Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to handle, sort and store steelfixing materials.

It includes identification of a range of commonly used materials; planning and preparation for work; safe and effective handling, sorting and storage of steelfixing materials; and completion of clean-up activities.

Application of the unit 

This unit supports the attainment of skills and knowledge to safely and effectively handle and store a range of steelfixing materials, which includes working with others and as a member of a team.

Prerequisite units 

CPCCOHS2001A

Apply OHS requirements, policies and procedures in the construction industry

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Plan and prepare.

1.1. Work instructions, including plans, specifications, quality requirements and operational details are obtained from relevant information , confirmed and applied to the scope of work  performed.

1.2. Safety  (OHS ) requirements are followed in accordance with safety plans and policies.

1.3. Signage and barricade requirements are identified and implemented.

1.4. Tools and equipment  are selected to carry out tasks are consistent with the requirements of the job, checked for serviceability and any faults are rectified or reported prior to commencement.

1.5. Environmental requirements  are identified for the project in accordance with environmental plans and statutory and legislative authority  obligations and applied.

2. Handle, sort and stack materials and components manually.

2.1. Materials  and components are identified and checked for conformity to material schedule, plans, quality requirements  and specifications.

2.2. Handling requirements of materials and components are identified and safe and effective handling techniques are applied.

2.3. Materials and components are sorted to suit material type and size and are stacked for ease of identification and retrieval for task sequence.

2.4. Materials and components are protected against physical damage and stacked/stored clear of trafficways.

2.5. Signage and barricades are erected where applicable to isolate stored materials from workplace traffic or access.

2.6. Dust suppression procedures are used to minimise health risk to work personnel and others.

3. Handle and remove waste safely.

3.1. Waste materials and components are handled correctly and safely according to material safety data sheets (MSDS) and requirements of regulatory authorities.

3.2. Hazardous material is identified for separate handling in accordance with regulatory requirements.

3.3. Non-toxic materials are removed using correct procedures.

4. Clean up.

4.1. Work area is cleared and materials disposed of, reused or recycled in accordance with legislation, regulations, codes of practice and job specification.

4.2. Tools and equipment are cleaned, checked, maintained and stored in accordance with manufacturer recommendations and standard work practices.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

Required skills for this unit are:

• communication skills to:

• determine requirements
• follow instructions
• read and interpret:

• documentation from a variety of sources
• drawings and specifications

• report faults
• use language and concepts appropriate to cultural differences
• use and interpret non-verbal communication, such as hand signals

• identifying and accurately reporting to appropriate personnel any faults in tools, equipment or materials
• organisational skills, including the ability to plan and set out work
• teamwork skills to work with others to action tasks and relate to people from a range of cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with varying physical and mental abilities
• technological skills to:

• use a range of mobile technology, such as two-way radio and mobile phones
• voice and hand signals to access and understand site-specific instructions.

Required knowledge 

Required knowledge for this unit is:

• construction and steelfixing terminology
• job safety analysis (JSA) and safe work method statements
• materials storage and environmentally friendly waste management
• MSDS
• mechanical lifting techniques
• plans, drawings and specifications
• processes for the calculation of material requirements
• quality requirements
• site traffic management and storage principles
• steelfixing tools and equipment types, uses and limitations
• systems and techniques for the safe handling of materials
• types, uses, packaging arrangements and handling techniques for steelfixing materials
• workplace and equipment safety requirements.

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 

This unit of competency could be assessed in the workplace or a close simulation of the workplace environment, provided that simulated or project-based assessment techniques fully replicate construction workplace conditions, materials, activities, responsibilities and procedures.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of the ability to:

• locate, interpret and apply of relevant information, standards and specifications
• comply with site safety plan and OHS legislation, regulations and codes of practice applicable to workplace operations
• comply with organisational policies and procedures, including quality requirements
• safely and effectively use tools and equipment
• communicate and work effectively and safely with others
• individually, or as a part of a team, handle, sort and store the mandatory steelfixing materials listed in the range statement on a minimum of two occasions at two different sites
• dispose of waste and excess materials according to environmental protection requirements.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

This competency is to be assessed using standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints.

Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge will usually be conducted in an off-site context.

Assessment is to comply with relevant regulatory or Australian standards' requirements.

Resource implications for assessment include:

• an induction procedure and requirement
• realistic tasks or simulated tasks covering the mandatory task requirements
• relevant specifications and work instructions
• tools and equipment appropriate to applying safe work practices
• support materials appropriate to activity
• workplace instructions relating to safe work practices and addressing hazards and emergencies
• material safety data sheets
• research resources, including industry related systems information.

Reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities must be made to assessment processes where required. This could include access to modified equipment and other physical resources, and the provision of appropriate assessment support.

Method of assessment 

Assessment methods must:

• satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Construction, Plumbing and Services Training Package
• include direct observation of tasks in real or simulated work conditions, with questioning to confirm the ability to consistently identify and correctly interpret the essential underpinning knowledge required for practical application
• reinforce the integration of employability skills with workplace tasks and job roles
• confirm that competency is verified and able to be transferred to other circumstances and environments.

Validity and sufficiency of evidence requires that:

• competency will need to be demonstrated over a period of time reflecting the scope of the role and the practical requirements of the workplace
• where the assessment is part of a structured learning experience the evidence collected must relate to a number of performances assessed at different points in time and separated by further learning and practice, with a decision on competency only taken at the point when the assessor has complete confidence in the person's demonstrated ability and applied knowledge
• all assessment that is part of a structured learning experience must include a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary evidence.

Assessment processes and techniques should as far as is practical take into account the language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate in relation to the competency being assessed.

Supplementary evidence of competency may be obtained from relevant authenticated documentation from third parties, such as existing supervisors, team leaders or specialist training staff.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Information  includes:

• diagrams or sketches
• instructions issued by authorised organisational or external personnel
• manufacturer specifications and instructions, where specified
• MSDS
• memos
• regulatory and legislative requirements pertaining to handling steelfixing materials
• relevant Australian standards
• safe work procedures relating to handling steelfixing materials
• signage
• verbal, written and graphical instructions
• work bulletins
• work schedules, plans and specifications.

Scope of work :

• steelfixing materials include wire ties, ligatures and spacer/spreader assemblies, deformed bars, plain rods, bar chairs, mesh sheets of plain bars and mesh sheets of deformed bars; and include scaffolding components, pipe sections and structural steel sections
• methods of protecting stacked/stored materials include covering, tying or banding, barricades, signs and locking away (hazardous materials)
• dust suppression procedures include spraying with water and covering
• waste material and debris include banding straps, broken or damaged goods, cardboard, plastic, paper and loose materials.

Safety  (OHS ) is to be in accordance with state and territory legislation and regulations and project safety plan and may include:

• emergency procedures, including extinguishing fires, organisational first aid requirements and evacuation
• handling activities that may require the assistance of others or the use of manual or mechanical lifting devices where size, weight or other issues, such as a disability are a factor
• hazard control
• hazardous materials and substances, including cement and curing agents
• organisational first aid
• PPE prescribed under legislation, regulations and workplace policies and practices
• safe operating procedures, including the conduct of operational risk assessment and treatments associated with:

• cutting, grinding and welding equipment
• lighting
• power equipment
• power leads and sources
• trip hazards
• work site visitors and the public
• working in confined spaces
• working in proximity to others
• working with metals under stress

• use of firefighting equipment
• use of tools and equipment
• workplace environmental requirements and safety.

Tools and equipment  include:

• angle grinders
• bolt cutters
• general and hand power tools
• measuring tapes and rules
• mesh guillotines
• oxy-acetylene sets and cutting attachments
• reinforcement benders
• tie wire reels
• wire nippers.

Environmental requirements  include:

• clean-up management
• dust and noise
• stormwater protection
• waste management.

Statutory and regulatory authorities  include:

• federal, state and local authorities administering the applicable Acts, regulations and codes of practice.

Materials  include:

• labelling
• specialist material handling gloves.

Quality requirements  include relevant regulations, including:

• Australian standards
• internal company quality policy and standards
• manufacturer specifications
• workplace operations and procedures.

Unit sector 

Construction

Functional area