Unit of competency details

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

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.

1. Select equipment.

1.1. Select equipment  according to organisational policies and procedures .

1.2. Select anchors  appropriate for re-belays or re-directions.

1.3. Conduct safety checks of all equipment according to manufacturer's specifications, relevant legislation  and organisational policies and procedures.

2. Rig a complex pitch.

2.1. Identify pitch hazards and minimise or eliminate, where possible, according to organisational policies and procedures.

2.2. Rig re-belays and re-directions to minimise difficult rigging situations .

2.3. Identify places where complex rigging may be required.

2.4. Rig for complex non routine situations  and solve non-routine rigging problems to enable safe ascents and descents.

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

Required skills 

• problem-solving skills to:

• select equipment and anchors required to rig a complex pitch that includes re-belays and or re-directions
• solve complex non-routine rigging problems
• identify and eliminate or minimise pitch hazards to enable safe ascent and descents

• self management skills to:

• take responsibility for rigging a complex pitch within the context of a cave
• conduct safety checks of equipment prior to use

• first aid and emergency response skills appropriate to the location to enable initial response to emergencies and personal health care.

Required knowledge 

• legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable the safe conduct of all rigging activities
• natural, fixed and or artificial anchors and equipment types, characteristics and technology used for rigging complex pitches
• care and maintenance of equipment to ensure prolonged life span and safety requirements, as advised by the manufacturer's specifications for equipment use
• difficult rigging situations and non-routine rigging problems that may require re-belays and re-directions
• emergency procedures relevant to the location and complex situation to ensure safety of self and others.

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 

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

Evidence of the following is essential:

• independently selects natural, fixed and or artificial anchors and other relevant caving and safety equipment according to the situation and conducts safety checks prior to use
• identifies pitch hazards, difficult rigging conditions and complex non-routine situations to rig pitches that enable safe ascent and descent.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment must ensure rigging of a complex pitch in caving environments that are of sufficient breadth and duration to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

• natural cave sites suitable for the rigging of re-belays and re-directions
• natural, fixed and artificial anchors to rig a complex pitch
• rigging, safety, rescue and communication equipment.

Method of assessment 

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

• observation of selecting and checking equipment and anchors prior to use
• oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of organisational policies and procedures and legislation to enable safe conduct of all rigging activities
• observation of safe rigging of a complex pitch using caving specific techniques, including re-belays and re-directions
• observation of identifying and dealing with non-routine rigging problems, pitch hazards and difficult rigging conditions
• third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

• SISOCVE409A Rig ladders in complex situations.

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.

Equipment  may include:

• caving equipment
• safety and rescue equipment
• communication equipment.

Organisational policies and procedures  may include:

• occupational health and safety
• use, maintenance and storage of equipment
• risk management
• communication protocols
• minimal impact environmental and caving codes
• Australian Speleological Federation Codes and Guidelines
• code of ethics.

Anchors  may include:

• natural
• fixed
• artificial.

Relevant legislation  may include:

• occupational health and safety
• permits or permission for access
• environmental regulations.

Difficult rigging situations  may include:

• knots in the rope
• awkward traverses
• poorly placed rope protectors or pads
• short re-belay loops
• weight of rope on the pitch
• problems caused by variance in party member's body mass
• poorly placed re-belays or re-directions.

Complex non -routine situations  may include:

• pendulum swings
• rigging to prevent drowning in a waterfall or potential waterfall
• traverses across a pitch to a side passage lead
• awkward squeezes on a pitch
• placement of bolts or other artificial aids to allow further exploration of the cave
• tie-backs to previous pitches in multi pitch caves that lack solid anchors at pitch heads.