Elements and Performance Criteria

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Cable
May be single mode or multimode

Optical fibre
May be installed individually or in small teams

Direct termination
Is the termination of optical fibre to a connector that allows for direct fibre to fibre connection with a similarly prepared connector or terminating unit

Fusion splicing
Is heat induced joining of optical fibre

Mechanical splicing
Is the mechanical joining of optical fibre

Optical fibre cable
May be: internal/external, loose tube, tight buffered, air blown, armour plated

Optical fibre cable
May be supplied in: various grades as designed for different environments and intended uses

Work area contaminants
Include: moisture, dust, dirt, builders waste, paint

Connectors types
Include: ST/SC connector (glued), fusion splicing (joins)

Customers specifications
May be found in contract documents, cable plans and designs, specification schedules

Safe working practices
Includes the safe use and handling of: tools and equipment, materials, chemicals and work platforms, asbestos, laser devices

Protective clothing
May include: protective suits, masks, safety boots, head protection/head protection, safety glasses, knee pads, gloves (plastic, rubber, leather), ear muffs

Work platforms
May be: ladders, scaffold, scissor lifts ('cherry pickers')

Tools
May be hand tools and include: oven, cleaver/cutter, splicing jig, stripper, microscope, crimping tool, syringe, polishing papers

Waste disposal containers
May include: drop sheets, sharps containers

Manufacturers specifications
May be found in: printed instruction leaflets or pre printed on materials or on product packaging

'Industry standards'
May include regulated or industry codes of practice and include appropriate ACMA technical standards

All cable used
Must be compliant with appropriate ACMA technical standard requirements (eg. for underground, aerial)

All cabling products other than cable
Must be ACMA approved

Over voltage protection
Includes ACMA standards and may include manufacturers, enterprise or local environmental hazard requirements

Relevant legislation, codes, regulations and standards
Include:
Technical Standards AS/ACIF S008:2006, AS/ACIF S009:2006
AS Communications Cabling Manaul (CCM) Volume 1
ACIF Standards and Codes
AS/NZS 3000:2007
AS/NZS 3080:2003
AS/NZS 3084:2003
AS/NZS 3085.1:2004
AS/NZS ISO/IEC 15018:2005
AS/NZS ISO/IEC 24702:2007
AS/NZS ISO/IEC 14763.3:2007
Occupational Health and Safety
Cabling security codes and regulations

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.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential:

placing, securing and terminating cable types to include: single mode or multi-mode, internal or external
work practices which avoid cable damage: crushing, burning, kinks, cuts, sheath twist, bending radius
installation of at least one connector type for both fusion splicing and direct terminations
safe use of any specialised hand or power tools normally used for optical fibre cable installation
application of all related OHS requirements and work practices associated with optical fibre cable installation (including protective clothing and personal safety items, waste disposal practices)
ability to read and interpret drawings related to cable layouts, outlet location, cable coding system and identifiers, frame locations
conduct and interpret test results, complete relevant documentation, ensure join tested for signal strength to manufacturer's and design requirements
correct interpretation and application of regulations and standards related to the installation of optical fibre cable
interpersonal skills related to work associates, supervisors, team members

Context of, and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

A workplace conducting the operations covered by this competency unit, equipment and resources relevant to the context of the work (See Range Statement) and support from a competent supervisor or mentor.
OR
A simulated environment with similar provisions which conforms to the Assessment Guidelines.

Guidance information for assessment
Access must be provided to appropriate learning and assessment support when required.
Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and appropriate to the oral communication skill level, and language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.
In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess underpinning knowledge.