Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to prepare cargo for transfer with slings in accordance with workplace requirements and relevant regulatory requirements, including preparing for transfer of cargo, calculating Safe Working Load (SWL) or Working Load Limit (WLL) of slings and loads, slinging cargo and unslinging cargo, and strapping and unstrapping goods. Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements are applicable to this unit.

Application of the Unit 

Work must be carried out in accordance with codes/regulations and workplace requirements relevant to the preparation of cargo for transfer with slings.

Safety checks and equipment tests are performed under limited supervision.

Work involves the application of regulatory requirements and workplace procedures to the preparation of cargo for transfer with slings in the stevedoring, transport, warehousing, distribution and/or storage industries.

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 Prepare for transfer of cargo 

1.1 Working area is prepared and maintained in accordance with national standards and safety codes and site operating procedures

1.2 Unsafe work practices and/or faulty equipment is reported in accordance with enterprise procedures

1.3 Correct protective equipment is identified and worn

2 Calculate Safe Working Load or Working Load Limit of slings and loads 

2.1 Safe Working Load (SWL) or Working Load Limit (WLL) is calculated using standardised formulae for different types of lifting cables

2.2 Lifting equipment is checked to determine the safe working load

2.3 Slinging gear is checked for conformity with safety equipment

3 Sling cargo and unsling cargo 

3.1 Cargo is slung/unslung in accordance with national standards, safety codes and site operating procedures

3.2 Correct securing devices are identified and used

3.3 Load is steadied by tag lines as required

3.4 Damaged cargo is identified and reported in accordance with enterprise procedures

3.5 Slinging attachments are released from load ensuring no injury to personnel or damage to machinery or cargo

4 Strap and unstrap goods 

4.1 Cargo is strapped and unstrapped in accordance with national standards, safety codes and site operating procedures

4.2 Mechanical strapping equipment is used in accordance with manufacturers instructions

4.3 Damaged cargo is identified and reported in accordance with enterprise reporting procedures

4.4 Strapping arrangements are secured/released to/from load ensuring no injury to personnel or damage to machinery or cargo

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS 

This describes the essential knowledge and skills and their level required for this unit.

Required knowledge :

• Regulations relevant to the transfer of cargo with slings, including, where relevant, the Australian Dangerous Goods Code and relevant bond, quarantine or other legislative requirements

• Relevant OH&S and environmental protection procedures and guidelines

• Workplace procedures and policies for the transfer of cargo with slings

• Focus of operation of work systems, equipment, management and site operating procedures for the transfer of cargo with slings

• Cargos potential for toxicity, reactiveness, material grade, type and purpose including information from relevant material safety data sheets and Australian Dangerous Goods Code documentation (where applicable)

• Gear and equipment used during the transfer of cargo with slings and the precautions and procedures that should be followed in their use

• Problems that may occur when preparing cargo for transfer with slings and appropriate action that can be taken to resolve the problems

• Documentation and record requirements

• Housekeeping standards procedures required in the workplace

• Site layout and obstacles

Required skills :

• Communicate effectively with others when preparing cargo for transfer with slings

• Read and interpret instructions, procedures, information and signs relevant to the preparation of cargo for transfer with slings

• Interpret and follow operational instructions and prioritise work

• Complete documentation related to the preparation of cargo for transfer with slings

• Operate electronic communication equipment to required protocol

• Work collaboratively with others when preparing cargo for transfer with slings

• Adapt appropriately to cultural differences in the workplace, including modes of behaviour and interactions with others

• Promptly report and/or rectify any identified problems that may occur when preparing cargo for transfer with slings in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

• Plan own work including predicting consequences and identifying improvements

• Implement contingency plans for unanticipated situations that may arise when preparing cargo for transfer with slings

• Apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist during the preparation of cargo for transfer with slings

• Monitor work activities in terms of planned schedule

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

• Work systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self or others, or damage to goods or equipment

• Select and use relevant gear and equipment when preparing cargo for transfer with slings

• Use balance points and estimate weights in setting up loads to be shifted

• 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

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.

Work may be conducted:

• in a range of work environments
• by day or night

Customers may be:

• internal or external

Workplaces may comprise:

• large, medium or small worksites

Work may be conducted in:

• limited or restricted spaces
• exposed conditions
• controlled or open environments
• even or uneven surfaces
• wet or dry surfaces

Slinging gear may include:

• fibre ropes
• wire ropes
• chains
• webbing slings

Hazards in the work area may include exposure to:

• chemicals and fumes
• dangerous or hazardous substances
• stationary and moving machinery, goods, materials and vehicular traffic
• contamination of, or from, materials being handled
• service lines
• spills, leakages and ruptures
• dust/vapours
• faulty gear/equipment/tools

Requirements for work may include:

• site restrictions and procedures
• use of safety and personal protective equipment
• communications equipment
• specialised lifting and/or handling equipment
• additional gear and equipment
• noise restrictions
• hours of operations
• authorities and permits

Consultative processes may involve:

• workplace personnel including supervisors and managers
• equipment manufacturers and suppliers
• site visitors and contractors
• union representatives, industrial relations and OH&S specialists
• other professional or technical staff

Communication in the work area may include:

• phone
• fax
• email
• internet
• RF communications
• bar code readers
• oral, aural or signed communications

Personal protective equipment may include:

• gloves
• safety headwear and footwear
• safety glasses
• two-way radios
• respirators and fume masks
• protective clothing
• high visibility clothing

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

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

Information/documents may include:

• workplace procedures and policies for the preparation of cargo for transfer with slings
• goods identification numbers and codes
• manifests, bar codes, goods and container identification/serial number
• manufacturers specifications
• equipment identification labels, bar codes and serial numbers
• supplier and/or client instructions
• relevant OH&S requirements and policies
• relevant Australian standards and certification requirements including Australian Standard on wire rope, chain and webbing slings
• material safety data sheets where applicable
• codes of practice including the National Standards for Manual Handling and the Industry Safety Code
• relevant legislation, regulations and related documentation including the ADG Code (where applicable)
• award, enterprise bargaining agreement and other industrial arrangements
• quality assurance procedures
• emergency procedures

Applicable regulations and legislation may include:

• relevant codes and regulations pertaining to the transfer of cargo with slings
• relevant state/territory OH&S legislation
• relevant state/territory environmental protection legislation
• relevant Australian standards and certification requirements, including Australian Standard 2359 - Industrial Truck Code
• licence, patent or copyright arrangements
• water and road use and licence arrangements
• export/import/quarantine/bond requirements
• workplace relations regulations including equal opportunity, equal employment opportunity and affirmative action legislation
• workers compensation regulations

Competency Field 

D - Load Handling