Elements and Performance Criteria

Other services may include water; electricity; telecommunication; sewerage and stormwater authorities; other pipeline authorities
Excavation tools may include hand tools; backhoe; jack hammer; trenching machine; boring equipment; compacting equipment
Excavation may occur in a variety of conditions including varying surface types such as open ground (lawn/garden), bitumen or concrete; wet/dry conditions; in a variety of traffic levels such as road or rail; in differing soil types such as rock, clay or sand; day or night; city or rural areas
Surface reinstatements may include bitumen; concrete; loam/top soil; dolomite; lawn
Backfill may include sand padding;spoil; stone free soil; crushed rock; rubble

Critical aspects of evidence
Correctly identifying location of other utilities; safe accurate excavating procedures; correct excavating specifications; reinstating of site; adhering to SOPs; OH&S and environmental legislative requirements; safely setting up a work site
Context of assessment
Assessment of competency, including attainment of relevant knowledge and skills may be made through practical demonstration in an actual work environment or simulation of such an environment. Assessment may be carried out by day or night, in varied weather conditions, but must adhere to defined safety and regulatory guidelines.
Specialised resources required for training and assessment
Appropriate equipment to prepare, excavate and reinstate site; availability of suitably qualified industry assessors; system which facilitates recording of trainees' profiles and progress; facilities for workplace or simulated environment assessment
Pre-requisites and co-requisite
This unit should be assessed in conjunction with or after competency has been demonstrated in Unit NGS 001 A Apply Procedures in the Workplace, Unit NGS 002 A Working With Others, Unit NGS 003 A Plan and Organise Work Activities, Unit NGS 170 A Construct and Lay Pipes and NGS317 A Use plans, drawings and specifications and NGS 318 A Use and maintain small plant, equipment and tools and carry-out minor mechanical maintenance.
Knowledge and Skills
The Evidence Guide is a set of guidelines which assist in the development of assessment instruments/tools to assess the competency of workers in the Gas Industry. This requires evidence of consistent achievement of the workplace outcomes covered by the unit.
An employee working at this level is required to set up a site safely; excavate, shore and reinstate a trench; observe legislative requirements for the operation of equipment; understand the characteristics and operation capabilities and limitations of tools and equipment; show an awareness of the various types of hazardous material and special handling procedures; adhere to the requirements for parking and securing the equipment; observe traffic regulations; understand and apply SOPs including company communication procedures; adhere to OH&S and environmental legislative requirements; communicate effectively with team members