Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the process of troubleshooting blockages in drainage lines and defines the standard required to: plan and prepare for the work; inspect the site to determine access to drainage lines; isolate appliances/fixtures/fittings and related assemblies (where required); use manual and mechanical drain clearing equipment; test the system and clean up after locating and clearing any blockages.

Application of the unit 

This unit is likely to be carried out under routine supervision within enterprise guidelines.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Plan job

1.1. Equipment is selected and checked for safe operation.

1.2. Appropriate personal protective equipment and tools are selected and used according to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) requirements.

2. Inspect site

2.1. Site is inspected to locate blocked section of drainage lines.

2.2. Work requirements and responsibility for repair is determined and appropriate authorities/persons notified of the intention to commence work.

3. Determine access to drainage lines

3.1. Plan of plumbing system is determined and access points located.

3.2. Digging is carried out without unnecessary damage to buildings, site, environment or existing fixtures/fittings.

4. Carry out job

4.1. Manual lifting and handling techniques are used according to OHS requirements.

4.2. Hand tools and equipment are selected to perform work.

4.3. Mechanical equipment is assembled and used according to manufacturer's instructions and OHS requirements.

4.4. Access to drainage lines is obtained to allow blockage to be cleared.

4.5. Blockage is cleared or blocked section is replaced according to enterprise, environmental and OHS procedures.

5. Check job

5.1. Drainage line is tested to confirm blockage is cleared from pipe system.

5.2. Drainage line is repaired/resealed to permit normal use.

5.3. Relevant persons/authorities are advised that repairs have been completed and the drainage line has been commissioned for use.

6. Clean up site, materials and equipment

6.1. Work area is cleaned and aligned, with debris/waste disposed of according to enterprise, environmental and OHS procedures.

6.2. Materials and equipment are maintained according to enterprise, environmental and OHS procedures, and returned to store.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• isolate appliances/fixtures/fittings and related assemblies (where required)
• repair or remove blockages
• use manual and mechanical drain clearing equipment
• level and align site
• implement and follow relevant enterprise OHS and environmental policies and procedures
• use literacy skills to read, interpret and follow organisational policies and procedures, follow sequenced written instructions, record accurately and legible information collected and select and apply procedures for a range of tasks
• use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning techniques, active listening, clarifying information and consulting with supervisors as required
• use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures
• use interpersonal skills to work with and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge 

• types and operational parameters of drains
• components used in drainage systems
• isolation processes and procedures
• levelling and alignment processes
• regulatory requirements, codes of practice and relevant enterprise service standards relating to blockage removal, disconnection and reconnection activities
• environmental impacts of drainage systems
• application of OHS procedures when locating and clearing line blockages, use of personal protective equipment and materials handling.

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:

• plan and prepare for the work
• inspect the site to determine access to drainage lines
• isolate appliances/fixtures/fittings and related assemblies (where required)
• use manual and mechanical drain clearing equipment
• test the system and clean up after locating and clearing any blockages.

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:

• surface drains
• culverts
• mole drains
• sand slit
• sub-surface traps
• pit and trap systems
• dune and swale systems
• reed beds
• water-recycling pumps and baffles.

Unit sector 

Drainage

Co-requisite units 

Competency field