Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 3:07 PM AWST
22/07/2026 3:07 PM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Construct underpinning
Construct underpinning
Unit of competency
National Code
RIICFW301A
RIICFW301A
State Code
WB602
WB602
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
19/01/2010
Field of Education
030903 - Structural Engineering
Original Release Date
19/01/2010
Nominal Hours
52
Description
This unit covers the construction of underpinnings in the civil construction industry. It includes planning and preparing, setting out and preparing sections, excavating sections, constructing underpinnings, and cleaning up. Licensing, legislative, regulatory and certification requirements that apply to this unit can vary between states, territories, and industry sectors. Relevant information must be sourced prior to application of the unit.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan and prepare
- 1.1. Access, interpret and apply compliance documentation relevant to the work activity
- 1.2. Obtain, confirm and apply work instructions, including plans, specifications, quality requirements and operational details to the allotted task
- 1.3. Obtain and confirm safety requirements from the site safety plan and organisational policies and procedures, and apply to the allotted task
- 1.4. Identify, obtain and implement signage requirements from the project traffic management plan
- 1.5. Select tools and equipment to carry out tasks consistent with the requirements of the job, check for serviceability and rectify or report any faults
- 1.6. Identify environmental protection requirements from the project environmental management plan, and confirm and apply to the allotted task
2. Set out and prepare sections
- 2.1. Identify and record underpinning requirements for adjoining properties and roadways from site drawings and surveys of the surrounding construction
- 2.2. Identify and implement sections and sequence of excavations from the planned schedule for underpinning
- 2.3. Check existing shoring system for soundness and conformation to specifications and design requirements
- 2.4. Set out sections for excavation to underpinning specifications and schedule
- 2.5. Identify and protect areas for excavation and surrounding working space requirements to provide a safe working area
- 2.6. Erect barricades and signage, where required, in accordance with the site safety plan
- 2.7. Position plant and equipment for excavations
3. Excavate sections
- 3.1. Excavate designated sections to the designed depth of footings
- 3.2. Install trench and excavation support in accordance with soil characteristics, safety considerations and the job safety analysis
4. Construct underpinning
- 4.1. Construct underpinning in accordance with job specifications
- 4.2. Backfill excavated sections
- 4.3. Underpin alternate sections in sequence according to underpinning schedule
5. Clean up
- 5.1. Clear work area and disposed of or recycled materials in accordance with project environmental management plan
- 5.2. Clean, check, maintain and store plant, tools and equipment
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.
Relevantcompliance documentation may include:
legislative, organisational and site requirements and procedures
manufacturer's guidelines and specifications
Australian standards
Employment and workplace relations legislation
Equal Employment Opportunity and Disability Discrimination legislation
Safety (OHS) may include:
OHS requirements are to be in accordance with state or territory legislation and regulations, organisational safety policies and procedures, and project safety plan. This may include protective clothing and equipment, use of tools and equipment, workplace environment and safety, handling of materials, use of fire fighting equipment, use of First Aid equipment, hazard control and hazardous materials and substances
hazards and risks may include but not be limited to uneven/unstable terrain, trees, fires, overhead and underground services, bridges, buildings, excavations, traffic, embankments, cuttings, structures and hazardous materials
emergency procedures related to this unit are to include but may not be limited to emergency shutdown and stopping, extinguishing fires, organisational First Aid requirements and evacuation
safe operating procedures are to include but not be limited to recognising and preventing hazards associated with overhead and underground services, other machines, personnel, restricted access barriers, traffic control, working at heights, working in proximity to others, worksite visitors and the public
Signage may include:
escort vehicle
highway traffic signs
site safety signage
temporary signage for the benefit of motorists and pedestrians
barricades
traffic conditions signage
Traffic may include:
congested urban environments
low traffic rural areas
off-road un-trafficked areas
buildings
parking sites
pedestrian areas
Tools and equipment may include:
compressors
fittings and hoses
pneumatic picks and jack hammers
pumps
winches
Environmental requirements may include:
organisational/project environmental management plan
waste management
water quality protection noise vibration
dust and clean-up management
Environmental requirements may include:
organisational/project environmental management plan
waste management
water quality protection noise vibration
dust and clean-up management
Underpinning requirements may include:
land subsidence due to water ingress
increase structural stability
the preparation for additions to structures
Shoring system may include:
sheet piling
trench shields
timber sets
Soil may include:
sand
rock
clay
shale
gravel
silt
Materials may include:
timber
reinforced concrete
concrete grout
select rock
Relevantcompliance documentation may include:
legislative, organisational and site requirements and procedures
manufacturer's guidelines and specifications
Australian standards
Employment and workplace relations legislation
Equal Employment Opportunity and Disability Discrimination legislation
Safety (OHS) may include:
OHS requirements are to be in accordance with state or territory legislation and regulations, organisational safety policies and procedures, and project safety plan. This may include protective clothing and equipment, use of tools and equipment, workplace environment and safety, handling of materials, use of fire fighting equipment, use of First Aid equipment, hazard control and hazardous materials and substances
hazards and risks may include but not be limited to uneven/unstable terrain, trees, fires, overhead and underground services, bridges, buildings, excavations, traffic, embankments, cuttings, structures and hazardous materials
emergency procedures related to this unit are to include but may not be limited to emergency shutdown and stopping, extinguishing fires, organisational First Aid requirements and evacuation
safe operating procedures are to include but not be limited to recognising and preventing hazards associated with overhead and underground services, other machines, personnel, restricted access barriers, traffic control, working at heights, working in proximity to others, worksite visitors and the public
Signage may include:
escort vehicle
highway traffic signs
site safety signage
temporary signage for the benefit of motorists and pedestrians
barricades
traffic conditions signage
Traffic may include:
congested urban environments
low traffic rural areas
off-road un-trafficked areas
buildings
parking sites
pedestrian areas
Tools and equipment may include:
compressors
fittings and hoses
pneumatic picks and jack hammers
pumps
winches
Environmental requirements may include:
organisational/project environmental management plan
waste management
water quality protection noise vibration
dust and clean-up management
Environmental requirements may include:
organisational/project environmental management plan
waste management
water quality protection noise vibration
dust and clean-up management
Underpinning requirements may include:
land subsidence due to water ingress
increase structural stability
the preparation for additions to structures
Shoring system may include:
sheet piling
trench shields
timber sets
Soil may include:
sand
rock
clay
shale
gravel
silt
Materials may include:
timber
reinforced concrete
concrete grout
select rock
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
The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to worksite operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit and include evidence of the following:
knowledge of the requirements, procedures and instructions for constructing underpinnings
implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of underpinning construction
working with others to undertake and complete the construction of underpinnings that meets all of the required outcomes
consistent timely completion of underpinning construction that safely, effectively and efficiently meets the required outcomes
construction of underpinning for a minimum of two projects, one using drilling techniques and one using excavation techniques to the required job specifications
Context of and specific resources for assessment
This unit must be assessed in the context of the work environment. Where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment may occur in a simulated environment provided it is realistic and sufficiently rigorous to cover all aspects of workplace performance, including task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.
Assessment of this competency requires typical resources normally used in a resources and infrastructure sector environment. Selection and use of resources for particular worksites may differ due to the site circumstances.
The assessment environment should not disadvantage the participant. For example, language, literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required on the job.
Customisation of assessment and delivery environment to sensitively accommodate cultural diversity.
Aboriginal people and other people from a non English speaking background may have second language issues.
Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities. Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required.
Method of assessment
This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency. The assessment strategy for this unit must verify required knowledge and skill and practical application using more than one of the following assessment methods:
written and/or oral assessment of the candidate's required knowledge
observed, documented and/or first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:
implementation of appropriate requirement, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient achievement of required outcomes
consistent achievement of required outcomes
first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:
working with others to undertake and complete the construction of underpinnings
Guidance information for assessment
Consult the SkillsDMC User Guide for further information on assessment including access and equity issues.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to worksite operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit and include evidence of the following:
knowledge of the requirements, procedures and instructions for constructing underpinnings
implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of underpinning construction
working with others to undertake and complete the construction of underpinnings that meets all of the required outcomes
consistent timely completion of underpinning construction that safely, effectively and efficiently meets the required outcomes
construction of underpinning for a minimum of two projects, one using drilling techniques and one using excavation techniques to the required job specifications
Context of and specific resources for assessment
This unit must be assessed in the context of the work environment. Where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment may occur in a simulated environment provided it is realistic and sufficiently rigorous to cover all aspects of workplace performance, including task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.
Assessment of this competency requires typical resources normally used in a resources and infrastructure sector environment. Selection and use of resources for particular worksites may differ due to the site circumstances.
The assessment environment should not disadvantage the participant. For example, language, literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required on the job.
Customisation of assessment and delivery environment to sensitively accommodate cultural diversity.
Aboriginal people and other people from a non English speaking background may have second language issues.
Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities. Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required.
Method of assessment
This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency. The assessment strategy for this unit must verify required knowledge and skill and practical application using more than one of the following assessment methods:
written and/or oral assessment of the candidate's required knowledge
observed, documented and/or first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:
implementation of appropriate requirement, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient achievement of required outcomes
consistent achievement of required outcomes
first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:
working with others to undertake and complete the construction of underpinnings
Guidance information for assessment
Consult the SkillsDMC User Guide for further information on assessment including access and equity issues.
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| W1763 | BCCFW3001B | Construct underpinning | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| WH092 | RIICFW301D | Construct underpinning | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| W676 | RII31209 | Certificate III in Civil Foundations | Qualification |
| D392 | CPC30311 | Certificate III in Concreting | Qualification |