Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to check and assess the operational capabilities of equipment in accordance with workplace requirements, including inspecting equipment and work area, checking the operational capability of equipment and its safety devices, identifying and assessing the impact of faults on safety and work requirements, and recording and reporting the results of inspection and testing in accordance with workplace procedures and relevant regulatory requirements. Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements are applicable to this unit.

Application of the Unit 

Work must be carried out in accordance with codes/regulations and workplace requirements relevant to the checking and assessment of the operational capability of equipment.

Safety checks and equipment tests are performed under limited supervision.

Work involves the application of regulatory requirements and workplace procedures to the checking and assessment of the operational capability of equipment in the stevedoring, transport, warehousing, distribution and/or storage industries.

Employability Skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1 Inspect equipment and work area 

1.1 Equipment is inspected prior to start-up in accordance with workplace pre-operational functional safety check procedures and manufacturers specifications

1.2 Aspects of equipment/work area found to be outside manufacturers and/or workplace specifications are reported to designated persons for appropriate action

2 Check equipment operational capability 

2.1 Equipment and components are tested after start-up in accordance with manufacturers specifications and workplace procedures

2.2 Warning systems are all checked for operational effectiveness

3 Identify and assess impact of faults on work requirements 

3.1 Faults are identified and assessment made of the potential effect on the operation of the equipment for the required work

3.2 Faults that may affect the safe operation of the equipment are reported to the appropriate personnel for rectification

4 Record and report results of inspection and testing 

4.1 The results of the inspection and testing are accurately reported in accordance with regulatory requirements, workplace policy and industry guidelines

4.2 Records are clear, unambiguous and concisely kept in accordance with workplace policy

4.3 Clear reference is made to any items which may affect the future safety of the equipment

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS 

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

Required knowledge :

• Workplace procedures and policies for the checking and assessing of the operational capability of equipment

• Focus of operation of work systems, equipment, management and site operating systems for the checking and assessing of the operational capability of equipment

• The characteristics, capabilities and limitations of the equipment

• Tools and equipment used during the checking and assessing of the operational capability of equipment and the precautions and procedures that should be followed in their use

• Problems that may occur when checking and assessing the operational capability of equipment and appropriate action that can be taken to resolve the problems

• Operational safety requirements for the equipment concerned

• Housekeeping standards procedures required in the workplace

• Site layout and obstacles

Required skills :

• Communicate effectively with others when checking and assessing the operational capability of equipment

• Read and interpret instructions, procedures, information, labels and signs relevant to the checking and assessing of the operational capability of equipment

• Interpret and follow operational instructions and prioritise work

• Complete documentation related to the checking and assessing of the operational capability of equipment

• Work collaboratively with others when checking and assessing the operational capability of equipment

• Adapt appropriately to cultural differences in the workplace, including modes of behaviour and interactions with others

• Promptly report and/or rectify any identified problems, faults or malfunctions in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

• Implement contingency plans for unplanned events

• Apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist during work activities

• Monitor work activities in terms of planned schedule

• Modify activities depending on differing operational contingencies, risk situations and environments

• Apply fatigue management knowledge and techniques

• Work systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self or others, or damage to goods or equipment

• Operate and adapt to differences in equipment in accordance with standard operating procedures

• Select and use required personal protective equipment conforming to industry and OH&S standards

• Select and use relevant equipment and communications technology when checking and assessing the operational capability of equipment

• Service equipment in terms of maintenance schedule and standard operating procedures

• Check and replenish fluids and carry out lubrication processes in the course of work activities

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required knowledge and skills, the range statement and the assessment guidelines for this Training Package.

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

• The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria of this unit and include demonstration of applying:

• the underpinning knowledge and skills
• relevant legislation and workplace procedures
• other relevant aspects of the range statement

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

• Performance is demonstrated consistently over a period of time and in a suitable range of contexts
• Resources for assessment include:

• a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or other simulated practical and knowledge assessment, and/or
• access to an appropriate range of relevant operational situations in the workplace

• In both real and simulated environments, access is required to:

• relevant and appropriate materials and equipment, and
• applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals

Method of assessment 

• Assessment of this unit must be undertaken by a registered training organisation
• As a minimum, assessment of knowledge must be conducted through appropriate written/oral tests
• Practical assessment must occur:

• through activities in an appropriately simulated environment at the registered training organisation, and/or
• in an appropriate range of situations in the workplace

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.

Work may be conducted in:

• a range of work environments
• by day or night

Customers may be:

• internal or external

Workplaces may comprise:

• large, medium or small worksites

Work may be conducted in:

• limited or restricted spaces
• exposed conditions
• controlled or open environments

Purpose of equipment checking and inspection is to:

• ensure it is free from damage, leaks and obstructions that may prejudice safety or limit operational capability

Safety and operational capability checks may be performed:

• on a range of equipment used in the stevedoring, transport, warehousing, distribution and/or storage industries

Visual checks may include but are not limited to:

• pressure over/under specification
• fluid leaks
• temperature over/under specifications
• cracks, surface or structural faults or other damage
• tightness of bolts, fixtures and fittings within specifications

Records/results of pre-operation tests may include:

• details of faulty equipment or specific components
• action taken
• results of testing
• details of repair and maintenance work to be undertaken

Operational checks may be performed by:

• operating/checking the functionality of various pieces of safety and component equipment (where applicable)

Hazards in the work area may include exposure to:

• chemicals
• dangerous or hazardous substances
• movements of equipment, goods and materials
• a fire or explosion
• faulty equipment/tools

Consultative processes may involve:

• workplace personnel
• supervisors and managers
• equipment manufacturers
• site visitors
• contractors
• official representatives

Depending on the type of organisation concerned and the local terminology used, workplace procedures may include:

• company procedures
• enterprise procedures
• organisational procedures
• established procedures

Personal protective equipment may include:

• gloves
• safety headwear and footwear
• safety glasses
• two-way radios
• high visibility clothing

Communication in the work area may include:

• phone
• fax
• email
• internet
• RF communications
• barcode readers
• oral, aural or signed communications

Information/documents may include:

• workplace procedures and policies for the checking and assessment of the equipment concerned
• manufacturers specifications for equipment/tools
• equipment identification labels, barcodes and serial numbers
• supplier and/or client instructions
• relevant OH&S requirements and policies
• relevant Australian standards and certification requirements
• material safety data sheets where applicable
• codes of practice including the National Standards for Manual Handling and the Industry Safety Code
• relevant legislation, regulations and related documentation including the ADG Code
• award, enterprise bargaining agreement and other industrial arrangements
• quality assurance procedures
• emergency procedures

Applicable regulations and legislation may include:

• relevant standards, codes and regulations pertaining to the checking and operation of the equipment concerned
• relevant state/territory OH&S legislation
• relevant state/territory environmental protection legislation
• licence, patent or copyright arrangements
• export/import/quarantine/bond requirements
• relevant Australian standards and certification requirements
• workplace relations regulations including equal opportunity, equal employment opportunity and affirmative action legislation
• workers compensation regulations

Competency Field 

B - Equipment Checking and Maintenance