Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to carry out basic servicing and maintenance of a commercial trailer, including action to implement trailer manufacturers specifications for routine checks and maintenance, and to ensure that all specified safety requirements are met and that the trailer 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.

Work is performed with limited or minimum supervision, with limited accountability and responsibility for self and others in achieving the prescribed outcomes. It involves the application of routine checking and maintenance principles and procedures to maintain a commercial trailer 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 Identify faults and perform routine maintenance 

1.1 Trailer faults are identified and diagnosed in accordance with workplace procedures

1.2 Trailer components are lubricated in accordance with manufacturers instructions and workplace procedures

2 Carry out repairs on trailers 

2.1 Trailer's air/hydraulic brake system is inspected and adjusted, and any required minor maintenance or repairs carried out

2.2 Trailer's electrical system is checked for correct operation and any required minor maintenance or repairs carried out

2.3 Trailer's suspension and axles are inspected and identified faults repaired and/or reported in accordance with workplace procedures

2.4 Trailer's wheels and tyres are inspected, removed, repaired and refitted, as required, in accordance with workplace policy

3 Complete documentation 

3.1 Records of routine maintenance and repairs are kept in accordance with workplace procedures

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 servicing and maintenance of trailers

• Relevant OH&S and pollution control procedures

• Procedures for the checking, and routine service and maintenance of a commercial trailer in accordance with workplace and manufacturers requirements and established safety rules and regulations

• Problems that may occur during the routine servicing and maintenance of a trailer and appropriate actions and solutions

• Recognition and diagnosis of faults and trailer irregularities

• Basic principles of operation of systems on commercial trailers, including electrical systems, tyres, brakes and coupling systems

• Basic fault finding procedures required during routine servicing and maintenance of trailers

• Housekeeping standards required for routine servicing and maintenance

• Procedures for the use and maintenance of the materials, tools and parts required for routine servicing and maintenance

• Reporting and documentation requirements

Required skills :

• Communicate effectively with others during the routine servicing and maintenance of a trailer

• Read and interpret instructions, procedures, information and signs relevant to the routine servicing and maintenance of a trailer

• Interpret and follow operational instructions and prioritise work

• Complete documentation related to the routine servicing and maintenance of a trailer

• Operate electronic communication equipment to required protocol

• Work collaboratively with others during the routine servicing and maintenance of a trailer

• 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 may be identified during the routine servicing and maintenance of a trailer 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

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

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

• 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.

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 a depot, base or warehouse
• while in the vehicle on the road
• while at a client's workplace

Trailers may include:

• any commercial trailers attached to vehicles used in the Australian transport industry

Maintenance checks may include:

• routine inspections of trailer and its systems
• checks prior to operations
• checks on completion of operations
• checks on completion of maintenance activities

Minor routine repairs may include:

• the replacement of blown globes in trailer lights
• minor repairs to couplings
• repairs to rear tail-light lens
• changing of tyres
• repair of tyre punctures

Minor routine servicing may include:

• topping up of water levels
• lubrication of trailer components
• checking of air in tyres
• checking of air/hydraulic brake systems
• checking of suspension and axles

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 servicing and maintenance procedures, checklists and instructions
• relevant state/territory roads and traffic authority trailer maintenance regulations
• maintenance checklists and records
• trailer manufacturers instructions, specifications and recommended procedures
• precautions and procedures to be adopted to protect the environment when servicing and maintaining trailers
• OH&S procedures to be followed when servicing and maintaining trailers

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