Application
This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to move materials around a site.
This unit of competency applies to operators who are required to plan the moving of materials; ensure safety requirements are in place; perform pre-start checks and operate the equipment; secure, shift and stack materials; and identify and take action on problems.
This unit of competency applies to an individual working alone or as part of a team or group and working in liaison with other shift team members, team leader and supervisor, as appropriate.
The person undertaking this role may require additional competencies to cover the operation of forklift trucks, cranes or other regulated load shifting devices.
Licensing or certification may be required by local Worksafe or other regulatory authority.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. | ||
1 | Perform pre-start checks | 1.1 | Perform pre-start checks of all plant/equipment in strict accordance with manufacturer and enterprise requirements |
1.2 | Inspect, activate and check for safe operation all plant/equipment attachments consistent with standard operating procedures (SOPs) | ||
2 | Plan work load | 2.1 | Inspect work areas to identify hazards and implement the appropriate prevention/control measures |
2.2 | Take appropriate precautions to safeguard all site/non-site personnel | ||
2.3 | Erect signs and barricades, appropriate to the task, to conform with enterprise safety requirements | ||
2.4 | Select for the specific task appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with SOPs | ||
2.5 | Inspect work area to determine appropriate path for the movement of vehicular traffic | ||
2.6 | Ensure work permits are issued and received by authorised personnel as/when required in accordance with SOPs | ||
2.7 | Confirm job requirements and expectations with relevant personnel | ||
2.8 | Clarify non-standard requirements | ||
2.9 | Accurately identify materials to be moved | ||
2.10 | Identify and clarify material movements required | ||
3 | Shift loads | 3.1 | Accurately assess weight of load by specified methods to ensure compliance with equipment load plate specifications |
3.2 | Use the appropriate process/equipment to shift loads | ||
3.3 | Observe all regulatory requirements regarding shifting loads | ||
3.4 | Smoothly and consistently move controls and vehicle/equipment within safe operating practices/limits | ||
3.5 | Use standard communication signals to coordinate safe movement of load | ||
3.6 | Stack loads to enterprise specific requirements, ensuring the stability of the stack without creating a hazard to personnel and equipment | ||
3.7 | Use appropriate equipment attachments to perform tasks according to standard enterprise procedures | ||
3.8 | Effectively perform emergency evasive action should the need arise | ||
4 | Close down plant/ equipment | 4.1 | Close down plant/equipment in accordance with SOPs |
4.2 | Park/store and secure plant/equipment to conform with enterprise specific requirements | ||
4.3 | Perform post-operational checks in strict accordance with manufacturer requirements and SOPs | ||
4.4 | Clean down plant/equipment and dispose of waste following established procedures | ||
4.5 | Complete all record keeping/logs/paperwork as required | ||
5 | Rectify routine problems | 5.1 | Identify the range of faults that can occur during the operation |
5.2 | Determine and rectify fault causes in accordance with procedures/work instructions | ||
5.3 | Identify and rectify equipment failure causes in accordance with procedures/work instructions | ||
5.4 | Make sure appropriate records and log books of equipment operations are maintained to meet procedures/work instructions | ||
5.5 | Identify non-routine problems and report to designated person | ||
Evidence of Performance
Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and demonstrate the ability to:
read and interpret job sheets, procedures, material labels and safety information
identify plant/equipment and attachments to meet requirements
perform pre-start checks and inspections
perform close down procedures and post-operational checks
plan and prepare for safe movement of materials to meet job requirements
secure, shift and stack materials to meet safety and job requirements
recognise routine and non-routine problems
identify when the operator is able to rectify problems, when assistance is required and who is the appropriate source for assistance
take action to resolve problems or report them to appropriate personnel
distinguish between possible causes of routine problems, including:
raw material variations
equipment faults/abnormalities
process/procedure errors
documentation/communication errors
identify hazards and apply relevant hazard controls
apply safety procedures
communicate effectively with team/work group and supervisors
complete workplace records
do basic arithmetical manipulations, including additions, subtractions, divisions, fractions and percentages.
Evidence of Knowledge
Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge relevant to their job sufficient to operate under routine only supervision and to solve routine problems including knowledge of:
principles of safe and efficient transfer and storage of materials
common types of plant/equipment used for shifting materials and any licensing requirements
principles of operation of plant/equipment and attachments used in the job/work environment
manual handling techniques and ergonomics
methods for determining mass/weight of loads
load securing methods
safe storage of dangerous goods and hazardous materials
transport requirements and restrictions for products/materials used in the job/work environment
emergency procedures
routine problems, their probable causes and relevant corrective actions
work permit system
organisation procedures relevant to the work environment/job role
hierarchy of control
hazards that may arise in the job/work environment and:
their possible causes
potential consequences
appropriate risk controls.
Assessment Conditions
The unit should be assessed holistically and the judgement of competence shall be based on a holistic assessment of the evidence.
The collection of performance evidence:
should occur over a range of situations which include typical disruptions to normal, smooth operations
will typically include a supervisor/third-party report focusing on consistent performance and problem recognition and solving. A supervisor/third-party report must be prepared by someone who has a direct, relevant, current relationship with the person being assessed and who is in a position to form a judgement on workplace performance relevant to the unit of competency
must include the use of appropriate tools, equipment and safety gear requiring demonstration of preparation, operation, completion and responding to problems
may use industry-based simulation for part but not all of the unit particularly where safety, lack of opportunity or significant cost is an issue.
Assessment should occur in operational workplace situations. Where this is not possible or where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors assessment must occur in a sufficiently rigorous simulated environment that reflects realistic operational workplace conditions. This must cover all aspects of workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.
Assessment in a simulated environment should use evidence collected from one or more of:
walk-throughs
pilot plant operation
industry-based case studies/scenarios
‘what ifs’.
Knowledge evidence may be collected concurrently with performance evidence (provided a record is kept) or through an independent process such as workbooks, written assessments or interviews (provided a record is kept).
Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.
Conditions for assessment must include access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required, including relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications associated with this unit.
The regulatory framework will be reflected in workplace policies and procedures and is not required to be independently assessed.
Foundation skills are integral to competent performance of the unit and should not be assessed separately.
Assessors must satisfy the assessor competency requirements that are in place at the time of the assessment as set by the VET regulator.
In addition the assessor or anyone acting in subject matter expert role in assessment shall demonstrate both technical competency and currency. If the assessor cannot demonstrate technical competency and currency they shall assess with a subject matter expert who does meet these requirements.
Technical competence can be demonstrated through one or more of:
relevant VET or other qualification/Statement of Attainment
appropriate workplace experience undertaking the type of work being assessed under routine and non-routine conditions
appropriate workplace experience supervising/evaluating the type of work being assessed under routine and non-routine conditions
Currency can be demonstrated through one or more of:
being currently employed undertaking the type of work being assessed
being employed by the organisation undertaking the type of work being assessed and having maintained currency in accordance with that organisation’s policies and procedures
having consulted/had contact with an organisation undertaking the type of work being assessed within the last twelve months, the consultation/contact being related to assessment
conducting on the job training/assessments of the type of work being assessed
being an active member of a relevant professional body and participating in activities relevant to the assessment of this type of work.
Foundation Skills
This section describes those required skills (language, literacy and numeracy) that are essential to performance.
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
This field allows for different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included. | |
Regulatory framework | The latest version of all legislation, regulations, industry codes of practice and Australian/international standards, or the version specified by the local regulatory authority, must be used. Applicable legislation, regulations, standards and codes of practice include: health, safety and environmental (HSE) legislation, regulations and codes of practice relevant to the workplace, equipment and production processes and hazardous materials Australian/international standards relevant to the materials being used and products being made any relevant licence and certification requirements. All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent HSEl requirements, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation, and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between performance criteria and such requirements the legislative requirements take precedence. |
Procedures | All operations must be performed in accordance with relevant procedures. Procedures are written, verbal, visual, computer-based or in some other form, and include one or any combination of: manufacturer's technical information job cards drawings emergency procedures work instructions standard operating procedures (SOPs) safe work method statements (SWMS) formulas/recipes batch sheets temporary instructions any similar instructions provided for the smooth running of the plant. |
Problems | Routine problems must be resolved by applying known solutions. Routine problems are predictable and include one or more of: equipment malfunctions determining safe routes scheduling of movements to suit production requirements differing load shifting requirements changing priorities over the shift. Known solutions are drawn from one or more of: procedures training remembered experience. Non-routine problems must be reported according to according to relevant procedures. |
Tools and equipment | Tools and equipment include one or more of: scrapers and tractors cleaning equipment and sweepers front end loaders hoists pallet shifters specialised loading equipment. |
Hazards | Hazards must be identified and controlled. Identifying hazards requires consideration of: heat, smoke, dust, vapours or other atmospheric hazards weight, shape, volume of materials to be handled hazardous products and materials sharp edges, protrusions or obstructions slippery surfaces, spills or leaks electricity gas gases and liquids under pressure noise rotational equipment or vibration plant services (steam, condensate, cooling water, etc) structural hazards equipment failures machinery, equipment and product mass limited head spaces or overhangs working at heights working in restricted or confined spaces other hazards that might arise. |
Records and reports | Records include one or more of: log books/sheets electronic records job/work sheets other records used for the smooth running of the plant. Reports include one or more of: paper or electronic-based logs and reports verbal/radio reports reporting items found which require action. |
Sectors
Not applicable
Competency Field
Support