Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to use pilot and escort communication equipment and resources including deploying/operating the equipment to communicate with drivers of oversized/overmassed vehicles during pilot and escort duties and other relevant personnel, and maintaining all required records. 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/permit requirements and regulations of the relevant state/territory roads and traffic authority pertaining to the piloting and escorting of oversized and overmassed loads.

Work is performed with limited or minimum supervision, with limited accountability and responsibility for self and others in achieving the prescribed outcomes. It involves the application of routine principles and procedures using pilot and escort communications in a variety of operational 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 Operate communications equipment and resources 

1.1 Communications equipment and resources for use in piloting and escorting duties are deployed/operated in accordance with relevant rules, regulations and manufacturers specifications

1.2 Messages are transmitted and received clearly and precisely with due observation of ethics and protocols required of users

1.3 Backup communication strategies are established and relevant personnel are informed of operating and coordination procedures

1.4 Alternative communication strategies are used to communicate messages in response to communications failures and problems

2 Maintain records 

2.1 Records on oversized and overmassed vehicle movements are maintained in accordance with legal and workplace documentation requirements

2.2 Damage and other incidents are reported clearly and legibly to appropriate authorities in accordance with relevant rules and regulations and company policies and 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 or territory roads and traffic authority pertaining to the piloting and escorting of oversized and overmassed loads

• Relevant OH&S and environmental procedures and regulations

• Types of communication equipment, signage and other communication resources required in escort and piloting operations, and their use

• Procedures for communication during escort and piloting operations

• Procedures to be followed in the event of an escort or piloting emergency

• Available backup communication strategies

• Pre-operational checks required for communication equipment, signage and other communication resources needed in escort and piloting operations, and related action

• Permit and licence requirements applicable when piloting and escorting oversized and overmassed loads

• Documentation requirements for piloting and escorting oversized and overmassed loads

Required skills :

• Communicate effectively with others using pilot and escort communication equipment and resources

• Read and interpret instructions, procedures, information and signs relevant to the use of pilot and escort communication equipment and resources

• Interpret and follow operational instructions and prioritise work

• Complete documentation related to the use of pilot and escort communication equipment and resources

• Work collaboratively with others when using pilot and escort communication equipment and resources

• 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 using pilot and escort communication equipment and resources in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

• Implement contingency plans for unanticipated situations that may arise when using pilot and escort communication equipment and resources

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

• 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 communication equipment, signage and other communication resources required during escort and piloting operations

• 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 communication equipment and resources and take appropriate action where required

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

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.

Operations may include:

• all pilot and escort vehicle operations

Pilot and escort operations may be carried out in typical road transport situations, including:

• operations conducted at day or night
• typical weather conditions
• in confined spaces, exposed conditions and controlled or open environment
• on the open road
• on a private road
• in the workplace, warehouse or depot
• at a client's workplace

Communication equipment may include:

• vehicle signage
• light battens
• white gloves
• directional display boards
• radio
• satellite phone
• flashing lights
• headlights
• hazard lights

Operational 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

Personnel to whom communication is directed include:

• driver of overmassed and/or oversized vehicle
• other drivers on the road
• management/supervisors
• base personnel
• emergency services
• regulatory authorities

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 pilot/escort permit/regulatory requirements
• state/territory road rules
• workplace procedures and policies
• workplace communication instructions and procedures
• vehicle manufacturers instructions and specifications
• emergency procedures
• communication 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 piloting and escort functions
• relevant state/territory road rules
• relevant state/territory oversized and overmassed permit regulations and requirements
• relevant state/territory OH&S legislation
• relevant state/territory fatigue management regulations
• relevant state/territory environmental protection legislation

Competency Field 

E - Communication and Calculation