Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
23/07/2026 7:21 AM AWST
23/07/2026 7:21 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.
Operate container side lifter
Operate container side lifter
Unit of competency
National Code
TLID3046A
TLID3046A
State Code
D5091
D5091
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
22/03/2012
Field of Education
030717 - Plant And Machine Operations
Original Release Date
22/03/2012
Nominal Hours
40
Description
This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to operate a container side lifter (swing lifter, side loader), to load a container from the ground onto a vehicle, unload a container from vehicle to ground, and transfer a container from one vehicle to another. It also includes systematic and efficient control of all functions, management of side lifter condition and performance, and effective management of hazardous situations whilst operating a container side lifter. Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements are applicable to this unit.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1Check a container side lifter and ancillary equipment
- 1.1 Load lifting capacity for side lifter and ancillary equipment (if fitted) is identified in terms of maximum rated capacity
- 1.2 Pre-operational checks are conducted on the side lifter, lifting assemblies, specialist lifting equipment, and ancillary equipment (if fitted) for serviceability and suitability for the task and readiness for operation
2Ensure site safety
- 2.1 Ground conditions are checked to ensure stability
- 2.2 Site safety is managed in accordance with workplace policy and procedures
- 2.3 Exclusion zones are identified and implemented
3Load a loaded container from the ground onto a side lifter vehicle
- 3.1 The container weight is checked to ensure it is within the specified maximum lifting capacity of the side lifter vehicle
- 3.2 The side lifter is positioned, the lifter engine is started, and side lifter readiness for lift, including deployment of stabiliser legs, is completed in accordance with manufacturers specifications and organisational requirements
- 3.3 Lifting equipment is attached to the container, checked, and adjusted if required, in accordance with manufacturers specifications and organisational requirements
- 3.4 Pre-lift physical check is performed to ensure side lifter is capable of lifting container safely
- 3.5 The container is lifted and placed onto the side lifter twist locks in accordance with manufacturers and organisational requirements
- 3.6 The loaded container is secured and the vehicle is made ready for on-road travel in accordance with regulatory requirements, manufacturers specifications and workplace procedures
4Unload a loaded container from a side lifter vehicle onto the ground
- 4.1 The container weight is checked to ensure it is within the specified maximum lifting capacity of the side lifter vehicle
- 4.2 The side lifter is positioned, the lifter engine is started, and side lifter made ready to for lift, including deployment of stabiliser legs, is completed in accordance with manufacturers specifications and/or organisational requirements
- 4.3 Load securing devices are unlocked or removed and lifting equipment is attached to the container, checked, and adjusted if required, in accordance with manufacturers specifications and/or organisational requirements
- 4.4 Pre-lift physical check is performed to ensure side lifter is capable of lifting container safely
- 4.5 The container is lifted and placed on the ground, in accordance with organisational requirements, allowing access to the container doors and surroundings
- 4.6 The lifting equipment is removed from the container and the side lifter vehicle is made ready for on-road travel in accordance with manufacturers specifications and regulatory requirements
5Transfer a loaded container from one vehicle to another
- 5.1 Receiving vehicle and container is checked to ensure they are compatible and that the receiving vehicle's load capacity is adequate for the intended load
- 5.2 Positioning of all vehicles meets intended transfer requirements
- 5.3 The lifter engine is started, and side lifter made ready for lift
- 5.4 Load securing devices are unlocked or removed and lifting equipment is attached to the container, checked, and adjusted if required, in accordance with manufacturers specifications and/or organisational requirements
- 5.5 Pre-lift physical check is performed to ensure side lifter is capable of lifting container safely
- 5.6 The container is transferred to the receiving vehicle in accordance with manufacturers and organisational requirements
- 5.7 The lifting equipment is removed from the container and both vehicles are made ready for on-road travel in accordance with regulatory requirements and manufacturers specifications and workplace procedures
- 5.8 The loaded container is secured in accordance with regulatory requirements and manufacturers specifications
RANGE STATEMENT
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance.
A side lifter can be described as:
truck mounted
trailer mounted
A container can be described as:
flat packs
dry shipping containers
refrigerated shipping containers
reefers
bulk tank shipping containers
open top shipping containers
collapsible shipping containers
general shipping containers
Shipping container length/height can be described as:
various single unit sizes from 20 foot (6 metres) through to 50 foot (15 metres)
8'6" standard height or 9'6" high cube units
2 x 20 foot (6 metres) units coupled together for simultaneous loading/unloading
2 containers double stacked for simultaneous loading/unloading
Ancillary equipment can be described as:
independently powered hydraulic equipment
spreader bars and locks
container locks
remote control units
warning devices and equipment
stabiliser leg blocks
Lifting equipment could be:
lifting chains
lifting frames
Operation of a side lifter vehicle may be carried out in typical road logistic situations, including:
operations conducted at day or night
typical weather conditions
on the open road
on a private road
in remote areas
while at a client's workplace or work site
Pre-operational checks include:
visual check of vehicle and ancillary equipment
checking and topping up of fluid levels
checks of operation of vehicle lights and indicators
checks of all levers and operational gauges on ancillary equipment
Depending on the type of organisation concerned and the local terminology used, workplace procedures include:
company procedures
enterprise procedures
organisational procedures
established procedures
Documentation/records include:
state/territory side lifter vehicle licence/permit requirements
state/territory regulation pertaining to securing a container
state/territory road rules
relevant codes of practice, including the Australian Dangerous Goods Code, the Australian Explosives Code, the Industry Safety Code, and National Standards for Manual Handling
workplace instructions and procedures
vehicle manufacturers instructions, specifications and recommended procedures including pre-operational checks of vehicle
emergency procedures
Applicable procedures and codes include:
relevant state/territory roads and traffic authority driving regulations and licence/permit requirements pertaining to side lifter vehicles
relevant state/territory road rules
relevant state/territory OH&S legislation
relevant state/territory environmental protection legislation
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance.
A side lifter can be described as:
truck mounted
trailer mounted
A container can be described as:
flat packs
dry shipping containers
refrigerated shipping containers
reefers
bulk tank shipping containers
open top shipping containers
collapsible shipping containers
general shipping containers
Shipping container length/height can be described as:
various single unit sizes from 20 foot (6 metres) through to 50 foot (15 metres)
8'6" standard height or 9'6" high cube units
2 x 20 foot (6 metres) units coupled together for simultaneous loading/unloading
2 containers double stacked for simultaneous loading/unloading
Ancillary equipment can be described as:
independently powered hydraulic equipment
spreader bars and locks
container locks
remote control units
warning devices and equipment
stabiliser leg blocks
Lifting equipment could be:
lifting chains
lifting frames
Operation of a side lifter vehicle may be carried out in typical road logistic situations, including:
operations conducted at day or night
typical weather conditions
on the open road
on a private road
in remote areas
while at a client's workplace or work site
Pre-operational checks include:
visual check of vehicle and ancillary equipment
checking and topping up of fluid levels
checks of operation of vehicle lights and indicators
checks of all levers and operational gauges on ancillary equipment
Depending on the type of organisation concerned and the local terminology used, workplace procedures include:
company procedures
enterprise procedures
organisational procedures
established procedures
Documentation/records include:
state/territory side lifter vehicle licence/permit requirements
state/territory regulation pertaining to securing a container
state/territory road rules
relevant codes of practice, including the Australian Dangerous Goods Code, the Australian Explosives Code, the Industry Safety Code, and National Standards for Manual Handling
workplace instructions and procedures
vehicle manufacturers instructions, specifications and recommended procedures including pre-operational checks of vehicle
emergency procedures
Applicable procedures and codes include:
relevant state/territory roads and traffic authority driving regulations and licence/permit requirements pertaining to side lifter vehicles
relevant state/territory road rules
relevant state/territory OH&S legislation
relevant state/territory environmental protection legislation
EVIDENCE GUIDE
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required knowledge and skills, the range statement and the assessment guidelines for this Training Package.
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 and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria of this unit and include demonstration of:
applying the underpinning knowledge and skills
applying relevant legislation and workplace procedures
relocating a container using a side lifter from ground to vehicle
relocating a container using a side lifter from vehicle to ground
relocating a container from one vehicle to the other
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Performance is demonstrated consistently over a period of time and in a suitable range of contexts
Resources for assessment include:
a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or other simulated practical and knowledge assessment, and/or
access to an appropriate range of relevant operational situations in the workplace
In both real and simulated environments, access is required to:
relevant and appropriate materials and equipment, and
applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals
Method of assessment
As a minimum, assessment of knowledge must be conducted through appropriate written/oral tests
Practical assessment must occur:
as a minimum, with a container loaded with at least 60% of its maximum rated capacity
through activities in an appropriately simulated environment, and/or
in an appropriate range of situations in the workplace
A simulator is not suitable for final assessment of this unit of competency
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required knowledge and skills, the range statement and the assessment guidelines for this Training Package.
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 and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria of this unit and include demonstration of:
applying the underpinning knowledge and skills
applying relevant legislation and workplace procedures
relocating a container using a side lifter from ground to vehicle
relocating a container using a side lifter from vehicle to ground
relocating a container from one vehicle to the other
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Performance is demonstrated consistently over a period of time and in a suitable range of contexts
Resources for assessment include:
a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or other simulated practical and knowledge assessment, and/or
access to an appropriate range of relevant operational situations in the workplace
In both real and simulated environments, access is required to:
relevant and appropriate materials and equipment, and
applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals
Method of assessment
As a minimum, assessment of knowledge must be conducted through appropriate written/oral tests
Practical assessment must occur:
as a minimum, with a container loaded with at least 60% of its maximum rated capacity
through activities in an appropriately simulated environment, and/or
in an appropriate range of situations in the workplace
A simulator is not suitable for final assessment of this unit of competency
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWM50 | TLID3046 | Operate container side lifter | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| W921 | TLI31210 | Certificate III in Driving Operations | Qualification |