Elements and Performance Criteria

This unit of competence should be contextualised to the qualification to which it is being applied
Suspension systems are those on light and heavy vehicles
Systems may include lateral and longitudinal arms, ball joints, self-levelling devices, ride control and height control
Inspection methods are to include:
functional testing/road testing, pressure testing, measurement
visual, aural and functional assessments (including damage, corrosion, leakage, wear)
Inspection is normally carried out prior to performing a wheel alignment

Work requires individuals to demonstrate discretion, judgement and problem-solving skills in managing own work activities and contributing to a productive team environment
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, toxic substances, electrical safety, machinery movement and operation, manual and mechanical 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, extinguishing 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 and power tooling, lifting equipment, safety stands and supporting equipment, measuring equipment and specialist tooling and testing equipment

Materials may include 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 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 inspection, testing and assessment in accordance with workplace and manufacturer/ component supplier requirements
completing inspection 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 system relative to the qualification being applied
types and layout of service/repair manuals (hard copy and electronic)
suspension system inspection and testing procedures
suspension system/components condition assessment procedures
enterprise quality procedures
work organisation and planning processes

Specific key competencies, underpinning and employability skills required to achieve the performance criteria
These include a number of processes that are learned throughout work and life, which are required in most jobs. Some of these are covered by the national key competencies, although others may be added. The details below highlight how these competencies are to be applied in the attainment of this unit.

Application of the key competencies in this unit are to satisfy the nominated level in which:

Level 1 - relates to working effectively within set conditions and processes,
Level 2 - relates to management or facilitation of conditions or processes, and
Level 3 - relates to design, development and evaluation of conditions or process.
How will the candidate apply the following key competency in this unit? The candidate will need to:

Collect, analyse and organise information
Apply research and interpretive skills sufficient to locate, interpret and apply manufacturer/component supplier procedures, workplace policies and procedures
Apply analytical skills required for identification and analysis of technical information
(Level 1)

Communicate ideas and information
Apply plain English literacy and communication skills in relation to dealing with customers and team members
Apply questioning and active listening skills for example when obtaining information from customers
Apply oral communication skills sufficient to convey information and concepts to customers
(Level 1)

Plan and organise activities
Apply planning and organising skills to own work activities, including making good use of time and resources, sorting out priorities and monitoring one's own performance
(Level 1)

Work with others and in a team
Interact effectively with other persons both on a one-to-one basis and in groups, including understanding and responding to the needs of a customer and working effectively as a member of a team to achieve a shared goal
(Level 1)

Solve problems
Establish safe and effective work processes which anticipate and/or resolve problems and downtime, to systematically develop solutions to avoid or minimise reworking and avoid wastage
(Level 1)

Use mathematical ideas and techniques
Use mathematical ideas and techniques to correctly calculate time, assess tolerances, apply accurate measurements, calculate material requirements and establish quality checks
(Level 1)

Use technology
Use workplace technology related to the inspection of suspension systems, including the use of measuring equipment, computerised technology, specialist tooling and testing devices communication devices, the reporting/documenting of results and diagnostic and specialised tooling and equipment
(Level 1)

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 of suspension systems
equipment, hand and power tooling appropriate to the inspection of suspension systems
activities covering mandatory task requirements
specifications and work instructions