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.
Organisational procedures and guidelines will include:
Australian National Committee on Large Dams (ANCOLD) guidelines
dam monitoring templates and proformas
relevant regulator's technical bulletins
occupational health and safety information
operation and maintenance information and manuals
instrumentation records, plans and manuals
dam safety performance indicators
roles, responsibilities and delegations for instrumentation monitoring and action
security and storage of data
dam safety inspection manuals
past inspection reports design and construction reports, surveillance reports and risk assessments
prescribed surveillance schedules
incident management plans
data storage and security
state and local government requirements
standard operating procedures
asset management plan
Dam safety monitoring procedures and practices include:
monitoring details will include:
adequate timeframe and resources
visual observation
use of manual, electronic and/or computer equipment
operational preparedness checks
dam condition assessments
site security and access
dam safety emergency indicator reporting
checklists and previous monitoring reports
sites to be monitored may include:
earthen walls and/ or embankments
concrete walls and structures
hydraulic structures
monitoring equipment
spillways/ diversions systems
outlet works/ intake structures
pipes/ conduits
abutments and foundations
reservoir perimeter and downstream areas
weirs
tunnels and galleries
drainage systems
monitoring data will include:
seepage and leakage
pore pressures
stresses and strains
water levels
movements (external and internal)
rainfall
temperature
Unusual events will include:
seismic events
floods
extreme inflows
rapid draw down
landslides and slips
dam incidents
sabotage / terrorist attack
fires
long term low storage levels
Dam instrumentation will include those used in the workplace from the range:
seepage measurement devices
water level recorders
piezometers / stand pipes
extensometers
earth pressure cells
cross arms
hydrostatic settlement cells
pendulums
inclinometers
strain gauges
crack monitoring instrumentation
joint meters
external survey systems
rain gauges
thermometers
Faults and changes will include:
stresses/strains
pore pressures
slumps, slips and slides
earth pressures
seepage and leakage
misalignment/movement
weather conditions

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.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The candidate should demonstrate to ability to plan, implement and report on the monitoring of basic instrumentation installed in dams:
preparing monitoring activity
setting up relevant instrumentation
interpreting and applying all relevant organisational and regulatory information and requirements in planning dam safety monitoring activities
identifying dam safety monitoring sites and scheduling activities according to the required frequency of reporting
conducting inspection and monitoring activities using standard workplace equipment and instruments
gathering and recording data
identifying faults, changes and failure indicators
reporting on dam safety monitoring outcomes, with recommendations for action
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Access to the workplace and resources including:
documentation that should normally be available in dam operation worksites
codes, standards, and government regulations relevant to monitoring dam safety
Candidates should have access to on and off the job learning and assessment support when evidence is inadequate and competency has not yet been achieved.
Candidates' level of English language and literacy should be taken into account in designing assessment and adjustments should be recorded in assessment plans.
Validity and sufficiency of evidence requires that:
competency will need to be demonstrated over a period of time reflecting the scope of the role and the practical requirements of the workplace
a decision of competence should only be made when the assessor has complete confidence in the person's competence over time and in various contexts
all assessment that is part of a structured learning experience must include a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary evidence
where assessment is for the purpose of recognition (RCC/RPL), the evidence provided will need to be authenticated and show that it represents competency demonstrated over a period of time
assessment can be through simulated project-based activity and must include evidence relating to each of the elements in this unit
In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning and examination to assess the underpinning knowledge. Questioning will be undertaken in a manner appropriate to the skill levels of the operator, any cultural issues that may affect responses to the questions, and reflecting the requirements of the competency and the work being performed.