load and tension gauge

mechanical

power.

Telecommunications network structures may include:

antennae above ground level

buildings

concrete poles

guyed masts

lattice towers

monopoles

masts

rooftops

steel poles

support for RF emitting feeders

wooden poles.

Perform rescues may include:

abseil rescue

first aid

internationally recognised communication signals and protocols:

hand signals

radio communications

personal and team safety

raising and lowering systems

stabilising a casualty

treating suspension trauma.

Unit sector

Telecommunications

Telecommunications Rigging Installation

This unit contains employability skills.