This unit specifies the skills and knowledge required to safely operate a boom-type elevating work platform where the length of the boom is 11 metres or more.

Boom-type elevating work platform means a telescoping device, hinged device, or articulated device, or any combination of these, used to support a platform on which personnel, equipment and materials may be elevated.

A person performing this work is required to hold a boom-type elevating work platform high risk work (HRW) licence.

This unit requires a person operating a boom-type elevating work platform to plan the work, conduct routine checks, set up elevating work platform, operate elevating work platform, and shut down and secure elevating work platform.

Licensing/Regulatory Information 

This unit is based on the licensing requirements of Part 4.5 of the Model Work Health and Safety (WHS) Regulations, HRW and meets Commonwealth, state and territory HRW licensing requirements.

Any alteration to this unit would result in a unit that would not be acceptable to work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) regulators for the purpose of licensing.

ELEMENTS 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1 

Plan work 

1.1

Potential workplace hazards are identified

1.2

Hazard control measures are identified consistent with appropriate standards to ensure the safety of personnel and equipment

1.3

Elevating work platform is appropriate for the task

1.4

Appropriate communications methods are identified

2 

Conduct routine checks 

2.1

Service logbook for elevating work platform is checked for compliance

2.2

Elevating work platform is visually checked for damage or defects in accordance with procedures

2.3

Routine pre-operational checks are carried out in accordance with procedures

2.4

Safety equipment is inspected in accordance with procedures

2.5

Elevating work platform is accessed in a safe manner

2.6

Safety equipment is fitted and secured to elevating work platform in accordance with procedures

2.7

All controls are located and identified

2.8

Elevating work platform is started in accordance with procedures

2.9

All safety devices are identified and tested in accordance with procedures

2.10

Post-start operational checks are carried out in accordance with procedures

2.11

Communications equipment is checked for serviceability

2.12

All damage and defects are reported and recorded in accordance with procedures, and appropriate action is taken

3 

Set up elevating work platform 

3.1

Ground suitability is inspected and checked

3.2

Elevating work platform is driven to or located at work area in accordance with procedures

3.3

Elevating work platform is positioned for work application and stability in accordance with procedures

3.4

Appropriate hazard prevention/control measures are applied to work area in accordance with procedures

3.5

Work gear and tools are stowed and secured

4

Operate elevating work platform 

4.1

Elevating work platform is operated using all relevant plant movements in accordance with procedures and appropriate standards

4.2

Elevating work platform is mobilised using best mobile practice and appropriate procedures

4.3

Elevated working platform operations are monitored constantly, to ensure safety of personnel and stability

4.4

Unplanned and/or unsafe situations are responded to in accordance with procedures

5 

Shut down and secure elevating work platform 

5.1

Elevating work platform is lowered and stowed in accordance with procedures

5.2

Relevant motion locks and brakes are applied as required

5.3

Safety equipment is disconnected from platform

5.4

Egress from elevated work platform is conducted in accordance with procedures

5.5

Outriggers/stabilisers are stowed and secured in accordance with procedures as required

5.6

Plates or packing are stowed and secured as required

5.7

Elevating work platform is shut down in accordance with procedures

5.8

Routine post-operational checks are carried out in accordance with procedures

5.9

Damage and defects are reported and recorded in accordance with procedures, and appropriate action is taken

Skill 

Performance feature 

Employment skills to:

• operate a boom-type elevating work platform with a boom length of 11 metres or more in different types of workplaces transferring key principles of safe operation to different contexts
• improve own performance in safely and efficiently operating a boom-type elevating work platform by incorporating learnings from different workplaces and different conditions into current performance

Numeracy skills to:

• interpret numerical information including:

• selecting appropriate boom-type elevating work platform in accordance with load and workplace conditions
• load weight assessment, to ensure compliance with boom-type elevating work platform data plate specifications
• controlling and monitoring instrument readings

Language skills to:

• use and interpret vocabulary specific to boom-type elevating work platform operations and workplace procedures to communicate with other workplace personnel
• use non-verbal feedback to support effective communication
• use relevant two-way radio conventions

Literacy (reading ) skills to:

• interpret documentation that includes technical specificity including:

• boom-type elevating work platform data plate
• plant operation manuals and manufacturer specifications
• workplace procedures, including emergency plan
• workplace signage and labels

Literacy (writing) skills to:

• accurately record and maintain information relating to operating a boom-type elevating work platform including:

• incident reports
• vehicle checking and maintenance records

Self-management skills to:

• implement risk control measures
• initiate emergency management strategies

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must provide evidence of safely operating a boom type elevating work platform with a boom lengths of 11 metres or more and satisfy all of the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills requirements of the unit on at least one occasion including:

• applying appropriate mathematical procedures to estimate loads
• applying best operating practice including:

• avoiding ground depressions
• gently accelerating and braking
• minimum speed
• minimum boom/jib length

• applying emergency procedures and safety equipment, including the use of safety harnesses, energy absorbers, lanyard and anchor points
• applying hazard prevention/control measures including:

• disconnected power
• illumination requirements
• insulated electric lines
• moving obstructions
• pedestrian controls
• personal protective equipment
• safety tags on electrical switches/isolators
• using safety observer inside exclusion zone
• suitable area for set-up
• suitable firm and stable standing
• traffic barricades and controls
• trench covers

• applying relevant plant movements including:

• articulating
• hinging
• lowering boom
• raising boom
• slewing
• telescoping

• applying risk assessment and hazard control strategies, including hierarchy of control as applied to positioning and safely operating an elevating work platform
• assessing ground conditions to confirm site is suitable (e.g. firm, level and safe) to extend and travel the elevating work platform
• communicating with other workplace personnel through:

• appropriate worksite protocols
• bells
• buzzers
• listening
• making and interpreting hand signals
• questioning to confirm understanding
• signage
• two way radios
• verbal and non-verbal language
• written instructions

• complying with WHS/OHS licensing legislation
• identifying problems and equipment faults and where practicable demonstrating appropriate response procedures
• operating and controlling a boom type elevating work platform including all functions to their maximum extension within the safe working (rated) capacity including:

• a telescoping device
• articulated device
• hinged device
• or any combination of the above used to support a platform on which personnel, equipment and materials may be elevated to perform work

• positioning, stabilising, set up of elevating work platforms, including the use of outriggers/stabilisers and packing to ensure that the safest lift is performed
• receiving and interpreting workplace instructions, safety information, emergency procedures
• recording and maintaining accurate information relating to operating elevating work platform
• shutting down a boom type elevating work platform in accordance with manufacturer specifications and workplace procedures including:

• idling engine to stabilise temperature
• folding boom/jib into the transport position
• removing key from ignition
• retracting boom/jib
• retracting outriggers/stabilisers
• turning off engine

• stabilising a boom type elevating work platform by:

• correctly positioning plates or packing
• deploying outriggers
• establishing correct size plates or packing

• using and interpreting manufacturer specifications and data
• using communications signals including:

• luff boom down – hand
• luff boom down – whistle and/or two-way radio
• luff boom up – hand
• luff boom up – whistle and/two-way radio
• stop –hand
• stop – whistle and/or two-way radio
• telescope out – hand
• telescope out – whistle and/or two-way radio
• telescope in – hand
• telescope in – whistle and/or two-way radio

• using outriggers/stabilisers and packing to ensure safest lift is performed
• verifying problems and equipment faults and applying appropriate response procedures to unplanned and/or unsafe situations including:

• contact with overhead electrical conductors
• damage caused by contact with obstructions
• environmental conditions (e.g. wind, lightning, storms, etc.)
• failure of controls
• illness of personnel
• loss of power.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and include knowledge of:

• appropriate mathematical procedures for estimating loads to ensure elevating work platform is not overloaded
• Australian and industry standards relevant to operating a boom-type elevating work platform (boom length 11 metres or more)
• boom length capability including:

• nominal reach, measured horizontally from centre point of rotation to outer edge of platform in its most extended position
• vertical distance from floor of platform to surface supporting elevating work platform with platform at its maximum height

• Commonwealth, state or territory WHS/OHS legislation, standards and codes of practice relevant to the full range of processes for the crane class
• ground stability including:

• backfilled ground
• bitumen
• concrete
• hard compacted soil
• rock
• rough uneven ground
• soft soils

• elevating work platform characteristics, operations and operating techniques
• emergency procedures and safety equipment, including the use of safety harness, energy absorber, lanyard and anchor points
• hazards including:

• environmental conditions (e.g. wind, lightning, storms, etc.)
• ground stability (e.g. ground condition, recently filled trenches, slopes)
• insufficient lighting
• other specific hazards (e.g. tidal areas, chainsaws, pressure washers, dangerous materials
• overhead hazards (e.g. electric lines, service pipes, trees, buildings etc.)
• traffic (e.g. pedestrians, vehicles, plant)

• hierarchy of hazard identification and control:

• elimination
• substitution
• isolation
• engineering controls
• administrative controls
• personal protective equipment (PPE)

• procedures for recording, reporting and maintaining workplace records and information, including using the service logbook
• organisational and workplace standards, requirements, policies and procedures for conducting elevating work platform operations
• rated capacity and working load limits
• risks associated with overhead electric lines/electrical cables, ground conditions, wind, pedestrians and tipping
• systematic process of eliminating or reducing risk to personnel and property through the application of controls
• typical routine problems encountered in the process and with equipment, and adjustments required for correction.

Assessments must be conducted by an assessor accredited for this high risk work (HRW) licence class in the Commonwealth/state/territory where the licence will be obtained (i.e. an assessor authorised by a Commonwealth/state/territory WHS/OHS regulator).

As a minimum, assessors must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which may include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and all assessment must be conducted in the English language.

Assessment of performance must be undertaken in the workplace and/or under realistic workplace conditions which typically reflect:

• performing tasks/activities within timelines that would be expected in a workplace
• standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints
• using full-scale equipment

Boom-type elevating work platform (boom length 11 metres or more) operation assessment must be conducted in a working zone in accordance with state/territory arrangements.

If the working zone is located at a ‘live’ site, assessment should continue in all weather conditions unless the safety of the candidate or others could be compromised.

Simulators must not  be used in the assessment of this unit of competency.

Accredited assessors are responsible for ensuring candidates have access to:

• appropriate boom-type elevating work platform (boom length 11 metres or more) and associated equipment in safe condition
• appropriate safety equipment and devices including:

• anchor points
• audible and visual reversing devices
• energy absorber
• horns/sirens
• lanyard
• lights as required
• operator restraint devices (platform gate)
• safety harness

• communications equipment including:

• mobile phone
• two-way radios

• required personal protective equipment (PPE) for the purpose of the Performance Assessment
• where appropriate, relevant workplace procedures and standards for operating a boom-type elevating work platform including:

• approved codes of practice and guidance
• Australian Standards
• checklists
• industry operating procedures
• relevant industry standards (where applicable)
• manufacturer guidelines (instructions, specifications or checklists) for the purpose of the Performance Assessment
• safe work method statement (SWMS), as required
• service logbooks/logbooks
• signage and labels
• history record system where service and maintenance history is kept.