Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the functions required to carry out maintenance and construction of improvements to properties and defines the standard required to: prepare basic plans for the work; ensure any planning and permissions have been put in place, and planning or building requests or restrictions are complied with; carry out building or construction work efficiently and safely; confirm that the completed or repaired structure meets the standard specified in the contract; minimise environmental impacts and dispose of waste appropriately.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to workers in rural enterprises or who work as contractors for rural industry. The work is likely to be carried out under routine supervision within enterprise guidelines.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Assess property condition

1.1. Property structures are assessed for soundness and recorded according to enterprise requirements.

1.2. Property improvements and maintenance requirements are identified and determined according to enterprise objectives.

1.3. Budgetary parameters are identified and maintained according to enterprise requirements.

2. Prepare tools and equipment

2.1. Tools, equipment and materials required to carry out property improvements are identified and arranged on site.

2.2. Tools and equipment are checked for serviceability according to manufacturer's specifications.

2.3. Faulty or unsafe tools and equipment are identified and segregated for repair or replacement according to enterprise requirements.

2.4. Existing and potential hazards to health and safety are identified, assessed and reported according to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and enterprise requirements.

3. Carry out property improvements

3.1. Suitable personal protective equipment is selected, used, maintained and stored according to OHS and enterprise requirements.

3.2. Property structures are constructed, repaired or dismantled as required according to manufacturer's specifications and/or work plan and regulations (e.g., demolition code).

3.3. Basic concrete, masonry or metal repairs are carried out according to manufacturer's specifications and work plan.

3.4. Maintenance to roads and tracks are determined and carried out according to work plan and enterprise requirements.

4. Complete maintenance and improvement activities

4.1. Property structures and surrounds are monitored, maintained and improved as required.

4.2. Worksite, tools and equipment are cleaned, returned to operating order, and stored according to OHS and enterprise requirements.

4.3. Unwanted materials and waste from maintenance activities is collected, treated and disposed of or recycled according to enterprise environmental and OHS requirements.

4.4. Relevant information is documented and reported according to industry and enterprise requirements.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

• operate a broad range of tools and equipment
• apply hand/eye coordination
• construct assemblies
• assess the nature and priority of required repairs and maintenance
• complete a range of earthworks to specification
• lay and tie reinforcing to specifications
• observe and report on the condition of structures and equipment
• interpret and apply task instructions
• communicate with work team and supervisor
• read and interpret maps, plans, site drawings and simple technical drawings
• record and report on damage and recommend repairs
• estimate and calculate volumes, usage and measurements
• identify and report hazards and demonstrate safe workplace practices
• minimise impacts to the environment
• use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures
• use interpersonal skills to work with and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge 

• machinery and equipment required to carry out property improvements, construction and repairs
• types of building materials
• concreting procedures and techniques
• wood and steel fabrication procedures
• drainage requirements around structures, tracks and roads
• legislative requirements with regard to construction and structural improvements
• types of building cladding and finishes, purpose and use
• relevant Codes of Practice with regard to protection of the environment
• OHS and environmental legislative and enterprise procedures.

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

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 workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:

• prepare basic plans for the work
• ensure any planning and permissions have been put in place, and planning or building requests or restrictions are complied with
• carry out building or construction work efficiently and safely
• confirm that the completed or repaired structure meets the standard specified in the contract
• minimise environmental impacts and dispose of waste appropriately.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.

Property improvement, construction and repair may include:

• buildings
• yards
• livestock handling structures
• fences
• water supply systems
• roads
• tracks
• soil conservation works
• irrigation and drainage channels
• silage pits
• grain and fodder storage
• trellises
• shelters and shade cloth drying racks.

Unit sector 

Farm infrastructure

Co-requisite units 

Competency field