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. Ensure appropriate planning and preparation of tasks is carried out

1.1. Access, interpret and apply compliance documentation  relevant to earthworks construction  tasks

1.2. Access, interpret and clarify the specific task information and requirements  relevant to undertaking earthworks construction task

1.3. Ensure a job plan  is available which makes best use of the available resources and meets task requirements

2. Ensure appropriate initiation of tasks is carried out

2.1. Confirm that the necessary resources  are available for the safe, effective and efficient conduct of tasks

2.2. Ensure clear and timely instructions  are communicated to team members  and others involved, for the safe, effective and efficient conduct of tasks, to meet the specific task requirements

2.3. Ensure the task set out  is carried for the effective completion of the task

3. Oversee the execution of tasks

3.1. Monitor  earthworks construction task performance to ensure it achieves the required outcomes 

3.2. Initiate  adjustments to earthworks construction practice  or job plan to ensure safe execution of work and achievement of required outcomes

3.3. Ensure plant equipment and tools maintenance requirements are carried out and recorded

4. Report on the execution of tasks

4.1. Complete and submit reports as required

4.2. Recommend changes to improve the safety, efficiency and effectiveness of the execution of tasks

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 apply the principles for the earthworks construction:

• apply legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures
• interpret project contract and specification requirements and procedures
• interpret project site soil and geological data
• identify soil and rock types
• interpret meteorological data
• identify drainage issues
• interpret material properties and test results, including compaction test results
• interpret project site geotechnical data
• interpret project site hydrological data
• interpret project engineering survey information
• interpret project plans and drawings
• interpret project specifications
• prepare for and conduct briefings, toolbox and site meeting
• prepare short messages
• prepare and present job reports
• prepare and maintain log books and diaries
• provide leadership
• apply performance monitoring skills
• apply set out requirements and procedures
• set up and use levelling devices
• establish construction offsets
• apply supervisory skills
• develop workplace relationships
• develop individuals and the team
• apply inspection requirements and procedures
• calculate quantities for the execution of tasks, including:

• volumes
• grades
• percentages
• areas
• resource consumption figures, including required supply rates

• interpreting earthworks construction materials properties and test results, including:

• soil density/moisture relationship
• plasticity index
• particle size distribution

• provide recommendations for the improvement of the safe, effective and efficient execution of earthworks construction tasks

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 apply the principles for the earthworks construction:

• risk assessment and management requirement and procedures
• statutory compliance requirements and procedures
• OHS requirements and procedures
• environmental management requirements and procedures
• quality management requirements and procedures
• work zone traffic management requirements and procedures
• contract management requirements and procedures
• communication requirements and procedures
• administrative requirements and procedures
• plant and equipment capabilities and application
• plant, equipment and tools maintenance requirements and procedures
• operational techniques
• resource requirements and procedures
• activities scheduling requirements and procedures
• job plan drafting of and administration requirements and procedures
• reporting requirements and procedures
• workplace relationship requirements and procedures
• organisational, client and site operational requirements
• relationship between various areas of civil works
• team leadership techniques
• engineering survey principles
• materials quality and delivery requirements and procedures
• mentoring techniques
• estimating principles
• civil works construction sequencing
• earthworks and related activities' terminology
• set out requirements and procedures
• road geometry
• ground surface treatment requirements and procedures e.g. proof rolling
• drainage requirements
• works planning techniques
• monitoring methods

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 the application of the principles for the earthworks construction
• implementation of appropriate procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient execution of earthworks construction tasks
• working with others to plan, prepare and execute earthworks construction tasks
• provision of clear and timely instruction and supervision by the individual of those involved in the execution of earthworks construction tasks
• evidence of the consistent successful completion of earthworks construction tasks

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

• first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:

• working with others to plan, prepare and execute earthworks construction
• provision of clear and timely instruction and supervision by the individual of those involved in the execution of earthworks construction

Guidance information for assessment 

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

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.

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

Earthworks construction  may include:

• land clearing
• bulk earthwork
• surface drainage works
• water storage dam construction
• tailings dam construction
• rehabilitation works
• road works preparation, including the sub-grade

Specific task information and requirements  may include:

• site geological and geotechnical data, including:

• rock types and characteristics
• soil types and characteristics

• site hydrological data, including:

• surface water
• ground water

• site meteorological data, including:

• rainfall
• humidity
• temperature
• wind

• site engineering survey data
• known and potential site hazards, constraints and conditions
• site cultural and heritage information
• task specifications
• task drawings
• sources of materials
• other organisations and contractors involved in the task or related tasks
• coordination, timing and budgeting requirements

Job plan  is to include:

• human resource requirements
• plant and machinery requirements
• construction materials requirements
• sub-contractor support requirements
• waste disposal requirements
• coordination requirements
• activity scheduling
• materials delivery scheduling
• risk assessment and management requirements
• OHS requirements
• quality management requirements, including testing scheduling requirements
• traffic management requirements
• environmental requirements
• task monitoring requirements
• task performance monitoring requirements
• communication requirements
• reporting requirements

Resources  are to include:

• labour
• plant, equipment and tools
• material supply vehicles
• construction materials
• sub-contractor services

Instructions  are to include:

• briefings
• handovers
• work orders
• toolbox meetings
• site meetings

Team members  may include:

• other members of the organisation's management team
• members of the team directly involved in the task
• suppliers representatives
• sub-contractors representatives
• supervisors or managers of other organisations who are involved in related tasks

Set out  is to include:

• control lines
• cleared width
• batters
• off-sets

Monitor  is to include:

• ongoing risk assessment
• engineering survey
• sampling and testing
• observation and recording
• general supervision

Required outcomes  may include:

• task specifications requirements
• task drawings requirements
• coordination requirements
• activity scheduling requirements
• unit cost requirements
• overall task cost requirements
• waste management requirements

Initiate  is to include:

• written communication
• oral communication

Earthworks construction practice  may include:

• site preparation methods
• extraction methods
• load and haulage methods
• placement methods
• distribution methods
• surface finishing methods
• line, grade and level control methods
• compaction methods
• water application methods
• sedimentation control methods