Elements and Performance Criteria

RANGE STATEMENT
10) This relates to the unit of competency as a whole providing the range of contexts and conditions to which the performance criteria apply. It allows for different work environments and situations that will affect performance.
This Competency Standard Unit shall be demonstrated in relation to the inspection, maintenance and restoration of overhead distribution network infrastructure.
Inspection may be carried out on foot, and/or by conventional ground-based vehicle, or from the air. Aircraft may be helicopters or fixed-wing types.
Inspection techniques include use of X-ray and infrared camera.
Items to be inspected may include overhead poles and or structures, but not towers.
Types of electrical apparatus to be inspected include overhead conductors and cables, overhead transition points and, electrical equipment such as pole-mounted transformers and air-break switches, hardware, such as insulators, surge arrestors and cross-arms and or earthing systems.
The maintenance of overhead energised low voltage conductors and cables must take into account the potential hazards, the calculation of physical loads, including an understanding of the effects of traffic loads and de-rating of circuits.
Maintenance may include the removal, repair and replacement of cables, conductors and associated hardware.
Structures include poles, and columns.
Work methods require the use of insulating gloves and specialised live working equipment and tools.
Work may be performed from elevating work platform, ladder, portable pole platform, or the ground.
Testing and recording devices include voltage detectors, tong ammeters, polarity testers, recording meters and phase sequence indicators.
Specialised live working equipment includes insulating mats and sleeves, insulating gloves, temporary bridges/hoppers, insulated cable tensioning devices and ladder/pole shrouds and equipotential bonding.
Low voltage switching operation may involve the operation of circuit breaking and isolation devices from a given switching schedule as it relates to low voltage distribution systems in field situations but also includes paralleling with the switching schedule.
Operating circuit isolation devices associated with energy reticulation systems/networks is confined to low voltage systems in field situations which performed in accordance with a switching schedule and established procedures.
Switchgear may include Low Voltage fuses, Low Voltage links and bridges.
Specialist tools and devices may include Low Voltage detectors, Low Voltage polarity testers Low Voltage phase rotation indicators.
Switching programs/schedule refers to structure, switch or equipment number, locations, Low Voltage distributor, spur or feeder, outage times, work order/plan.
The following constants and variables included in the element/performance criteria in this unit are fully described in the Definitions Section 1 of this volume and form an integral part of the Range Statement of this unit:
Appropriate and relevant persons (see Personnel)
Appropriate authorities
Appropriate work platform
Assessing risk
Assessment
Authorisation
Diagnostic, testing and restoration
Documenting detail work events, record keeping and or storage of information
Drawings and specifications
Emergency
Environmental and sustainable energy procedures
Environmental legislation
Environmental management documentation
Established procedures
Fall prevention
Hazards
Identifying hazards
Inspect
Legislation
MSDS
Notification.
OHS practices
OHS issues
Permits and/or permits to work
Personnel
Quality assurance systems
Requirements
Work clearance systems

EVIDENCE GUIDE
9) This provides essential advice for assessment of the unit of competency and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria and the range statement of the unit of competency and the Training Package Assessment Guidelines.
The Evidence Guide forms an integral part of this Competency Standard Unit and shall be used in conjunction with all component parts of this unit and, performed in accordance with the Assessment Guidelines of this Training Package.

Overview of Assessment
9.1)

Longitudinal competency development approaches to assessment, such as Profiling, require data to be reliably gathered in a form that can be consistently interpreted over time. This approach is best utilised in Apprenticeship programs and reduces assessment intervention. It is the Industry’s preferred model for apprenticeships. However, where summative (or final) assessment is used it is to include the application of the competency in the normal work environment or, at a minimum, the application of the competency in a realistically simulated work environment. It is recognised that, in some circumstances, assessment in part or full can occur outside the workplace. However, it must be in accord with Industry and, Regulatory policy in this regard.
Methods chosen for a particular assessment will be influenced by various factors. These include the extent of the assessment, the most effective locations for the assessment activities to take place, access to physical resources, additional safety measures that may be required and the critical nature of the competencies being assessed.
The critical safety nature of working with electricity, electrical equipment, gas or any other hazardous substance/material carries risk in deeming a person competent. Hence, sources of evidence need to be ‘rich’ in nature so as to minimise error in judgment.
Activities associated with normal every day work have a bearing on the decision as to how much and how detailed the data gathered will contribute to its ‘richness’. Some skills are more critical to safety and operational requirements while the same skills may be more or less frequently practiced. These points are raised for the assessors to consider when choosing an assessment method and developing assessment instruments. Sample assessment instruments are included for Assessors in the Assessment Guidelines of this Training Package.

Critical aspects of evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
9.2)

Before the critical aspects of evidence are considered all prerequisites shall be met.
Evidence for competence in this unit shall be considered holistically. Each element and associated performance criteria shall be demonstrated on at least two occasions in accordance with the “Assessment Guidelines - UET12”. Evidence shall also comprise:
A representative body of performance criteria demonstrated within the timeframes typically expected of the discipline, work function and industrial environment. In particular this shall incorporate evidence that shows a candidate is able to:
Implement Occupational Health and Safety workplace procedures and practices including the use of risk control measures as specified in the performance criteria and range; and
Apply sustainable energy principles and practices as specified in the performance criteria and range; and
Demonstrate an understanding of the essential knowledge and associated skills as described in this unit to such an extent that the learner’s performance outcome is reported in accordance with the preferred approach; namely a percentile graded result, where required by the regulated environment; and
Demonstrate an appropriate level of employability skills; and
Conduct work observing the relevant Anti Discrimination legislation, regulations, policies and workplace procedures; and
Demonstrated performance across a representative range of contexts from the prescribed items below:


Range of tools/equipment/materials/procedures/workplaces/other variables


Group No
The minimum number of items on which skill is to be demonstrated
Item List


A
Inspect any three of the following overhead structures and electrical apparatus:
Poles and structures
Overhead conductors/cables
Underground/overhead transition points
Electrical equipment
Hardware
Earthing systems


B
With regards to "A" incorporate at least one of the following:
Ground
Vehicle
Helicopter
Fixed wing


C
With regards to "A" incorporate at least two of the following:
Visual*
Infra-red camera
X-ray
Camera
(*must Do)


D
Maintain at least two of the following overhead energised LV conductors and cables:
Copper
Aluminium
Aluminium steel
Steel
Pilot


E
With regards to "D" incorporate at least two of the following:
EWP
Ladder
Portable platform


F
With regards to "D" incorporate all of the following:
Insulating mats/sleeves
Temporary bridging device
Insulating gloves
Insulated cable tensioning devices
Ladder/pole shrouds
Equipotential bonding


G
With regards to "D" incorporate at least three of the following:
Voltage detector*
Clamp-on ammeter
Polarity tester
Insulation resistance tester
Phase sequence indicator
Recording meters
(*must do)


H
Perform LV switching to a given schedule and incorporate all of the following:
Approvals/clearances
Access authority/permits


I
With regards to "H" incorporate two of the following:
Voltage detectors
Polarities testers
Phase rotation indicators


J
With regards to "H" incorporate one of the following:
LV links
LV bridges
LV fuses


K
At least one occasion
Dealing with an unplanned event by drawing on essential knowledge and associated skills to provide appropriate solutions incorporated in the holistic assessment with the above listed items.

Context of and specific resources for assessment
9.3)

This unit should be assessed as it relates to normal work practice using procedures, information and resources typical of a workplace. This should include:
OHS policy and work procedures and instructions.
Suitable work environment, facilities, equipment and materials to undertake actual inspection, maintenance and restoration of energised LV overhead distribution network infrastructure.
In addition to the resources listed above, in Context of and specific resources for assessment, evidence should show demonstrated competency working below ground, in limited spaces, with different structural/construction types and method and in a variety of environments.

Method of assessment
9.4)

This Competency Standard Unit shall be assessed by methods given in Volume 1, Part 3 “Assessment Guidelines”.
Note:
Competent performance with inherent safe working practices is expected in the Industry to which this Competency Standard Unit applies. This requires that the specified essential knowledge and associated skills are assessed in a structured environment which is primarily intended for learning/assessment and incorporates all necessary equipment and facilities for learners to develop and demonstrate the essential knowledge and associated skills described in this unit.

Concurrent assessment and relationship with other units
9.5)

There are no recommended concurrencies for this unit.