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.
Work health and safety is to be according to commonwealth, state and territory legislation and regulations and may include:
handling of materials
hazard control, including of electrical hazards
hazardous materials and substances
personal protective clothing and equipment prescribed under legislation, regulations and workplace policies and practices
use of firefighting equipment
use of first aid equipment
use of tools and equipment
workplace environment and safety.

Environmental requirements may include:
air pollution precautions
clean-up protection
noise pollution precautions
water course protection
waste management.

Quality assurance requirements may include:
Australian standards
Environment Protection Authority (EPA)
environmental policy
internal company quality assurance policy and risk management strategy
International Standards Organisation
manufacturer requirements
site safety plans
workplace operations and procedures.

Appropriate plumbing hand tools may include:
caulking guns
copper tube cutters
copper tube expanders
customised tools to meet manufacturer specifications
files and rasps
hacksaws
ladders
other specialist tools for water services
oxy-acetylene
pipe benders
pipe dies
pipe wrenches
pop riveters
screwdrivers
spirit levels
squares
tin snips
tube benders
tube flaring tools
wood saws.

Appropriate plumbing power tools may include:
compactor (wacker)
compressed air tools
drop saw
electric dies (up to 100mm)
electric drills
electric nibbler
generator
grinder
hydraulic tools and equipment
large rotary drills
petrol diamond saws
power saws.

Sustainability principles and concepts:
cover the social, economic and environmental use of resources to meet current and future needs
may include:
selecting appropriate tools and equipment
efficient use and recycling of tools and equipment
disposing of waste material to ensure minimal environmental impact
energy efficiency
water efficiency.

Information may include:
charts and hand drawings
instructions issued by authorised organisational or external personnel
job drawings
manufacturer specifications and instructions
material safety data sheets (MSDS)
memos
relevant Australian standards
safe work procedures relating to operating hand and power tools, and disposing of waste
signage
verbal, written and graphical instructions
work bulletins
work schedules, plans and specifications.

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
This unit of competency could be assessed in the workplace or a close simulation of the workplace environment providing that simulated or project-based assessment techniques fully replicate plumbing and services workplace conditions, materials, activities, responsibilities and procedures.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of:
demonstrating compliance with WHS regulations applicable to workplace operations
adopting and carrying out correct procedures prior to, during and after use of hand and power tools
applying safety requirements throughout the work sequence, including electrical safety requirements and the use of personal protective clothing and equipment
safely operating ten different hand tools and five different power tools for their appropriate application
carrying out the above work, ensuring:
there is no damage to materials, tools or equipment
all work is completed to specification
compliance with regulations, standards and organisational quality procedures and processes
communicating and working effectively and safely with others
application of sustainability principles and concepts.

Context of and specific resources for assessment
This competency is to be assessed using standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints.
Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge will usually be conducted in an off-site context.
Assessment is to comply with relevant regulatory or Australian standards' requirements.
Resource implications for assessment include:
an induction procedure and requirement
realistic tasks or simulated tasks covering the minimum task requirements
relevant specifications and work instructions
tools and equipment appropriate to applying safe work practices
support materials appropriate to activity
workplace instructions relating to safe work practices and addressing hazards and emergencies
material safety data sheets
research resources, including industry-related systems information.
Reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities must be made to assessment processes where required. This could include access to modified equipment and other physical resources, and the provision of appropriate assessment support.

Method of assessment
Assessment methods must:
satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Construction, Plumbing and Services Training Package
include direct observation of tasks in real or simulated work conditions, with questioning to confirm the ability to consistently identify and correctly interpret the essential underpinning knowledge required for practical application
reinforce the integration of employability skills with workplace tasks and job roles
confirm that competency is verified and able to be transferred to other circumstances and environments.
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
where the assessment is part of a structured learning experience the evidence collected must relate to a number of performances assessed at different points in time and separated by further learning and practice, with a decision on competency only taken at the point when the assessor has complete confidence in the person's demonstrated ability and applied knowledge
all assessment that is part of a structured learning experience must include a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary evidence.
Assessment processes and techniques should as far as is practical take into account the language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate in relation to the competency being assessed.
Supplementary evidence of competency may be obtained from relevant authenticated documentation from third parties, such as existing supervisors, team leaders or specialist training staff.