Unit of competency

Modification History

Application

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to operate a backhoe/loader to load, distribute and place materials.

This unit applies to those working in site based roles.

Licensing, legislative, regulatory and certification requirements that apply to this unit can vary between states, territories, and industry sectors, and must be sourced from state jurisdictions prior to applying this unit.

Unit Sector

Civil infrastructure

Elements and Performance Criteria

Foundation Skills

This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance.

Unit Mapping Information

Links

Companion Volume Implementation Guides are available from VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=88a61002-9a21-4386-aaf8-69c76e675272

Assessment requirements

Modification History

Performance Evidence

The candidate must demonstrate the ability to complete the tasks outlined in the elements and performance criteria of this unit.

The candidate must demonstrate completion of loader/backhoe operations that safely, effectively and efficiently follows workplace procedures to carry out work activity on at least two occasions, and include:

• conducting prestart checks prior to commencing operations and shutdown procedures on completion of operations
• driving and operating the equipment, and adjusting techniques to suit site conditions
• completion of operations to specification using at least two different material types (i.e. one different material type per occasion) including:

• mixing materials
• stripping/spreading materials
• trench excavation
• backfilling
• lifting and carry materials
• loading dump trucks, wagons, hoppers or chutes
• cutting/boxing

• selecting, fitting, testing, using and removing at least two attachments (i.e. one attachment per occasion), which must be certified and approved in line with workplace procedures and could include, but are not limited to, the following:

• extending devices
• tilt bucket
• buckets
• compaction wheel
• ripper
• plate compactor
• rock breaker
• auger
• broom
• mower/slasher
• forklift
• 4 in 1 bucket and free/rock grab

• parking and securing of equipment

In the course of the above work the candidate must also:

• locate and apply relevant documentation, policies and procedures
• select and wear personal protective equipment required for work activities
• carry out vehicle refuelling requirements and procedures where applicable
• apply safe work practices, identifying and reporting all potential hazards, risks and environmental issues
• apply problem solving and troubleshooting techniques when operating equipment
• monitor and manage equipment performance using indicators and alarms
• identify common equipment faults
• apply levelling techniques
• establish weight of load
• manage changes in the loads centre of gravity during transportation
• select and use the required tools and equipment
• work safely around other machines and personnel
• apply methods of changing machine attachments
• use a range of communication techniques and equipment essential to the safe completion of work activity, including hand, audible and other signals
• meet written and verbal reporting requirements and procedures associated with equipment operations
• organise work activities to meet all task requirements

Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must be able to demonstrate knowledge to complete the tasks outlined in the elements and performance criteria of this unit. This includes:

Key policies and procedures, legislation and established requirements for backhoe/loader operations, including those relating to:

• isolation requirements
• fires, accidents and emergencies
• work health and safety, including signs of operator fatigue and how it should be managed
• site isolation and traffic control responsibilities and authorities
• project quality requirements
• operational, maintenance and basic diagnostics
• personal protective equipment
• recyclable materials
• housekeeping activities

Key factors affecting work activities described in performance evidence above, including:

• equipment processes, technical capability and limitations
• drawings and sketches
• ground conditions
• materials characteristics, including density and viscosity

Key features associated with civil construction works, including:

• civil construction terminology
• basic principles of material technology and material compaction for civil works
• basic earthworks calculations
• civil construction activity sequences of road construction, earthworks and drainage

Assessment Conditions

Mandatory conditions for assessment of this unit are stipulated below. The assessment must:

• include access to:

• backhoe/loader
• personal protective equipment

• be conducted in a safe environment; and,
• be assessed in context of this sector's work environment; and,
• be assessed in compliance with relevant legislation/regulation and using policies, procedures, processes and operational manuals directly related to the industry sector for which it is being assessed; and,
• confirm consistent performance can be applied in a range of relevant workplace circumstances

Where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment may occur in a simulated work environment* provided it is realistic and sufficiently rigorous to cover all aspects of this sector’s workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.

Assessor requirements 

Assessors must be able to clearly demonstrate current and relevant industry knowledge and experience to satisfy the mandatory competency standards as set out in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/AQTF mandatory requirements for assessors current at the time of assessment and any relevant licensing and certification requirements. This includes:

• vocational competencies at least to the level being delivered and assessed
• current industry skills directly relevant to the training and assessment being provided
• current knowledge and skills in vocational training and learning that informs their training and assessment
• formal relevant qualifications in training and assessment
• having knowledge of and/or experience using the latest techniques and processes
• possessing a high level of RII training product knowledge
• having an understanding and knowledge of legislations and regulations relevant to the industry and to employment and workplaces
• demonstrating the performance evidence, and knowledge evidence as outlined in this Unit of Competency, and
• the minimum years of current** work experience after competency has been obtained as specified below in an industry sector relevant to the outcomes of the unit.

It is also acceptable for the appropriately qualified assessor to work with an industry expert to conduct assessment together and for the industry expert to be involved in the assessment judgement. The industry expert must hold the relevant vocational competencies and have current industry skills directly relevant to the training and assessment being provided and must work alongside a trainer and/or assessor to conduct the assessment. This means the industry subject matter expert should hold the unit being assessed (or an equivalent unit), and must also demonstrate skills and knowledge from the minimum years of current work experience after competency has been obtained as specified below, including time spent in roles related to the unit being assessed:

*Guidance on simulated environments has been stipulated in the RII implementation guide located on VETNet.

**Assessors can demonstrate current work experience through employment within industry in a role relevant to the outcomes of the unit; or, for external assessors this can be demonstrated through exposure to industry by conducting a minimum number of site assessments as determined by the relevant industry sector, across various locations.

*** While a Unit of Competency does not have an AQF level, where a unit is being delivered outside of a qualification the first numeric character in the unit code should be considered as the AQF indicator level for assessment purposes.

Links

Companion Volume Implementation Guides are available from VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=88a61002-9a21-4386-aaf8-69c76e675272