Elements and Performance Criteria

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.

Cable
May be mechanically or fusion spliced
May be single mode or multi-mode

Fibre fixing
Fibre may be affixed within connector by: epoxy, mechanical pressure

Customers' specifications
May be found in: contract documents, cable plans and designs, specification schedules

Manufacturer's specifications
May be found in printed instruction leaflets or pre-printed on materials or on product packaging

Optical fibre cable
May be: internal/external, loose tube, tight buffered, air blown, armoured
May be supplied in various grades as designed for different environments and intended uses

Safe working practices
Include the safe use and handling of: tools and equipment, materials, chemicals, work platforms and fibres

Tools
May be hand tools and may include: oven, cleaver/cutter, fusion splicer, stripper

Work platforms
May be: ladders, scaffold, elevated platform vehicles

Work situation
Could be: in cabinet, in joint enclosure, above ground

Relevant legislation, codes, regulations and standards
May include:
AS Communications Cabling Manaul (CCM) Volume 1
ACIF Standards and Codes
ACMA technical standards
Australian building codes and regulations
Australian Standards
Enterprise Standards
Environmental Protection
Fire regulations
Heritage legislation
Industrial relations agreements including awards and enterprise
International Standards
Local Government
Manufacturer's enterprise operating policy and procedures
National Code
Occupational Health and Safety Act
Other services and utilities codes of practice and standards (electricity, water, gas)
Power company requirements
Privacy Act
Spectrum Management Authority
Statutory requirements
Trade Practices Act
Traditional land owners

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.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the following is essential:

Obtain information from plans and documents.
Notify relevant authorities and obtain approvals prior to commencement.

Cable splicing including:

Identification of sheath damage
Maintenance of bend ratios
Cable securing to avoid damage
Checking of light source cable stripping
Removal of coatings
I nstallation of termination connectors including:
Selection of connector to match terminating frame
Connector fitting
Fixing of fibre to connector
Safe use of any specialised hand or power tools and/or equipment and application of all related OHS requirements and work practices.
Conduct of signal strength tests and interpretation of results.
Communication of splicing details with customers and work associates.

Context of, and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

A workplace conducting the operations covered by this competency unit, equipment and resources relevant to the context of the work (See Range Statement) and support from a competent supervisor or mentor.
OR
A simulated environment with similar provisions which conforms to the Assessment Guidelines.
Access must be provided to appropriate learning and assessment support when required.

Guidance information for assessment
Access must be provided to appropriate learning and assessment support when required.
Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and appropriate to the oral communication skill level, and language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.
In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess underpinning knowledge.