Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to safely and effectively operate some types of elevated work platforms (EWPs) in a variety of different terrains and situations to access isolated work areas. The unit includes locating, setting up, operating and shutting down EWPs.

In addition to achievement of this competency, an EWP operator may need to obtain additional certification of training and experience before being allowed to operate the equipment.

Application of the unit 

This unit of competency assists in the safe and effective operation of electrical, hydraulic or mechanical EWPs. The unit does not cover powered telescoping devices, hinged devices or articulate d devices, or any combination of these used to support a platform on which personnel, equipment and materials may be elevated to perform work and which has a boom length of 11 metres or more. An OHS authority Certificate of Competency may be required to operate boom type EWPs of 11 metres or more in some jurisdictions.

Prerequisite units 

CPCCCM2010A

Work safely at heights

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. Plan and prepare.

1.1. Work planning and preparation  are conducted using plans, specifications, quality requirements and operational details, obtained, confirmed and applied from relevant information .

1.2. Safety  (OHS ) requirements for the types of EWP  to be operated are followed in accordance with safety plans and policies.

1.3. Signage and barricade requirements are identified and implemented.

1.4. Plant, tools and equipment  and personal protective equipment  are selected to carry out tasks are consistent with job requirements, checked for serviceability, and any faults are rectified or reported prior to commencement.

1.5. Materials appropriate to the work application are identified, obtained, prepared, safely handled and located ready for use.

1.6. Environmental requirements  are identified for the project in accordance with environmental plans and statutory and regulatory authority  obligations, and are applied.

2. Conduct routine checks of platform.

2.1. Power source is determined and connected to platform equipment according to manufacturer specifications.

2.2. Routine pre-operational equipment checks are carried out in accordance with checklist from operator's manual or manufacturer specifications.

2.3. Equipment is switched on in accordance with start up procedures and controls are checked for correct operation and ease of movement.

2.4. Emergency safety devices  are checked to comply with instructions from operator's manual and checked for manual operation.

2.5. Work location is checked for level ground or floor surface to determine stabilising and safe working area requirements.

3. Locate equipment in place for work application.

3.1. Platform is positioned for work application and stabilisers are engaged to set equipment base level into place according to safe operating procedures .

3.2. Tools, equipment and materials are placed into bucket or on platform according to job application requirements.

4. Elevate platform to work location.

4.1. Harness  is fitted securely and lanyard connected to attachment point.

4.2. EWP operation  and controls are operated to manufacturer recommendations and platform is elevated to work position.

4.3. Power is switched off where specified and locking devices are engaged according to operator's manual.

4.4. Work is carried out to job specification and safety (OHS) requirements of operator's manual.

5. Lower platform and shut down.

5.1. Controls are operated to manufacturer recommendations and platform is lowered to down position.

5.2. Shut down procedures are carried out to operator's manual and equipment is switched off.

6. Clean up.

6.1. Work area is cleared and materials disposed of, reused or recycled in accordance with legislation, regulations, codes of practice and job specification.

6.2. Plant, tools and equipment are cleaned, checked, maintained and stored in accordance with manufacturer recommendations and standard work practices.

6.3. Work completion procedures are applied and relevant personnel notified that work is finished.

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:

• determine requirements
• enable clear and direct communication, using questioning to identify and confirm requirements, share information, listen and understand
• follow instructions
• read and interpret:

• documentation from a variety of sources
• drawings and specifications

• report faults
• use language and concepts appropriate to cultural differences
• use and interpret non-verbal communication, such as hand signals
• written skills to complete inspection log and handover

• identifying and accurately reporting to appropriate personnel any faults in tools, equipment or materials
• numeracy skills to apply measurements and make calculations
• 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:

• designs, functions and operational limitations of EWP equipment
• EWP equipment types and OHS authority certification of competency requirements
• EWP techniques
• fault finding and identification
• general construction terminology
• job safety analysis (JSA) and safe work method statements
• material safety data sheets (MSDS)
• materials storage and environmentally friendly waste management
• plans, specifications and drawings
• processes for the calculation of load mass requirements
• quality requirements
• relevant Acts, regulations and codes of practice
• safe working at heights
• signalling methods and communications
• types, characteristics, uses and limitations 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 and OHS legislation, regulations and codes of practice applicable to workplace operations
• comply with organisational policies and procedures, including quality requirements
• safely and effectively use tools, plant and equipment
• communicate and work effectively and safely with others
• complete set up and operation of a range of EWPs as listed in the range statement, including all functions.

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 planning and preparation  include:

• assessment of conditions and hazards
• consideration that EWPs must not be operated anywhere with overhead powerlines above, or within specified clearance distances set out in documentation such as Electrical Safety - Power line NO GO Zones, unless permission has been obtained from the power authority and a JSA has been developed
• determination of work requirements
• equipment defect identification
• work site inspection.

Information  includes:

• diagrams or sketches
• instructions issued by authorised organisational or external personnel
• manufacturer specifications and instructions where specified
• MSDS
• memos
• regulatory and legislative requirements pertaining to EWPs
• relevant Australian standards
• safe work procedures related to operating EWPs, including the safe working load written on the EWP which must be checked to ensure it is not exceeded
• signage
• verbal or written and graphical instructions
• work bulletins
• work schedules, plans and specifications.

Safety  (OHS ) is to be in accordance with legislation, regulations, codes of practice, organisational safety policies and procedures, and project safety plan and may include:

• procedures related to equipment operation, including emergency shutdown and stopping, extinguishing equipment fires, organisational first aid requirements and evacuation
• handling of materials
• hazard control
• hazardous materials and substances
• organisational first aid
• personal protective clothing and equipment
• use of firefighting equipment
• use of tools and equipment
• workplace environment and safety.

Types of EWP :

• EWPs include scissor lifts, boom and knuckle boom lifts with a boom length under 11 metres
• EWPs are classified as:

• trailer mounted boom lift (TL)
• self-propelled boom lift (BL)
• vertical lift (VL)
• scissor lift (SL)
• truck-mounted boom lift (TM), which is not covered by this unit of competency.

Tools and equipment  include:

• EWPs, extension leads, logbooks, service manuals, operation manuals, safety harnesses and lanyards
• special attachments, which may have to be installed if equipment is to be shifted with the EWP, as lifting loads via cables and ropes from an EWP is not permitted.

Personal protective equipment  includes:

• that prescribed under legislation, regulations, codes of practice and workplace policies and practices.

Environmental requirements  include:

• clean-up protection
• noise and dust
• sedimentation control
• vibration
• waste management.

Statutory and regulatory authorities  include:

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

Emergency safety devices  include:

• bleed valves
• electronic override
• emergency descent devices
• ground controls
• hydraulic accumulators.

Safe operating procedures  include:

• 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 at heights
• working in confined spaces
• working in proximity to others
• working with dangerous materials

• not using slab terrain EWPs on any surface other than concrete or level asphalt.

Harnesses  include:

• energy or shock absorbers that must be used with all fall arrest lanyard, harness and inertia reel systems
• full body rescue harness
• lanyards and inertia reels, which should be attached to the harness installed so that the maximum distance a person equipped with a harness would free fall before the fall arrest system takes effect is 2 metres.

EWP operation  includes:

• boom up and down
• operate attachments
• operate outriggers
• slew left and right
• telescope in and out.

Unit sector 

Construction

Co-requisite units 

Nil

Functional area