Elements and Performance Criteria

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. 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.
Information includes:
diagrams or sketches
instructions issued by authorised organisational or external personnel
manufacturer specifications and instructions where specified
memos
MSDS
organisation work specifications and requirements
plans and specifications
regulatory and legislative requirements pertaining to constructing masonry structural systems
relevant Australian standards
safe work procedures related to constructing masonry structural systems
signage
verbal or written and graphical instructions
work bulletins
work schedules.
Bricklaying and blocklaying tasks:
include all clay brick (wire cut/pressed) and concrete block (hollow and solid) masonry work
may be performed on a new construction site, an existing structure being renovated or extended or an existing structure subject to service restoration or maintenance.
Safety (OHS) is to be in accordance with legislation, regulations, codes of practice, organisational safety policies and procedures, and project safety plan and may include:
emergency procedures, including emergency shutdown and stopping, extinguishing fires, organisational first aid requirements and evacuation
handling of materials
hazard control
hazardous materials and substances
safe operating procedures, including the conduct of operational risk assessment and treatments associated with:
earth leakage boxes
lighting
power cables, including overhead service trays, cables and conduits
restricted access barriers
surrounding structures
traffic control
trip hazards
underground services, including water, gas, electricity and communications
work site visitors and the public
working at heights
working in confined spaces
working in proximity to others
working with dangerous materials
organisational first aid
personal protective clothing and equipment prescribed under legislation, regulations and workplace policies and practices
use of firefighting equipment
use of tools and equipment
workplace environment and safety.
Tools and equipment include:
include:
bolsters
bolt cutters
brick grabs
brooms
buckets
builders' lines
concrete mixers
dumpy levels
elevators
explosive power tools
hammers (brickies, club and scutch)
hoses
jig saws
line blocks
line pins
masonry saws
measuring tapes and rules
mortar boards
pincers
plumb rule
margin or raking tools
profiles
shovels
spirit levels
steel tying tools
straight edges
string line
trowels
wheelbarrows
may include:
brick buggies
elevators
forklifts
materials hoists
pallet trolleys
scaffolds
small petrol or diesel engines, compressors or mixers.
Quality requirements include relevant regulations, including:
Australian standards
internal company quality policy and standards
manufacturer specifications, where specified
workplace operations and procedures.
Materials include:
aggregates
cement
clay bricks (wire cut or pressed)
lime
masonry blocks
non-shrink grout
sealants
steel reinforcing materials
steel ties
waterproofing materials.
Environmental requirements include:
clean-up protection
noise and dust
vibration
waste management.
Statutory and regulatory authorities include:
federal, state and local authorities administering applicable Acts, regulations and codes of practice.
Masonry structure includes:
articulated masonry joints
retaining walls
walls, columns and surrounds of service openings.
Load bearing walls include:
reinforced masonry retaining walls
walls directly supporting roof
walls/bracing walls for wind loads.
Structural masonry includes:
lateral support systems and reinforcement
specified wall ties.
Piers include:
column at a control joint
corner column
end of wall column
straight wall column.
Articulation joints include:
combined flexible panel and control joint
compressed foam filler rods
compressed foam joint filler
compressed foam joint strips
flexible panel
full height control joint.

EVIDENCE GUIDE
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
This unit of competency could be assessed in the workplace or a close simulation of the workplace environment, provided that simulated or project-based assessment techniques fully replicate construction workplace conditions, materials, activities, responsibilities and procedures.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of the ability to:
locate, interpret and apply relevant information, standards and specifications
comply with site safety plan and OHS legislation, regulations and codes of practice applicable to workplace operations
comply with organisational policies and procedures, including quality requirements
safely and effectively use tools, plant and equipment
communicate and work effectively and safely with others
as a minimum, given the plans and specifications, construct a block wall, including:
confirming that starter bars are correctly positioned
reinforcing with horizontal and vertical steel
cleaning eyes and tie downs
cleaning cores (for installation of formwork and pouring of concrete)
mixing, placing and compacting concrete grout
finishing wall to specifications
a load bearing column (390mm x 390mm) of a minimum of 1m high, including a control joint and a service opening for a door jamb with a bond beam lintel
and ensuring:
correct identification of requirement and finishing of the tasks
correct selection and use of appropriate processes, tools and equipment
completing all work to specification.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
This competency is to be assessed using standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints.
Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge will usually be conducted in an off-site context.
Assessment is to comply with relevant regulatory or Australian standards' requirements.
Resource implications for assessment include:
an induction procedure and requirement
realistic tasks or simulated tasks covering the mandatory task requirements
relevant specifications and work instructions
tools and equipment appropriate to applying safe work practices
support materials appropriate to activity
workplace instructions relating to safe work practices and addressing hazards and emergencies
material safety data sheets
research resources, including industry related systems information.
Reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities must be made to assessment processes where required. This could include access to modified equipment and other physical resources, and the provision of appropriate assessment support.
Method of assessment
Assessment methods must:
satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Construction, Plumbing and Services Training Package
include direct observation of tasks in real or simulated work conditions, with questioning to confirm the ability to consistently identify and correctly interpret the essential underpinning knowledge required for practical application
reinforce the integration of employability skills with workplace tasks and job roles
confirm that competency is verified and able to be transferred to other circumstances and environments.
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, with a decision on competency only taken at the point when the assessor has complete confidence in the person's demonstrated ability and applied knowledge
all assessment that is part of a structured learning experience must include a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary evidence.
Assessment processes and techniques should as far as is practical take into account the language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate in relation to the competency being assessed.
Supplementary evidence of competency may be obtained from relevant authenticated documentation from third parties, such as existing supervisors, team leaders or specialist training staff.