Release 1.  This is the first release of this unit of competency in the TLI Transport and Logistics Training Package.

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to drive a heavy vehicle in alpine areas on roads and in snow areas declared as hazardous in accordance with relevant state or territory legislated road and licence requirements.

It includes preparing vehicle for hazardous alpine driving, ascending, and descending on snowbound roads, including snow chain fitting.

Driving a passenger coach/bus in hazardous alpine conditions is performed with limited supervision and with a duty of care responsibility for self and passengers.

Licensing and Regulatory Information 

People achieving competence in this unit will need to fulfil the applicable state or territory licensing requirements for operating a heavy vehicle, including passenger coach/bus, in hazardous alpine areas.

Not applicable.

C - Vehicle Operation.

Not applicable.

ELEMENTS 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

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

1 

Prepare a heavy vehicle for hazardous alpine conditions 

1.1 

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is selected and checked according to workplace procedures

1.2 

Information and data on weather, ice and snow conditions are accessed, interpreted to confirm driving conditions according to workplace procedures

1.3 

Pre-start checks of vehicle and safety equipment are carried out according to manufacturer specifications and workplace procedures

1.4 

Hazards are identified and required action is taken to minimise, control or eliminate identified hazards according to workplace procedures

1.5 

Snow chains are fitted and checked according to manufacturer instructions and workplace procedures

1.6 

Passenger or load positioning and dispersion is undertaken in accordance with manufacturer instructions and workplace procedures

2 

Operate a heavy vehicle on ascending and descending snowbound roads 

2.1 

Vehicle equipment and controls are set and operated for ascending and descending a snowbound road according to workplace procedures

2.2 

Ascent and descent conditions are constantly monitored, and appropriate operations and control techniques are used to ensure safe vehicle operation and no injury to people or damage to vehicle is sustained

2.3 

Road conditions and traffic are constantly monitored, and appropriate operations and control techniques are used to ensure safe vehicle operation and no injury to people or damage to vehicle is sustained

2.4 

Equipment is operated in accordance with manufacturer instructions and workplace procedures

2.5 

Vehicle is parked according to workplace procedures

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

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

Non-essential conditions may be found in the TLI Transport and Logistics Training Package Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

This is a new unit. No equivalent unit.

Release 1.  This is the first release of this unit of competency in the TLI Transport and Logistics Training Package.

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

• carrying out pre-operational checks on vehicle and equipment, including checking show chains are fitted according to manufacturer instructions and workplace procedures
• complying with relevant road rules, manufacturer instructions and workplace procedures
• dealing with adverse weather conditions when driving
• driving vehicle ascending and descending in hazardous alpine areas/snowfields on snow bound roads
• evaluating risk and consequences of own driving actions
• fitting approved snow chains to vehicle
• identifying alpine driving conditions which might impact on driving behaviours and implementing low-risk driving response measures
• maintaining situational awareness
• making necessary adjustments to suit driving conditions
• monitoring road and traffic conditions and reacting appropriately
• using and operating vehicle controls to enable safe driving in snow conditions

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

• conditions which impact visibility, including:

• falling snow
• fog
• hail
• mist
• rain
• sleet
• water on roads

• effects of various snow coverage and ice conditions on vehicles, including risks associated with:

• accelerating
• braking
• freezing of vehicle equipment and components
• parking
• skidding
• steering
• use of headlights

• factors that can influence low-risk driving behaviour, including:

• driver awareness
• environmental conditions, road conditions, speed and space
• fatigue management
• impact of snow conditions on vision and visibility
• managing passengers who have been exposed to freezing and low temperatures
• working in freezing and low temperatures

• hazards, including:

• obstructions on road (fallen trees)
• poor or low visibility
• road conditions
• road surface
• weather conditions, including:

• black ice
• changing weather
• falling snow
• fog
• hail
• high winds
• ice
• low and freezing temperatures
• mist
• rain
• snow
• white-out conditions

• wildlife on roads

• information and data used to plan a route for hazardous alpine conditions, including:

• black ice warnings from relevant state/territory road regulator
• metrological information
• radio reports
• road conditions from relevant road state/territory road regulator

• passenger and driver safety, including:

• personal protective equipment (PPE) required for snow driving conditions, including:

• gloves
• sunglasses
• weather-proof and water-proof clothing

• safety equipment required for snow driving conditions, including:

• anti-freeze
• approved wheel/snow chains
• shovel
• torch or portable lead light
• tyre pressure gauge
• wheel chocks

• procedures and techniques for operating and manoeuvring a vehicle in snow and ice conditions, including:

• accelerating
• ascending snowbound roads
• avoiding freezing of vehicle equipment and components
• braking
• descending snowbound roads
• managing gears
• parking
• reversing
• skidding, including:

• driving techniques for avoiding skidding
• driving techniques if skidding occurs

• steering
• traction on roads

• procedures and techniques for fitting approved wheel snow chains
• relevant state/territory regulations, licensing, and regulatory requirements relevant to driving in hazardous alpine areas, including:

• conservation, wildlife and national park requirements
• definition of hazardous areas, roads and snowfields
• driving licence and accreditation requirements and renewals
• equipment requirements for vehicles driving in hazardous areas
• requirements for buses/coaches and bus/coach owners
• resort regulations
• road rules and traffic safety laws
• road signs, signals and markings.

Assessors must hold credentials specified within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must satisfy the Principles of Assessment and Rules of Evidence and all regulatory requirements included within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must occur in workplace operational situations where it is appropriate to do so; where this is not appropriate, assessment must occur in simulated workplace operational situations that replicate workplace conditions.

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 must include access to:

• a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or simulations
• relevant and appropriate materials, tools, equipment and PPE currently used in industry, including:

• access to approved hazardous alpine areas/snow fields and roads
• approved vehicle for hazardous alpine driving

• applicable documentation, including legislation, regulations, codes of practice, workplace procedures and operation manuals.