Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
23/07/2026 10:14 PM AWST

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Maintain and repair irrigation channels and drains

Maintain and repair irrigation channels and drains

Unit of competency
National Code
NWP230B
State Code
D1851
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
2.00
Current Release Date
30/04/2012
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
14/01/2009
Field of Education
030907 - Water And Sanitary Engineering
Original Release Date
14/01/2009
Nominal Hours
30
Description
This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to maintain and repair irrigation or stock and domestic supply channels and drains.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1Plan and prepare work site.
  • 1.1 Determine work requirements from plans, drawings, specifications or instructions.
  • 1.2 Make appropriate drainage and inflow diversion arrangements without damage to environment.
  • 1.3 Select and check equipment and excavation methods to meet safety requirements of task and site.
2Maintain irrigation channels, drains and associated fittings.
  • 2.1 Conduct routine inspections of designated work areas according to maintenance schedules.
  • 2.2 Identify system faults and apply corrective action according to structure type, location, specification and legislative and organisational requirements.
  • 2.3 Identify, select, place and join components and associated fittings according to manufacturer specifications and organisational requirements.
  • 2.4 Construct cast in situ components according to specifications and organisational requirements.
  • 2.5 Repair earthworks and embankments to meet organisational requirements.
3Check work and restore work site.
  • 3.1 Check repaired or replaced components and earthworks to ensure that specifications have been met.
  • 3.2 Backfill, compact and restore work site to meet environmental and organisational requirements.
4Finalise work.
  • 4.1 Check, maintain and store equipment, tools and materials according to manufacturer guidelines and organisational procedures.
  • 4.2 Complete workplace records and process as required.
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. Add any 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.
Work requirements may include:
selection and correct use of safety and personal protective equipment
site boundaries
boundary protection
extent of work
safe work methods
job work orders
hazard identification, such as damage to other utilities
Equipment used may include:
hand and power tools
on- and off-road vehicles
lifting and winching equipment
mechanical excavation equipment
compressors
pneumatic spaders and attachments
motorised cutting equipment
chemical spraying apparatus
small marine craft
trenching systems
portable pumps
communication equipment
breathing apparatus
gas detection equipment
rescue equipment
appropriate personal protective equipment
System faults may include:
unapproved works and connections
exfiltration
contamination
Legislative and organisational requirements may include:
relevant federal and state or territory legislation and regulations
codes of practice, associated standards and guidance material
documented organisational policies, manuals and induction programs
relevant community planning and development agreements, such as land care agreements
Components and associated fittings may include:
controlling equipment
channels
pipes
metered or unmetered outlets
regulators
prefabricated channel components
collection and person access chambers
meter pits
drop structures
erosion barriers
head walls
pipes, including:
vitrified clay
polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
polyethylene
reinforced concrete
glass reinforced piping
ductile iron cement lined
cast iron cement lined
fittings, including:
jointing systems for pipe types and prefabricated sections, e.g. gibault and tension bands
solvent cement joints
compression rings
bolted flanges
malleable jointing materials
electrofusion
butt welding
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, the range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The candidate should demonstrate the ability to conduct maintenance and repair work on irrigation drains and channels by:
planning and preparing work site
inspecting irrigation drains and channels and identifying faults
performing maintenance and repair tasks according to manufacturer specifications and organisational requirements
checking work, restoring work site, storing equipment and completing documentation
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Access to the workplace and resources including:
documentation that should normally be available in a water industry organisation
relevant codes, standards and government regulations
Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.
Access must be provided to appropriate learning and assessment support when required.
Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.
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
a decision of competence only taken at the point when the assessor has complete confidence in the person's competence over time and in various contexts
all assessment that is part of a structured learning experience must include a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary evidence
where assessment is for the purpose of recognition (RCC/RPL), the evidence provided will need to be authenticated and show that it represents competency demonstrated over a period of time
assessment can be through simulated project-based activity and must include evidence relating to each of the elements in this unit
In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge. Questioning will be undertaken in a manner appropriate to the skill levels of the operator and cultural issues that may affect responses to the questions, and will reflect the requirements of the competency and the work being performed.
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
M1861 NWP230A Maintain irrigation drains and channels Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
AVZ04 NWPIRR021 Maintain and repair irrigation channels and drains Unit of competency
State Code National Code Title Type
D244 NWP20107 Certificate II in Water Operations Qualification