Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

This unit covers the competency required to assess equipment and vehicles requiring recovery and to employ suitable winching techniques and procedures to extricate casualties utilising specialist recovery vehicles equipped with motorised winching equipment.

Application of the Unit 

This unit applies to the operation of winching equipment capable of extracting a range of vehicles and equipment. Winching may be necessary to extract vehicles and equipment which have become bogged or broken down and due to terrain or environmental factors, cannot be extracted by other means.

Typically, winching operations are conducted by individuals acting independently or in charge of a small team, isolated from assistance or supervision.

Employability Skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Pre-requisite Unit /s 

Nil

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a Unit of Competency.

Performance Criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the Required Skills and Knowledge and/or the Range Statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the Evidence Guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Respond to call for assistance 

1.1 Winching tasks are received and details are confirmed

1.2 Tasks are assessed to determine equipment requirements

1.3 Recovery vehicle is checked and prepared for task in accordance with workplace procedures 

1.4 Recovery vehicle is deployed to casualty site in preparation to conduct task

2. Assess winching task 

2.1 Liaison is conducted with on site personnel

2.2 Equipment casualty  is assessed to determine suitability for winching

2.3 Site is inspected, hazards and obstacles associated with winching  are identified and measures are implemented to overcome obstacles

2.4 Winching equipment  requirements to extricate casualty are determined to ensure recovery vehicle and equipment are suitable for task

2.5 Winching procedure  is developed taking into account terrain conditions, requirements of casualty, site, recovery equipment and vehicle capabilities

2.6 Occupational health and safety  (OH &S ) requirements  are determined and applied during winching operations

3. Prepare for winching task 

3.1 Equipment casualty is prepared for winching in accordance with winching procedure

3.2 Winching equipment is prepared in accordance with winching procedure

3.3 Briefing of on site personnel  is conducted and tasks are allocated and supervised

4. Extricate equipment casualty using winch 

4.1 Winching process is closely controlled and conducted in accordance with winching procedure

4.2 Minor problems  are dealt with as they arise

4.3 Assistance is sought from appropriate personnel when major problems  outside scope of own capabilities occur

5. Finalise winching operations 

5.1 Equipment casualty is handed over to owner or recovered further in accordance with workplace procedures

5.2 Winching equipment is recovered and inspected for damage in accordance with workplace procedures

5.3 Unserviceable equipment is reported and suitable actions are taken in accordance with workplace procedures

5.4 Equipment is maintained in accordance with manufacturer's instructions and workplace procedures

5.5 Documentation is compiled and reports are made in accordance with workplace procedures

5.6 Worksite is refurbished in accordance with workplace procedures

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required Skills 

• allocate appropriate materials and personnel to task
• assess risks
• brief and direct personnel
• communicate effectively in the workplace
• perform basic mathematical calculations
• provide reports and appropriate documentation
• solve problems relevant to task

Required Knowledge 

• basic vehicle mechanical principles
• basic engineering principles including:
• theory of levers and pulleys
• material capabilities
• characteristics and capabilities of recovery vehicles and equipment
• maintenance requirements and procedures
• organisational OH&S procedures relevant to winching operations
• recovery methods and procedures
• reporting requirements and procedures

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

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

Assessment must confirm the ability to:

• conduct winching operations on ground which is soft enough to simulate the conditions encountered when winching bogged vehicles
• conduct a winching operation to extricate a light and a medium/heavy rigid vehicle
• utilise motorised winches, winch ropes and associated fittings.

Consistency in performance 

Competency should be demonstrated over time using a variety of equipment casualties and situations which the candidate is likely to encounter within the workplace.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Context of assessment 

Competency should be assessed in areas of difficult terrain incorporating undulating ground.

Specific resources for assessment 

Access is required to:

• recovery vehicles and winching equipment
• actual or simulated equipment casualties
• specific workplace operating procedures and publications.

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 in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.

Workplace procedures may include 

Australian Standards

Briefs

Duty statements

Legislative requirements

Manufacturers' handbooks, industry specifications and technical instructions

OH&S regulations

Organisational policies and procedures

Procedure manuals

Relevant state/territory or federal legislation

Standard operating procedures

Written or verbal instructions

Equipment casualties may include 

Construction equipment

Light vehicles

Medium or heavy rigid vehicles

Plant equipment

Hazards associated with winching may include 

Environmental hazards

Equipment failure

Fatigue

Hazardous materials contained within equipment casualties

Manual handling of heavy and/or awkward loads

Obstacles to winching may include 

Distance between casualty and winching point

Soil conditions

Terrain

Vegetation

Weather conditions

Winching equipment may include 

Chains

Joining devices including:

• hammerlocks
• oblong links
• shackles
• swivels

Pulleys

Winches

Winch ropes and fittings

Winching procedure may include 

Attachment method

Contingencies

Equipment layout

Mechanical advantage

Resources

Safety procedures

Sequence of events

Total pull required

Velocity ratio

OH &S requirements may include 

Personal protective equipment

Safety distances

Safety equipment

Warning devices

Briefing of on site personnel may include 

• Communication procedures
• Emergency procedures
• Safety requirements
• Winching procedures

Minor problems may include 

• Avoidable damage to equipment casualty during winching operations
• Minor malfunctions and breakages within winching equipment

Major problems may include 

• Breakage of winch rope
• Major malfunctions within winching equipment
• Requirements for extricating equipment casualty exceeding capabilities of recovery vehicle
• Rollover of equipment casualty
• Serious injuries to on site personnel

Co-requisite Unit /s 

Nil