Unit of competency details

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

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.

1. Plan abseiling activity.

1.1. Conduct relevant assessments to determine the condition of participants .

1.2. Develop an activity plan , according to relevant legislation  and organisational policies and procedures , to meet participant's needs.

1.3. Select an appropriate activity site or location that is suitable for participants and meets activity objectives , relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.

1.4. Identify hazards  associated with abseiling on artificial surfaces  and minimise risks  to ensure personal safety of participants.

1.5. Access relevant sources  to interpret detailed weather and environmental information  to determine activity plan, where applicable.

1.6. Determine food and water requirements  according to contextual issues  of the activity.

1.7. Determine most appropriate belay system  according to participant's abilities and site conditions.

1.8. Inform appropriate authorities  before commencing the abseiling activity.

2. Select equipment for the group.

2.1. Select equipment  according to contextual issues and organisational policies and procedures, and check that it is in good working condition.

2.2. Assess equipment for safety and suitability, and adjust and fit to ensure personal comfort.

2.3. Select safety and rescue equipment to check suitability to the group and the abseil.

3. Brief participants.

3.1. Communicate instructions and relevant information  about the abseiling activity in a manner suitable to the participants.

3.2. Demonstrate correct abseiling and belaying techniques.

3.3. Establish a suitable communication system  for participants to use while abseiling and belaying.

3.4. Outline safety procedures  and safe areas and or boundaries for the activity.

3.5. Confirm participants are properly equipped for the abseil and correct any omissions or deficiencies.

4. Supervise abseiling activity.

4.1. Conduct introductory activities for participants, to reduce the risk of injury.

4.2. Provide clear and concise direction and advice to group during the activity.

4.3. Monitor participant's performance  of abseiling and belaying techniques and provide feedback as required.

4.4. Identify potential hazards as they occur and implement contingency actions according to organisational policies and procedures.

4.5. Implement appropriate modifications to activity in regard to all variable factors  that are monitored.

5. Complete post activity responsibilities.

5.1. Retrieve, inspect, repair and store equipment according to organisational policies and procedures including manufacturers recommendations.

5.2. Evaluate relevant aspects  of abseiling activity.

5.3. Identify potential areas of improvement for future abseiling activities.

5.4. Review performance and identify potential improvements.

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

Required skills 

• communication skills to:

• consult with participants to plan an appropriate abseiling activity
• convey information about the safety aspects of the activity
• interact with participants to create a safe and positive abseiling environment

• problem-solving skills to:

• plan a suitable abseiling activity according to participant's needs and abilities
• make decisions affecting the activity
• respond appropriately to non routine situations

• planning and organising skills to:

• source, allocate and coordinate resources, equipment and an artificial pitch suitable for the participants
• organise participants into manageable groups for abseiling and belaying

• language and literacy skills to:

• produce an activity plan for the abseiling activity,
• complete post-activity participant and self evaluations

• personal abseiling skills to a high level , rescue skills and be able to demonstrate and explain abseiling and belaying techniques to participants
• first aid and emergency response skills appropriate to the location to enable initial response to emergencies and personal health care.

Required knowledge 

• relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of abseiling activities
• site specific information to assist in the planning process and to enable management of potential abseiling hazards, and any special restrictions applying to the site
• equipment types, characteristics and technology used for abseiling on artificial surfaces, the advantages and disadvantages of the range of equipment, and factors affecting appropriate selection of equipment
• clothing and footwear requirements for abseiling activities to ensure comfort and safety
• care and maintenance of abseiling equipment to ensure prolonged life span and safety requirements are met
• abseiling techniques and common communication methods and calls used between abseilers and belayers to reduce risk during abseiling on artificial surfaces
• belay systems, devices and anchors appropriate for single pitch artificial surfaces
• technical abseiling knowledge, such as techniques and procedures to suit the features of the surface
• weather and environmental information to ascertain possible conditions and their affect on the activity
• hazards that may commonly be encountered in an artificial abseiling environment
• emergency procedures, potential hazards and obstacles relevant to the location to ensure safety of self and others.

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 following is essential:

• Develop an activity plan and documentation which comply with relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures
• continually monitors the performance and progress of participants and identifies and corrects any performance issues
• applies effective contingency management techniques to deal with problems and issues that arise during the abseiling activity
• receive feedback
• evaluates and reflects on own guiding performance to identify strengths, weaknesses and areas that can be improved.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment must ensure the planning and guiding of abseiling activities for single pitch artificial surfaces that are of sufficient duration to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

• resources and information regarding participants and location to accurately plan, guide and document abseiling activities for a variety of participants
• an artificial abseiling site suitable to the abilities of participants
• a group of participants to take part in the abseiling activity
• equipment such as harnesses, helmets, belay devices, descending devices, ropes, gloves, karabiners, rescue equipment and safety and first aid equipment.

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:

• observation of interaction with a group of participants including conveying information for safe participation
• oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe conduct of all abseiling activities
• observation of dealing with contingencies such as changing weather conditions, equipment misuse, abseiler entrapment
• review of abseiling activity plans
• third-party reports from a leader detailing performance.

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

• SISOABA303A Establish ropes for abseiling on artificial surfaces.

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.

Condition of participants  may include:

• skill level
• previous experience
• fitness level and physical capabilities
• age
• injuries and illnesses.

Plan  may include:

• activity aims and objectives
• date, time and duration
• location or site
• guide and participant ratios
• resources and equipment
• food and water
• weather details
• risk management plan.

Relevant legislation  may include:

• occupational health and safety
• permits or permission for access
• environmental regulations.

Organisational policies and procedures  may include:

• occupational health and safety
• participant confidentiality
• assessment procedures
• time constraints
• use and maintenance of equipment
• communication protocols
• guide and participant ratios
• emergency and safety procedures
• code of ethics.

Activity objectives  may include:

• self improvement
• meeting people
• fitness targets
• adventure and recreation.

Hazards  may include:

• temperature extremes on surfaces
• slippery surfaces
• dangerous animals and insects
• group management hazards.

Risks  may include:

• Emotional risk
• injuries
• exhaustion
• equipment misuse

Artificial surfaces  may include:

• portable or fixed wall
• fixed tower or bridge
• indoor or outdoor
• single pitch.

Relevant sources  may include:

• Bureau of Meteorology
• media
• land managers or agencies
• local knowledge.

Weather and environmental information  may include:

• satellite images
• daily and weekly forecasts
• maximum and minimum temperatures
• weather warnings
• event warnings
• synoptic charts

Food and water requirements  may include:

• perishability
• packaging
• storage.

Contextual issues  may include:

• weather conditions, including times
• season
• transport
• location
• trip distance and duration
• group objectives
• group size.

Belay system  may include:

• top belay
• bottom brake.

Appropriate authorities  may include:

• government departments or agents
• facility and land managers
• statutary bodies
• supervisors.

Equipment  may include:

• ropes
• harnesses
• descending device
• karabiners
• helmet
• belay devices
• first aid kit
• rope protectors
• knife
• rescue pulley
• whistle

Relevant information  may include:

• personal equipment requirements:
• safety procedures
• preventative measures for risks
• possible hazards
• abseiling and belaying techniques
• objectives
• rules and codes
• responsible and safe behaviour.

Communication system  may include:

• calls
• radio
• hand signals
• whistles.

Safety procedures  may include:

• A - anchors - secure and suitable to application
• B - buckles - locked as per manufacturers recommendations
• C- connector - locked, secured and orientated
• D - devices - threaded correctly and secured
• E - organisation specific procedures including; end or rope knots, friction hitches, belayer ready, helmet chin strap, clothing, jewellery and hair secured.
• F- friend - cross check.

Participant's performance  may include:

• use of appropriate communication system
• abseiling technique
• attitude
• negotiation of hazards
• use of equipment.

Variable factors  may include:

• change of weather
• equipment misuse
• participant's needs
• abseiling conditions.

Relevant aspects  may include:

• objectives
• planning process
• activity site
• weather
• equipment selection
• clothing selection
• food selection
• instructional content
• instructional technique
• assessment technique
• group feedback
• directing techniques
• rescue techniques employed.