Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the process of constructing access tracks and clearing vegetation on rural land and defines the standard required to: determine control points; required grades, and water crossing points and structures from field observations; construct tracks utilising industry endorsed earthworks methods and patterns for specific machines; excavate; transport; dump and compact road material; finish track surface; clean worksite.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to workers in land management who are required to implement erosion control principles and apply specialised earthmoving techniques to fine tolerances. Work is often carried out in varied conditions and landscapes, which requires operators to develop skills that are unique to this sector.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Prepare for construction of access track

1.1. Equipment and attachments are matched to programmed tasks and terrain scheduled on site.

1.2. Work readiness of selected equipment is verified in line with contractor policy.

1.3. Construction details and sequence are confirmed from supervisor.

1.4. Survey pegs and site indicators are identified and located on work site.

1.5. Compliance with relevant regulatory planning and environmental legislation are confirmed.

1.6. Organisational occupational health&safety procedures, practices policies, and precautions are observed and followed.

1.7. Site environmental concerns are adhered to in accordance with relevant national, state, and local legislation and/or regulations.

1.8. Determine control points, required grades, and water crossing points and structures from field observations and any available additional information.

1.9. Any permits or licences required for the construction are identified, sought and obtained.

1.10. People, materials and equipment required for the construction are coordinated and scheduled in accordance with organisation guidelines.

2. Form access track

2.1. Industry endorsed earthworks methods and patterns for specific machines are utilised during construction.

2.2. Optimum machine loads are monitored and maintained to suit prevailing conditions.

2.3. Safe machine operating techniques and procedures are deployed to match terrain, site conditions and other operators or workers.

2.4. Excavation, transport, dumping and compaction of material is completed in line with job sequence and endorsed industry practices.

2.5. Vegetation is cleared according to enterprise guidelines and industry best practice.

2.6. Neighbouring landholders, local authorities and interest groups are liaised with during the construction activity in according to enterprise guidelines and industry best practice.

2.7. Documentation required by organisation and/or occupational health&safety guidelines, is completed clearly and accurately.

2.8. Operational staff, clients and contractors are communicated with regularly throughout the construction activity to ensure smooth operation and progress.

3. Apply final finish to track

3.1. Endorsed industry methods are utilised to surfaces to achieve job requirements.

3.2. Site features and vegetation are retained in line with works plan/schedule.

3.3. Site is cleared and debris removed in line with contractor policy.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• prepare for access track construction
• liaise with stakeholders
• determine control points, required grades, and water crossing points and structures from field observations
• operate appropriate machinery
• form access tracks
• apply final finish techniques to surfaces
• 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 

• erosion and sediment control standards and principles
• provisions of the relevant wild life, environmental, planning, ground water legislation
• safety
• erosion control and design principles
• soils and soil formation
• levels and levelling
• earthmoving principles
• principles for machine operation
• total catchment issues
• legal issues
• environmental issues
• country code
• managing peak water flows
• subsurface and surface drainage principles and systems.

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 

Competence requires evidence that access tracks have been appropriately constructed according to enterprise guidelines, relevant legislation and industry best practice. 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:

• select and prepare equipment
• determine control points, required grades, and water crossing points and structures from field observations
• construct tracks utilising industry endorsed earthworks methods and
• patterns for specific machines
• excavate, transport, dump and compact road material
• finish track surface and clean worksite.

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.

Machinery and activities may include:

• all machinery, equipment and processes used in the construction of access tracks and clearing of vegetation.

Unit sector 

Lands, parks and wildlife

Co-requisite units 

Competency field