Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to undertake a basic construction project to provide elementary skills applicable to the construction industry. It includes completion of a project using basic tools, equipment and materials.

Application of the unit 

This unit supports the attainment of basic construction work applications for new construction sites, existing structures being renovated or extended, and existing structures subject to service, restoration or maintenance which includes working with others and as a member of a team.

Basic projects include minor projects within any sector of the construction industry, for example, constructing a pergola, barbecue or footpath.

Prerequisite units 

Nil

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 instructions and operational details for the project planning  are obtained, confirmed and applied from relevant information .

1.2. Safety  (OHS ) requirements are followed in accordance with safety plans and policies.

1.3. Signage and barricade requirements are identified and implemented.

1.4. Tools and equipment  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. Material quantity requirements are calculated in accordance with plans and specifications.

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

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

2. Prepare materials for use on a simple construction project.

2.1. Required materials are selected for the project from project plans and specifications.

2.2. Materials are checked for quality in accordance with the specifications.

3. Determine component requirements and assembly sequence.

3.1. Component parts are identified from working drawings and specifications.

3.2. Processes for manufacture, assembly or other construction techniques and components are selected and applied in accordance with working drawings, specifications and established work procedures.

3.3. Construction process is determined.

3.4. Component parts are checked for accuracy, quality and suitability for the project according to plans, drawings, specifications and established work procedures.

4. Operate hand tools.

4.1. Hand tools are identified and checked for serviceability and operation in accordance with OHS legislation.

4.2. Equipment to hold or support material during the operation of tools is selected and applied in accordance with standard work practices.

4.3. Hand tools are used in accordance with OHS legislation.

5. Use equipment safely.

5.1. Equipment is selected and checked for serviceability and operation in accordance with OHS legislation.

5.2. Equipment is safely and effectively operated in accordance with OHS legislation, and used to construct basic project.

6. Construct a simple project.

6.1. Work area requirements are prepared in accordance with working drawings, specifications and established work procedures.

6.2. Set out, levelling, construction and erection or installation of project are implemented in accordance with application and requirements for line, level and plumb in construction projects.

6.3. Construction project is completed to specification and quality  and is checked for conformity to plans and design specifications.

7. Clean up.

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

7.2. Tools and equipment are cleaned, checked, maintained and stored in accordance with manufacturer recommendations and standard work practices.

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

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

• basic construction techniques
• construction materials
• construction terminology
• hazardous materials
• job safety analysis (JSA) and safe work method statements
• material safety data sheets (MSDS)
• material sizes
• materials storage and environmentally friendly waste management
• plans, specifications and drawings
• plumb, line and level
• processes for the calculation of material requirements
• quality requirements
• tools and equipment types, characteristics, uses, limitations and maintenance
• 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 and equipment
• communicate and work effectively and safely with others
• complete a basic construction project to specifications, complying with OHS requirements, correct and safe use of hand tools and equipment.

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.

Project planning  includes:

• assessment of conditions
• determining work requirements
• equipment defect identification
• hazards
• 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 undertaking a basic construction project
• relevant Australian standards
• safe work procedures relating to undertaking a basic construction project
• signage
• verbal, written and graphical instructions
• work bulletins
• work schedules, plans and specifications.

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

• emergency procedures, including extinguishing fires, organisational first aid requirements and evacuation
• handling activities that may require the assistance of others or the use of manual or mechanical lifting devices where size, weight or other issues, such as a disability are a factor
• hazard control
• hazardous materials and substances
• organisational first aid
• PPE prescribed under legislation, regulations and workplace policies and practices
• 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 at heights
• working in confined spaces
• working in proximity to others

• use of firefighting equipment
• use of tools and equipment
• workplace environmental requirements and safety.

Tools and equipment  include:

• those appropriate to the project.

Materials  include:

• those appropriate to the project.

Environmental requirements  include:

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

Statutory and regulatory authorities  include:

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

Quality  requirements include:

• internal company quality policy and standards
• manufacturer specifications, where specified
• relevant regulations, including Australian standards
• workplace operations and procedures.

Unit sector 

Construction

Co-requisite units 

Nil

Functional area