Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 9:57 AM AWST
22/07/2026 9:57 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.
Maintain drainage systems
Maintain drainage systems
Unit of competency
National Code
RIICRC301A
RIICRC301A
State Code
WB722
WB722
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
20/01/2010
Field of Education
030907 - Water And Sanitary Engineering
Original Release Date
20/01/2010
Nominal Hours
12
Description
This unit covers the maintenance of drainage systems in the civil construction industry. It includes planning and preparing, maintaining drainage components, excavating and repairing drainage systems, maintaining open drains, inspecting, clearing and repairing culverts, 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
- 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 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. Determine temporary stormwater diversion requirement in accordance with existing drainage outlets, site requirements and planned schedule of construction
- 1.6. Identify environmental protection requirements from the project environmental management plan, and confirm and apply to the allotted task
2. Maintain drainage components
- 2.1. Regularly inspect and maintain drainage components and rectify or report faults
- 2.2. Repair drainage components as per initial design specifications and/or engineer's redesign
- 2.3. Flush out drainage system to clear blockages and provide clear flows of fluid
3. Excavate and repair drainage systems
- 3.1. Determine location of repairs from work order and confirm on site
- 3.2. Carry out excavation in accordance with task specifications and site safety plan
- 3.3. Prepare pipes and accessories in accordance with design method of repair
- 3.4. Replace pipe sections and join and align to line and specified fall
- 3.5. Install packing to maintain alignment of pipeline
- 3.6. Make joints to pipe section junctions in accordance with specification requirements
- 3.7. Backfill required section
- 3.8. Conduct inspection and testing of repaired drainage system to determine effectiveness of repairs
4. Maintain open drains
- 4.1. Maintain open drains to correct line and fall specifications
- 4.2. Finish surfaces adjoining open drains allowing ease of run off
- 4.3. Undertake adequate erosion control methods
5. Inspect, clear and repair culverts
- 5.1. Identify faults in culverts and determine appropriate repair requirements and specifications
- 5.2. Repair/replace sections and joint to levels and design specifications
- 5.3. Repair/maintain inlets and outlets in accordance with culvert design and specifications
- 5.4. Compact backfill
6. Clean up
- 6.1. Clear work area and dispose of or recycle materials in accordance with project environmental management plan
- 6.2. Seal and store/pack in unused materials in accordance with standard material handling practices and techniques
- 6.3. 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
Tools and equipment may include:
levelling equipment
tape measures
shovels
hand saws
cutting knives
crow bars
hammers
trowels
formwork
Environmental protection requirements may include:
organisational/project environmental management plan
waste management
water quality protection
noise
vibration
dust and clean-up management
Drainage components may include:
gully/silt traps
inspection openings
manholes
benches
lining
step irons
lids
headstones
backstones
grates
kerbs
gutters
inlets and outlets
gabion baskets
rip rap
wingwalls
endwalls
aprons
reno-mattresses
geofabric
drain blocks
check dams
sediment
silt control
Pipes may include:
reinforced concrete
rigid PVC
flexible PVC
steel box culverts
clay pipes
fibre reinforced cement (FRC)
Join may include:
sleeve joints with adhesives
socket and spigot with adhesives
socket and spigot with rubber rings
butt joints with outside bands
butt joints with inside rendering
flanged and bolted joining
welded connections
Culverts may include:
reinforced concrete pipe sections
reinforced concrete box sections
steel pipe
FRC
PVC
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
Tools and equipment may include:
levelling equipment
tape measures
shovels
hand saws
cutting knives
crow bars
hammers
trowels
formwork
Environmental protection requirements may include:
organisational/project environmental management plan
waste management
water quality protection
noise
vibration
dust and clean-up management
Drainage components may include:
gully/silt traps
inspection openings
manholes
benches
lining
step irons
lids
headstones
backstones
grates
kerbs
gutters
inlets and outlets
gabion baskets
rip rap
wingwalls
endwalls
aprons
reno-mattresses
geofabric
drain blocks
check dams
sediment
silt control
Pipes may include:
reinforced concrete
rigid PVC
flexible PVC
steel box culverts
clay pipes
fibre reinforced cement (FRC)
Join may include:
sleeve joints with adhesives
socket and spigot with adhesives
socket and spigot with rubber rings
butt joints with outside bands
butt joints with inside rendering
flanged and bolted joining
welded connections
Culverts may include:
reinforced concrete pipe sections
reinforced concrete box sections
steel pipe
FRC
PVC
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 maintaining drainage systems
implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of drainage system maintenance
working with others to undertake and complete the maintenance of drainage systems that meets all of the required outcomes
consistent timely completion of drainage system maintenance 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 complete the maintenance of drainage systems
Guidance information for assessment
Consult the SkillsDMC User Guide for further information on assessment including access and equity issues.
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 maintaining drainage systems
implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of drainage system maintenance
working with others to undertake and complete the maintenance of drainage systems that meets all of the required outcomes
consistent timely completion of drainage system maintenance 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 complete the maintenance of drainage systems
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| W2107 | BCCRC3001B | Maintain drainage systems | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| WH117 | RIICRC301D | Maintain drainage systems | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| W673 | RII30909 | Certificate III in Civil Construction | Qualification |
| W677 | RII31309 | Certificate III in Pipe Laying | Qualification |
| W681 | RII31709 | Certificate III in Tunnel Construction | Qualification |