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.
Belay system may include:
top belay
bottom belay.
Contextual issues may include:
weather conditions, including times
season
transport
location
trip distance and duration
group objectives
group size.
Equipment may include:
ropes
tape slings
karabiners
rope protectors
belay devices.
Relevant legislation may include:
occupational health and safety
permits or permission for access
environmental regulations.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
occupational health and safety
use and maintenance of equipment
emergency procedures
code of ethics.
Anchors may include:
bollards
bolts
chains
U bolts
beams
wire cables.
Participants may include:
experienced
inexperienced
adults
children
tourists, club members, clients, school or youth groups.
Condition of the anchors may include:
age
location
wear
decay
corrosion
environmental stress
insect damage.
Likely load may include:
group size
set up
type of climb conducted
climber ability
technique
possible forces generated during a fall.
Belay device may include:
plate devices
auto-locking devices
tubular devices.
Artificial surface conditions may include:
portable or fixed walls
fixed towers or bridges
indoor or outdoor
top- rope set up
vertical climb
single pitch.
Safety checks may include:
A - anchors - secure and suitable to application
B - buckles - locked as per manufacturers recommendations
C- connector - locked, secured and orientated
D - devices - threaded correctly and secured
E- everything else including end or rope knots, friction hitches, belayer ready, helmet chin strap, clothing, jewellery and hair secured.
F- friend - cross check.
Knots may include:
knots that have at least 50% of the static strength of the original rope
end-of-rope knots
mid-rope knots
rope joining knots
tape knot.
Hazards may include:
temperature extremes
slippery or unstable terrain
dangerous animals and insects
group management hazards.
Safety of belayer may include:
attachment to anchor or alternate safety system
positioning out of direct line of equipment fall
minimising movement of the belayer in the event of a fall
enabling belayer to be anchored.

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.
Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Evidence of the following is essential:
independently selects appropriate equipment and carries out safety checks to ensure effective working order
differentiates between the different types of belay systems, anchors and knots and their suitability to different rigging situations
determines the need for, and establishes, back up belay systems to ensure safety of self and other participants.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure participation in multiple rigging of equipment that is of sufficient breadth to demonstrate competence and consistency of performance.
Assessment must ensure access to:
resources and information regarding climbing and belaying equipment
suitable artificial single pitch climbing sites with simple obstacles and features that allow participant to demonstrate belay rigging skills
other climbing participants, to assist in belaying and or rigging
equipment such as anchors, harnesses, belay devices, ropes, karabiners and first aid equipment.
Method of assessment
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to ensure safe and appropriate use of all climbing equipment
observation of safe participation and demonstration of equipment selection and setting up belay systems suitable to different contexts and participants
observation of dealing with contingencies, such as equipment failure or misuse
third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:
SISOCLA302A Demonstrate top rope climbing skills on artificial surfaces.