Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the process of preparing and operating a cane haulage vehicle in the sugar cane production industry and defines the standard required to: check haulage equipment prior to use; determine operating methods and load from farm maps and instructions; haul cane safely and efficiently; identify and report faults or breakdowns; conduct shutdown procedures; maintain records.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to working with the application of some judgement and discretion, and would be carried out with supervision within enterprise guidelines.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Prepare cane haulage vehicle

1.1. Routine pre-operational checks of cane haulage vehicle are completed to manufacturer's specifications and enterprise requirements.

1.2. Cabin drill is carried out according to enterprise instructions and safety routines.

1.3. Potential and existing Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) hazards in the workplace are recognised, risk assessed and minimised according to enterprise requirements.

1.4. Suitable personal protective equipment is selected, used and maintained according to OHS requirements.

2. Carry out cane haulage operations

2.1. Vehicle is operated in a safe, controlled and correct manner and monitored for performance and efficiency.

2.2. Cane is correctly selected, hauled and delivered efficiently, safely and co-operatively.

2.3. Risks to self, others and the environment are anticipated and minimisation strategies implemented accordingly.

2.4. Environmental implications associated with cane haulage are identified, assessed and reported to the supervisor.

3. Complete cane haulage operation

3.1. Shut-down procedures for cane haulage vehicle are completed to manufacturer's specifications and enterprise requirements.

3.2. Records are completed and maintained according to enterprise requirements.

3.3. Malfunctions, faults, irregular performance and damage to cane haulage vehicle are identified, detailed and reported according to enterprise requirements.

3.4. Cane haulage vehicle is cleaned, secured and stored according to OHS and enterprise requirements.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• identify hazards and apply safe work practices
• operate a variety of pushing and towing haulage vehicles
• demonstrate emergency operating procedures in normal and adverse conditions
• demonstrate safe and environmentally responsible workplace practices
• obtain relevant licences and permits
• read and interpret farm maps, operators manuals, manufacturers specifications, work and maintenance plans, and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs)
• effectively communicate faults, malfunctions and workplace hazards, report and maintain operational records
• comprehend and apply task instructions
• measure and calculate volumes, load weights, consumption and servicing requirements.

Required knowledge 

• components, controls and features of cane haulage vehicles and their functions
• operating principles and operating methods for cane haulage vehicles
• principles of weight distribution with regard to load shifting and vehicle movement
• risks associated with the operation of cane haulage vehicles in different weather and difficult terrain conditions
• OHS and environment legislative and enterprise requirements
• environmental codes of practice with regard t the operation of machinery
• legislation and regulations with regard to the operation of cane haulage vehicles and licensing requirements
• cane haulage processes and spillage minimisation techniques
• cane harvesting processes as they relate to collection and haulage of harvests.

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.

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 workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:

• check haulage equipment prior to use
• determine operating methods and load from farm maps and instructions
• haul cane safely and efficiently
• identify and report faults or breakdowns
• conduct shutdown procedures
• maintain records.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.

Cane haulage vehicles may include:

• trucks
• infield transporters
• tractor-trailer combinations
• other cane transporters.

Unit sector 

Broadacre cropping

Co-requisite units 

Competency field