Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to carry out an inspection of a commercial vehicle, including action to implement vehicle manufacturers specifications for routine checks, to clean the vehicle, and to ensure that all specified safety requirements are met and that the vehicle is operational to the requirements of both the workplace and the relevant state/territory roads and traffic authority. Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements are applicable to this unit.

Application of the Unit 

Work must be carried out in compliance with the regulations of the relevant roads and traffic authority concerned with the inspection of commercial vehicles.

Work is performed with limited or minimum supervision, and with limited accountability and responsibility for self and others in achieving the prescribed outcomes. It involves the application of routine inspection principles and procedures to check the safety and operation of a commercial vehicle across a variety of operational contexts.

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 Check the vehicle 

1.1 A visual check of the internal and external condition of the vehicle is carried out following workplace procedures

1.2 Pre-operational inspections and checks of the vehicle's tyres, suspension, fluid levels and other critical features are carried out to ensure conformance with the requirements of the relevant roads and traffic authority

1.3 Associated equipment is tested to ensure it functions correctly to manufacturers specifications

1.4 Post start-up and shut-down checks are carried out after engine is started to identify possible engine or electrical problems

1.5 Warning systems (instruments and gauges) are checked to ensure they are operational

1.6 Where relevant, vehicle monitoring device is logged on/off in accordance with manufacturers instructions and workplace policy

2 Clean vehicle 

2.1 Vehicle and associated equipment is cleaned in accordance with workplace procedures and legislation

3 Complete documentation 

3.1 Basic faults are identified and/or diagnosed and appropriate action is taken to report or remedy them as required by workplace procedures and legislation

3.2 Records of inspection are updated and recommended repairs are documented in accordance with workplace polices

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS 

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

Required knowledge :

• Relevant duty of care requirements for the routine inspection of vehicles

• Relevant OH&S and pollution control procedures

• Procedures for the routine inspection of a commercial vehicle in accordance with workplace and manufacturers requirements and established safety rules and regulations, including pre-operational checking procedures, visual inspection procedures and warning systems checking procedures

• Problems that may occur during the routine inspection of a vehicle and appropriate actions and solutions

• Basic principles of operation of systems on commercial vehicles, including electrical systems, fuel systems, cooling systems, steering systems, exhaust systems, tyres, brakes

• Reporting and documentation requirements

Required skills :

• Communicate effectively with others during the routine inspection of a vehicle

• Read and interpret instructions, procedures, information and manuals relevant to the routine inspection of a vehicle

• Interpret and follow operational instructions and prioritise work

• Complete documentation related to the routine inspection of a vehicle

• Operate electronic communication equipment to required protocol

• Work collaboratively with others during the routine inspection of a vehicle

• 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 that are identified during the routine inspection of a vehicle in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

• Implement contingency plans for unexpected events that may occur during the routine inspection of a vehicle

• 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

• 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

• Use cleaning equipment

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

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.

Maintenance may be carried out in typical road transport situations, including:

• operations conducted at day or night
• typical weather conditions
• in confined spaces, exposed conditions and controlled or open environment
• while in the a depot, base or warehouse
• while in the vehicle on the road
• while at a client's workplace

Type of vehicle may include any commercial road transport vehicles including:

• light vehicles
• heavy vehicles
• combination vehicles

Inspection may include:

• visual checks of vehicle
• routine checks of vehicle systems
• checks in accordance with a detailed inspection schedule

Routine checks may include:

• water levels
• oil levels
• air pressure in tyres
• brakes
• lights
• condition of tyres
• battery
• exhaust system
• suspension

Environmental hazards may include:

• leaking oil and fuel
• defective or inappropriately adjusted exhaust systems
• inappropriate disposal of vehicle fluids in drains or sewerage systems

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

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

Information/records may include:

• workplace routine inspection procedures, checklists and instructions
• relevant state/territory roads and traffic authority vehicle maintenance regulations
• vehicle manufacturers instructions, specifications and recommended procedures
• precautions and procedures to be adopted to protect the environment when inspecting, servicing and maintaining vehicles
• OH&S procedures to be followed when inspecting vehicles

Applicable regulations and legislation may include:

• relevant state/territory roads and traffic authority vehicle maintenance regulations and requirements
• relevant state/territory OH&S legislation
• relevant state/territory environmental protection legislation

Competency Field 

B - Equipment Checking and Maintenance