Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 11:31 AM 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.

Conduct earthworks

Conduct earthworks

Unit of competency
National Code
RIICRC306A
State Code
WB439
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
22/06/2011
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
20/01/2010
Field of Education
030717 - Plant And Machine Operations
Original Release Date
20/01/2010
Nominal Hours
68
Description
This unit covers the conduct of earthworks in the civil construction industry. It includes planning and preparing work, setting out sub-grades, forming earthworks, placing and compacting sub-grading replacement materials, 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 work
  • 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. Identify, obtain and implement signage requirements from the project traffic management plan
  • 1.4. Select plant, tools and equipment to carry out tasks consistent with the requirements of the job, check for serviceability and rectify or report any faults
  • 1.5. Correctly identify compaction standards and testing requirements
  • 1.6. Identify environmental protection requirements from the project environmental management plan, and confirm and apply to the allotted task
2. Set out sub-grade
  • 2.1. Set out job to plan from survey controls
  • 2.2. Establish profiles to line and level
3. Form earthworks
  • 3.1. Inform plant operators of job requirements
  • 3.2. Assess earthworks to ensure that the specified height is achieved, with allowances for the pavement courses and the overall dimensions
  • 3.3. Monitor uniform layer thickness and moisture content to ensure consistency with specifications
  • 3.4. Monitor stabilisation of existing material
  • 3.5. Remove surface area protrusions to prevent damage to geo-synthetic material
  • 3.6. Place geo-synthetic material to manufacturer's specifications
4. Place and compact sub-grade replacement materials
  • 4.1. Identify, remove and store unsuitable material separately
  • 4.2. Place imported replacement/stabilised material as specified
  • 4.3. Inform roller operators of the required number of passes
  • 4.4. Assess compaction process to ensure nominated number of passes are made to achieve uniform compaction across the subgrade
5. Clean up
  • 5.1. Clear work area and dispose of or recycle materials in accordance with project environmental management plan
  • 5.2. Clean, check, maintain and store plant, 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 high voltage power lines, uneven/unstable terrain, trees, overhead service lines, bridges, surrounding buildings, obstructions, structures, facilities, dangerous materials, recently filled trenches, other machines, personnel, traffic control, working at heights, working in proximity to others, worksite visitors and the public
safe parking practices including ensuring access ways are clear, equipment/machinery is away from overhangs and refuelling sites, safe distances are kept from excavations, and areas secured from unauthorised access or movement
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 related to equipment operation including emergency shutdown and stopping, extinguishing equipment fires, organisational First Aid requirements and evacuation
Site may include:
haul roads
formed/prepared roads
access roads
pads
dam walls
Plant may include:
rollers
graders
skid-steers
dozers
scrapers
backhoes
excavators
front-end loaders
tip-trucks
water carts
Tools and equipment may include:
levelling equipment
tape measure
string lines
include shovels
hand saws
crow bars
hammers
Environmental protection requirements may include:
organisational/project environmental management plan
waste management
water quality protection
noise
vibration
dust and clean-up management
Earthworks may include:
cutting and filling with existing material
the forming of existing material
the replacement of unsuitable materials
the stabilising of unsuitable materials
the use of geo-synthetic material
Materials may include:
soils
granular materials
stabilising materials
geofabrics
water

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 earthworks
implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of earthworks
working with others to undertake and complete the conduct of earthworks that meets all of the required outcomes
consistent timely completion of earthworks that safely, effectively and efficiently meets the required outcomes
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 conduct earthworks
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
W2112 BCCRC3006B Conduct earthworks Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
WH122 RIICRC306D Conduct earthworks Unit of competency