Modification History
Not applicable.
Unit Descriptor
This unit covers the conduct excavator operations in the civil construction industry. It includes: planning and preparing; conducting machine pre-operational checks; operating the machine; lifting, carrying and placing materials; selecting, removing and fitting attachments; relocating the machine; carrying out machine operator maintenance; and cleaning up.
Application of the Unit
This unit is appropriate for those working in mobile plant operator roles, at worksites within:
- Civil construction
Operator license issued by OHS authority may be required in some states or territories and some excavators must be registered to drive and operate on public roads.
Licensing/Regulatory Information
Refer to Unit Descriptor.
Pre-Requisites
Not applicable.
Employability Skills Information
This unit contains employability skills.
Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content
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. |
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT |
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Plan and prepare |
1.1. Access, interpret and apply compliance documentation relevant to excavator operations tasks 1.2. Obtain, confirm and apply work instructions to the allotted task 1.3. Obtain, confirm and apply safety requirements to the allotted task 1.4. Obtain, identify and implement signage requirements from the project traffic management plan 1.5. Select plant, tools and equipment to carry out tasks that are consistent with the requirements of the job, check them for serviceability and rectify or report any faults 1.6. Identity, confirm and apply environmental protection requirements from the project environmental management plan, to the allotted task |
2. Conduct machine preoperational checks |
2.1. Carry out pre-start, start-up, park and shutdown procedures 2.2. Check excavator controls and functions, including implements or other attachments, brakes and manoeuvrability for serviceability and report or rectify any faults |
3. Operate excavator |
3.1. Identity site hazards associated with excavator operations and use safe operating techniques to minimise risk 3.2. Identify and apply operating techniques for excavator to achieve optimum output in accordance with design specifications while achieving specified tolerances 3.3. Operate excavator to work instructions |
4. Lift, carry and place materials |
4.1. Conduct communication practices associated with transportation and lifting of materials 4.2. Establish weight of load 4.3. Select, attach and use slings and lifting gear in accordance with safe working load requirements 4.4. Position machinery ensuring stability and locate to effectively shift materials according to job specifications 4.5. Shift load safely and effectively 4.6. Move load in accordance with conventional hand and audible signals |
5. Select, remove and fit attachments |
5.1. Select attachment for the task 5.2. Remove and fit attachment according 5.3. Test attachment to ensure correct fitting and operation 5.4. Use attachment in accordance with recommendations and design limits 5.5. Remove, clean and store attachments in designated location |
6. Relocate the excavator |
6.1. Move excavator safely between worksites, observing relevant codes and traffic management requirements 6.2. Prepare excavator for relocation |
7. Carry out machine operator maintenance |
7.1. Safely park-up, shutdown and prepare the machine for maintenance 7.2. Conduct inspection and fault finding 7.3. Remove and replace defective parts safely and effectively 7.4. Carry out regular programmed maintenance tasks |
8. Clean up |
8.1. Clear work area and dispose of or recycle materials in accordance with project environmental management plan 8.2. Clean, check, maintain and store plant, tools and equipment |
Required Skills and Knowledge
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 excavator operations:
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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 excavator operations:
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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. |
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Overview of assessment |
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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:
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Context of and specific resources for assessment |
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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:
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Guidance information for assessment |
Consult the SkillsDMC User Guide for further information on assessment including access and equity issues. |
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. |
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Relevant compliance documentation may include: |
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An excavator is: |
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Excavator operations tasks are to include: |
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Excavator operations tasks may include: |
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Work instructions may include: |
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Safety requirements are to be: |
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Safety requirements may include: |
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Tools and equipment are to include: |
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Environmental requirements are to include: |
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Communications practices are to include: |
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Materials may include: |
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Attachments may include: |
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Operator maintenance is to include: |
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Unit Sector(s)
Mobile Plant Operations
Competency field
Refer to Unit Sector(s).
Co-requisite units
Not applicable.