Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 12:12 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.

Safely handle bituminous materials

Safely handle bituminous materials

Unit of competency
National Code
RIICBS203A
State Code
WB653
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
19/05/2011
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
31/08/2012
Field of Education
061301 - Occupational Health And Safety
Original Release Date
31/08/2012
Nominal Hours
16
Description
This unit covers the safe handling of bituminous materials in the civil construction industry. It includes planning and preparing, working safely with bituminous materials, demonstrating First Aid for bitumen burns, 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 and confirm safety requirements from the site safety plan and organisational policies and procedures, and apply to the allotted task
  • 1.3. Select tools and equipment to carry out tasks consistent with the requirements of the job, check for serviceability and rectify or report any faults
  • 1.4. Identify, confirm and apply environmental protection requirements from the project environmental management plan
2. Work safely with bituminous materials
  • 2.1. Identify characteristics and uses of bituminous materials and additives used in surfacing
  • 2.2. Identify hazards associated with working with hot bitumen and implement minimisation strategies
  • 2.3. Adhere to Australian Asphalt Paving Association (AAPA) code of practice for working with Styrene Butadiene Styrene (SBS) modified binders
  • 2.4. Adhere to fire precautions associated with hot bitumen as detailed in Austroads Bitumen Sealing Safety Guide
  • 2.5. Extract and apply information including OHS from materials safety data sheet associated with bituminous materials
  • 2.6. Perform work to the requirements of the organisation's environmental policy and EPA standards
3. Demonstrate First Aid for bitumen burns
  • 3.1. Perform First Aid in the case of a bitumen burn in accordance with Austroads Bitumen Sealing Safety Guide
  • 3.2. Attach 'Bitumen Burn Tag' to victims of burns who are to be treated off site in accordance with Austroads Bitumen Sealing Safety Guide
4. Clean up
  • 4.1. Clear work area and dispose of or recycle materials in accordance with project environmental management plan
  • 4.2. Clean, check, maintain and store 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.
Relevant compliance 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 requirements may include:
OHS requirements in accordance with state or territory legislation and regulations, organisational safety policies and procedures, and project safety plan including 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
safe operating procedures including recognising and preventing hazards associated with uneven/unstable terrain, trees, bridges, surrounding buildings, obstructions, structures, facilities, dangerous materials, recently filled trenches, other machines, personnel, traffic control, working in proximity to others, worksite visitors and the public
recognising hazards and risks including uneven/unstable terrain, trees, fires, overhead and underground services, bridges, buildings, excavations, traffic, embankments, cuttings, structures and hazardous materials
emergency procedures including extinguishing fires, organisational First Aid requirements and evacuation
Site locations may include:
car parks
airport runways
container yards
hard stands
footpaths
bikeways
roadways
Tools and equipment may include:
infrared thermometers
hazchem signs
water finding paste
Environmental protection requirements may include:
organisational/project environmental management plan
waste management
water quality protection
noise
vibration
dust and clean-up management
Materials may include:
bituminous materials (bitumen, cutback bitumen products, emulsions, asphalt, slurries, additives, fluxes, cutters)
aggregates
SBS modified binders
Polymers
geo-synthetic products
Minimisation strategies may include:
temperature control
correct product changeover procedures
correct mixing/blending procedures
avoiding the presence of water in hot bitumen
avoiding fumes, exposure to heat, static electricity, fires, burns
safe handling of flammable substances

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 safe handling of bituminous materials
implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient safe handling of bituminous materials
working with others to undertake and complete the safe handling of bituminous materials that meets all of the required outcomes
consistent timely completion of safe handling of bituminous materials that safely, effectively and efficiently meets the required outcomes
a minimum of five major hazards associated with handling bituminous materials are reported
a minimum of four bituminous materials are stored and used together
burn First Aid is applied to a minimum of one simulated burn and tagged accordingly
a minimum of one simulated fire involving a bituminous substance is extinguished
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 safe handling of bituminous materials
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
W2042 BCCBS2003B Safely handle bituminous materials Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
WH048 RIICBS203D Safely handle bituminous materials Unit of competency