Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range of Variables explains the range of contexts within which the performance and knowledge requirements of this standard may be assessed. The scope of variables chosen in training and assessment may depend on the work situations available.

What may be identified in fencing requirements?
This may include types of fencing and the purposes for which it is to be used.

What legislative requirements may be relevant to this standard?
This may include industry standards and codes of practice with regard to safety protocols, radio, television and radio interference, and the placement of caution signs. It may also include not using barbed wire, overhead wires or wires at head height, or electric fencing where it is likely to be touched by children, and especially near property dams and swimming pools.

What equipment and materials might be used?
Tools may include post driver, post hole borer, wire strainers and fencing pliers, wire cutters, wire spinners, shovel, crowbar/rammer, brace and bit, drill, earth stakes, and cut out switches. Wire may include live wire, earth wire and electric ribbon tape.

What information may be included for consideration in a fencing plan?
This may include the type of materials required and costs, stocking pressures and type of stock control required, soils, topography, water, paddock shape, machinery use, and access.

What information may be included in a work plan?
This may include designated work tasks, allocated tools and equipment, materials requirements, procedures for pre-start and safety checks of tools and equipment, timeframe for work completion, managers instructions, and reporting requirements.

What may be involved in the efficient transport of tools and equipment?
This may involve methods and procedures to minimise possible damage or loss to tools, equipment and personnel.

What enterprise requirements may be applicable to this standard?
SOP, industry standards, production schedules, MSDS, work notes and plans, product labels, manufacturers specifications, operators manuals, enterprise policies and procedures (including waste disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines), and supervisors oral or written instructions.

What existing and potential hazards may be relevant to this standard?
This may include exposure to hazardous noise, dust solar radiation, and adverse weather conditions. It may also include electricity associated with powered tools, portable live posts and energisers.

What OHS requirements may be applicable to this standard?
Safe systems and procedures for:
the use of fencing tools and materials
the operation of vehicles
hazard and risk control
lifting, carrying and handling techniques - particularly with regard to electric fence components
manual handling, especially when handling posts and coils of wire
the use of personal protective equipment
outdoor work including protection from solar radiation
protection from dusts
administering first aid.

What personal protective equipment may be relevant to this standard?
This may include boots, overalls, gloves, protective eyewear, hearing protection, respirator or face mask, and sun protection.

What may be involved in the construction of an electric fence?
This may involve the installation of strainer assemblies and posts, tensioning and terminating line wires, fitting post insulators, and using effective knots for joining and tying off wires to avoid short circuits.

When might gates be determined as operating correctly?
Gates are attached to a gatepost, hung, swung and secured for closure.

What may be involved in the installation of electric fence?
Earth stakes are appropriate to the energiser, good connections exist between the earth stakes, energiser and earth return wire (if used), and a voltmeter is used to check whether intermediate earth is needed along a fence line.

What may be involved in checking the performance of an electric fence?
This may involve ensuring first that the energiser is connected tightly to the correct output terminals and earth stakes are appropriate to the energiser. Fence voltage is tested with a voltmeter and readings are accurately interpreted in terms of the energisers output and required stock control. The system would also be monitored regularly for current leakage and short circuits.

What may be involved in identifying and rectifying faults?
By making conductivity levels compatible with energiser, isolation of faulty sections, finding damaged line, or seeking assistance when a critical fault cannot be detected. In cases of complex faults or problems, specialist advice is sought.

What may be involved in clearing and tidying a work site?
This may involve replacing dirt, and the removal and safe disposal of waste.

What may be involved in checking tools and fencing equipment?
Tools and equipment faults or malfunctions are reported for repair or replacement according to enterprise requirements.

What may be identified in fencing requirements?
This may include types of fencing and the purposes for which it is to be used.

What legislative requirements may be relevant to this standard?
This may include industry standards and codes of practice with regard to safety protocols, radio, television and radio interference, and the placement of caution signs. It may also include not using barbed wire, overhead wires or wires at head height, or electric fencing where it is likely to be touched by children, and especially near property dams and swimming pools.

What equipment and materials might be used?
Tools may include post driver, post hole borer, wire strainers and fencing pliers, wire cutters, wire spinners, shovel, crowbar/rammer, brace and bit, drill, earth stakes, and cut out switches. Wire may include live wire, earth wire and electric ribbon tape.

What information may be included for consideration in a fencing plan?
This may include the type of materials required and costs, stocking pressures and type of stock control required, soils, topography, water, paddock shape, machinery use, and access.

What information may be included in a work plan?
This may include designated work tasks, allocated tools and equipment, materials requirements, procedures for pre-start and safety checks of tools and equipment, timeframe for work completion, managers instructions, and reporting requirements.

What may be involved in the efficient transport of tools and equipment?
This may involve methods and procedures to minimise possible damage or loss to tools, equipment and personnel.

What enterprise requirements may be applicable to this standard?
SOP, industry standards, production schedules, MSDS, work notes and plans, product labels, manufacturers specifications, operators manuals, enterprise policies and procedures (including waste disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines), and supervisors oral or written instructions.

What existing and potential hazards may be relevant to this standard?
This may include exposure to hazardous noise, dust solar radiation, and adverse weather conditions. It may also include electricity associated with powered tools, portable live posts and energisers.

What OHS requirements may be applicable to this standard?
Safe systems and procedures for:
the use of fencing tools and materials
the operation of vehicles
hazard and risk control
lifting, carrying and handling techniques - particularly with regard to electric fence components
manual handling, especially when handling posts and coils of wire
the use of personal protective equipment
outdoor work including protection from solar radiation
protection from dusts
administering first aid.

What personal protective equipment may be relevant to this standard?
This may include boots, overalls, gloves, protective eyewear, hearing protection, respirator or face mask, and sun protection.

What may be involved in the construction of an electric fence?
This may involve the installation of strainer assemblies and posts, tensioning and terminating line wires, fitting post insulators, and using effective knots for joining and tying off wires to avoid short circuits.

When might gates be determined as operating correctly?
Gates are attached to a gatepost, hung, swung and secured for closure.

What may be involved in the installation of electric fence?
Earth stakes are appropriate to the energiser, good connections exist between the earth stakes, energiser and earth return wire (if used), and a voltmeter is used to check whether intermediate earth is needed along a fence line.

What may be involved in checking the performance of an electric fence?
This may involve ensuring first that the energiser is connected tightly to the correct output terminals and earth stakes are appropriate to the energiser. Fence voltage is tested with a voltmeter and readings are accurately interpreted in terms of the energisers output and required stock control. The system would also be monitored regularly for current leakage and short circuits.

What may be involved in identifying and rectifying faults?
By making conductivity levels compatible with energiser, isolation of faulty sections, finding damaged line, or seeking assistance when a critical fault cannot be detected. In cases of complex faults or problems, specialist advice is sought.

What may be involved in clearing and tidying a work site?
This may involve replacing dirt, and the removal and safe disposal of waste.

What may be involved in checking tools and fencing equipment?
Tools and equipment faults or malfunctions are reported for repair or replacement according to enterprise requirements.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in this standard requires evidence of the ability to develop an electric fencing plan and implement its construction. It requires the ability to access and interpret plans, arrange surveys and analyse results, calculate cost structures, obtain legal authorisations for development, provide alternative options, and carry out maintenance activities. It requires an awareness of the basic operation of electric fences and the differences between portable and mains power.
The skills and knowledge required to design, construct and maintain an electric fence must be transferable to another rural environment. For example, this could include different types of fences, locations and enterprises.
What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this competency standard are listed below:

basic operation of electric fences including earthing and current flow, resistance and leakage
difference between portable and mains power
issues affecting electric fencing in relation to the hole property plan
range of electric fencing designs, construction methods and materials
dangers posed by electricity to personnel and livestock
conditions under which electric fences may cause fire
safe methods for diagnosing routine faults
common electric fencing hazards and safety precautions
relevant State/Territory legislation and regulations regarding electric fences
OHS legislative requirements
relevant codes of practice with regard to protection of the environment.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, appropriate literacy and numeracy levels as well as some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

draft fencing plans and specifications
operate fencing tools and construction equipment
mark fencing lines
minimise environmental impacts
read and interpret plans
read plans
consult and report to management
arrange and purchase materials
calculate and measure fencing requirements and calculate costings of fencing plan.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard

Essential Assessment Information
There is essential information about

What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this competency standard are listed below:

basic operation of electric fences including earthing and current flow, resistance and leakage
difference between portable and mains power
issues affecting electric fencing in relation to the hole property plan
range of electric fencing designs, construction methods and materials
dangers posed by electricity to personnel and livestock
conditions under which electric fences may cause fire
safe methods for diagnosing routine faults
common electric fencing hazards and safety precautions
relevant State/Territory legislation and regulations regarding electric fences
OHS legislative requirements
relevant codes of practice with regard to protection of the environment.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, appropriate literacy and numeracy levels as well as some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

draft fencing plans and specifications
operate fencing tools and construction equipment
mark fencing lines
minimise environmental impacts
read and interpret plans
read plans
consult and report to management
arrange and purchase materials
calculate and measure fencing requirements and calculate costings of fencing plan.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard

Essential Assessment Information
There is essential information about

There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life, which are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies, although others may be added. The questions below highlight how these processes are applied in this competency standard. Following each question a number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency needs to be demonstrated where 0 = not required, 1 = perform the process, 2 = perform and administer the process and 3 = perform, administer and design the process.
Communicating ideas and information
Information with regard to fencing requirements and planning may be sourced from management and the property network. (1)

Communicating ideas and information
Information with regard to fencing requirements and planning may be sourced from management and the property network. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Information with regard to the type of fencing, siting details and resource requirements may be prepared and included in a plan. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Information with regard to the type of fencing, siting details and resource requirements may be prepared and included in a plan. (1)

Planning and organising activities
Activities involving the purchasing of materials and arranging their transportation to worksite may be planned and arranged prior to work schedule. (1)

Planning and organising activities
Activities involving the purchasing of materials and arranging their transportation to worksite may be planned and arranged prior to work schedule. (1)

Working with others and in teams
In the application of methods and procedures to construct electric fencing according to plan within timeframes. (1)

Working with others and in teams
In the application of methods and procedures to construct electric fencing according to plan within timeframes. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Basic mathematical techniques may be applied in quantity surveying, costing alternatives and measuring and drafting. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Basic mathematical techniques may be applied in quantity surveying, costing alternatives and measuring and drafting. (1)

Solving problems
Problems of topography, stock pressures or location of gates may be solved by revising and making changes to the fencing plan. (1)

Solving problems
Problems of topography, stock pressures or location of gates may be solved by revising and making changes to the fencing plan. (1)

Using technology
Technology may be used to communicate, process information and assist in construction processes. (1)

Using technology
Technology may be used to communicate, process information and assist in construction processes. (1)