Release 1. This is the first release of this unit of competency in the NWP National Water Training Package.

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to inspect, operate and maintain low consequence dams.

It includes inspecting low consequence dams and water storages and conducting routine maintenance according to organisational maintenance plans and manufacturer specifications.

This unit applies to those working as field staff with specific responsibility for undertaking surveillance and routine maintenance on low consequence dams and storages, including urban reservoirs, retarding basins, levee banks and wastewater lagoons. Those undertaking this unit would work under appropriate supervision, while performing routine tasks in a limited range of familiar contexts.

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

Not applicable.

Catchment and Dams

Not applicable.

ELEMENTS 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

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

1  

Inspect low consequence dams 

1.1 

Select, fit and use safety equipment, including personal protective equipment

1.2 

Inspect dams and storages according to workplace procedures

1.3 

Read and calculate seepage flow, use rating table to translate and record information according to workplace procedures

1.4 

Identify assets and structural components requiring routine maintenance or repairs

2 

Operate and maintain dam related equipment and structures 

2.1 

Select and check equipment and materials required for maintenance and repair tasks

2.2 

Perform routine maintenance according to maintenance schedule

2.3 

Operate flow control and ancillary devices as part of routine checks

3 

Report on dam inspection and maintenance 

3.1 

Communicate abnormal observations and potential maintenance issues with relevant personnel

3.2 

Complete dam inspection reports and routine maintenance reports and forward to relevant personnel

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 and is equivalent to NWPSOU021 Inspect and maintain basic dams and water storages.

Release 1. This is the first release of this unit of competency in the NWP National Water Training Package.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all the requirements of the elements and performance criteria on at least one occasion and includes:

• completing inspection and maintenance reports
• conducting routine maintenance according to organisational maintenance plans
• conducting routine inspections of dams according to organisational requirements
• exercising valves
• following policies, workplace procedures and industry standards
• identifying abnormalities
• identifying and reporting repair and maintenance requirements
• measuring and recording seepage flow
• operating controls and ancillary equipment according to standard operating procedures
• performing work-related calculations
• taking readings from specified devices
• using safety and personal protective equipment

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

• dam design
• communication and reporting systems
• equipment operation, capacity and limitations
• personal safety and potential hazards while working on or near dams
• relevant legislation, regulations and workplace procedures
• risks to dams
• routine maintenance procedures
• seepage and rating tables
• site layout
• visual and electronic inspection procedures

Assessors must hold credentials specified within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must satisfy the Principles of Assessment and Rules of Evidence and all regulatory requirements included within 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:

• relevant and appropriate materials, tools, equipment and personal protective equipment currently used in industry
• applicable documentation including legislation, regulations, codes of practice, workplace procedures and operation manuals.