Elements and Performance Criteria

Context
This unit of competency includes all such vehicles and equipment which form part of the field operator's kit. For your organisation this may include (select relevant items):
4wd vehicles, e.g. utility, troop carrier or station wagon
trucks
communications equipment, i.e. 2 way radio, mobile or satellite phone, GPS
recovery equipment, i.e. snatch straps, slings, chains and shackles
trailers.

Typical problems for your operations may include:
overheating (coolant, exhaust, driveline)
low oil pressure
electrical discharge/overcharge
tyre punctures
load shifts.

HSE
All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent health, safety and environment requirements, which may be imposed through State or Federal legislation, and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between performance criteria and HSE requirements, the HSE requirements take precedence.

Assessment context and methods
Assessment for this unit of competency will be on an off road vehicle. The unit will be assessed in as holistic a manner as is practical and may be integrated with the assessment of other relevant units of competency. Assessment will occur over a range of situations, which will include disruptions to normal, smooth operation.

Simulation may be required to allow for timely assessment of parts of this unit of competency (e.g. elements 1, 3 and 4). Simulation should be based on the actual plant and will include walk throughs of the relevant competency components. Simulations may also include the use of case studies/scenarios, role plays and 3D virtual reality interactive systems. In the case of evacuation training or training for competencies practised in life threatening situations, simulation may be used for the bulk of the training.

This unit of competency requires an application of the knowledge contained in off-road vehicle operation and the equipment integral to its use, to the level needed to maintain control and recognise and resolve problems. This can be assessed through questioning and the use of what if scenarios both on the plant (during demonstration of normal operations and walk throughs of abnormal operations) and off the plant.

Critical aspects
Competence must be demonstrated in the ability to recognise and analyse potential situations requiring action and then in implementing appropriate corrective action. The emphasis should be on the ability to stay out of trouble rather than on recovery from a disaster.

Consistent performance should be demonstrated. In particular look to see that:
early warning signs of equipment/processes needing attention or with potential problems are recognised
the range of possible causes can be identified and analysed and the most likely cause determined
appropriate action is taken to ensure a timely return to full performance
obvious problems in related plant areas are recognised and an appropriate contribution made to their solution.

These aspects may be best assessed using a range of scenarios/case studies/what ifs as the stimulus with a walk through forming part of the response. These assessment activities should include a range of problems, including new, unusual and improbable situations, which may have been generated from the past incident history of the vehicle, incidents on similar vehicles around the world, hazard analysis activities and similar sources.

Resource implications
Assessment will require access to an operating well over an extended period of time, or a suitable method of gathering evidence of operating ability over a range of situations. A bank of scenarios/case studies/what ifs will be required as will a bank of questions which will be used to probe the reasoning behind the observable actions.

Other assessment advice
In all organisations it may be appropriate to assess this unit concurrently with relevant teamwork and communication units. Consider co-assessment with:
PMASUP241A - Maintain pipeline easements
PMASUP242A - Monitor pipeline civil works
PMASUP340A - Conduct pipeline pigging
PMASUP343A - Monitor and maintain pipeline cathodic protection systems
PMASUP344A - Monitor and control repairs and modifications on operational pipelines
PMAOPS230A - Monitor, operate and maintain pipeline stations and equipment.

Essential knowledge
The knowledge referred to in the evidence guide for this unit includes:
local/company vehicle rules and regulations
hazards and risks of off-road travel
requirements for reporting and recording vehicle movements
communications arrangements (backup methods need to be considered)
site or area response plan to detail
procedures to be followed when an incident is reported
actions to be followed when a traveller is recorded as overdue
responsibilities for monitoring vehicle journeys and determining immediate and follow-up actions under the system.

Competence also includes the ability to distinguish between causes of problems/alarms/fault indications such as:
instrument failure/malfunction
electrical failure/malfunction
mechanical failure/malfunction
fouling or contamination
corrosion.