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.
Relevant compliance documentation
may include:
legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures
manufacturer's guidelines and specifications
Australian standards
codes of practice
Employment and workplace relations legislation
Equal Employment Opportunity and Disability Discrimination legislation
An excavator is:
a self-propelled crawler or wheeled machine with an upper structure capable of a minimum of 360 degree rotation which excavates, elevates, swings and discharges material by the action of a bucket fitted to the boom and arm or telescoping boom, without moving the chassis or undercarriage during any part of the working cycle of the machine
are to include tracked and may include wheeled excavators
Excavator operations tasks are to include:
loading, bulk excavation, backfilling, trench excavation, stockpiling, battering and benching
Excavator operations tasks may include:
compacting materials, demolition, rock breaking, removal of trees and ripping, lifting materials, cutting/boxing, laying pipes, cut and fill, mixing materials, stripping/spreading topsoil and materials
Work instructions may include:
plans, specifications, quality requirements and operational details
quality requirements may include but not be limited to dimensions, tolerances, standards of work and material standards as detailed in the project drawings, specifications and project documentation to meet client satisfaction
Safety requirements are to be:
in accordance with state or territory legislation and regulations, organisational safety policies and procedures, and project safety plan
Safety requirements 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
personal protective equipment is to include that prescribed under legislation, regulation and workplace policies and practices
safe operating procedures which are to include but not be limited to recognising and preventing hazards associated with underground and overhead services, other machines, personnel, restricted access barriers, traffic control, working at heights, working in proximity to others, worksite visitors and the public
safe parking practices which is to include but not be limited to ensuring access ways are clear, equipment/ machinery is away from overhangs and refuelling sites, safe distance from excavations, and secured from unauthorised access or movement
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
Tools and equipment are to include:
hand tools and maintenance equipment relevant to the particular loader
Environmental requirements are to include:
organisational/project environmental management plan, waste management, water quality protection, noise, vibration, dust and clean-up management
Communications practices are to include:
verbal instructions and fault reporting and may include 2-way radio, hand signals, mobile phone, site specific instructions, written instructions or instructions related to job/task
on site meeting processes may include notification/ scheduling (time, place, purpose), task discussions and local coordination of procedural and operational issues
Materials may include:
clays, silts, stone, gravel, mud, rock, sand, topsoil, blended materials, organic materials, typical construction site materials/waste and bituminous mixes
rock types may include metamorphic, igneous and sedimentary
Attachments may include:
ripper/tyne, auger, tilt bucket, rock breaker, buckets, lifting device, vibrating compaction plate and compaction wheel
Operator maintenance is to include:
cleaning, authorised servicing and the monitoring, recording and reporting of faults. It may also include the conduct of authorised minor replacements and the provision of assistance to maintenance personnel during maintenance and repair activities

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 conducting excavator operations
implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of excavator operations, including:
in a minimum of two different soil types; and
to include the mandatory tasks of loading, bulk excavation, backfilling, trench excavation, stockpiling, battering and benching
working with others to undertake and complete excavator operations that meet all of the required outcomes
consistent timely completion of excavator operations that safely, effectively and efficiently meet the required outcomes
laser guidance or ATS are not to be used to assist in control of the machine during assessment
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.
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.
Assessment of this competency requires typical resources normally used in the work environment. Selection and use of resources for particular worksites may differ due to site circumstances.
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, including:
in a minimum of two different soil types; and
to include the mandatory tasks of loading, bulk excavation, backfilling, trench excavation, stockpiling, battering and benching
consistently achieving the required outcomes
first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:
working with others to undertake and complete excavator operations
Guidance information for assessment
Consult the SkillsDMC User Guide for further information on assessment including access and equity issues.