Elements and Performance Criteria

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
Work requirements may come from briefings, handovers, and work orders and may include:
nature and scope of tasks
achievement targets
operational conditions
obtaining permits required
site layout and out of bounds areas
worksite inspection requirements
lighting conditions
plant or equipment defects
hazards and potential hazards
coordination requirements or issues
signage and barricade requirements
keeping floor clean and level
Geological data may include relevant site-specific information in relation to:
rock type and characteristics
faults and joints
water tables or other water sources
Survey data may include relevant site-specific information in relation to:
floor heights
bench widths
grades
Inspect and prepare work area may include:
identification of hazards
selection and implementation of control measures for the hazards identified
safeguarding site and non-site personnel by:
erection of barricades and posting of signs
selection of appropriate equipment to ensure personnel safety and protection
determination of appropriate path of movement for loads and equipment/vehicles
floor, pad, roads, ramps and bench clean up to specified levels and grade requirements
Coordination with others may include with:
yard persons
laboratory personnel
mobile plant operators
processing plant operators
haulage unit operators
maintenance personnel
Potential risks and hazards may include:
abandoned equipment
adjoining pit walls
adverse weather conditions (electrical storms, floods, fires)
chemicals
contaminants
equipment
fences
holes
materials
over-hanging rocks
personnel
pot holes
unsafe ground
unstable faces
vehicles
overhead and underground services
trees
fires
vehicles
stored energy which may include:
engine components
radiators and cooling systems
hydraulic tanks and reservoirs
air tanks and reservoirs
hydraulic hoses
air hoses
tires
air conditioning components
electrical components
braking systems
centrifugal forces
Equipment and/or attachments may include:

rock breaker
grapples
compactors
magnets
post-hole drills or augers
ripper tynes
buckets
Pre-start and start-up procedures include:
external check of the machine
checking and toping up fluid levels (including fuel)
lubrication
inspection of attachments to ensure security and defects
instrument and control lever checks
machine function checks, including:
implements
attachments
other attachments
brakes
manoeuvrability
reporting defects and damage
Park-up and shutdown procedures include ensuring that:
vehicle/equipment is secured as required by site procedures
attachments are rendered safe
access ways are clear
Operating techniques may include:

bucket loading
equipment positioning
load discharge
observing site speed limits
working safely around:
overhead power lines
other machines and personnel
live stockpiles
Changing work conditions may include variations in:

grades
height of faces
materials
haulage units
materials handling facilities
weather conditions
day and night
Equipment limitations may include:
duration of operation
efficient and safe operating speed
operating limitations
type of activities performed
weight and/or load limitations
Monitoring systems and alarms may include:
brake air pressure
brake oil temperature
computer indicators
engine oil pressure
fuel filter
parking brake
retarder
service meter
speedometer/odometer
steering filters
tachometer
torque converter
oil temperature
transmission filter
voltmeter
water temperature
Materials may include:

gravel
ore
overburden
oxidised waste
rejects
road base
rubbish
sand
sulphide rock fill
tailings
topsoil
water


Materials handling equipment may include:
feed hoppers
feeders and crushers
off-highway and on-highway vehicles
barges
Hazardous and emergency situations may include:
power lines
dust
noise
conveyors
overhead services
Emergency responses may include:
clean up
equipment shutdown procedures
evacuation procedures
First Aid
isolation procedures
notification of authorities
use of personal protective equipment
Operator service, maintenance and housekeeping tasks are those established and authorised for the site and may include:
lubrication
refuelling
cleaning
authorised servicing
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
Records and reports may include:
fuel usage
computer readings
end of shift documentation
supplies logs
work logs stockpile information
quality information
despatch details

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 hydraulic excavator operations
implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of hydraulic excavator operations
working with others to undertake and complete hydraulic excavator operations that meets all of the required outcomes
consistent timely completion of hydraulic excavator operations 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.
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
consistently achieving the required outcomes
first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:
working with others to undertake and complete hydraulic excavator operations
Guidance information for assessment
Consult the SkillsDMC User Guide for further information on assessment including access and equity issues.