Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the process of carrying out routine maintenance activities for drainage systems and defines the standard required to: carry out cleaning and maintenance of drainage systems; inspect and maintain simple drainage system components; monitor and control weeds and silt build up; inspect components for wear and record and report damage, blockages and leakages.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to workers in all industry sectors maintaining drainage systems usually working under supervision in a support role as directed.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Inspect drainage systems

1.1. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) hazards are identified and safety concerns reported to the supervisor.

1.2. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is used and maintained according to procedures.

1.3. Drainage system is visually inspected for blockages, leaks and operating faults.

2. Maintain system components

2.1. Components are inspected for wear or blockage.

2.2. Mechanical equipment is serviced as directed.

2.3. Simple components are replaced as directed.

3. Remove silt and weed growth

3.1. Silt is cleaned from channels, drains, sumps and crossings.

3.2. Weed growth is removed as directed.

3.3. Drainage system is flushed.

3.4. Unobstructed water flow is observed through channels and from outlets.

4. Record and report maintenance activities

4.1. Blockage or leakage is recorded by type and location of the section of the system affected.

4.2. Damaged or faulty equipment is recorded and reported.

4.3. All routine maintenance activities are recorded and reported.

4.4. Drainage system is checked regularly according to directions.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• identify hazards
• follow safe work practices relating to drainage system maintenance
• read and follow operational procedures for drainage system maintenance
• record and report maintenance observations and activities
• use hand or powered equipment
• use a range of weed control methods
• use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification and seeking advice from supervisor
• use interpersonal skills to relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge 

• basic types of drainage systems
• drainage system cleaning procedures
• OHS procedures relating to drainage system maintenance
• manual, mechanical and chemical weed control methods
• equipment used to clean and maintain drainage systems
• legislation regarding the use of chemicals near waterways
• disposal procedures for chemical containers and residues, oils/grease and used parts
• environmental impacts of drainage system maintenance.

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:

• carry out cleaning and maintenance of drainage systems
• inspect and maintain simple drainage system components
• monitor and control weeds and silt build up
• inspect components for wear
• record and report damage, blockages and leakages.

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.

Drainage systems may include:

• drainage pipes and channels
• surface drains, culverts, mole drains, sand slit, sub surface traps, reed beds
• pumps for recycling
• baffles.

Operation systems may include:

• manual operation with monitoring
• fully automated with computer control and monitoring.

Unit sector 

Drainage

Co-requisite units 

Competency field