Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to erect cable supports in small aerial customer installations and access networks.

Aerial cables are needed for telecommunication applications including voice, video and data.

Licensing, legislative, regulatory and certification requirements apply to working at heights. If an elevated work platform (EWP) is required, verify state or territory law requirements for a licence to operate an EWP. Users should confirm requirements with the relevant federal, state or territory authority.

If working at heights, achievement of the unit 'CPCPCM2015A Work safely on roofs' from the CPC08 Construction and Plumbing Services Integrated framework training Package fulfils this requirement.

Application of the unit 

Telecommunications linesmen and line installers apply the skills and knowledge in this unit. They make use of aerial support structures and specialist tools.

They may be required to do new installations, upgrades or maintain existing networks in domestic, commercial and industrial installations to deliver services in xdigital subscriber lines (xDSL), fibre to the home (FTTH) and hybrid fibre coaxial (HFC) networks.

Prerequisite units 

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. Prepare to install aerial cable structure

1.1. Obtain construction plan from appropriate personnel  to scope the work and arrange for site access

1.2. Notify appropriate personnel of identified safety hazards  at the cabling worksite

1.3. Determine cable route from construction plan identifying and avoiding other services 

1.4. Obtain plant , tools , safety equipment  and material to perform tasks safely and efficiently

2. Install aerial support structures

2.1. Use tools according to enterprise guidelines and occupational health and safety (OHS regulations 

2.2. Erect safety barriers according to enterprise guidelines to secure the site

2.3. Excavate a hole to specifications and according to enterprise guidelines for the erection of mounting pole

2.4. Install a pole  using mechanical lifting devices according to enterprise guidelines

2.5. Install fixing structures on pole securely according to manufacturer's specifications

2.6. Install aerial fixing devices  where the support is other than a pole according to enterprise guidelines

3. Complete project

3.1. Complete reports according to enterprise policy and record alterations to plans using appropriate symbols

3.2. Recover obsolete materials and equipment and return to appropriate point for disposal

3.3. Restore site according to the requirements of enterprise or approving authority and to customer satisfaction

3.4. Notify appropriate personnel of job completion and obtain sign off

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• communication skills to liaise with internal and external personnel on technical and operational matters
• literacy skills to:

• complete reports in a given format
• read and interpret drawings, plans and specifications

• numeracy skills to take and use measurements
• planning and organisational skills to organise and maintain equipment
• problem solving skills to solve logistics problems
• safety awareness skills to:

• apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist during work activities
• select and use required personal protective equipment conforming to industry and OHS standards
• work systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self or others, or damage to goods or equipment

• technical skills to:

• use hand and power tools
• use mechanical lifting devices

Required knowledge 

• features and operating requirements of equipment
• information required to operate equipment according to a specification
• legislation, codes of practice and other formal agreements that impact on the work activity
• licence requirements for working at heights
• manufacturer's requirements for safe operation of equipment
• specific OHS requirements relating to the activity and site conditions
• test methods and performance requirements
• typical issues and challenges that occur on site

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 

Evidence of the ability to:

• install a pole and aerial fixing device after relevant authorities have been notified and approvals obtained prior to commencement
• use specialised hand or power tools and equipment for the installation of aerial cable supports safely
• apply OHS requirements and work practices associated with the installation of aerial cable supports, including protective clothing and personal safety items, adequate warning signs and safety devices
• comply with all related OHS requirements and work practices.

Context of , and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment must ensure:

• sites where aerial cable supports may be installed
• use of plant, tools and equipment to erect aerial supports currently used in industry
• relevant regulatory and equipment documentation that impact on aerial support erection activities.

Method of assessment 

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

• review of an aerial erected by candidate the
• direct observation of the candidate erecting an aerial support structure
• oral or written questioning to assess required knowledge and skill.

Guidance information for assessment 

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

• ICTCBL2134A Fix aerial cable.

Aboriginal people and other people from a non-English speaking background may have second language issues.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and assessment support when required.

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and appropriate to the oral communication skill level, and language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge. Questioning techniques should not require language, literacy and numeracy skills beyond those required in this unit of competency.

Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with special needs.

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.

Appropriate personnel  may include:

• customer representative
• project manager
• site manager.

Safety hazards  may refer to:

• access points that may contain:

• hazardous light (non-visible laser)
• radio frequency (RF) emission

• contact with remote power feed
• electrical supply and areas of earth potential rise (EPR) that require mandatory separation from communications cable
• hazardous conduit as according to AS 1345:1995 conduit colours associated with a hazardous service
• unsafe support structures:

• condemned poles
• visible signs of decay or stress

• unsafe weather:

• heavy rains
• high winds
• severe heat or cold
• thunderstorms.

Other services  may include:

• availability and suitability of existing cabling trays and fixing systems
• fire sprinkler systems
• gas and water mains
• high voltage power.

Plant , tools , safety equipment  may include:

• equipment:

• flashing lights
• gas and other hazard detection equipment
• safety barriers
• trench guards
• warning signs and tapes

• plant:

• back hoe
• bobcat
• elevated platform vehicle
• excavator
• ladders
• lifting jack
• pole lifting device
• trencher

• safety equipment:

• flashing lights
• gas and other hazard detection equipment
• personal protective clothing:

• earmuffs
• fall arrest systems
• gloves
• head protection
• kneepads
• masks
• protective suits
• safety boots
• safety glasses

• safety barriers:
• trench guards
• warning signs and tapes

• tools:

• auger
• concrete tool
• diggers
• fixing brackets
• height measuring device
• jack-hammers
• power tools:

• cutters
• drills

• saws
• shovels.

OHS regulations  may include:

• appropriate licences:

• crane
• EWP
• forklift
• winch

• Australian Communications Industry Forum (ACIF) standards and codes
• AS Communications Cabling Manual (CCM)
  Volume 1
• AS/NZS 3000:2007
• AS/NZS 3080:2003
• AS/NZS 3084:2003
• AS/NZS 3085.1:2004
• AS/NZS IEC 61935.1:2006
• AS/NZS IEC 61935.2:2006
• AS/NZS ISO/IEC 14763.3:2007
• AS/NZS ISO/IEC 15018:2005
• AS/NZS ISO/IEC 24702:2007
• cabling security codes and regulations
• Environmental Protection Acts
• OHS
• road and traffic control legislation and codes technical standards AS/ACIF S008:2006 and AS/ACIF S009:2006.

Pole  may be:

• concrete
• galvanised steel
• steel
• steel and concrete
• wood.

Aerial fixing devices  include:

• bolts and lugs
• bridle rings
• clamps
• mounts
• riser pipes
• screw hooks.

Unit sector 

Telecommunications

Co-requisite units 

Competency field 

Cabling