Unit of competency details

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to operate an agitator safely, including systematically and efficiently controlling all vehicle functions, monitoring traffic and road conditions, and managing vehicle condition and performance.

Licensing, legislative, regulatory and certification requirements are applicable to this unit.

Driving must be carried out in compliance with the licence requirements and regulations of the relevant state and territory roads and traffic authority pertaining to an agitator.

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

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 Prepare the vehicle 

1.1 Pre-operational check of the agitator is completed in line with organisational requirements

1.2 Concrete is charged to the agitator and slump is adjusted in line with customer requirements and organisational procedures

1.3 Vehicle exterior is cleaned to meet organisational policy and regulatory requirements

1.4 Most efficient route of travel is determined to achieve customer and regulatory requirements

1.5 Traffic and road conditions are constantly monitored and acted upon to enable safe operation

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

2 Monitor and maintain vehicle performance 

2.1 Performance position and efficiency of vehicle operation are monitored during use

2.2 Defective or irregular performance and malfunctions are reported to the appropriate authority

2.3 Vehicle records are updated and maintained, and information is processed in accordance with workplace procedures

3 Deliver concrete to site 

3.1 Pre-site check is completed before entry on to worksite in line with regulatory and company requirements

3.2 Personal protective equipment (PPE) is worn in accordance with workplace policy

3.3 Vehicle is parked and secured in accordance with manufacturer specifications, traffic regulations and workplace procedures

3.4 Ancillary equipment is attached and operated in accordance with company procedures and regulatory requirements.

3.5 Concrete is discharged in line with customer requirements and company policy and procedure

4 Finalise concrete delivery 

4.1 Relevant documentation is completed on delivery of concrete, in line with customer requirements and company policy and procedure

4.2 Vehicle is cleaned to meet organisational policy and regulatory requirements

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 and territory roads and traffic authority

• Relevant OH&S and environmental procedures and regulations

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

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

• Procedures for measuring mass to ensure axle weight compliance

• Driving hazards and related defensive driving techniques

• Map reading and navigation of the vehicle

• Factors that may cause traffic delays and diversions and related action that can be taken

• Pre-site check procedures

• Procedures to be followed when concrete is charged and discharged

• Effect of different slumps on vehicle stability

Required skills: 

• Communicate effectively during all aspects of operating an agitator

• Read and interpret instructions, procedures, information and signs relevant to driving an agitator

• Follow operational instructions

• Complete documentation relating to driving an agitator

• Check and adjust slump of concrete

• Operate electronic communication equipment in line with required protocols

• Work collaboratively with others when driving an agitator

• Report and rectify within limits of own role identified problems, faults and malfunctions that may occur when driving an agitator vehicle in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

• Implement contingency plans for unexpected events that may arise when driving an agitator

• 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

• Use ancillary equipment

• Apply map reading and road navigation techniques to the operation of an agitator

• Select and use required PPE, conforming to industry and OH&S standards

• Monitor performance of vehicle and take appropriate action where required

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:

• knowledge of relevant regulations and workplace procedures
• correct positioning and charging of agitator
• operating an agitator and ancillary equipment
• adjusting slump of concrete to meet customer requirements
• conducting pre-site checks of worksites
• using PPE
• discharging the concrete using the following four methods: concrete pump, wheelbarrow, kibble and chutes
• cleaning vehicle to required company and regulatory standard

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

• Assessment must ensure access to:

• agitator vehicle that is consistent with current industry standards
• tools, equipment and PPE currently used in the concrete industry
• regulatory requirements and equipment documentation that impact on work activities currently used in the concrete industry

Method of assessment 

• Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended
• In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge
• Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed
• Simulation and online assessment are not suitable for final assessment of this unit

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.

Pre-operational checks may include: 

• visual check of vehicle
• checking and topping up fluid levels
• checking:

• tyre pressures
• operation of vehicle lights and indicators
• brakes
• wheel nuts
• barrel functions
• emergency stops
• radio functions

Communication includes: 

• constant communication with:

• relevant authority on site
• customers
• batcher

Personal safety measures include:  

• manual-lifting techniques
• three points of contact when using ladders
• correct use of safety rails and walkways
• safety glasses
• safety footwear
• hard hats
• high visibility clothing
• hearing protection

Concrete discharge methods include: 

• concrete pump
• wheelbarrow
• kibble

Ancillary equipment includes: 

• hoses
• chutes
• remote control
• ladders
• chute locks

Minor routine repairs may include: 

• replacing:

• blown globes in vehicle lights
• broken fanbelts
• blown fuses
• door mirrors
• broken coolant hoses

• repairs to rear tail-light lens
• changing tyres
• repairing tyre punctures

Driving hazards may include: 

• 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
• worksite hazards, including:

• power and service lines
• buildings, structures and facilities
• underground services
• uneven or unstable ground and recently filled trenches
• stationary and moving machinery and equipment
• hazardous or dangerous materials
• noise and light
• energy sources
• people on worksite
• obstructions

Factors that can cause traffic delays and diversions may include: 

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

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 and records may include: 

• state and territory heavy combination vehicle driving licence or permit requirements
• state and territory road rules
• load sheets
• workplace driving instructions and procedures
• vehicle manufacturer instructions, specifications and recommended driving procedures, including pre-operational checks of vehicle
• emergency procedures
• vehicle work diary or record book, where required

Applicable procedures and codes may include: 

• relevant state and territory:

• roads and traffic authority driving regulations and licence requirements pertaining to agitator vehicles
• road rules
• permit regulations and requirements
• OH&S legislation
• fatigue management regulations
• environmental protection legislation

C – Vehicle Operation