Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the functions required to perform maintenance procedures on a range of water supply systems and equipment where specialist skills of another trade are not warranted or available and defines the work practices required to: carry out routine servicing and minor repairs on a range of water supply systems and equipment; recognise minor and major faults; estimate water requirements based on average and peak demand for water; carry out water quality testing and analysis; test and monitor machinery and equipment for correct operation.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to farm workers.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Identify maintenance requirements

1.1. Livestock water supplies are checked for quality and inspected for signs of contamination or deterioration, and low or interrupted supply.

1.2. Components of water supply systems are checked for wear, deterioration or malfunctions.

1.3. Identified maintenance requirements are checked and confirmed according to the maintenance plan.

2. Prepare for maintenance

2.1. Tools, equipment and materials appropriate to the job requirements are selected and checked for serviceability according to manufacturer's specifications.

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

2.3. Existing and potential hazards to health and safety are identified and reported according to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) requirements.

3. Carry out maintenance procedures

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

3.2. Maintenance to water systems and equipment are carried out to manufacturer's specifications and according to the maintenance plan.

3.3. Maintenance and repair of motors where necessary, including fault finding, is carried out under the supervisor's direction.

3.4. More complex faults and repair requirements are reported to the supervisor according to enterprise requirements.

4. Complete maintenance activities

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

4.2. Malfunctions, faults, and wear or damage to tools is reported for repair or replacement according to enterprise requirements.

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

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• identify hazards and implement safe work procedures
• operate vehicles safely and efficiently
• use hand and power tools safely
• arrange water supply system components and materials
• rectify minor faults and report major faults
• work as part of a contract team as required
• demonstrate safe and positive environmental working practices
• identify the components of a range of water supply systems
• test water quality as directed
• read and interpret a water supply plan
• measure and calculate lubrication requirements
• use literacy skills to read, interpret and follow organisational policies and procedures, follow sequenced written instructions, record accurately and legible information collected and select and apply procedures for a range of tasks
• use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning techniques, active listening, clarifying information and consulting with supervisors as required
• 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 

• livestock requirements and average and peak demand for water
• operational principles of various pumps and pumping systems
• functions and components of a range of water supply systems
• operation and maintenance of diesel and petrol engines
• factors which affect water quality, various water contaminants and remedial action
• advantages and disadvantages of different types of water supply systems
• OHS legislative requirements
• relevant legislative requirements with regard to property water supply systems
• Environmental Code of Practice associated with maintenance activities.

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:

• carry out routine servicing and minor repairs on a range of water supply systems and equipment.
• recognise minor and major faults
• estimate water requirements based on average and peak demand for water
• carry out water quality testing and analysis
• test and monitor machinery and equipment for correct operation.

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.

Maintenance may include:

• maintenance procedures on a range of water supply systems and equipment where specialist skills of another trade are not warranted or available.

Water supply systems may include:

• external reticulated water supply
• dams or storage tanks
• troughs
• channel supply
• rivers
• pumped or flowing bores.

Water supply components may include:

• pumps
• windmills and bores
• pipes
• troughs
• timber dividing structures
• air bleeders in long lines
• line junctions or connections
• stone flagged areas around troughs.

Unit sector 

Livestock

Co-requisite units 

Competency field