Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to drive a heavy combination vehicle safely including systematic and efficient control of all vehicle functions, monitoring of traffic and road conditions, management of vehicle condition and performance, coupling and uncoupling of trailer, and effective management of hazardous situations. Assessment of this unit may be undertaken within a licensing examination conducted, by or under the authority of, the relevant state/territory Road Traffic Authority. Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements are applicable to this unit.

Application of the Unit 

Driving must be carried out in compliance with the licence requirements and regulations of the relevant state/territory roads and traffic authority pertaining to heavy combination vehicles.

Driving is performed with limited or minimum supervision, with limited accountability and responsibility for self and others in achieving the prescribed outcomes.

Driving involves the application of routine vehicle driving principles and procedures to maintain the safety and operation of a commercial heavy combination vehicle across a variety of driving 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 Drive the heavy combination vehicle 

1.1 The heavy combination vehicle is started, steered, manoeuvred, positioned and stopped in accordance with traffic regulations and manufacturers instructions

1.2 Engine power is managed to ensure efficiency and performance and to minimise engine and gear damage

1.3 Engine operation is maintained within the manufacturer's specified torque range and temperature through effective gear selection and smooth transition in gear changes

1.4 Braking system of heavy combination vehicle is managed and operated to ensure effective control of the vehicle under all conditions

1.5 Driving hazards are identified and/or anticipated and avoided or controlled through defensive driving

1.6 The heavy combination vehicle is driven in reverse, maintaining visibility and achieving accurate positioning

1.7 The heavy combination vehicle is parked, uncoupled, shut down and secured in accordance with manufacturers specifications, traffic regulations and workplace procedures

1.8 Where required, overwidth and overweight permit applications are undertaken in accordance with relevant regulatory requirements

1.9 Appropriate signage, lights and the like are checked for operational effectiveness and for conformity to prescribed traffic regulations

1.10 Appropriate procedures are followed in the event of a driving emergency

2 Monitor traffic and road conditions 

2.1 The most efficient route of travel is taken through monitoring and anticipation of traffic flows and conditions, road standards and other factors likely to cause delays or route deviations

2.2 Traffic and road conditions are constantly monitored and acted upon to enable safe operation and ensure no injury to people or damage to property, equipment loads and facilities

3 Monitor and maintain vehicle performance 

3.1 Vehicle performance is maintained through pre-operational inspections and checks of the vehicle

3.2 Prime mover and trailer are aligned and coupled in accordance with manufacturers instructions and workplace procedures

3.3 Coupled vehicle is checked and tested to ensure it is correctly secured and to confirm that it is fully operational

3.4 Performance and efficiency of vehicle operation is monitored during use

3.5 Defective or irregular performance or malfunctions are reported to the appropriate authority

3.6 Vehicle records are maintained/updated and information is processed 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 road rules, regulations, permit and licence requirements of the relevant state/territory road traffic authority

• Relevant OH&S and environmental procedures and regulations

• Heavy combination vehicle controls, instruments and indicators and their use

• Heavy combination vehicle handling procedures

• Workplace driving and operational instructions

• Procedures to be followed in the event of a driving emergency

• Engine power management and safe driving strategies

• Efficient driving techniques

• Pre-operational checks carried out on heavy combination vehicle and related action

• Differences between transmission types

• Principles of operation of air brakes and procedures for their use

• Driving hazards and related defensive driving techniques

• Map reading and navigation of the vehicle and related action

• Factors which may cause traffic delays and diversions and related action that can be taken by a driver

• Principles of stress management when driving a vehicle

• Causes and effects of fatigue on drivers

• Factors which increase fatigue-related accidents

• Fatigue management strategies including on-road techniques

• Lifestyles which promote the effective long-term management of fatigue

Required skills :

• Communicate effectively with others when driving a heavy combination vehicle

• Read and interpret instructions, procedures, information and signs relevant to the driving of a heavy combination vehicle

• Interpret and follow operational instructions and prioritise work

• Complete documentation related to the driving of a heavy combination vehicle

• Operate electronic communication equipment to required protocol

• Work collaboratively with others when driving a heavy combination 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 may occur when driving a heavy combination vehicle in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

• Implement contingency plans for unexpected events that may arise when driving a heavy combination vehicle

• Apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist during work activities

• Monitor and anticipate traffic hazards and take appropriate action

• Modify activities depending on differing operational contingencies, risk situations and environments

• Apply fatigue management knowledge and techniques

• 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

• Apply map reading and road navigation techniques to the operation of a heavy combination vehicle

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

• Monitor performance of vehicle, its trailers and its equipment and take appropriate action where required

• Check and replenish fluids and 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.

Type of vehicle includes:

• all heavy combination vehicles that may be driven on public and private roads and work sites

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

• operations conducted at day or night
• typical weather conditions
• on the open road
• on a private road
• while at a depot, base or warehouse
• while at a client's workplace or work site

Vehicle handling procedures may include:

• starting a vehicle
• steering and manoeuvring a vehicle
• accelerating and braking
• positioning and stopping a vehicle
• reversing a vehicle
• operating vehicle controls, instruments and indicators
• using air brakes
• using defensive driving techniques
• managing engine performance

Pre-operational checks may include:

• visual check of vehicle
• checking and topping up of fluid levels
• checks of tyre pressures
• checks of operation of vehicle lights and indicators
• checks of brakes
• checks of coupling equipment

Minor routine repairs may include:

• replacement of blown globes in vehicle lights
• replacement of broken fan belt
• replacement of blown fuse
• replacement of door mirrors
• repairs to rear tail-light lens
• changing of tyres
• repair of tyre punctures
• replacement of broken coolant hose

Driving hazards may include (examples only):

• wet and iced roads
• oil on road
• animals and objects on road
• fire in vehicle
• leaking fuel
• faulty brakes
• parked vehicles on the road
• faulty steering mechanism on vehicle
• pedestrians crossing the road
• flooded sections of road
• windy sections of road
• foggy conditions
• work site hazards including power and service lines, buildings, structures, facilities, underground services, uneven or unstable ground and recently filled trenches, stationary and moving machinery and equipment, hazardous or dangerous materials, noise, light, energy sources, and obstructions

Factors that can cause traffic delays and diversions may include (examples only):

• traffic accidents
• flooded sections of road
• road damage
• bridge/tunnel damage
• road works
• building construction
• emergency situations such as bushfires, building fires, etc.
• road closures for special events such as marches, parades, sporting events, etc.
• holiday traffic
• road closures for utility works such as electricity, water, sewerage, telecommunications, gas, etc.

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

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

Documentation/records may include:

• state/territory heavy combination vehicle driving licence/permit requirements
• state/territory road rules
• workplace driving instructions and procedures
• vehicle manufacturers instructions, specifications and recommended driving procedures including preoperational checks of vehicle
• emergency procedures
• vehicle log book or record book (where required)

Applicable procedures and codes may include:

• relevant state/territory roads and traffic authority driving regulations and licence requirements pertaining to heavy combination vehicles
• relevant state/territory road rules
• relevant state/territory permit regulations and requirements
• relevant state/territory OH&S legislation
• relevant state/territory fatigue management regulations
• relevant state/territory environmental protection legislation

Competency Field 

C - Vehicle Operation