Elements and Performance Criteria

Steering system components may be in light vehicles, heavy vehicles, including articulated, tracked and wheeled type vehicles and include mechanical steering boxes, power-assisted steering boxes and full power steering assemblies
Steering components may include pumps, orbital valves, valves and actuators

Overhaul methods and sequences are to include the complete dismantling of component parts, measuring and evaluation of wear, the replacement, repair, rebuilding or reconditioning of parts comparable to original parts, the assembly of parts, performance of functional testing and the completion of records

Work requires individuals to demonstrate some 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 materials, 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 tooling, power tooling, specialist tooling for dismantling/assembling/ adjustment, testing equipment, hydraulic pressure testers, multimeters, test lights and precision measurement tooling

Materials may include steering components, spare parts, lubricants 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 overhaul of steering system components
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 for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

It is essential that competence in this unit signifies ability to transfer competence to changing circumstances and to respond to unusual circumstances 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
interpreting test results
conducting the overhaul in accordance with workplace and manufacturer/component supplier requirements
completing overhaul of a range of significant steering system components within workplace timeframes

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
the principles of gearing as applied to the steering systems
types and layout of service/repair manuals (hard copy and electronic)
steering systems overhaul procedures
component repair and adjustment procedures
manual handling procedures
enterprise quality procedures
work organisation and planning processes

Context of, and specific resources for 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 (real or simulated) 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 assessment reflects a process rather than an event and occurs over a period of time to cover the varying quality circumstances. Evidence of performance may be provided by customers, team leaders/members or other appropriate persons subject to agreed authentication arrangements

Specific resource requirements for this unit

The following resources should be made available:

workplace location or simulated workplace
materials relevant to the overhaul of steering system components
equipment, hand and power tooling appropriate to the overhaul of steering system components
activities covering the mandatory task requirements
specifications and work instructions