Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers conducting comprehensive inspection of park facilities and defines the standard required to: confirm facilities to be inspected, purpose of the inspection, standards to be referenced and reporting formats with the client; identify and record instances of non-conformity with Australian Standards, Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) guidelines and manufacturers standards; conduct inspection of structures for soundness and record checklists and recommendations; assess playground equipment and make recommendations on its lifespan based on advice and specifications from the manufacturer; estimate costs of repair or replacement; communicated directly any issues requiring urgent action or closure of facilities.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to the inspection and compliance audit of park/recreational facilities to identify non-conformities with Australian Standards, legislative and OHS requirements, and manufacturers' standards.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Prepare for comprehensive inspection of park facilities

1.1. Specific facilities and equipment to be inspected and purpose of the inspection are determined according to operational request.

1.2. Tools and equipment for testing and inspection are identified, and availability confirmed with appropriate personnel.

1.3. Pre-operational and safety checks are carried out on tools and equipment according to manufacturers specifications and enterprise work procedures.

1.4. Appropriate checklists and reporting formats are prepared to suit the application.

1.5. Different types of facilities are identified from checklist descriptions.

1.6. Specific terminology used in checklists is consistent with enterprise policy and guidelines.

2. Undertake comprehensive inspection of park facilities

2.1. Instances of non-conformity with Australian Standards, OHS guidelines and manufacturers standards are identified and recorded.

2.2. Inspections for structural integrity are undertaken in an efficient and safe manner according to enterprise policy.

2.3. Safety risks and hazards and situations are identified and detailed.

2.4. Checklist entries are concise and accurate.

2.5. Inspections are undertaken according to OHS requirements.

3. Assess age and predict effective lifespan of existing park facilities

3.1. The manufacturer of playground equipment and structures is identified through reference to original plans and specifications.

3.2. Age and future lifespan of park facilities are determined and recorded.

3.3. Costs of repair or replacement of park facilities are estimated and recorded.

4. Submit report and recommendations

4.1. Situations requiring urgent action are addressed according to OHS and enterprise policy.

4.2. Concise and accurate reports are prepared and submitted to management.

4.3. Existing management systems are reviewed, particularly regarding frequency of inspection, and improved in consultation with management.

4.4. Recommendations for future action are consistent with industry standards and best practice.

4.5. Collected data and information is submitted for inclusion on the asset management system.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• interpret standards, specifications and legal requirements
• interpret design symbols and terminology
• estimate costs of repair or replacement
• use literacy skills to fulfil job roles as required by the organisation. The level of skill may range from reading and understanding documentation to completion of written reports
• use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification, negotiating solutions and responding to a range of views
• use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record complex workplace measures
• use interpersonal skills to work with others and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge 

• working knowledge of a range of park facilities and equipment including installation methods, intended use, intended users and safety parameters
• practical understanding of the terminology used to describe different components of park facilities and equipment
• the different modes of non-conformity that may be identified in relation to specific park facilities and equipment
• relevant national industry standards (e.g., AS486.1, AS4422, AS1924.1 and AS1924.2)
• Information management systems (e.g., AS4456)
• practical understanding of inspection and auditing procedures and techniques, and legal and enterprise reporting requirements for recommendations on maintenance, repair and replacement of park facilities
• OHS hazards associated with conducting a comprehensive inspection of park facilities and equipment, and the controls necessary to remove or minimise associated risks
• OHS legislative requirements and Codes of Practice
• hazard identification, assessment and control.

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:

• confirm facilities to be inspected, purpose of the inspection, standards to be referenced and reporting formats with the client
• identify and record instances of non-conformity with Australian Standards, OHS guidelines and manufacturers standards
• conduct inspection of structures for soundness and record checklists and recommendations
• assess playground equipment and make recommendations on its lifespan based on advice and specifications from the manufacturer
• estimate costs of repair or replacement
• communicated directly any issues requiring urgent action or closure of facilities.

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.

Parks may include

• a range of parks catering to public recreational activities.

Facilities and equipment may include

• playgrounds
• playground soft fall and pathways
• play equipment
• parks and street furniture and structures
• bridges
• boardwalks
• decks and viewing decks
• fences
• barbeques
• steps and stairs
• bollards
• tree and grass protection devices
• paved, turf and/or grassed recreational areas.

Australian Standards may include

• playgrounds
• boardwalks
• shelters
• pathways
• ramps for people with disabilities
• lookouts and fences (e.g., AS4486.1, AS4422, AS1924.1 and AS1924.2).

Unit sector 

Parks and gardens

Co-requisite units 

Competency field