Application
This unit describes the skills required to plan, implement and report on concrete and masonry around dam safety inspection. This requires the operator to conduct routine visual inspections, to capture and report dam condition and faults in dams. Dam safety operators should be aware of the damage potential of the dam and be able to recognise and report deficiencies, or adverse trends that could lead to failure.
This unit applies to those working as operators with responsibility for the inspection of concrete dams and reporting of faults or trends.
The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative, regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and procedures must be consulted and adhered to.
Those undertaking this unit would work under indirect supervision while performing routine tasks in a limited range of familiar contexts.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENTS | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions section. |
1. Plan and prepare concrete dam inspection | 1.1 Identify and apply the relevant organisational procedures and proformas relating to concrete dam safety inspection. 1.2 Identify features and applications of concrete dam types to be inspected. 1.3 Identify concrete dam behaviour under a range of conditions. 1.4 Assess information from checklists and previous inspection reports. 1.5 Schedule activities and equipment for concrete dam inspection according to workplace requirements. |
2. Inspect and assess the condition of components of concrete dams | 2.1 Implement concrete dam inspection procedures and practices including for unusual events. 2.2 Inspect and assess the condition and performance of identified areas and features of the concrete dam. 2.3 Recognise, record and assess any faults and changes in the condition of the concrete dam and its structures. |
3. Report the condition of the components of the concrete dams | 3.1 Compare observations with previous inspection reports. 3.2 Collect and record evidence to establish the extent of changes in conditions. 3.3 Prepare and submit inspection reports. 3.4 Report significant changes and deviations with recommendations for follow up action. |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the candidate must demonstrate evidence of performance of the following on at least one occasion.
planning and organising work schedules and responses to contingencies
communicating with engineering professionals, team members and the public on concrete dam safety using clear and direct communication and identifying and confirming monitoring requirements
recording and reporting information and interpreting a range of workplace documents
making mathematical calculations to collect and process data from dam inspections
identifying concrete dam faults and failure indicators
assessing the importance and urgency of deficiencies
collecting and processing concrete dam observation information
reading and interpreting plans, drawings and charts
producing inspection reports
identifying safety hazards and implementing safety protocols
using digital photography and equipment for determining location
interpreting and applying relevant organisational and regulatory information and requirements to the planning of safety monitoring activities
identifying inspection features and scheduling activities according to the required frequency
conducting concrete dam inspection activities
gathering and recording data
identifying faults, changes and failure indicators
reporting on inspection and monitoring outcomes, with recommendations for action
Evidence of Knowledge
Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the depth of knowledge demonstrated must be appropriate to the job context of the candidate.
concrete dam types, elements, and failure modes
historic information and lessons from previous concrete dam incidents
properties of stored water
concrete dam design and construction principles, including:
materials science
hydraulics
aging of concrete
concrete technology
treatment of foundations, grouting and drainage systems
post tensioning principles
principles of gravity action
principles of arch action
principles of buttress action
principles of roller compacted concrete
uplift pressures and drainage systems
concrete dam faults and change indicators
dam performance history
principles of concrete dam inspection
work health and safety and personal work site safety in procedures and worksite specific requirements
organisational policies, procedures, guidelines and requirements relevant to the work site and dam safety monitoring
Assessment Conditions
Competency should be assessed in an actual workplace or in a simulated environment, with access to equipment and infrastructure appropriate to the outcome. Competency should be demonstrated over time to ensure the candidate is assessed across a variety of situations.
Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
Foundation Skills
The foundation skills demands of this unit have been mapped for alignment with the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF). The following tables outline the performance levels indicated for successful attainment of the unit.
Further information on ACSF and the foundation skills underpinning this unit can be found in the Foundation Skills Guide on the GSA website.
Competency Field
Source