Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to operate and maintain minor mechanical equipment in accordance with safeworking and regulatory requirements and workplace procedures. It includes carrying out pre-operation checks on equipment, operating mechanical equipment, conducting routine maintenance, and securing and storing equipment. Licensing or certification requirements are not applicable to this unit.

Application of the Unit 

Persons achieving competence in this unit will need to fulfil the applicable legislated rail safety requirements including acts and regulations from each state and territory together with any nationally approved compliance codes and/or guidelines.

Work is performed under some supervision, generally within a team environment. It involves the application of routine procedures to operate and maintain minor mechanical equipment 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 Carry out pre-operation checks 

1.1 Pre-operational checks are conducted to manufacturers specifications to ensure optimum functionality of equipment

1.2 Necessary adjustments to equipment are made to ensure efficient operation, according to manufacturers instructions

1.3 Faulty equipment is reported to relevant person to ensure equipment is safe and effective to use

2 Operate mechanical equipment 

2.1 Equipment is operated in accordance with manufacturers or workplace operating instructions to ensure safe and effective operation

2.2 Appropriate personal safety protection is used to minimise the risk of injury to operator

2.3 Work operational hazards are eliminated or controlled appropriately when using equipment to ensure safeworking conditions

2.4 Assisting personnel are given clear instructions about their duties if required to ensure safe and effective working conditions

3 Conduct routine maintenance 

3.1 Equipment is cleaned and maintained in accordance with manufacturers specifications to ensure optimum functionality

3.2 Records are maintained according to workplace procedures

4 Secure and store 

4.1 Equipment is handled and transported in a safe, secure, efficient manner to minimise risk of injury to personnel and damage to equipment

4.2 Equipment is stored and secured according to manufacturers or workplace procedures to prevent damage and losses of equipment

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS 

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

Required knowledge :

• Relevant safety, OH&S and environmental procedures and regulations

• Workplace procedures and policies for the operation and maintenance of minor mechanical equipment

• Problems that can occur when operating and maintaining minor mechanical equipment, and related action that should be taken

• Tools and equipment used when operating and maintaining minor mechanical equipment, and the procedures and precautions for their care, use and storage

• Workplace documentation and records requirements

• Procedures to be followed in the event of an emergency

Required skills :

• Communicate effectively with others when operating and maintaining minor mechanical equipment

• Read and interpret instructions, procedures, information and signs relevant to operating and maintaining minor mechanical equipment

• Interpret and follow operational instructions and prioritise work

• Complete documentation related to operating and maintaining minor mechanical equipment

• Operate electronic communication equipment to required protocol

• Work collaboratively with others when operating and maintaining minor mechanical equipment

• Promptly report and/or rectify any identified problems, faults or malfunctions that may arise when operating and maintaining minor mechanical equipment in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

• 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

• Identify, select and efficiently and effectively use relevant tools and equipment

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

• Monitor performance of equipment

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

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

• Assessment must include exercises which demonstrate competent performance of the following in a range of situations:

• carrying out pre-operation checks
• operating mechanical equipment correctly
• performing routine maintenance on mechanical equipment
• storing mechanical equipment appropriately

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.

Operations may be conducted:

• by day or night
• in any weather conditions

Work may be conducted in:

• restricted spaces
• exposed conditions
• controlled or open environments

Minor mechanical equipment may include:

• mechanical handling/lifting equipment
• compressors
• small plant such as motorised borers and saws
• generators

Materials may include:

• servicing materials such as lubricants
• related materials and consumables needed when using tools, e.g. nails, screws, grease, saw blades, grinding wheels, drill bits, etc.

Safety and personal protective equipment may include:

• high visibility clothing
• sunscreen and sun glasses
• insect repellent
• gloves
• safety headwear
• mask
• footwear
• safety glasses and hearing protection
• portable radios/mobile phones
• flags and hand lamps
• safety devices

Environmental hazards may include:

• leaking oil and fuel
• inappropriate disposal of fluids in drains or sewerage systems
• inappropriate disposal of waste and rubbish

Liaison may include:

• internal or external personnel from other work areas

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

• company procedures
• enterprise procedures
• organisational procedures
• established or standard procedures

Contingency processes may relate to:

• personal injury
• tool malfunctions

Information/records may include:

• workplace operational and technical instructions and procedures for the use and maintenance of minor mechanical equipment
• relevant regulations including state/territory safety codes of practice and safeworking regulations
• maintenance checklists and records for the use and maintenance of minor mechanical equipment
• work orders
• tool/equipment manufacturers instructions, specifications and recommended procedures
• precautions and procedures to be adopted to protect the environment when operating and maintaining minor mechanical equipment
• OH&S procedures
• QA plans, data and document control
• data and document control procedures
• relevant Australian standards and certification requirements
• emergency procedures manuals
• conditions of service, legislation and industrial agreements including workplace agreements and awards

Applicable regulations and legislation may include:

• legislated rail safety requirements including acts and regulations from each applicable state and territory together with any nationally approved compliance codes and/or guidelines
• relevant state/territory regulations, codes of practice and safeworking system requirements
• relevant state/territory OH&S legislation
• relevant Australian Standards and related requirements including AS 4292
• relevant state/territory environmental protection legislation
• workplace relations regulations including equal opportunity, equal employment opportunity and affirmative action legislation

Communication equipment systems may include:

• two-way radios
• telephones/mobile phones
• agreed audible or hand signals

Information may be provided:

• electronically
• in writing, via forms/documents/plans
• orally, via face-to-face communications

Competency Field 

B - Equipment Checking and Maintenance