Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to load and unload vehicles carrying special loads. It includes loading and unloading the special load onto and from the vehicle, securing and protecting the vehicle and the load, and completing all required documentation. Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements are applicable to this unit.

Application of the Unit 

Work 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 code, regulatory and permit requirements pertaining to the special load being carried.

Work is performed under some supervision generally within a team environment. It involves the application of the basic principles, routine procedures and regulatory requirements to the loading and unloading of vehicles designed to carry special loads.

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 Load and unload vehicle 

1.1 Load characteristics are identified and taken into account when determining appropriate loading and unloading procedures

1.2 Hazardous cargo is identified and handled in accordance with required procedures for hazardous and dangerous cargo

1.3 Vehicle is loaded demonstrating compliance with vehicle loading regulations and workplace safety requirements

1.4 Lifting aids and appliances are selected and used to aid loading procedures in compliance with workplace procedures and safety legislation

1.5 Vehicle is unloaded or partially unloaded in a safe and efficient manner taking into account suitable locations, stowage, safe use of equipment and the balance of the remaining load

1.6 Ancillary equipment is operated in accordance with company procedures and manufacturers instructions during loading and unloading operations

2 Secure and protect vehicle and load 

2.1 The vehicle load is secured using the correct load restraint and protection equipment for different loads, vehicles and carriage conditions

2.2 The load is protected in accordance with legal and workplace safety requirements

2.3 The distribution of the load is checked to ensure that it is even, legal and within the safe working capacity of the vehicle

3 Complete documentation 

3.1 The loaded vehicle is inspected and checked for security to travel

3.2 All required transportation documentation for the cargo is completed in accordance with workplace requirements

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS 

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

Required knowledge :

• Relevant state/territory mass and loading regulations and regulations pertaining to the various types of special loads, including Australian Dangerous Goods (ADG) and Australian Explosives Code, where applicable

• OH&S procedures and guidelines concerning the lifting and movement of loads

• Characteristics of various types of special loads

• Risks and hazards when loading and unloading various types of special loads, and related precautions to control the risk

• Workplace procedures and policies for the loading and unloading of vehicles designed to carry special loads

• Containers and goods coding, IMDG markings and, where applicable, emergency information panels, including their meaning and implications for loading and unloading processes

• Housekeeping standards procedures required in the workplace

• Methods of securing various types of special loads

• Site layout and obstacles

Required skills :

• Communicate effectively with others when loading and unloading special loads from vehicles

• Read and interpret instructions, procedures, information and signs relevant to the loading and unloading of special loads from vehicles

• Identify and interpret containers and goods coding, IMDG markings and, where applicable, emergency information panels

• Interpret and follow operational instructions and prioritise work

• Complete documentation related to the loading and unloading of special loads from vehicles

• Operate electronic communication equipment to required protocol

• Estimate the size, shape and special requirements of loads

• Work collaboratively with others when loading and unloading special loads from vehicles

• 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 loading and unloading special loads from vehicles in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

• Implement contingency plans for unexpected events that may arise when loading and unloading special loads from vehicles

• Apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist during the loading and unloading of special loads from vehicles

• Monitor work activities in terms of planned schedule

• 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

• Identify and correctly use equipment required to load and unload the various types of special loads

• Safely use manual handling techniques to operate manually

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
• demonstrating the safe loading and unloading of a load
• applying techniques for the security of loads
• applying relevant legislation and workplace procedures

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 

• As a minimum, assessment of knowledge must be conducted through appropriate assessments using written/practical/oral assessments
• Practical assessment must occur:

• through activities in an appropriately simulated environment, 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 may include 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
• vehicle carrying dangerous goods or explosives
• vehicle carry over dimensional load

Loading and unloading operations may be conducted:

• in a range of work environments and weather conditions
• by day or night

Customers may be:

• internal or external

Workplaces may comprise:

• large, medium or small worksites

Work may be conducted in:

• restricted spaces
• exposed conditions
• controlled or open environments

Loads to be shifted may be:

• irregularly shaped
• packaged or unpackaged
• labelled or unlabelled
• palleted or unpalleted
• liquid loads
• motor vehicles
• motor bikes

Hazards in the work area may include exposure to:

• chemicals
• dangerous or hazardous substances
• movements of equipment, goods and materials

Personnel in the work area may include:

• workplace personnel
• site visitors
• contractors
• official representatives

Communication in the work area may include:

• phone
• electronic data interchange (EDI)
• fax
• email
• internet
• radio
• oral, aural or signed communications

Loading operations may be carried out:

• manually
• with the aid of lifting equipment and/or appliances

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

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

Personal protective equipment may include:

• gloves
• safety headwear and footwear
• safety glasses
• two-way radios
• high visibility clothing

Information/documents may include:

• goods identification numbers and codes, including ADG and IMDG markings and HAZCHEM signs
• manifests, bar codes, goods and container identification
• manufacturers specifications for equipment/tools
• workplace procedures and policies
• Australian and international regulations and codes of practice for the handling and transport of dangerous goods and hazardous substances
• supplier and/or client instructions
• material safety data sheets
• codes of practice including the National Standards for Manual Handling and the Industry Safety Code
• National Load Restraint Guide
• Australian Truck Drivers Manual
• award, enterprise bargaining agreement, other industrial arrangements
• relevant standards and certification requirements
• quality assurance procedures
• emergency procedures

Applicable regulations and legislation may include:

• state/territory mass and loading regulations
• Australian and international regulations and codes of practice for the handling and transport of dangerous goods and hazardous substances, including:

• Australian and International Dangerous Goods Codes
• Australian Marine Orders and the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code
• IATA Dangerous Goods by Air regulations
• Australian and International Explosives Codes
• Code of Practice for the Safe Transport of Radioactive Substances
• state/territory legislation covering the safe handling of infectious substances

• relevant state/territory environmental protection legislation
• relevant state/territory OH&S legislation

Competency Field 

D - Load Handling