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. Add any 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.
Utility service may include:
electricity
gas
fuel and oil
water
sewer and stormwater
communication lines
pay television
road traffic control
power cables
steam pipes
relevant surface fittings
cathodic protection cables
Appropriate information sources may include:
'Dial Before You Dig' national call centre for subscribing utilities (note: not all underground utility services are listed with 'Dial Before You Dig')
local agencies, which should also be contacted following 'Dial Before You Dig' enquiries
Alignment of services refers to:
location of utilities' assets at a certain or agreed distance from property boundaries in the road reserve
Utility locating procedures may include locating utility apparatus using:
utility plans
surface fittings
indicators or markers
standard allocations
on-site features
manual location
Type, size and likely configuration of utility apparatus may include:
colour
materials
appearance
dimensions
installation practices
arrangement of apparatus
Legislative and organisational requirements may include:
relevant federal and state or territory legislation and regulations
codes of practice, associated standards and guidance material
documented organisational policies, manuals and induction programs
relevant community planning and development agreements, such as land care agreements
Appropriate tools and equipment may include:
personal protective equipment
shovels with insulated handles
crow bars with insulated handles
air or water vacuum potholing equipment
hand and power tools
lifting and winching equipment
mechanical excavation equipment
pneumatic and motorised equipment, including:
compressors
pneumatic spades and attachments
motorised cutting equipment
on- and off-road vehicles
portable pumps
communication equipment
Apparatus may include:
pipes, including:
vitrified clay
reinforced concrete
polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
polyethylene
cast iron cement lined
ductile iron cement lined
glass reinforced piping
mild steel cement lined
structures, including:
meter pits
valve pits
drop structures
regulators
erosion barriers
person access chambers and pits
head walls
thrust blocks
inspection shafts

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, the range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The candidate should demonstrate the ability to work near utility services during the construction, repair or installation of utilities' infrastructure including:
gathering information regarding location of utilities at a particular site
gathering and applying safe work methods for locating and protecting utilities at or near a work site
selecting appropriate tools and equipment
monitoring use of equipment and using agreed procedures and signals to ensure timely warnings of proximity to utilities' apparatus
protecting and supporting apparatus during performance of work tasks and during site restoration
applying emergency procedures in response to a range of specific incidents
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Access to the workplace and resources including:
documentation that should normally be available in a water industry organisation
relevant codes, standards and government regulations
Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.
Access must be provided to appropriate learning and assessment support when required.
Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.
Validity and sufficiency of evidence requires that:
competency will need to be demonstrated over a period of time reflecting the scope of the role and the practical requirements of the workplace
where the assessment is part of a structured learning experience the evidence collected must relate to a number of performances assessed at different points in time and separated by further learning and practice
a decision of competence only taken at the point when the assessor has complete confidence in the person's competence over time and in various contexts
all assessment that is part of a structured learning experience must include a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary evidence
where assessment is for the purpose of recognition (RCC/RPL), the evidence provided will need to be authenticated and show that it represents competency demonstrated over a period of time
assessment can be through simulated project-based activity and must include evidence relating to each of the elements in this unit
In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge. Questioning will be undertaken in a manner appropriate to the skill levels of the operator and cultural issues that may affect responses to the questions, and will reflect the requirements of the competency and the work being performed.