Application
This unit is appropriate for those working in mobile plant operator roles, at worksites within:
Coal mining
Extractive industries
Metalliferous mining
Prerequisites
Not applicable.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Plan and prepare for operations | 1.1. Access, interpret and apply compliance documentation relevant to conducting hydraulic excavator operations 1.2. Obtain, interpret and clarify work requirements for the satisfactory completion of operations 1.3. Access, interpret and clarify geological and survey data required to complete the allocated work 1.4. Inspect and prepare work area in coordination with others 1.5. Identify, address and report potential hazards and risks 1.6. Resolve coordination requirements with others at the site prior to commencing and during work activities 1.7. Select personal protective equipment appropriate for work activities 1.8. Evaluate equipment and/or attachments supplied for suitability for the work to be undertaken to maximise efficiency and effectiveness of work activities |
2. Operate hydraulic excavator | 2.1. Carry out pre-start, start-up, park-up and shutdown procedures 2.2. Walk excavator and position for operation 2.3. Select and modify the operating technique to appropriately meet changing work conditions 2.4. Conduct, control and monitor operations within the equipment limitations 2.5. Act on or report monitoring systems and alarms 2.6. Distribute bulk materials into materials handling equipment to ensure maintenance of the stability and maximum load requirements. 2.7. Load bulk materials into materials handling equipment 2.8. Side cast bulk materials 2.9. Recognise and respond to hazardous and emergency situations 2.10. Complete work in accordance with the agreed plan and outcomes and within the operating capacity of the allocated equipment |
3. Carry out post-operational procedures | 3.1. Inspect, fault find and report faults 3.2. Carry out operational maintenance and housekeeping tasks 3.3. Process records and reports |
Required Skills
Required skills |
Specific skills are required to achieve the performance criteria in this unit, particularly for the application in the various circumstances in which this unit may be applied. This includes the ability to carry out the following as required to conduct hydraulic excavator operations: apply legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures apply operational safety requirements access, interpret and apply technical information apply equipment records maintenance requirements apply diagnostic techniques use relevant hand tools apply procedures for disposal of environmentally sensitive fluids and materials apply chemical and fuel safety measures work wearing personal protective equipment |
Required knowledge |
Specific knowledge is required to achieve the performance criteria of this unit, particularly its application in a variety of circumstances in which the unit may be used. This includes knowledge of the following as required to conduct hydraulic excavator operations: site hazard identification and response procedures site risk control procedures site and equipment health and safety procedures site environmental requirements and constraints site quality requirements site communication procedures site product characteristics site geological and survey data site operational procedures excavator pre-start, start-up, operating and shutdown procedures and techniques excavator characteristics, technical capability and limitations site record keeping requirements site personal protective equipment requirements |
Evidence Required
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 | The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to worksite operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit and include evidence of the following: knowledge of the requirements, procedures and instructions for conducting hydraulic excavator operations implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of hydraulic excavator operations working with others to undertake and complete hydraulic excavator operations that meets all of the required outcomes consistent timely completion of hydraulic excavator operations that safely, effectively and efficiently meets the required outcomes |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | This unit must be assessed in the context of the work environment. Where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment may occur in a simulated environment provided it is realistic and sufficiently rigorous to cover all aspects of workplace performance, including task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills. The assessment environment should not disadvantage the participant. For example, language, literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required on the job. Customisation of assessment and delivery environment to sensitively accommodate cultural diversity. Aboriginal people and other people from a non English speaking background may have second language issues. Assessment of this competency requires typical resources normally used in the work environment. Selection and use of resources for particular worksites may differ due to site circumstances. Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities. Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required. |
Method of assessment | This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency. The assessment strategy for this unit must verify required knowledge and skill and practical application using more than one of the following assessment methods: written and/or oral assessment of the candidate's required knowledge observed, documented and/or first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's: implementation of appropriate requirement, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient achievement of required outcomes consistently achieving the required outcomes first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's: working with others to undertake and complete hydraulic excavator operations |
Guidance information for assessment | Consult the SkillsDMC User Guide for further information on assessment including access and equity issues. |
Range Statement
Relevant compliance documentation may include: | legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures manufacturer’s guidelines and specifications Australian standards codes of practice Employment and workplace relations legislation Equal Employment Opportunity and Disability Discrimination legislation |
Work requirements may come from briefings, handovers, and work orders and may include: | nature and scope of tasks achievement targets operational conditions obtaining permits required site layout and out of bounds areas worksite inspection requirements lighting conditions plant or equipment defects hazards and potential hazards coordination requirements or issues signage and barricade requirements keeping floor clean and level |
Geological data may include relevant site-specific information in relation to: | rock type and characteristics faults and joints water tables or other water sources |
Survey data may include relevant site-specific information in relation to: | floor heights bench widths grades |
Inspect and prepare work area may include: | identification of hazards selection and implementation of control measures for the hazards identified safeguarding site and non-site personnel by: erection of barricades and posting of signs selection of appropriate equipment to ensure personnel safety and protection determination of appropriate path of movement for loads and equipment/vehicles floor, pad, roads, ramps and bench clean up to specified levels and grade requirements |
Coordination with others may include with: | yard persons laboratory personnel mobile plant operators processing plant operators haulage unit operators maintenance personnel |
Potential risks and hazards may include: | abandoned equipment adjoining pit walls adverse weather conditions (electrical storms, floods, fires) chemicals contaminants equipment fences holes materials over-hanging rocks personnel pot holes unsafe ground unstable faces vehicles overhead and underground services trees fires vehicles stored energy which may include: engine components radiators and cooling systems hydraulic tanks and reservoirs air tanks and reservoirs hydraulic hoses air hoses tires air conditioning components electrical components braking systems centrifugal forces |
Equipment and/or attachments may include: | rock breaker grapples compactors magnets post-hole drills or augers ripper tynes buckets |
Pre-start and start-up procedures include: | external check of the machine checking and toping up fluid levels (including fuel) lubrication inspection of attachments to ensure security and defects instrument and control lever checks machine function checks, including: implements attachments other attachments brakes manoeuvrability reporting defects and damage |
Park-up and shutdown procedures include ensuring that: | vehicle/equipment is secured as required by site procedures attachments are rendered safe access ways are clear |
Operating techniques may include: | bucket loading equipment positioning load discharge observing site speed limits working safely around: overhead power lines other machines and personnel live stockpiles |
Changing work conditions may include variations in: | grades height of faces materials haulage units materials handling facilities weather conditions day and night |
Equipment limitations may include: | duration of operation efficient and safe operating speed operating limitations type of activities performed weight and/or load limitations |
Monitoring systems and alarms may include: | brake air pressure brake oil temperature computer indicators engine oil pressure fuel filter parking brake retarder service meter speedometer/odometer steering filters tachometer torque converter oil temperature transmission filter voltmeter water temperature |
Materials may include: | gravel ore overburden oxidised waste rejects road base rubbish sand sulphide rock fill tailings topsoil water |
Materials handling equipment may include: | feed hoppers feeders and crushers off-highway and on-highway vehicles barges |
Hazardous and emergency situations may include: | power lines dust noise conveyors overhead services |
Emergency responses may include: | clean up equipment shutdown procedures evacuation procedures First Aid isolation procedures notification of authorities use of personal protective equipment |
Operator service, maintenance and housekeeping tasks are those established and authorised for the site and may include: | lubrication refuelling cleaning authorised servicing monitoring, recording and reporting of faults it may also include: the conduct of authorised minor replacements and the provision of assistance to maintenance personnel during maintenance and repair activities |
Records and reports may include: | fuel usage computer readings end of shift documentation supplies logs work logs stockpile information quality information despatch details |
Sectors
Mobile Plant Operations
Competency Field
Refer to Unit Sector(s).
Co-Requisites
Not applicable.
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills.
Licensing Information
Refer to Unit Descriptor.