Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit of competency covers the movement of materials around sites using front end loaders, hoists and other load shifting equipment. Licensing or certification may be required by local Worksafe or other regulatory authorities.

Application of the unit 

This unit of competency is typically performed by an experienced operator working either independently or as part of a work team.

It will be necessary to have the licence required by government regulation where the type of load shifting equipment is regulated.

This unit has  the prerequisite competency of any licence required by government regulation.

This unit includes:

• planning the correct method to move the goods
• safely securing the materials/goods to be shifted
• ensuring that the movement pathway is clear of obstacles and personnel
• moving the goods safely without damage to the goods, personnel or equipment.

This unit does NOT apply to the operation of a forklift truck - see TLID107C Operate a forklift, nor does it apply to the use of cranes and gantries - see MSAPMSUP205A Transfer loads.

Prerequisite units 

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. Perform pre-start checks

1.1. Perform pre-start checks of all plant/equipment in strict accordance with manufacturer's and enterprise requirements

1.2. Inspect, activate and check for safe operation all plant/ equipment attachments consistent with standard operating procedures

2. Plan work load

2.1. Inspect work areas to identify hazards and implement the appropriate prevention/control measures

2.2. Take appropriate precautions to safeguard all site/non-site personnel

2.3. Erect signs and barricades, appropriate to the task, to conform with enterprise safety requirements

2.4. Select for the specific task appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with standard operating procedures

2.5. Inspect work area to determine appropriate path for the movement of vehicular traffic

2.6. Ensure work permits are issued and received by authorised personnel as/when required in accordance with standard operating procedures

2.7. Confirm job requirements and expectations with relevant personnel

2.8. Clarify non-standard requirements

2.9. Accurately identify materials to be moved

2.10. Identify and clarify material movements required

3. Shift loads

3.1. Accurately assess weight of load by specified methods to ensure compliance with equipment load plate specifications

3.2. Use the appropriate process/equipment to shift loads

3.3. Observe all regulatory (state governing body) requirements regarding shifting loads

3.4. Smoothly and consistently move controls and vehicle/equipment within safe operating practices/limits

3.5. Use standard communication signals to coordinate safe movement of load

3.6. Stack loads to enterprise specific requirements, ensuring the stability of the stack without creating a hazard to personnel and equipment

3.7. Use appropriate equipment attachments to perform tasks according to standard enterprise procedures

3.8. Effectively perform emergency evasive action should the need arise

4. Close down plant/ equipment

4.1. Close down plant/equipment in accordance with standard operating procedures

4.2. Park/store and secure plant/equipment to conform with enterprise specific requirements

4.3. Perform post-operational checks in strict accordance with manufacturer's requirements and standard operating procedures

4.4. Clean down plant/equipment and dispose of waste following established procedures

4.5. Complete all record keeping/logs/paperwork as required

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

Required skills include:

• recognising potential problems and to take actions appropriate for those problems
• implementing regulatory and vehicle requirements, the enterprise's standard and safe operating procedures and work instructions and relevant regulatory requirements, within appropriate time constraints and in a manner relevant to the operation of the equipment
• reading and numeracy to interpret workplace documents and technical information

Required knowledge 

Required knowledge includes:

• the determination of mass/weight of loads
• stacking and/or storing practices
• observation of all state and regulatory requirements
• safe and efficient transfer of loads
• distinguishing between:

• types of materials being moved
• locations and destinations of materials moved
• causes of defects and faults

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 

The unit will be assessed in as holistic a manner as is practical and may be integrated with the assessment of other relevant units of competency.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

It is essential that the equipment and process material needs be understood and that the importance of critical material properties is known. Competence must be demonstrated in the ability to recognise and analyse potential situations requiring action and then in implementing appropriate corrective action.

Consistent performance should be demonstrated. In particular look to see that:

• all pre-start checks are completed
• appropriate paths for movement of vehicles/equipment are used
• all actions are performed safely
• problems are identified and appropriate action is taken (the problem is fixed or reported)
• the correct material is delivered to the correct place in the correct amounts and at the correct time.

Competence must be demonstrated in the operation of all ancillary equipment to the level required for this unit of competency.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment will require access to an operating plant over an extended period of time, or a suitable method of gathering evidence of operating ability over a range of situations.

Assessment will occur over a range of situations which will include disruptions to normal, smooth operation.

Simulation or case studies/scenarios may be required to allow for timely assessment of parts of this unit of competency. Simulation should be based on the actual plant and will include 'walk-throughs' of the relevant competency components. A bank of scenarios/case studies/what ifs and questions will be required to probe the reasoning behind observable actions.

Method of assessment 

Individual enterprises may choose to add prerequisites and co-requisites relevant to their processes.

Guidance information for assessment 

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

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.

Procedures 

All operations are performed in accordance with standard procedures and work instructions

Variations 

This unit may vary between enterprises depending upon:

• type of equipment used such as:

• scrapers and tractors
• cleaning equipment and sweepers
• front end loaders
• hoists
• pallet shifters
• specialised loading equipment

• type of materials moved

Typical problems 

Typical problems may include:

• equipment malfunctions
• determining safe routes
• scheduling of movements to suit production requirements
• differing load shifting requirements
• changing priorities over the shift

Paperwork 

Paperwork may include:

• electronic versions of instructions
• records

Occupational health and safety  (OHS )

All operations are subject to stringent OHS requirements and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between performance criteria and OHS requirements, the OHS requirements take precedence

Unit sector 

Support

Competency field 

Co-requisite units