Unit of competency details

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 for operations

1.1. Access, interpret and apply compliance documentation  relevant to conducting hydraulic excavator operations

1.2. Obtain, interpret and clarify work requirements  for the satisfactory completion of operations

1.3. Access, interpret and clarify geological and survey data  required to complete the allocated work

1.4. Inspect and prepare work area  in coordination with others 

1.5. Identify, address and report potential hazards and risks 

1.6. Resolve coordination requirements with others at the site prior to commencing and during work activities

1.7. Select personal protective equipment appropriate for work activities

1.8. Evaluate equipment and /or attachments  supplied for suitability for the work to be undertaken to maximise efficiency and effectiveness of work activities

2. Operate hydraulic excavator

2.1. Carry out pre -start , start -up , park -up and shutdown procedures 

2.2. Walk excavator and position for operation

2.3. Select and modify the operating technique  to appropriately meet changing work conditions 

2.4. Conduct, control and monitor operations within the equipment limitations 

2.5. Act on or report monitoring systems and alarms 

2.6. Distribute bulk materials  into materials handling equipment  to ensure maintenance of the stability and maximum load requirements.

2.7. Load bulk materials into materials handling equipment 

2.8. Side cast bulk materials

2.9. Recognise and respond  to hazardous and emergency situations 

2.10. Complete work in accordance with the agreed plan and outcomes and within the operating capacity of the allocated equipment

3. Carry out post-operational procedures

3.1. Inspect, fault find and report faults

3.2. Carry out operational maintenance and housekeeping tasks 

3.3. Process records and reports 

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

Required skills 

Specific skills are required to achieve the performance criteria in this unit, particularly for the application in the various circumstances in which this unit may be applied. This includes the ability to carry out the following as required to conduct hydraulic excavator operations:

• apply legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures
• apply operational safety requirements
• access, interpret and apply technical information
• apply equipment records maintenance requirements
• apply diagnostic techniques
• use relevant hand tools
• apply procedures for disposal of environmentally sensitive fluids and materials
• apply chemical and fuel safety measures
• work wearing personal protective equipment

Required knowledge 

Specific knowledge is required to achieve the performance criteria of this unit, particularly its application in a variety of circumstances in which the unit may be used. This includes knowledge of the following as required to conduct hydraulic excavator operations:

• site hazard identification and response procedures
• site risk control procedures
• site and equipment health and safety procedures
• site environmental requirements and constraints
• site quality requirements
• site communication procedures
• site product characteristics
• site geological and survey data
• site operational procedures
• excavator pre-start, start-up, operating and shutdown procedures and techniques
• excavator characteristics, technical capability and limitations
• site record keeping requirements
• site personal protective equipment requirements

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 worksite operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit and include evidence of the following:

• knowledge of the requirements, procedures and instructions for conducting hydraulic excavator operations
• implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of hydraulic excavator operations
• working with others to undertake and complete hydraulic excavator operations that meets all of the required outcomes
• consistent timely completion of hydraulic excavator operations that safely, effectively and efficiently meets the required outcomes

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

• This unit must be assessed in the context of the work environment. Where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment may occur in a simulated environment provided it is realistic and sufficiently rigorous to cover all aspects of workplace performance, including task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.
• The assessment environment should not disadvantage the participant. For example, language, literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required on the job.
• Customisation of assessment and delivery environment to sensitively accommodate cultural diversity.
• Aboriginal people and other people from a non English speaking background may have second language issues.
• Assessment of this competency requires typical resources normally used in the work environment. Selection and use of resources for particular worksites may differ due to site circumstances.
• Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.
• Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required.

Method of assessment 

This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency. The assessment strategy for this unit must verify required knowledge and skill and practical application using more than one of the following assessment methods:

• written and/or oral assessment of the candidate's required knowledge
• observed, documented and/or first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:

• implementation of appropriate requirement, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient achievement of required outcomes
• consistently achieving the required outcomes

• first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:

• working with others to undertake and complete hydraulic excavator operations

Guidance information for assessment 

Consult the SkillsDMC User Guide for further information on assessment including access and equity issues.

Relevant compliance documentation 

may include:

• legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures
• manufacturer’s guidelines and specifications
• Australian standards
• codes of practice
• Employment and workplace relations legislation
• Equal Employment Opportunity and Disability Discrimination legislation

Work requirements  may come from briefings, handovers, and work orders and may include:

• nature and scope of tasks
• achievement targets
• operational conditions
• obtaining permits required
• site layout and out of bounds areas
• worksite inspection requirements
• lighting conditions
• plant or equipment defects
• hazards and potential hazards
• coordination requirements or issues
• signage and barricade requirements
• keeping floor clean and level

Geological data  may include relevant site-specific information in relation to:

• rock type and characteristics
• faults and joints
• water tables or other water sources

Survey data  may include relevant site-specific information in relation to:

• floor heights
• bench widths
• grades

Inspect and prepare work area  may include:

• identification of hazards
• selection and implementation of control measures for the hazards identified
• safeguarding site and non-site personnel by:
• erection of barricades and posting of signs
• selection of appropriate equipment to ensure personnel safety and protection
• determination of appropriate path of movement for loads and equipment/vehicles
• floor, pad, roads, ramps and bench clean up to specified levels and grade requirements

Coordination with others  may include with:

• yard persons
• laboratory personnel
• mobile plant operators
• processing plant operators
• haulage unit operators
• maintenance personnel

Potential risks and hazards  may include:

• abandoned equipment
• adjoining pit walls
• adverse weather conditions (electrical storms, floods, fires)
• chemicals
• contaminants
• equipment
• fences
• holes
• materials
• over-hanging rocks
• personnel
• pot holes
• unsafe ground
• unstable faces
• vehicles
• overhead and underground services
• trees
• fires
• vehicles
• stored energy which may include:
• engine components
• radiators and cooling systems
• hydraulic tanks and reservoirs
• air tanks and reservoirs
• hydraulic hoses
• air hoses
• tires
• air conditioning components
• electrical components
• braking systems
• centrifugal forces

Equipment and/or attachments  may include:

• rock breaker
• grapples
• compactors
• magnets
• post-hole drills or augers
• ripper tynes
• buckets

Pre-start and start-up procedures  include:

• external check of the machine
• checking and toping up fluid levels (including fuel)
• lubrication
• inspection of attachments to ensure security and defects
• instrument and control lever checks
• machine function checks, including:
• implements
• attachments
• other attachments
• brakes
• manoeuvrability
• reporting defects and damage

Park-up and shutdown procedures  include ensuring that:

• vehicle/equipment is secured as required by site procedures
• attachments are rendered safe
• access ways are clear

Operating techniques  may include:

• bucket loading
• equipment positioning
• load discharge
• observing site speed limits
• working safely around:
• overhead power lines
• other machines and personnel
• live stockpiles

Changing work conditions  may include variations in:

• grades
• height of faces
• materials
• haulage units
• materials handling facilities
• weather conditions
• day and night

Equipment limitations  may include:

• duration of operation
• efficient and safe operating speed
• operating limitations
• type of activities performed
• weight and/or load limitations

Monitoring systems and alarms  may include:

• brake air pressure
• brake oil temperature
• computer indicators
• engine oil pressure
• fuel filter
• parking brake
• retarder
• service meter
• speedometer/odometer
• steering filters
• tachometer
• torque converter
• oil temperature
• transmission filter
• voltmeter
• water temperature

Materials  may include:

• gravel
• ore
• overburden
• oxidised waste
• rejects
• road base
• rubbish
• sand
• sulphide rock fill
• tailings
• topsoil
• water

Materials handling equipment  may include:

• feed hoppers
• feeders and crushers
• off-highway and on-highway vehicles
• barges

Hazardous and emergency situations  may include:

• power lines
• dust
• noise
• conveyors
• overhead services

Emergency responses  may include:

• clean up
• equipment shutdown procedures
• evacuation procedures
• First Aid
• isolation procedures
• notification of authorities
• use of personal protective equipment

Operator service, maintenance and housekeeping tasks  are those established and authorised for the site and may include:

• lubrication
• refuelling
• cleaning
• authorised servicing
• monitoring, recording and reporting of faults
• it may also include:
• the conduct of authorised minor replacements and
• the provision of assistance to maintenance personnel during maintenance and repair activities

Records and reports  may include:

• fuel usage
• computer readings
• end of shift documentation
• supplies logs
• work logs stockpile information
• quality information
• despatch details