Release 1. This is the first release of this unit of competency in the DEF Defence Training Package.

This unit specifies the skills and knowledge required to use hand tools in an underwater environment.

It includes preparing appropriate hand tools for work task and inspecting them for serviceability, ensuring tools are secured on own body throughout dive, and employing tools during work task. It also includes recovering waste arising from work task and deservicing, maintaining and storing tools for ongoing use.

This unit relates, in part, to existing standards in the Australian Diver Accreditation Scheme (ADAS).

This unit applies to persons working as Defence divers but is applicable to all individuals who work in this field.

The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative, regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and procedures must be consulted and adhered to.

Persons undertaking this unit work independently and perform specific tasks in a range of contexts that could be unpredictable.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Not applicable

Work Diving

Not applicable.

ELEMENTS 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1  

Prepare hand tools 

1.1 

Determine specific requirements for hand tools to meet work task and worksite requirements

1.2 

Develop a work plan that is consistent with dive plan

1.3 

Select and inspect hand tools and protective equipment, and report any faults

1.4 

Safely secure hand tools for transport to/from dive site

1.5 

Conduct a risk assessment of worksite hazards and take action/s to manage identified risks

2 

Operate hand tools underwater 

2.1 

Secure hand tools on self during dive for ease of accessibility, and lack of interference with mobility and dive equipment

2.2 

Establish a work safe area and confirm location and safety of divers prior to commencing work task/s

2.3 

Operate hand tools underwater in accordance with work plan

3 

Maintain hand tools 

3.1 

Minimise environmental impact arising from use of hand tools and recover waste products in accordance with dive plan

3.2 

Undertake activity to de-service hand tools and protective equipment after use

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Non-essential conditions may be found in the Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

This unit replaces but is not equivalent to DEFDV008B Employ hand tools in an underwater environment.

Release 1. This is the first release of this unit of competency in the DEF Defence Training Package.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and include:

• applying relevant industry standards, organisational policies and procedures
• attending to personal and collective safety
• developing a work plan in agreement with dive plan
• employing hand tools underwater in accordance with work plan
• identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing control measures
• inspecting hand tools and protective equipment
• maintaining hand tools
• using not less than four different hand tools in underwater work tasks for a total usage time of not less than 60 minutes across a number of work tasks.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and include knowledge of:

• care of hand tools
• dive physics
• dive physiology and medicine including:

• heat and cold illnesses
• compression illnesses
• decompression illnesses

• diving descent and ascent techniques
• general diving safety awareness including:

• diving in harbours
• diving in tidal waters, currents and tides
• diving on and/or near a ship’s bottom
• lost/separated
• entrapment/foul lines
• marine animal threats
• pollution/weeds
• working in confined spaces

• identification of tool faults
• relevant dive equipment
• relevant industry standards, and organisational policies and procedures
• use of tools on land
• workplace hazards and risk mitigation procedures.

As a minimum, assessors must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

As a minimum, assessment must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must occur in workplace operational situations where it is appropriate to do so; where this is not appropriate, assessment must occur in simulated workplace operational situations that replicate workplace conditions.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Resources for assessment must include access to:

• a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or other simulations
• relevant and appropriate materials, tools, equipment and personal protective equipment currently used in industry
• ocean with a range of oceanic, diurnal and nocturnal environments
• relevant documentation including organisational procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals.

When practicable, assessment should relate to the diver’s vocational focus.