Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 2:40 PM AWST

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Conduct pile driving operations

Conduct pile driving operations

Unit of competency
National Code
RIICFW304A
State Code
WB693
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
22/06/2011
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
19/01/2010
Field of Education
030717 - Plant And Machine Operations
Original Release Date
19/01/2010
Nominal Hours
32
Description
This unit covers the driving of piles in the civil construction industry. It includes planning and preparing, locating pile positions and establishing piling rig plants, driving piles, removing piling rigs, 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 driving of piles
  • 1.2. Obtain, confirm and apply work instructions, including plans, specifications, quality requirements and operational details to the allotted task
  • 1.3. Obtain and confirm safety requirements from the site safety plan and organisational policies and procedures, and apply to the allotted task
  • 1.4. Identify, obtain and implement signage requirements from the project traffic management plan
  • 1.5. Select plant, tools and equipment to carry out tasks consistent with the requirements of the job, check for serviceability and rectify or report any faults
  • 1.6. Identify environmental protection requirements from the project environmental management plan, and confirm and apply to the allotted task
2. Locate pile positions and establish piling rig plant
  • 2.1. Establish location for piles from reference points and set out to requirements
  • 2.2. Establish plant and related equipment in position and check for operation in accordance with standard operating procedures
  • 2.3. Prepare and check pile for conformity
  • 2.4. Identify and protect area for pile driving and surrounding working space in accordance with safety requirements
3. Drive pile
  • 3.1. Lift pile and manoeuvre into position using the piling rig in accordance with standard operating procedures
  • 3.2. Set up piling rig and drive pile into place in accordance with standards
  • 3.3. Carry out splicing or jointing in accordance with engineers' specifications
4. Remove piling rig
  • 4.1. Dismantle plant and related equipment in accordance with manufacturer's manual and standard operating procedures
  • 4.2. Relocate piling rig in preparation for next piling installation procedure
5. Clean up
  • 5.1. Clear work area and dispose of or recycle materials in accordance with project environmental management plan
  • 5.2. 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 are to be in accordance with state or territory legislation and regulations and may include 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 are to include but not be limited to recognising and preventing hazards associated with overhead and underground services, other machines, personnel, traffic control, working at heights, working proximity to others, worksite visitors and the public
hazards and risks may include but not be limited to uneven/unstable terrain, trees, fires, overhead and underground services, excavations, traffic, embankments, cuttings, structures and hazardous materials
emergency procedures related to equipment operation are to include but may not be limited to emergency shutdown and stopping, extinguishing equipment fires, organisational First Aid requirements and evacuation
safe parking practices are to include but not be limited to ensuring access ways are clear, equipment/machinery is away from overhangs and refuelling sites, safe distance from excavations, and secured from unauthorised access or movement
Site may include:
new construction sites
existing structures being renovated or extended
existing structure subject to service restoration or maintenance
road works
earthworks
wharves
marine
bridges
foundation
Signage may include:
escort vehicle
highway traffic signs
site safety signage
temporary signage for the benefit of motorists and pedestrians
barricades
traffic conditions signage
Traffic may include:
congested urban environments
low traffic rural areas
off-road un-trafficked areas
buildings
parking sites
pedestrian areas
Plant, tools and equipment may include:
pile hammers (static weight, diesel injection and hydraulic)
shovels
crow bars
measuring tapes
spirit levels
plumb bob
scaffolding
Environmental requirements may include:
organisational/project environmental management plan
waste management
water quality protection
noise
vibration
dust and clean-up management
Drive pile may include:
pre-cast concrete and may include steel
mechanically jointed pre-cast concrete
temporary timber piles
temporary metal sheeting piles
Materials may include:
piles (timber, concrete or steel)

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 the conducting of pile driving operations
implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient conducting of pile driving operations, which are to include:
a minimum of two timber piles or two pre-cast concrete piles, and
driven using at least one of the three pile hammering methods
working with others to undertake and complete pile driving operations that meet all of the required outcomes
consistent timely completion of pile driving operations 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, including:
a minimum of two timber piles or two pre-cast concrete piles, and
driven using at least one of the three pile hammering methods
consistent achievement of required outcomes
first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:
working with others to undertake and complete the driving of piles
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
W2082 BCCFW3004B Drive piles Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
WH095 RIICFW304D Conduct pile driving operations Unit of competency
State Code National Code Title Type
W676 RII31209 Certificate III in Civil Foundations Qualification