Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range Statement provides advice to interpret the scope and context of this unit of competence, allowing for differences between enterprises and workplaces. It relates to the unit as a whole and facilitates holistic assessment. The following variables may be present for this particular unit:

Unit scope
This unit of competence applies to the following and should be contextualised to the qualification to which it is being applied:
work involved includes wheeled and/or tracked type vehicles, light and heavy vehicles, outdoor power equipment and motorcycles
Repair of steering systems and equipment may include:
wheel bearing adjustment
ball joints, struts, idler arms, steering boxes and columns
electronic controlled systems and two and four wheel steer
full power steering, including articulated vehicles
tracked type vehicles
Methods are to include:
operational testing, electrical testing
visual, aural and functional assessments (including: damage, corrosion, wear)
principles, angles and geometry of vehicle wheel alignment

Unit context
Work requires individuals to demonstrate judgement and problem-solving skills in managing own work activities and contributing to a productive team environment
Work is carried out in accordance with award provisions

Safety (OH&S)
OH&S requirements are to be in accordance with legislation/regulations/codes of practice and enterprise safety policies and procedures. This may include protective clothing and equipment, use of tooling and equipment, workplace environment and safety, handling of material, use of fire fighting equipment, enterprise first aid, hazard control and hazardous materials and substances
Personal protective equipment is to include that prescribed under legislation/regulation/codes of practice and workplace policies and practices
Safe operating procedures are to include, but are not limited to operational risk assessment and treatments associated with vehicular movement, toxic substances, electrical safety, machinery movement and operation, manual and mechanical lifting and shifting, working in proximity to others and site visitors
Emergency procedures related to this unit are to include but may not be limited to emergency shutdown and stopping of equipment, extinguishing fires, enterprise first aid requirements and site evacuation

Environmental requirements
Environmental requirements are to include but are not limited to waste management, noise, dust and clean-up management

Quality requirements
Quality requirements are to include, but are not limited to regulations, including Australian Standards, internal company quality policy and standards and enterprise operations and procedures

Statutory/regulatory authorities
Statutory/regulatory authorities may include Federal, State/Territory and local authorities administering acts, regulations and codes of practice

Tooling and equipment
Tooling and equipment may include hand tooling, meters, gauges, testing equipment and devices, including camber, caster, KPI and toe out on turns measuring systems

Materials
Materials may include spare parts, lubricants, fluids and cleaning materials

Communications
Communications are to include, but are not limited to verbal and visual instructions and fault documenting and may include site specific instructions, written instructions, plans or instructions related to job/task, telephones and pagers

Information
Information sources may include, but are not limited to verbal or written and graphical instructions, signage, work schedules/plans/specifications, work bulletins, memos, material safety data sheets, diagrams or sketches
Safe work procedures related to the repair of steering systems
Regulatory/legislative requirements pertaining to automotive industry, including Australian Design Rules
Engineer's design specifications and instructions
Organisation work specifications and requirements
Instructions issued by authorised enterprise or external persons
Australian Standards

The Evidence Guide identifies critical aspects, knowledge and skills to be demonstrated to confirm competence for this unit. This is an integral part of the assessment of competence and should be read in conjunction with the Range Statement.
Critical aspects of evidence

It is essential that competence in this unit signifies ability to transfer competence to changing circumstances and to respond to unusual circumstances in the critical aspects of:

observing safety procedures and requirements
communicating effectively with others involved in or affected by the work
selecting methods and techniques appropriate to the circumstances
completing preparatory activity in a systematic manner
interpreting test results
completing repair to a range of steering systems to manufacturer/component supplier requirements
completing repairs within workplace timeframes
vehicle/equipment presentation to customer in compliance with workplace requirements

Relationship to other units
Competence in this unit may be assessed in conjunction with other functional units which together form part of the holistic work role

Underpinning knowledge

A working knowledge of:

OH&S and environmental regulations/requirements, equipment, material and personal safety requirements
operating principles of mechanical and hydraulic steering systems and their relationship to each other
types and layout of service/repair manuals (hard copy and electronic)
dangers of working with wheeled and tracked vehicles
steering systems testing and adjusting procedures
steering systems repair procedures
enterprise quality procedures
work organisation and planning processes

Context of assessment
Application of competence is to be assessed in the workplace or simulated worksite
Assessment is to occur using standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints
Assessment is to comply with regulatory requirements, including Australian Standards

Method of assessment
Assessment must satisfy the endorsed assessment guidelines of the automotive industry's RS&R Training Package
Assessment methods must confirm consistency and accuracy of performance together with application of underpinning knowledge
Assessment must be by direct observation of tasks, with questioning on underpinning knowledge and it must also reinforce the integration of key competencies
Assessment may be applied under project related conditions and require evidence of process
Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competence is able not only to be satisfied under the particular circumstance, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances
It is preferable that assessment reflects a process rather than an event and occurs over a period of time to cover varying quality circumstances. Evidence of performance may be provided by customers, team leaders/members or other persons subject to agreed authentication arrangements

Specific resource requirements for this unit

The following resources should be made available:

workplace location or simulated workplace
material relevant to the repair of steering systems
equipment, hand and power tooling appropriate to the repair of steering systems
activities covering mandatory task requirements
specifications and work instructions

Communicating ideas and information
Apply plain English literacy and communication skills in relation to dealing with customers and team members
Apply questioning and active listening skills for example when obtaining information from customers
Apply oral communication skills sufficient to convey information and concepts to customers (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Apply research and interpretive skills sufficient to locate, interpret and apply manufacturer/component supplier procedures, workplace policies and procedures
Apply analytical skills for identification and analysis of technical information (2)

Planning and organising activities
Apply planning and organising skills to own work activities, including making good use of time and resources, sorting out priorities and monitoring own performance (2)

Working with others and in teams
Interacting effectively with other persons both on a onetoone basis and in groups, including understanding and responding to the needs of a customer and working effectively as a member of a team to achieve a shared goal (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Use mathematical ideas and techniques to correctly calculate time, assess tolerances, apply accurate measurements, calculate material requirements and establish quality checks (1)

Solving problems
Establish safe and effective work processes which anticipate and/or resolve problems and downtime, to systematically develop solutions to avoid or minimise reworking and avoid wastage (1)

Using technology
Use workplace technology related to repairing steering systems, including the use of diagnostic and specialised tooling and equipment, measuring equipment, computerised technology and communication devices and the documenting/recording of results (2)