Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 7:54 PM AWST

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Operate over-snow vehicle

Operate over-snow vehicle

Unit of competency
National Code
PUASES015A
State Code
AVL11
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
2.00
Current Release Date
17/08/2012
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
Field of Education
030515 - Automotive Vehicle Operations
Original Release Date
Nominal Hours
0
Description
This unit covers the competency required to operate an over-snow vehicle safely, including the systematic, safe and efficient control of all vehicle functions and the effective management of hazardous conditions.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Undertake personal safety preparation
  • 1.1 Personal protective clothing and equipment is selected and checked according to organisational procedures, to ensure it is operational prior to departure
  • 1.2 Personal protective clothing and equipment appropriate to dealing with the hazard is selected, worn/fitted and used in accordance with organisational policies and procedures and manufacturers' guidelines
  • 1.3 Water and food requirements are identified and stowed on the vehicle
  • 1.4 En-route rest and shelter areas are identified
  • 1.5 Survival technique/strategies are implemented in accordance with organisational policies and guidelines
2. Prepare over-snow vehicle for operation
  • 2.1 Start-up checks are completed in accordance with operational standards
  • 2.2 Engine is started in accordance with manufacturer's specifications
  • 2.3 Instruments and gauges are checked to ensure all are operational
  • 2.4 Pre-use checks of over-snow trailer are completed in accordance with manufacturer's specifications and organisational policies and procedures
3. Operate over-snow vehicle
  • 3.1 Over-snow vehicle is prepared for and safely operated in, terrain suitable to the vehicle
  • 3.2 Passengers are briefed on safety and objective of the trip
  • 3.3 Vehicle movement is controlled in response to external conditions to ensure personal safety
  • 3.4 Vehicle is operated in accordance with relevant regulations and organisational policies and procedures
  • 3.5 Low risk manoeuvring techniques are used to minimise the likelihood of injury, damage to equipment or property and in accordance with organisational policies and procedures
  • 3.6 Recovery of vehicletechniques are used that minimise the likelihood of injury to personnel and equipment, in accordance with agency policies and procedures
4. Navigate to destination and monitor terrain
  • 4.1 Most efficient route of travel is taken by monitoring factors likely to cause delays or route deviations
  • 4.2 Potential access restrictions which may limit thoroughfare are identified and arrangements are made to gain access, in accordance with organisational policies, practices and regulatory requirements
  • 4.3 Environmental conditions are consistently monitored and acted upon to enable safe operation and to ensure no injury to personnel or damage to property and equipment
5. Clean, maintain and stow vehicle
  • 5.1 Vehicle and equipment are cleaned, maintained, assembled and stowed according to organisational procedures/manufacturers' requirements
  • 5.2 Vehicle and equipment records are updated in accordance with organisational procedures
  • 5.3 Faulty equipment is identified, recorded and reported for repair according to organisational policies and procedures
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 in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.
Personal protective clothing and equipment may include:
flares
food and water
full/open face helmet
goggles
hearing protectors
personal locator beacon/EPIRB
radios
tent
thermal under clothing
water proof gloves
water proof boots
water proof shell
Organisational procedures may include:
Australian Standards
equipment manufacturer's specifications and procedures
industry practices
maintenance schedules
occupational health and safety requirements
regulatory requirements
Rest and shelter areas may include:
camping areas
geographical formations
huts and structures
Survival techniques/strategies may be applied in:
blizzard
extreme cold
lose of bearing
mechanical breakdown
white out
Start-up checks may include:
coolant
equipment stowage
fuel
oil
physical check or scan of gauges
visual inspection of vehicle
Operational standards may include:
Australian Standards
industry standards
international standards
manufacturer's procedures
state/territory standards
Manufacturer's specifications may include:
engagement procedures
engine characteristics
fuel capacity for range
gross vehicle mass
gross vehicle weight
horsepower rating
radius of turning circle
safety procedures
systems warning functions
vehicle clearances
Instruments and gauges may include:
brake warning lights
electrical charging
heated hand grips
oil pressure
tachometer
speedometer
systems indicators (high beam, turn signals and parking brakes)
temperature
warning lights
Over-snow vehicles include:
purpose built vehicles for snow
Movement is controlled by:
acceleration and deceleration
passengers
riding positions
steering control
weight distribution
Relevant regulations may include:
environmental regulations
environmental protection regulations
organisational policies and procedures
possession of appropriate licence/endorsement
traffic regulations
Recovery of vehicle techniques may include:
creeks
drainage ditches
gullies
mechanical breakdown
soft snow
water
water courses
Potential access restrictions may include:
agency and regulatory requirements
cultural heritage sites
environmental areas
european heritage sites
hazardous areas
military areas
other areas requiring permission and/or authorisation to enter
seasonal factors
wilderness areas
Environmental conditions may include:
effect of weather
hard surfaces
ice
marginal snow
rocks
snow
snow bridges
water/melting ice
Recording and reporting procedures may include:
card systems
computer databases
maintenance schedules
organisational procedures
record sheets or books
verbal
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 this Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
drive and ride an over-snow vehicle
maintain personal safety
be aware of safety and terrain conditions
Consistency in performance
Competency should be demonstrated in a simulated operational situation under varying conditions.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Context of assessment
Competency should be assessed in a simulated operational situation under varying conditions.
Specific resources for assessment
Access is required to:
relevant environment
relevant over-snow vehicle
Method of assessment
In a public safety environment assessment is usually conducted via direct observation in a training environment or in the workplace via subject matter supervision and/or mentoring, which is typically recorded in a competency workbook.
Assessment is completed using appropriately qualified assessors who select the most appropriate method of assessment.
Assessment may occur in an operational environment or in an industry-approved simulated work environment. Forms of assessment that are typically used include:
direct observation
interviewing the candidate
journals and workplace documentation
third party reports from supervisors
written or oral questions.
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
OAX52 PUASES015 Operate over-snow vehicle Unit of competency
No information