Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to drive a vehicle carrying a special load safely including compliance with road traffic authority and other relevant government regulations and company policies; and effective management of hazardous situations. 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 and permit requirements and regulations of the relevant state/territory roads and traffic authority as well as the specific regulatory and permit requirements pertaining to the special load being carried.

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 vehicle carrying a special load 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 Carry out pre-operational checks 

1.1 The pre-operational checks for the special purpose vehicle and its associated ancillary equipment are carried out in accordance with manufacturers requirements, government regulations and workplace policies and procedures

1.2 All faults and defects identified during checks are repaired or reported in accordance with workplace procedures

2 Drive a vehicle carrying special loads 

2.1 The vehicle is manoeuvred in accordance with the regulations/permit requirements for the class of vehicle involved and the load being carried

2.2 Vehicles carrying explosives or dangerous goods are driven along designated routes in accordance with the relevant codes, relevant government regulations and workplace policies

2.3 The load is transported and the vehicle manoeuvred in accordance with any required precautions relating to unusual/special characteristics of the load and/or relevant government regulations pertaining to the special load including the Australian Dangerous Goods Code and the Australian Explosives Code

2.4 Signs or indicators are fixed to the vehicle if required

2.5 Appropriate procedures are followed for the load concerned in the event of a driving emergency

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

• Where applicable, Australian regulations and codes of practice for the handling and transport of dangerous goods and hazardous substances, including the Australian Dangerous Goods Code and the Australian Explosives Code

• Relevant OH&S and environmental procedures and regulations

• Vehicle controls, instruments and indicators and their use

• 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 vehicle and related action

• Differences between transmission types

• Map reading and road navigation techniques

• 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 vehicle designed to carry special loads

• Read and interpret instructions, procedures, information and signs relevant to the driving of a vehicle designed to carry special loads

• Interpret and follow operational instructions and prioritise work

• Complete documentation related to the driving of a vehicle designed to carry special loads

• Operate electronic communication equipment to required protocol

• Work collaboratively with others when driving a vehicle designed to carry special loads

• 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 arise when driving a vehicle designed to carry special loads in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

• Implement contingency plans for unexpected events when driving a vehicle designed to carry special loads

• Apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist during the driving of a vehicle designed to carry special loads

• 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

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

• Monitor performance of vehicle and its equipment and load and take appropriate action if required

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

• 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 vehicles designed to carry special loads, for example concrete agitator, livestock transporter, armoured car, tanker, refrigerated vehicle, waste vehicle, fresh produce vehicle, car carrier, container carrier, recovery vehicle

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 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

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

Designated routes are:

• those that are determined by permit/regulatory requirements for a specific class of load such as explosives or dangerous goods

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

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, 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 driving licence requirements
• state/territory road rules
• workplace driving instructions and procedures for drivers of vehicles carrying the specific load concerned
• vehicle manufacturers instructions, specifications and recommended driving procedures including preoperational checks of vehicle
• procedures/designated routes prescribed by the relevant authority for vehicles carrying the specific loads concerned

Applicable procedures and codes may include:

• relevant state/territory roads and traffic authority driving regulations and licence/permit requirements pertaining to the class of vehicle
• relevant regulations/permit requirements specific to the load being carried
• Australian regulations and codes of practice for the handling and transport of dangerous goods and hazardous substances, including the Australian Dangerous Goods Code and the Australian Explosives Code
• relevant state/territory road rules
• relevant state/territory OH&S legislation
• relevant state/territory fatigue management regulations
• relevant State/Territory environmental protection legislation

Competency Field 

C - Vehicle Operation