Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to work safely on construction sites where the work activity involves working above 1.5 metres from ground level and where fall protection measures are required.

Application of the unit 

Construction work is undertaken on domestic and commercial work sites within new construction, renovation or refurbishment, and maintenance.

Prerequisite units 

CPCCOHS2001A

Apply OHS requirements, policies and procedures in the construction industry

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Identify work area requirements.

1.1. Site of proposed work at heights  is identified from relevant information .

1.2. Method of accessing work area is identified.

1.3. Tasks to be completed are identified from work orders and supervisor instructions.

1.4. Fall protection equipment is identified if required by site job safety  (OHS ) analysis or statutory and regulatory  requirements.

1.5. Approved methods of moving tools and equipment to work area are identified to minimise potential of falling objects, removal of scaffold components, inappropriate carrying of materials on ladders, and excessive bending or twisting in pass-up situations.

2. Access work area.

2.1. Fall protection equipment where required is correctly fitted, adjusted and anchored.

2.2. Arrangements are made to appropriately install required equipment taking account of all potential hazards .

2.3. Appropriate methods are used to access work area for self, tools and equipment , and materials .

2.4. Tools and materials are placed to eliminate or at least minimise the risk of items being knocked down.

3. Conduct work tasks.

3.1. Work is conducted following workplace approved procedures.

3.2. Fall protection equipment is kept in place and adjusted appropriately to cater for movement during work.

3.3. Scaffold components and fall barriers are kept in place during work.

3.4. Egress from work area is completed following work site supervisor approved methods for self, tools, materials and environmental requirements .

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

Required skills for this unit are:

• communication skills to:

• enable clear and direct communication, using questioning to identify and confirm requirements, share information, listen and understand
• use language and concepts appropriate to cultural differences
• use and interpret non-verbal communication, such as hand signals

• organisational skills, including the ability to plan and set out work
• teamwork skills to work with others to action tasks and relate to people from a range of cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with varying physical and mental abilities
• technological skills to:

• use a range of mobile technology, such as two-way radio and mobile phones
• voice and hand signals to access and understand site-specific instructions.

Required knowledge 

Required knowledge for this unit is:

• construction terminology
• job safety analysis (JSA) and safe work method statements
• material safety data sheets (MSDS)
• quality requirements
• types, characteristics, uses and limitation of plant, tools and equipment
• workplace and equipment safety requirements.

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 

This unit of competency could be assessed in the workplace or a close simulation of the workplace environment, provided that simulated or project-based assessment techniques fully replicate construction workplace conditions, materials, activities, responsibilities and procedures.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of the ability to:

• locate, interpret and apply relevant information, standards and specifications
• comply with site safety plan, OHS regulations and state and territory legislation applicable to workplace operations
• safely and effectively use tools, plant and equipment
• communicate and work effectively and safely with others
• select and use appropriate height access and fall protection equipment and work methods, including inspecting fall protection equipment, scaffold and fall barriers for faults
• apply knowledge of industry products to identify:

• manual handling risks
• types of lifting and support structures approved for use

• modify work activities to cater for variations in work site procedures, contexts and environment and use appropriate behaviour for safe work at heights
• use safe handling requirements, based on information provided, for equipment, products and materials.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

This competency is to be assessed using standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints.

Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge will usually be conducted in an off-site context.

Assessment is to comply with relevant regulatory or Australian standards' requirements.

Resource implications for assessment include:

• an induction procedure and requirement
• realistic tasks or simulated tasks covering the mandatory task requirements
• relevant specifications and work instructions
• tools and equipment appropriate to applying safe work practices
• support materials appropriate to activity
• workplace instructions relating to safe work practices and addressing hazards and emergencies
• material safety data sheets
• research resources, including industry related systems information.

Reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities must be made to assessment processes where required. This could include access to modified equipment and other physical resources, and the provision of appropriate assessment support.

Method of assessment 

Assessment methods must:

• satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Construction, Plumbing and Services Training Package
• include direct observation of tasks in real or simulated work conditions, with questioning to confirm the ability to consistently identify and correctly interpret the essential underpinning knowledge required for practical application
• reinforce the integration of employability skills with workplace tasks and job roles
• confirm that competency is verified and able to be transferred to other circumstances and environments.

Validity and sufficiency of evidence requires that:

• competency will need to be demonstrated over a period of time reflecting the scope of the role and the practical requirements of the workplace
• where the assessment is part of a structured learning experience the evidence collected must relate to a number of performances assessed at different points in time and separated by further learning and practice, with a decision on competency only taken at the point when the assessor has complete confidence in the person's demonstrated ability and applied knowledge
• all assessment that is part of a structured learning experience must include a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary evidence.

Assessment processes and techniques should as far as is practical take into account the language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate in relation to the competency being assessed.

Supplementary evidence of competency may be obtained from relevant authenticated documentation from third parties, such as existing supervisors, team leaders or specialist training staff.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Work at heights  includes:

• assessment of conditions and hazards
• determination of work requirements
• identification of equipment defects
• inspection of work sites.

Information  includes:

• diagrams or sketches
• instructions issued by authorised organisational or external personnel
• material safety data sheets (MSDS)
• memos
• signage
• verbal or written and graphical instructions
• work bulletins
• work schedules, plans and specifications.

Safety  (OHS ) is to be in accordance with state or territory legislation and regulations, organisational safety policies and procedures, and project safety plan and may include:

• emergency procedures, including extinguishing fires, organisational first aid requirements and evacuation
• handling of materials
• hazard control
• hazardous materials and substances
• safe operating procedures, including the conduct of operational risk assessment and treatments associated with:

• earth leakage boxes
• lighting
• power cables, including overhead service trays, cables and conduits
• restricted access barriers
• surrounding structures
• traffic control
• trip hazards
• work site visitors and the public
• working in confined spaces
• working in proximity to others
• working with dangerous materials

• organisational first aid
• personal protective clothing and equipment prescribed under legislation, regulations and workplace policies and practices
• relevant OHS legislation applying in the jurisdiction where work is carried out, including:

• AS6001 - 1999 Working platforms for domestic application
• AS1576 - Scaffolding
• AS/NZS4576 - 1995 Guidelines for scaffolding

• use of tools and equipment
• workplace environment and safety.

Statutory and regulatory  authorities include:

• federal, state and local authorities administering applicable Acts, regulations and codes of practice.

Hazards  include:

• air temperature
• construction activity involving other workers and contractors
• dust and vapours
• electrical equipment
• energy sources
• equipment and materials
• hazardous materials
• light
• manual handling
• moisture
• noise
• stationary and moving plant
• work at heights.

Tools and equipment  include:

• air compressors and hoses
• hand and power tools
• nail guns
• power leads
• scaffolding.

Materials  include:

• materials used on the construction work site.

Environmental requirements  include:

• clean-up management
• noise and dust
• vibration
• waste management.

Unit sector 

Construction

Co-requisite units 

Nil

Functional area