Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range of Variables explains the range of contexts within which the performance and knowledge requirements of this standard may be assessed. The scope of variables chosen in training and assessment may depend on the work situations available.

What tools and materials might be used?
Tools may include post driver, post hole borer, wire strainers and fencing pliers, wire cutters, wire spinners, shovel, crowbar/rammer, brace and bit, drill, earth stakes, and cut out switches. Wire may include live wire, earth wire and electric ribbon tape.

What information may be included in a work plan?
This may include designated work tasks, tools and materials for use, procedures for pre-start and safety checks of tools, timeframe for work completion, and supervisors instructions and reporting requirements.

What may be involved in routine pre-operational checks of tools?
This may include routine safety and pre-start checks and preparatory procedures including cleaning, lubricating, hand sharpening, priming pumps, clearing filters, tightening, basic repairs and adjustments.

What enterprise requirements may be applicable to this standard?
SOP, industry standards, production schedules, MSDS, work notes and plans, product labels, manufacturers specifications, operators manuals, enterprise policies and procedures (including waste disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines), and supervisors oral or written instructions.

What existing and potential hazards may be relevant to this standard?
This may include exposure to hazardous noise, dust solar radiation and adverse weather conditions. It may also include electricity associated with powered tools, portable live posts and energisers.

What OHS requirements may be applicable to this standard?
Safe systems and procedures for:
the use of fencing tools and materials
the operation of vehicles
hazard and risk control
lifting, carrying and handling techniques particular with regard to electric fence components
manual handling especially when handling posts and coils of wire
the use of personal protective equipment
outdoor work including protection from solar radiation
protection from dusts
administering first aid.

What personal protective equipment may be relevant to this standard?
This may include boots, overalls, gloves, protective eyewear, hearing protection, respirator or face mask, and sun protection.

What re-useable materials may be recovered?
This may include wire, hinges, supports and posts.

What repairs may be carried out?
This may include replacing posts, rejoining and restraining wires, gate hinges, gate chains and gates, and other repairs to gates. Knots that may be used in joining fence wire may include figure 8, pin and loop, Donald, post tie and double loop.

What may be included in sundry electric fences?
Sundry electric fences include strip grazing systems.

What may be included in electric fence components?
This may include portable live posts, insulators, energiser and wire.

What may be involved in clearing and tidying a work site?
This may involve replacing dirt and the removal and safe disposal of non-reusable materials.

What tools and materials might be used?
Tools may include post driver, post hole borer, wire strainers and fencing pliers, wire cutters, wire spinners, shovel, crowbar/rammer, brace and bit, drill, earth stakes, and cut out switches. Wire may include live wire, earth wire and electric ribbon tape.

What information may be included in a work plan?
This may include designated work tasks, tools and materials for use, procedures for pre-start and safety checks of tools, timeframe for work completion, and supervisors instructions and reporting requirements.

What may be involved in routine pre-operational checks of tools?
This may include routine safety and pre-start checks and preparatory procedures including cleaning, lubricating, hand sharpening, priming pumps, clearing filters, tightening, basic repairs and adjustments.

What enterprise requirements may be applicable to this standard?
SOP, industry standards, production schedules, MSDS, work notes and plans, product labels, manufacturers specifications, operators manuals, enterprise policies and procedures (including waste disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines), and supervisors oral or written instructions.

What existing and potential hazards may be relevant to this standard?
This may include exposure to hazardous noise, dust solar radiation and adverse weather conditions. It may also include electricity associated with powered tools, portable live posts and energisers.

What OHS requirements may be applicable to this standard?
Safe systems and procedures for:
the use of fencing tools and materials
the operation of vehicles
hazard and risk control
lifting, carrying and handling techniques particular with regard to electric fence components
manual handling especially when handling posts and coils of wire
the use of personal protective equipment
outdoor work including protection from solar radiation
protection from dusts
administering first aid.

What personal protective equipment may be relevant to this standard?
This may include boots, overalls, gloves, protective eyewear, hearing protection, respirator or face mask, and sun protection.

What re-useable materials may be recovered?
This may include wire, hinges, supports and posts.

What repairs may be carried out?
This may include replacing posts, rejoining and restraining wires, gate hinges, gate chains and gates, and other repairs to gates. Knots that may be used in joining fence wire may include figure 8, pin and loop, Donald, post tie and double loop.

What may be included in sundry electric fences?
Sundry electric fences include strip grazing systems.

What may be included in electric fence components?
This may include portable live posts, insulators, energiser and wire.

What may be involved in clearing and tidying a work site?
This may involve replacing dirt and the removal and safe disposal of non-reusable materials.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in this standard requires evidence of the ability to select the correct tools and equipment, and apply appropriate methods to install and maintain electric fences. It also requires the ability to apply task instruction, erect fences to contour, safely install components without damage, and dismantle and transport fences. Also required is an awareness of earthing, current flow, resistance and leakage.
The skills and knowledge required must be transferable to a different work environment. For example, if competence is evident in carrying out electric fencing maintenance in an agricultural enterprise, it must also be evident in the installation of an electric fence in a horticultural enterprise.
What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this competency standard are listed below:

uses and structures of a range of electric fence types
uses and types of standard fencing tools and materials
common electric fencing hazards and safety precautions
dangers posed by electricity to personnel and livestock
difference between portable and mains power
OHS legislative requirements
relevant codes of practice with regard to protection of the environment.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, appropriate literacy and numeracy levels as well as some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

minimise environmental impact
interpret and apply task instruction
complete work efficiently within timeframes
maintain physical fitness
read and interpret work plans
communicate with work team and supervisor
calculate and measure fencing wire requirements.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard

Essential Assessment Information
There is essential information about

What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this competency standard are listed below:

uses and structures of a range of electric fence types
uses and types of standard fencing tools and materials
common electric fencing hazards and safety precautions
dangers posed by electricity to personnel and livestock
difference between portable and mains power
OHS legislative requirements
relevant codes of practice with regard to protection of the environment.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, appropriate literacy and numeracy levels as well as some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

minimise environmental impact
interpret and apply task instruction
complete work efficiently within timeframes
maintain physical fitness
read and interpret work plans
communicate with work team and supervisor
calculate and measure fencing wire requirements.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard

Essential Assessment Information
There is essential information about

There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life, which are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies, although others may be added. The questions below highlight how these processes are applied in this competency standard. Following each question a number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency needs to be demonstrated where 0 = not required, 1 = perform the process, 2 = perform and administer the process and 3 = perform, administer and design the process.
Communicating ideas and information
Information with regard to the correct installation of portable electric fencing for topography and livestock may be discussed with the supervisor. (1)

Communicating ideas and information
Information with regard to the correct installation of portable electric fencing for topography and livestock may be discussed with the supervisor. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Information with regard to the performance of tools and any identified faults may be reported to the supervisor for repair, and organised by records. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Information with regard to the performance of tools and any identified faults may be reported to the supervisor for repair, and organised by records. (1)

Planning and organising activities
Activities involving filling in post holes may be planned and co-ordinated with repair activities to minimise potential hazards and environmental impact. (1)

Planning and organising activities
Activities involving filling in post holes may be planned and co-ordinated with repair activities to minimise potential hazards and environmental impact. (1)

Working with others and in teams
In the application of methods and procedures to maintain and install portable electric fencing within timeframes. (1)

Working with others and in teams
In the application of methods and procedures to maintain and install portable electric fencing within timeframes. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Basic mathematical techniques may be applied in the calculation and measurement of fencing wire and other materials to complete tasks. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Basic mathematical techniques may be applied in the calculation and measurement of fencing wire and other materials to complete tasks. (1)

Solving problems
Faulty tools or malfunctions may be reported for repair, and arrangements made for replacement in order to minimise disruption to repair and maintenance schedules. (1)

Solving problems
Faulty tools or malfunctions may be reported for repair, and arrangements made for replacement in order to minimise disruption to repair and maintenance schedules. (1)

Using technology
Technology may be used to communicate and calculate information with regard to fencing requirements. (1)

Using technology
Technology may be used to communicate and calculate information with regard to fencing requirements. (1)