This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to operate ramp equipment, in compliance with relevant regulatory requirements of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and national operating standards.

It includes conducting pre-operational checks, operating ramp equipment as part of baggage loading/unloading operations, and retracting and storing ramp equipment.

This unit addresses aviation technical skill requirements (physical, mental and task-management abilities) related to equipment and system operations of flight or ground operations personnel, and contributes to safe and effective performance in complex aviation operational environments.

Operations are conducted as part of recreational, commercial and military aircraft activities across a variety of operational contexts within the Australian aviation industry.

Work is performed independently or under limited supervision as a single operator or within a team environment.

Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements are applicable to this unit.

Use for Defence Aviation is to be in accordance with relevant Defence Orders, Instructions, Publications and Regulations.

ELEMENTS 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1 

Conduct pre-operational checks 

1.1

Personal protective equipment is selected and used in accordance with workplace procedures

1.2

Pre-operational checks of ramp equipment are conducted in accordance with workplace procedures and manufacturer instructions

1.3

Fluid levels are topped up as required in accordance with workplace procedures

1.4

Ramp equipment faults and malfunctions identified during pre-operational checks are rectified or reported in accordance with workplace procedures and regulatory requirements

2 

Operate ramp equipment as part of baggage loading/unloading operations 

2.1

Ramp equipment is manoeuvred to aircraft and positioned in preparation for baggage loading/unloading operations in accordance with workplace procedures, local instructions and relevant regulatory requirements

2.2

Height of ramp equipment is adjusted to align with baggage hold doorway and baggage carts in accordance with workplace procedures and manufacturer instructions

2.3

Ramp equipment is operated in accordance with workplace procedures, work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) regulations and manufacturer instructions

2.4

Hazards associated with operation of ramp equipment are identified and appropriate precautions are taken in accordance with WHS/OHS regulations and workplace hazard management strategies

2.5

Safe manual handling techniques are applied when handling baggage as part of ramp operation activities in accordance with WHS/OHS regulations and workplace procedures

2.6

Loading/unloading of baggage is completed in collaboration with other members of ramp team in accordance with team leader/supervisor directions, load plan, workplace procedures and regulatory requirements

3 

Retract and store ramp equipment 

3.1

Ramp equipment is retracted and manoeuvred to storage bay/area at completion of loading activities in accordance with workplace procedures

3.2

Post-operational checks of ramp equipment are conducted in accordance with workplace procedures and manufacturer instructions

3.3

Ramp equipment faults and malfunctions identified during post-operational checks are rectified or reported in accordance with workplace procedures and regulatory requirements

3.4

Ramp equipment is refuelled and fluid levels are topped up in accordance with workplace procedures, relevant regulatory requirements and manufacturer instructions

3.5

Equipment log or operational documentation is completed in accordance with workplace procedures, local instructions and regulatory requirements

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Ramp equipment must include:

• baggage carts
• belt loader
• up-down pallet loader

Hazards must include:

• dust
• jet blast
• noise
• other vehicles in the vicinity of the aircraft
• personnel in the vicinity of the aircraft

Personal protective equipment must include:

• hearing protection
• protective clothing
• safety footwear
• safety gloves

Pre-operational checks must include:

• battery charge level
• fluid levels
• fuel level
• visual inspection for faults or defects

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements, performance criteria and range of conditions on at least one occasion and include:

• adapting to differences in equipment and operating environment in accordance with standard operating procedures
• applying precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards
• applying relevant legislation and workplace procedures
• communicating effectively with others
• completing documentation related to ramp equipment
• identifying and correctly using relevant equipment
• implementing contingency plans
• implementing work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) procedures and relevant regulations
• interpreting and following operational instructions and prioritising work
• modifying activities depending on workplace contingencies, situations and environments
• monitoring and anticipating operational problems and hazards and take appropriate action
• monitoring work activities in terms of planned schedule
• operating electronic communications equipment to required protocol
• reading, interpreting and following relevant regulations, instructions, procedures, information and signs
• reporting and/or rectifying identified promptly, in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures
• selecting and using required personal protective equipment (PPE) conforming to industry and WHS/OHS standards
• working collaboratively with others
• working systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self or others, or damage to goods or equipment.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements, performance criteria and range of conditions and include knowledge of:

• emergency procedures
• features and differences in operating characteristics for various types of ramp equipment in operation at Australian airports
• layout of airport and location of aircraft gates
• manufacturer instructions for checking and operating ramp equipment
• people to consult about operating ramp equipment:

• aircrew
• ground support staff
• load controllers
• other members of baggage handling and ramp teams
• supervisors, team leaders and managers
• technical staff

• principles of ramp equipment operation
• problems that may occur when operating ramp equipment and appropriate action that should be taken in each case
• relevant Australian Standards
• relevant information/documents:

• conditions of service, legislation and industrial agreements including workplace agreements and awards
• equipment logs/records
• flight schedules
• induction and training materials
• licence requirements of the relevant licensing authority
• local instructions
• pre- and post-operational checklists
• ramp equipment operational checklists
• workplace instructions and job specification
• manufacturer specifications and instructions for ramp equipment being operated

• relevant local instructions for operating ramp equipment
• relevant sections of Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASRs) and Civil Aviation Orders related to ground operations
• relevant WHS/OHS and environmental procedures and regulations
• risks that exist when operating ramp equipment and related risk control procedures and precautions
• selection and correct fitment of PPE
• workplace procedures for operating ramp equipment.

As a minimum, assessors must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

As a minimum, assessment must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must occur in workplace operational situations. Where this is not appropriate, assessment must occur in simulated workplace operational situations that reflect workplace conditions.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Resources for assessment must include access to:

• a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or simulations
• acceptable means of simulation assessment
• applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals
• relevant materials, tools, equipment and personal protective equipment currently used in industry.