Modification History
Release |
Comments |
Release 2 |
This version first released with ICT10 Integrated Telecommunications Training Package Version 3.0. It is based on the superseded equivalent ICTWHS2170A. |
Release 1 |
This version first released with ICT10 Integrated Telecommunications Training Package Version 2.0. |
Unit Descriptor
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to follow safe work practices and environmental policy in managing telecommunications workplace tasks. It involves awareness of the safe handling of active optical fibre, cabling, laser sources and equipment.
The unit requires the ability to apply work health and safety (WHS) requirements, the basic principles of risk management, and prevention of injury and illness on construction sites involving the NBN in particular, and all other locations where telecommunications work is performed.
This unit includes the ability to recognise asbestos hazards and take steps to minimise associated risks. Removal of asbestos is a licensed activity covered by the units of competency CPCCDE3014A Remove non-friable asbestos.
Some cabling and installation work may fall within the definition of construction work. People entering the construction site are required to complete the general induction training program specified by the National Code of Practice for Induction Training for Construction Work (Australian Safety Compensation Council, May 2007), sometimes referred to as the ‘White Card’.
The unit CPCCOHS1001A Work safely in the construction industry from the CPC08 Construction, Plumbing and Services Training Package fulfils this requirement.
Application of the Unit
The unit applies to field officers deploying broadband access networks using optical technologies. They combine technical skills with specific WHS skills to work safely on live systems.
The unit also applies to telecommunications staff working under supervision in a technical environment. This includes school-based workers, entry-level workers, trainees and apprentices.
Licensing/Regulatory Information
Licensing requirements will apply to this unit of competency depending on the regulatory requirements of each jurisdiction. Users should confirm requirements with the relevant federal, state or territory authority.
Note: The terms occupational health and safety (OHS) and WHS are equivalent and generally either can be used. Western Australian and Victorian legislation uses OHS. Commonwealth, NSW, Queensland, Northern Territory, Tasmania and South Australia legislation uses WHS.
Pre-Requisites
Nil
Employability Skills Information
This unit contains employability skills.
Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content
Element |
Performance Criteria |
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. |
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Apply WHS regulatory requirements |
1.1 Identify WHS requirements relevant to own work, role and responsibilities and comply with safe work practices 1.2 Apply duty of care requirements |
2. Follow workplace procedures for identifying hazards and using control measures to control risk |
2.1 Identify and report common construction hazards in the work area to designated personnel according to workplace procedures 2.2 Identify and follow WHS requirements, workplace procedures and work instructions to control hazards and risks 2.3 Comply with safe work practices and principles of risk management 2.4 Implement duty of care requirements 2.5 Complete job safety analysis (JSA) sheet or safe work method statement (SWMS) according to work requirements, including hazard identification and risk assessment 2.6 Use and complete checks to personal protective equipment according to work requirements 2.7 Assess and test for harmful gases associated with the workplace |
3. Identify safety requirements for work with optical fibre equipment |
3.1 Identify safe work practices when handling optical fibre, lasers and optical connectors according to relevant Australian standards 3.2 Identify safe work practices when handling and disposing of chemical waste |
4. Identify WHS communication and reporting processes |
4.1 Identify WHS communication processes, information and documentation 4.2 Identify the role of designated WHS personnel and safety signs and symbols 4.3 Identify procedures and relevant authorities for reporting hazards, incidents and injuries |
5. Identify WHS incident response procedures |
5.1 Identify general procedures for responding to incidents and emergencies 5.2 Identify procedures for accessing first aid 5.3 Identify and demonstrate requirements for selecting and using relevant personal protective equipment 5.4 Identify fire safety equipment |
6. Contribute to WHS and environmental issues in the workplace |
6.1 Discuss WHS and environmental issues with designated personnel according to workplace procedures, and relevant WHS policies and environmental requirements 6.2 Contribute to participative arrangements for WHS and environmental management in the workplace within organisational procedures, scope of responsibilities and own competencies 6.3 Record and report WHS issues, risks and hazards to designated personnel |
7. Identify and respond to minor traffic management |
7.1 Assess traffic safety requirements of the general location with respect to regulatory and organisational requirements 7.2 Identify a safe work zone around vehicle and work space using traffic cones and signs according to regulatory requirements 7.3 Identify and respond to changed traffic conditions |
8. Identify and respond appropriately to a confined space |
8.1 Identify a confined space in line with regulatory or organisational guidelines 8.2 Refer the telecommunications work in the identified confined space to appropriate trained personnel |
9. Identify and respond appropriately to asbestos hazards |
9.1 Identify asbestos hazards or their likelihood 9.2 Respond to asbestos hazards or their likelihood 9.3 Report identified or suspected asbestos hazards to designated personnel according to workplace procedures |
Required Skills and Knowledge
This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.
Required skills
- communication skills to:
- ask effective questions and clarify requirements
- listen to, and liaise with, relevant personnel on technical and operational matters
- raise and report WHS matters, discuss and relay WHS information to others
- explain legislative requirements and principles of risk management, safety signs and symbols and common hazards in relation to own work
- literacy skills to:
- interpret technical documentation and standards
- incorporate technical language into written tasks, such as reporting on recommendations to minimise hazards and injury
- numeracy skills to interpret technical data, such as specifications of laser operations
- problem-solving skills to use methodology that minimises risk
- research skills to access technical information and sources to understand and report on safety requirements
- safety awareness skills to:
- apply required precautions and action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards associated with work activities
- recognise asbestos and the likelihood of asbestos in work area
- select and use required personal protective equipment that conforms to industry and WHS standards
- work systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self and others, and damage to goods or equipment
- select and use appropriate methods for laser handling.
Required knowledge
- applicable federal, state and territory WHS procedures, regulations, standards, codes of practice and industry standards and guidance notes relevant to own workplace, role and responsibilities
- differences between federal, state and territory WHS legislation and regulations
- common construction hazards
- asbestos hazards and their potential risk for workers and the community
- common construction hazards and common hazards in relation to own work
- general construction work activities that require licences, tickets or certificates of competency
- environmental control processes:
- air quality management
- disposal and handling of hazardous and dangerous substances
- noise pollution
- safe disposal of fibre offcuts
- stormwater and materials spillage
- waste disposal
- WHS responsibilities and rights of duty holders/workplace parties under environmental and WHS regulations and codes of practice, including:
- persons in control of construction work or projects
- employers and self-employed persons
- persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) and their officers
- supervisors
- employees
- designers
- inspectors
- manufacturers and suppliers
- optical fibres and equipment:
- hazards relating to handling of optical fibre and laser light source in the workplace
- injuries:
- damage to retina from lasers
- damage to lungs from inhalation of fibre offcuts and particles
- needle stick injury from fibres and offcuts
- laser warning signs and labels relating to optical fibre components and equipment
- safety requirements when handling and working with:
- devices
- laser light sources
- optical fibre connectors
- optical fibres
- patch cords
- own responsibilities to comply with safe work practices including those relating to:
- asbestos hazards
- confined spaces
- housekeeping
- identification of hazards
- preventing bullying or harassment
- smoking
- use of amenities
- use of drugs and alcohol
- principles of risk management for construction work, including:
- hazard identification
- risk assessment and control
- ways in which WHS is managed in the workplace, and activities required under WHS legislation, including:
- hazard identification
- hazards that exist in the workplace
- WHS instruction
- preferred order of ways to control risks (hierarchy of control)
- risk assessment and controls
- role of WHS committees and representatives
- training and provision of WHS information
- types of common personal protective equipment and fire safety equipment
- types of WHS information and documentation
- workplace environmental and WHS procedures relevant to the work being undertaken, including procedures for:
- designated personnel responsible for WHS
- employee/worker participation in WHS management
- general first aid response requirements
- general workers’ compensation and injury management requirements
- meaning of WHS symbols found on signs and labels in the workplace
- raising WHS issues
- recognising and reporting on:
- accidents
- asbestos hazards
- dangerous occurrences
- emergencies
- hazards
- incidents
- injuries
- near misses
- responding to:
- accidents
- emergencies
- evacuation procedures
- fires
- hazards
- incidents
- injuries
- work operations to control risks
- traffic control for a single vehicle
- risks associated with confined spaces and appropriate responses.
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 |
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Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit |
Evidence of the ability to:
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Context of and specific resources for assessment |
Assessment must ensure access to:
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Method of assessment |
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
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Guidance information for assessment |
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended. Aboriginal people and other people from a non-English speaking background may have second language issues. Access must be provided to appropriate learning and assessment support when required. Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and appropriate to the oral communication skill level, and language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed. In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge. Questioning techniques should not require language, literacy and numeracy skills beyond those required in this unit of competency. Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with special needs. |
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.
WHS requirements include: |
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Safe work practices may relate to: |
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Duty of care requirements relate to: |
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Common construction hazards may include: |
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Designated personnel may include: |
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Workplace procedures may include: |
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Measures for controlling hazards and risk may include: |
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Hazards may include: |
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Principles of risk management include: |
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Job safety analysis sheet or safe work method statement may include: |
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Hazard identification includes: |
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Risk assessment includes: |
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Personal protective equipment may include: |
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Assessing and testing for harmful gases include: |
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Australian standards may include: |
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WHS communication processes may include: |
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WHS information and documentation may include: |
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Designated WHS personnel may include: |
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Safety signs and symbols may include: |
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Relevant authorities may include: |
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Incidents may include: |
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General procedures for responding to incidents and emergencies may include: |
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Emergencies may include: |
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Fire safety equipment may include: |
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Environmental requirements must include: |
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Participative arrangements may include: |
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Traffic safety applies to safety of: |
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Confined spaces applies to: |
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Asbestos hazards may be found in: |
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Respond to asbestos hazards may include: |
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Unit Sector(s)
Telecommunications - Work health and safety