Elements and Performance Criteria

This unit applies to laying of stone floors and stairs.

Stone floors can include, but are not limited to:
irregular stone floors
regular stone floors
stone tiles
reconstituted stone.

Steps and stairs can include, but are not limited to:
straight flight
quarter and half space landings
geometrical stairs.

Steps can include, but are not limited to:
solid treads
open flight
veneer faced.

Base and bedding requirements differ in accordance with the type and size of stone sections and may include:
compacted crushed rock
concrete
sand
mortar

Method of finishing joints is dependent on type of stone and size of joints.

Types of stone may include but are not limited to:
marble
granite
slate
locally available stone

Work carried out in accordance with AS3700 Masonry in buildings.

Quality Assurance requirements may include:
workplace operations and procedures
quality of materials
control of handling procedures
use and maintenance of equipment
attention to specifications of work

OH&S requirements to be in accordance with State/Territory legislation and regulations and may include:
workplace environment and safety
protective clothing and equipment
use of tools and equipment
handling of materials
working platforms and scaffolding
use of adhesives

Personal protective equipment may include:
workplace environment and safety
boots
safety goggles/glasses
ear plugs/muffs
dust mask/respirators
gloves.

Tools and equipment may include:
measuring tape/rule
mallet
spirit level
squares
trowels
mortar board
screed board
shovel
masonry saws
concrete mixer
jointing tools
brushes
broom
power leads
wheelbarrow
rollers
lifting clamps

Competence is to be demonstrated by safe and effective laying of stone and construction of stone stairs/steps and floors to a nominated location.

(1) Critical Aspects of Evidence

It is essential that competence is demonstrated in the critical aspects of:

demonstrate compliance with OH&S regulations applicable to workplace operations
indicate compliance with organisational policies and procedures
selection and use of appropriate processes, tools and equipment
application of organisational quality procedures and processes within context of laying and fixing stone
selection of stone and mortar consistent with specification of job required
location of treads and risers marked out accurately
safe and effective procedures adopted and used to handle and place stone
identification of typical faults and problems that occur and necessary action taken to rectify
interactive communication with others to ensure safe and effective workplace operations
completion of steps/stairs and joints finished to specifications

(2) Pre-requisite Relationship of Units

Pre-requisites for this unit are:

BCG1005A Use hand and power tools
BCG1006A Use small plant and equipment
BCG1008A Use simple levelling devices
BCG2001A Prepare surfaces

(3) Underpinning Knowledge and Skills

Knowledge
A knowledge of:

workplace and equipment safety requirements including relevant statutory regulations, codes and standards
drawings and specifications
stair design
types of stone and characteristics
fixing of stone work
mortar mix composition
range of mortar additives including plasticiser/s and/or application
Building Code of Australia and AS3700 Masonry in Building
plant, tools and equipment
materials handling

Skills
The ability to:

work safely
interpret drawings and specifications
use hand and power tools
measure and calculate quantities appropriate to task
select materials appropriate to task
organise and set out work
handle materials in safe manner
communicate effectively

(4) Resource Implications

The following resources should be made available

work location for construction of stone steps and stairs
construction materials appropriate to construction of stone steps and stairs
tools, plant and equipment appropriate to installation processes
appropriate communication of documentation relative to task

(5) Method of Assessment

Competency should be assessed through direct observation of application to tasks and questions related to underpinning knowledge.

Assessment may be by intermittent checking at various stages of each task application or at the completion of each task in accordance with the performance criteria and specifications.

(6) Context of Assessment

Competency may be assessed in the workplace or simulated workplace setting.

Assessment shall be while tasks are undertaken either individually or as part of a team under limited supervision.