Elements and Performance Criteria

RANGE STATEMENT
10) This relates to the unit of competency as a whole providing the range of contexts and conditions to which the Performance Criteria apply. It allows for different work environments and situations that will affect performance.
This Competency Standard Unit shall be demonstrated in relation to the pruning principles and techniques to perform vegetation clearing activities in accordance with the Australian Standard Pruning of Amenity Trees AS4373 so as to achieve the statutory vegetation clearance requirements near live powerlines up to the live work zone as defined for both Instructed and Authorised Persons in the industry guidelines associated with live electrical apparatus.
Includes electrical and communications conductors and cables/powerlines and associated equipment on poles and structures according to requirements and established procedures.
Excludes the full gamut of rigging techniques and practices required of a Rigger or entry into to the safe approach distance (SAD) as defined for persons, mobile plant, equipment and specialised tools.
Includes appropriate pruning and/or cutting techniques and practices (encompasses cutting plan) for given vegetation species to minimise regrowth within the electrical field according to requirements and procedures.
Includes the preparation of risk assessment control measures that encompass job safety assessment and compliance with relevant State or Territory regulatory agencies/bodies, local government legislation, Industry bi-partite body - Guidelines/Codes of Practices or other related requirements for safe work and access near live electrical and mechanical apparatus.
Working safely up to the defined “ordinary person zone” near energised electrical apparatus (inc. electrical powerlines) for non-electrical worker/ordinary persons and in some instances vegetation.
Risk assessment control measures that encompass job safety assessment.
Excludes any work that is or may be performed by other competent operatives within the defined “ordinary person zone”
Electricity supply infrastructure assets including electrical apparatus, electrical and communication conductors, and equipment
Safe approach distances zones/Safe Working Clearance
Vegetation control includes: site rehabilitation, horticultural vegetation cutting and pruning techniques to minimise regrowth - chemicals and physical cutting and pruning tools/equipment, concerns for vegetation type/species and significance - heritage, significant, urban/rural; vegetation fire prone areas and areas of particular significance.
Constants and variables included in this unit are fully described in the Definitions Section 1 of this volume and form an integral part of the Range Statement.
Appropriate and relevant persons (see Personnel)
Appropriate authorities
Appropriate work platform
Assessing risk
Assessment
Authorisation
Documenting detail work events, record keeping and or storage of information
Drawings and specifications
Emergency
Environmental and sustainable energy procedures
Environmental legislation
Environmental management documentation
Established procedures
Fall prevention
Hazards
Identifying hazards
Inspect
Legislation
MSDS
Notification.
OHS practices
OHS issues
Permits and/or permits to work
Personnel
Quality assurance systems
Requirements
Testing procedures
Work clearance systems

EVIDENCE GUIDE
9) This provides essential advice for assessment of the unit of competency and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria and the Range Statement of the unit of competency and the Training Package Assessment Guidelines.
The Evidence Guide forms an integral part of this Competency Standard Unit and shall be used in conjunction with all component parts of this unit and, performed in accordance with the Assessment Guidelines of this Training Package.

Overview of Assessment
9.1)

Longitudinal competency development approaches to assessment, such as Profiling, require data to be reliably gathered in a form that can be consistently interpreted over time. This approach is best utilised in Apprenticeship programs and reduces assessment intervention. It is the Industry’s preferred model for apprenticeships. However, where summative (or final) assessment is used it is to include the application of the competency in the normal work environment or, at a minimum, the application of the competency in a realistically simulated work environment. It is recognised that, in some circumstances, assessment in part or full can occur outside the workplace. However, it must be in accord with Industry and, Regulatory policy in this regard.
Methods chosen for a particular assessment will be influenced by various factors. These include the extent of the assessment, the most effective locations for the assessment activities to take place, access to physical resources, additional safety measures that may be required and the critical nature of the competencies being assessed.
The critical safety nature of working with electricity, electrical equipment, gas or any other hazardous substance/material carries risk in deeming a person competent. Hence, sources of evidence need to be ‘rich’ in nature so as to minimise error in judgment.
Activities associated with normal every day work have a bearing on the decision as to how much and how detailed the data gathered will contribute to its ‘richness’. Some skills are more critical to safety and operational requirements while the same skills may be more or less frequently practiced. These points are raised for the assessors to consider when choosing an assessment method and developing assessment instruments. Sample assessment instruments are included for Assessors in the Assessment Guidelines of this Training Package.

Critical aspects of evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
9.2)

Before the critical aspects of evidence are considered all prerequisites shall be met.
Evidence for competence in this unit shall be considered holistically. Each Element and associated Performance Criteria shall be demonstrated on at least two occasions in accordance with the “Assessment Guidelines - UET12”. Evidence shall also comprise:
A representative body of Performance Criteria demonstrated within the timeframes typically expected of the discipline, work function and industrial environment. In particular this shall incorporate evidence that shows a candidate is able to:
Implement Occupational Health and Safety workplace procedures and practices including the use of risk control measures as specified in the Performance Criteria and range; and
Apply sustainable energy principles and practices as specified in the Performance Criteria and range; and
Demonstrate an understanding of the essential knowledge and associated skills as described in this unit to such an extent that the learner’s performance outcome is reported in accordance with the preferred approach; namely a percentile graded result, where required by the regulated environment; and
Demonstrate an appropriate level of employability skills; and
Conduct work observing the relevant Anti Discrimination legislation, regulations, policies and workplace procedures; and
Demonstrated performance across a representative range of contexts from the prescribed items below:


Range of tools/ equipment/ materials/ procedures/ workplaces/ other variables
Group No
The minimum number of items on which skill is to be demonstrated
Item List
A
Demonstrate correct pruning principles and techniques.
The goals of pruning may include to shape, form, correct or control growth, prevent disease or damage, promote health, control capacity and vigour, and provide clearance for electrical assets.
B
Demonstrate all of the following OHS requirements
identifying hazards,
assessing and reporting risks,
cleaning,
maintaining and storing tools and equipment,
appropriate use of personal protective equipment including sun protection,
drinking to avoid dehydration,
safe operation of tools and equipment,
correct manual handling,
basic first aid,
personal hygiene and reporting problems to supervisors.
C
Demonstrate all of the following:
Identification of potential hazards.
Practical application of legislation and codes of practice.
Implement control measure(s) to eliminate/reduce hazard(s)/incident.
Apply incident reporting/recording/investigation procedures.
Apply safe manual handling techniques.
D
Demonstrate appropriate selection of all of the following pruning equipment
ropes,
handsaws,
hand and battery-powered secateurs,
pneumatic snips and compressor,
hedge trimmers both manual and powered,
small chainsaws and hydraulic and motorised pole-saws.
E
Determine what personal protective equipment (PPE) is required to undertake pruning activities.
Hat/hardhat
boots,
overalls,
gloves,
protective eyewear,
respirator or face mask,
face guard,
hearing protection,
sunscreen lotion
F
Determine what hygiene management practices are required while pruning?
Such as: Sterilisation of clothing, tools and equipment
Management debris removal
G
Demonstrate the correct cutting angle for all of the following.
Branch Bark Ridge
Stem Bark Ridge
Co-dominant Stem
Visible Branch Collar
H
At least one occasion
Dealing with an unplanned event by drawing on essential knowledge and associated skills to provide appropriate solutions incorporated in the holistic assessment with the above list items


Context of and specific resources for assessment
9.3)

This unit should be assessed as it relates to normal work practice using procedures, information and resources typical of a workplace. This should include:
OHS policy and work procedures and instructions.
Suitable work environment, facilities, equipment and materials to safely undertake actual planning for the removal of vegetation up to the vegetation exclusion zone near live electrical apparatus.
In addition to the resources listed above, in Context of and specific resources for assessment, evidence should show demonstrated competency working below ground, in limited spaces, with different structural/construction types and method and in a variety of environments.

Method of assessment
9.4)

This Competency Standard Unit shall be assessed by methods given in Volume 1, Part 3 “Assessment Guidelines”.
Note:
Competent performance with inherent safe working practices is expected in the Transmission, Distribution and Rail Traction Industry. This requires that the specified essential knowledge and associated skills are assessed in a structured environment which is primarily intended for learning/assessment and incorporates all necessary equipment and facilities for learners to develop and demonstrate the essential knowledge and associated skills described in this unit.

Concurrent assessment and relationship with other units
9.5)

There are no concurrent assessment recommendations for this unit.