This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to operate a fuel tanker in accordance with the current Australian Dangerous Goods (ADG) Code, mass and loading regulations, and relevant state/territory road traffic authority vehicle licence requirements and regulations for heavy vehicles.

It includes recognising the characteristics of fuel and fuel tankers to ensure the safe transfer and transport of fuel, conducting pre-trip inspections, performing tanker loading tests and transporting load to customer site. It also includes preparing a site to accept delivery, managing delivery, completing post-delivery activities and following emergency procedures.

A fuel tanker is defined as any bulk road transport vehicle authorised to carry Class 3 flammable liquid and combustible fuel.

Fuel tankers are operated with limited or minimum supervision, and with accountability and responsibility for self and others in achieving the prescribed outcomes.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

ELEMENTS 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1 

Recognise the characteristics of fuel and fuel tankers to ensure safe transfer and transport of fuel 

1.1

Properties of fuel being transported are determined in accordance with emergency response documentation

1.2

Hazards associated with fuel transport are clarified in accordance with emergency response documentation

1.3

Hazardous atmosphere zones are identified in accordance with organisational requirements

1.4

Functions of equipment fitted to a fuel tanker are identified, including work health and safety(WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) and emergency response equipment

1.5

Factors that cause static electricity and ways of minimising associated risks are identified in accordance with organisational requirements

1.6

Switch loading is identified in accordance with industry procedures

2 

Comply with legislative and organisational requirements for safe transfer and transport of fuel 

2.1

UN number, product class, packaging group and any sub-risks of fuel being transported are identified in accordance with emergency response documentation

2.2

Approved handler and approved filler requirements for fuel being transported are identified in accordance with the current ADG Code and Australian Institute of Petroleum (AIP) site requirements

3 

Conduct pre-trip inspection 

3.1

Tanker is checked for current terminal entry compliance

3.2

Tanker is checked to ensure dangerous goods (DG) compliance plate is attached to tanker in accordance with current ADG Code requirements

3.3

Tanker load transfer equipment is checked to confirm security and state of repair, and that all hoses are tested and tagged in accordance with current ADG Code requirements

3.4

Tanker is checked to ensure safety equipment is accessible, properly maintained, and stowed and secured in accordance with current ADG Code requirements

3.5

Tanker is checked to ensure personal protective equipment (PPE) is available, ready for use and meets current ADG Code requirements

3.6

Tanker is checked to ensure DG placards are correct for the load and are displayed in accordance with current ADG Code requirements

3.7

Fire extinguisher is checked for current date and pressure gauge

3.8

Shipping documentation is checked for accuracy and availability of emergency information in accordance with current ADG Code requirements

3.9

Non-compliant vehicles and equipment are reported in accordance with organisational procedures

4 

Perform tanker loading tests 

4.1

Tanker is driven into loading site in accordance with site procedures

4.2

Tanker is positioned to enable loading to be carried out in accordance with site procedures, without injury to people or damage to property

4.3

Park brake is applied, engine is turned off and battery is isolated as required

4.4

PPE is used in accordance with site and organisational procedures

4.5

Transfer equipment is checked for compatibility

4.6

Loading activities are controlled within level of responsibility, company regulations and legislative requirements

4.7

Emergency procedures are followed in a spill or leak during loading

4.8

Static control measures are applied

5 

Transport load to customer site 

5.1

Routes are planned to avoid congested areas, tunnels or areas where people may congregate and to maximise efficiency between delivery sites

5.2

Prescribed routes are followed in accordance with regulatory and organisational requirements, and courtesy and professionalism are exhibited toward other road users

5.3

Tanker is driven and manoeuvred in accordance with legal requirements, and vehicle stability and prevailing environmental conditions are considered

5.4

Eco-driving techniques are applied

5.5

Action is taken to deal with traffic delays and diversions

5.6

Legislative and organisational procedures are adhered to when driving, parking and leaving tanker standing, or when a tanker breaks down or stops on a road

6 

Prepare site to accept delivery 

6.1

Pre-delivery assessment is made before entering delivery site

6.2

Site features that present a hazard and/or prevent delivery are rectified or reported in accordance with organisational requirements

6.3

Site instructions and/or restrictions are complied with

6.4

Tanker is manoeuvred and positioned to ensure product can be delivered safely and efficiently

6.5

Park brake is applied, and engine is turned off and battery is isolated as required

6.6

PPE is used in accordance with site and organisational procedures, and steps are taken to apply personal safety measures and to manage potential hazards

6.7

Discharge area of delivery site is marked with signs and/or cones in accordance with workplace and state/territory legislative requirements

7 

Manage delivery 

7.1

Static control measures are applied

7.2

Visible receiving vessel and/or components are checked for damage

7.3

Contents of receiving vessel/s are checked to ensure sufficient ullage exists for delivery

7.4

Product type and quantity are confirmed against delivery documents

7.5

Gauges, valves, hoses and connections are visually checked for serviceability and leaks

7.6

Vehicle and/or delivery site emergency shut down is identified and checked in accordance with workplace requirements

7.7

Hoses are connected for discharging to ensure correct product is delivered into correct vessel in correct sequence

7.8

Product is delivered in accordance with organisational and site procedures, and special delivery instructions are observed

7.9

Emergency procedures are followed in a spill or leak during delivery

8 

Complete post-delivery activities 

8.1

Product transfer equipment is disconnected in accordance with product type and organisational procedures

8.2

After-dip of tank is conducted to ensure product is in correct tanks and load has been fully delivered

8.3

Site is secured and restored to a clean and tidy condition in accordance with site procedures

8.4

Delivery documentation is completed in accordance with organisational procedures

8.5

Shipping documentation is amended to reflect changes in vehicle load

8.6

Pre-departure inspection of tanker is conducted in accordance with organisational procedures

8.7

Tanker is driven safely from site in accordance with site procedures

9 

Follow emergency procedures 

9.1

Incident is reported to police or fire services as soon as possible

9.2

Incident is reported to nominated person as soon as practicable in accordance with the transport emergency response plan (TERP)

9.3

Reasonable assistance is provided as required by an authorised officer or officer of the emergency services to deal with the situation

9.4

Warnings are provided to other vehicles and persons in the vicinity who may be at risk

9.5

Escape of fuel is prevented or minimised

9.6

Incident is reported in accordance with legislative requirements or as nominated in the TERP

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Non-essential conditions can be found in the Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

Sites must include at least one of the following:

• customer site
• depot
• terminal

WHS/OHS equipment fitted to a fuel tanker must include:

• breakdown triangles
• chemical resistant gloves
• emergency cones
• emergency information holder
• emergency shutdown controls
• eyewash kit
• fire extinguishers
• torch

Emergency response equipment must include:

• emergency shutdown controls
• eyewash kit
• fire extinguisher
• spill kit

Documentation must include:

• emergency procedure guides
• shipping documentation
• state/ territory road rules
• TERP

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements, performance criteria and range of conditions on at least one occasion and include:

• applying precautions and required actions to minimise, control or eliminate identified hazards
• communicating effectively with others in the workplace
• completing documentation relating to operating a fuel tanker
• completing post-delivery activities
• correctly positioning a fuel tanker when loading and unloading
• discharging fuel using gravity, pressure and suction methods
• identifying tanker and product compatibility
• identifying product correctly, and placarding fuel tanker accordingly
• implementing contingency plans
• interpreting and following operational instructions and prioritising work
• loading fuel
• meeting customer requirements when delivering fuel to customer site
• modifying activities depending on operational contingencies, risk situations and environments
• monitoring and anticipating traffic hazards and taking appropriate action
• monitoring performance of tanker, its trailers and its equipment and taking appropriate action as required
• operating and adapting to differences in equipment in accordance with standard operating procedures
• preparing a route to maximise safety and efficiency, and to meet organisational route requirements
• reading and interpreting relevant instructions, procedures, information and signs
• safely unloading fuel at a customer site
• selecting and using required personal protective equipment, conforming to industry and work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) standards
• undertaking a pre-trip inspection of a fuel tanker
• using eco-driving techniques when operating a fuel tanker
• working collaboratively with others when operating fuel tankers
• working systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self or others, or damage to goods or equipment.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements, performance criteria and range of conditions and include knowledge of:

• causal factors of fuel tanker accidents and incidents
• effects of weight distribution on load behaviour and vehicle stability
• efficient driving techniques and eco-driving considerations
• factors involved in trip preparation
• factors that may cause traffic delays and diversions, and related action that can be taken
• fatigue management strategies
• how to select and use required personal protective equipment, conforming to industry and WHS/OHS standards
• procedures to be followed in a driving emergency and response to an emergency using a company transport emergency response plan (TERP)
• properties of fuel to be carried
• relevant dangerous goods (DG) information for using fuel tankers
• relevant legislation and industry workplace procedures for transporting fuel
• relevant organisational requirements including policies and procedures
• relevant state/territory roads and traffic authority road rules, regulations, permit and licence requirements
• relevant WHS/OHS and environmental procedures and regulations relating to fuel tanker operations
• techniques and procedures for loading and unloading a fuel tanker safely
• techniques for safe delivery of fuel to a customer site
• techniques to continually identify and mitigate environmental risks
• workplace documentation
• workplace driving and operational instructions
• working at heights procedures for fuel tanker drivers.

As a minimum, assessors must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

As a minimum, assessment must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must occur in workplace operational situations, with the exception of Element 9; due to workplace health and safety risks, assessment of Element 9 must occur using simulations in workplace operational situations.

Practical assessment must be undertaken using a fuel tanker that meets all industry compliance and/or licensing requirements.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Resources for assessment include:

• eye wash kit, fire extinguisher, torch, chemical resistant gloves, spill kit, and personal protective equipment currently used in industry
• workplace procedures, current ADG Code, emergency procedure guides, emergency response documentation, shipping documentation, TERP.

A simulator is not suitable for final assessment of this unit of competency.

This unit may be assessed with the following unit/s:

• TLID4048 Top load a dangerous goods tanker
• TLID4049 Bottom load a dangerous goods tanker.