Unit of competency

Modification History

Application

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work safely as a safety observer/spotter in civil construction. This includes identifying and managing worksite hazards, establishing exclusion zones and observing work activities to monitor the safety of the work environment.

It applies to those working in operational roles. They generally work under supervision to undertake a prescribed range of functions involving known routines and procedures and take some responsibility for the quality of work outcomes.

Licensing, legislative and certification requirements that apply to this unit can vary between states, territories, and industry sectors. Users must check requirements with relevant body before applying the unit.

Unit Sector

Civil Construction

Elements and Performance Criteria

Foundation Skills

This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance but not explicit in the performance criteria.

Unit Mapping Information

Supersedes and is equivalent to RIIRTM203D Work as a safety observer/spotter.

Links

Companion Volume Implementation Guide is found on 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, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, including evidence of the ability to:

• work as a safety observer/spotter on at least two occasions, including:

• directing and controlling vehicle traffic
• directing and controlling pedestrian traffic
• communicating to drivers and pedestrians using hand signals
• using communication devices
• maintaining no-go and exclusion zones.

During the above, the candidate must:

• locate and apply relevant legislation, documentation, policies and procedures
• implement the requirements, procedures and techniques for working as a safety observer/spotter, including:

• identifying, reporting and recording hazards and risks, and recommending control measures
• identifying and applying environmental protection requirements
• conducting pre-start checks and shut down procedures
• carrying out inspection and fault finding as per manufacturer instructions and organisational requirements

• work with others to complete the operation of working as a safety observer/spotter that meets required outcomes, including:

• using communication techniques and equipment to convey information to others
• completing written and verbal reporting requirements
• organising work activities to meet task requirements
• communicating with others to receive and clarify work instructions.

Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must be able to demonstrate knowledge to complete the tasks outlined in the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, including knowledge of:

• legislation required to work as a safety observer/spotter
• policies, procedures and documentation required to work as a safety observer/spotter, including those relating to:

• statutory compliance
• Australian and other relevant standards
• work, health and safety
• emergency response
• work instructions
• environmental protection
• verbal and written communication
• site and equipment safety
• mobile traffic control
• vehicle movements
• risk assessment and management
• underground and overhead services
• equipment operation and maintenance
• manufacturer specifications for required equipment
• site requirements and regulations
• project quality requirements
• workplace recording and reporting
• traffic management plans
• traffic regulations

• principles and techniques to work as a safety observer/spotter, including:

• plant shadows/blind spots
• interpreting traffic management plans and diagrams
• operating communication devices, including whistles, pneumatic horns and handheld radios, to transmit messages

• types, characteristics, technical capabilities and limitations of plant and equipment required to work as a safety observer/spotter.

Assessment Conditions

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

• include access to:

• personal protective equipment
• safety observer/spotting equipment

• be conducted in a safe environment; and,
• be assessed in the context of this sector's work environment; and,
• be assessed in compliance with relevant legislation/regulation and using policies, procedures and processes 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 regulatory standards as set out in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations 2015/Australian Quality Training Framework 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 the required level of RII training product knowledge
• having an understanding and knowledge of legislation and regulations relevant to the industry and to employment and workplaces
• demonstrating the performance evidence, and knowledge evidence 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 have current industry skills directly relevant to the training and assessment being provided. This means the industry subject matter expert must 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 Guide is found on VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=88a61002-9a21-4386-aaf8-69c76e675272