Elements and Performance Criteria

This unit of competence refers to servicing suspension systems in an automotive retail, service and/or repair environment and should be contextualised to the level of the qualification to which it is being applied
Suspension systems may be gas, hydraulic, pneumatic, mechanical and rubber suspension, and found on light and heavy vehicles, trailers, motorcycles and outdoor power equipment
Systems may include lateral and longitudinal arms, independent suspension, ball joints, rose joints, self levelling device, ride control, height control and tracked type systems
Methods are to include:
functional testing, pressure testing, measurement

visual, aural and functional assessments (including damage, corrosion, leakage, wear)
adjustment of shock absorbers

Work requires individuals to demonstrate discretion, judgement and problem-solving skills in managing own work activities and contributing to a productive team environment within the scope of this unit. This includes an understanding of the level of work to be performed
Work is carried out in accordance with award provisions

OH&S requirements are to be in accordance with legislation/regulations/codes of practice and enterprise safety policies and procedures. This may include protective clothing and equipment, use of tooling and equipment, workplace environment and safety, handling of material, use of fire fighting equipment, enterprise first aid, hazard control and hazardous materials and substances
Personal protective equipment is to include that prescribed under legislation/regulations/codes of practice and workplace policies and practices
Safe operating procedures are to include, but are not limited to the conduct of operational risk assessment and treatments associated with vehicular movement, hazardous substances, machinery movement and operation, manual lifting and shifting, working in proximity to others and site visitors
Emergency procedures related to this unit are to include, but are not limited to emergency shutdown and stopping of equipment, operating safely in the event of fires, enterprise first aid requirements and site evacuation

Environmental requirements are to include but are not limited to waste management, noise, dust and clean-up management

Quality requirements are to include, but are not limited to regulations, including Australian Standards, internal company quality policy and standards and enterprise operations and procedures

Statutory/regulatory authorities may include Federal, State/Territory and local authorities administering acts, regulations and codes of practice

Tooling and equipment may include hand tooling, lifting equipment, safety stands and supporting equipment, measuring equipment, power tooling and testing equipment

Materials may include spare parts, lubricants and fluids and cleaning materials

Communications are to include, but are not limited to verbal and visual instructions and fault reporting and may include site specific instructions, written instructions, plans or instructions related to job/task, telephones and pagers

Information sources may include, but are not limited to verbal or written and graphical instructions, signage, work schedules/plans/specifications, work bulletins, memos, material safety data sheets, diagrams or sketches
Safe work procedures related to the inspection and servicing of suspension systems
Regulatory/legislative requirements pertaining to the automotive industry, including Australian Design Rules
Engineer's design specifications and instructions
Organisation work specifications and requirements
Instructions issued by authorised enterprise or external persons
Australian Standards

Critical aspects of evidence

It is essential that competence is fully observed and there is ability to transfer competence to changing circumstances and to respond to unusual situations in the critical aspects of:

observing safety procedures and requirements
communicating effectively with others involved in or affected by the work
selecting methods and techniques appropriate to the circumstances
completing preparatory activity in a systematic manner
conducting the inspection and servicing a range of suspension systems in accordance with workplace and manufacturer/component supplier requirements
accurately interpreting test results
completing service of suspension system and associated components within workplace timeframes
vehicle/equipment is presented to customer in compliance with workplace requirements

Relationship to other units
Competence in this unit may be assessed in conjunction with other functional units which together form part of the holistic work role

Underpinning knowledge

A working knowledge of:

OH&S regulations/requirements, equipment, material and personal safety requirements
operating principles of suspension systems relevant to the qualification to which it is applied
dangers of working with stored energy
types and layout of service/repair manuals (hard copy and electronic)
suspension system servicing procedures
suspension system testing procedures
enterprise quality procedures
work organisation and planning processes

Context of assessment
Application of competence is to be assessed in the workplace or simulated worksite
Assessment is to occur using standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints
Assessment is to comply with regulatory requirements, including Australian Standards

Method of assessment
Assessment must satisfy the endorsed assessment guidelines of the automotive industry's RS&R Training Package
Assessment methods must confirm consistency and accuracy of performance together with application of underpinning knowledge
Assessment must be by direct observation of tasks, with questioning on underpinning knowledge and it must also reinforce the integration of key competencies
Assessment may be applied under project related conditions and require evidence of process
Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competence is able not only to be satisfied under the particular circumstance, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances
It is preferable that assessment reflects a process rather than an event and occurs over a period of time to cover varying quality circumstances. Evidence of performance may be provided by customers, team leaders/members or other persons subject to agreed authentication arrangements

Specific resource requirements for this unit

The following resources should be made available:

workplace location or simulated workplace
material relevant to the inspection and servicing of suspension systems
equipment, hand and power tooling appropriate to the inspection and servicing of suspension systems
activities covering mandatory task requirements
specifications and work instructions