Release 1. This is the first release of this unit of competency in the UET Transmission, Distribution and Rail Sector Training Package Release 2.0.

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to control vegetation in the vicinity of live electrical apparatus from an elevated work platform (EWP) in the electricity supply industry (ESI).

It includes the safe operation of an EWP, vegetation clearance zones, safe approach distances and specialised tools and equipment to cut and prune vegetation in accordance with workplace requirements.

The application of the skills and knowledge described in this unit may require a licence/registration to practice in the workplace

Other conditions may also apply under state and territory legislative and regulatory licensing requirements which must be confirmed prior to commencing this unit.

UETDREL002 Comply with environmental requirements

UETDREL006 Work safely in the vicinity of live electrical apparatus as a non-electrical worker

UETDRVC001 Apply work health and safety requirements for powerline vegetation control

UETDRVC007 Control vegetation using pruning techniques

UETDRVC009 Monitor vegetation control work in the vicinity of live electrical apparatus

Vegetation Control

Not applicable.

ELEMENTS 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1  

Prepar e to control vegetation from an EWP 

1.1 

Legislation, regulations, standards, codes of practice and organisational workplace requirements for the work to be performed are referred to and confirmed

1.2 

Work instruction is obtained and confirmed in accordance with workplace requirements

1.3 

Work permits are organised in accordance with workplace requirements

1.4 

Hazards are identified, risks assessed and control measures identified and applied

1.5 

EWP, tools, equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) required for work are determined, obtained and confirmed in safe working order

1.6 

Worksite is prepared in accordance with the work instruction and workplace requirements

1.7 

Routine pre-operational checks are completed to manufacturer specifications and workplace requirements

1.8 

Safety observer role, responsibility and communication method is discussed and confirmed in accordance with workplace requirements

1.9 

Safe approach distances and vegetation clearances for the work to be performed are determined and confirmed in accordance with workplace requirements

1.10 

Traffic management plan is confirmed as being in place in accordance with workplace requirements

2 

Perform vegetation control from an EWP 

2.1 

Legislation, regulations, standards, codes of practice and organisational workplace requirements for the work to be performed are applied and monitored

2.2 

Lifting, working at heights and the use of EWP, tools, equipment and PPE are carried out in accordance with workplace requirements

2.3 

Hazard control measures are monitored in accordance with workplace requirements

2.4 

Safety observer is positioned to observe the work in accordance with workplace requirements

2.5 

Communication methods between workers and safety observer are used in accordance with workplace requirements

2.6 

Safe approach distances are maintained when the work is being performed

2.7 

Vegetation control work from an EWP is performed in accordance with the work instruction and workplace requirements

2.8 

Incidents or unplanned events are responded to in accordance with workplace requirements

3 

Complete work and documentation 

3.1 

Completed work is checked for compliance against the work instruction and workplace requirements

3.2 

EWP, tools and equipment are cleaned, checked and returned to storage in accordance with workplace requirements

3.3 

Incidents or unplanned events are reported in accordance with workplace requirements

3.4 

Work permits are signed off, where appropriate, in accordance with workplace requirements

3.5 

Worksite is cleaned and made safe in accordance with workplace requirements

3.6 

Work documentation is completed in accordance with workplace requirements

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Non-essential conditions may be found in the UET Transmission, Distribution and Rail Sector Training Package Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

This unit replaces and is equivalent to UETTDRVC25 Use elevated platform to cut vegetation above ground level near live electrical apparatus.

Release 1. This is the first release of this unit of competency in the UET Transmission, Distribution and Rail Sector Training Package Release 2.0.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria on at least two separate occasions and include:

• applying relevant legislation, regulations, standards, codes of practice and organisational workplace requirements, including:

• work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements
• safe approach distances
• vegetation clearances

• identifying hazards, assessing risks, identifying, applying and monitoring control measures
• organising and signing on and off relevant work permits in accordance with workplace requirements
• obtaining, inspecting and using relevant personal protective equipment (PPE)
• performing pre-operational checks on elevated work platform (EWP), tools and equipment
• determining communication method with safety observer
• confirming safety observer is in position in accordance with workplace requirements
• using tools and equipment to safely control vegetation from an EWP, including:

• techniques for shaping, forming, and controlling/managing epicormic regrowth
• appropriate cutting technique for branch removal
• providing clearance for electrical apparatus

• using an EWP whilst maintaining safe approach distance in the vicinity of live electrical apparatus
• dealing with an unplanned event on at least one (1) occasion
• completing relevant work records, reports and documentation.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and include knowledge of:

• relevant legislation, regulations standards, codes of practice and organisational workplace requirements, including:

• WHS/OHS
• safe approach distances
• vegetation clearances

• hazard, risk assessment and risk control requirements, including potential hazards
• types and application of PPE
• application, purpose and types of work permits
• safety observer:

• role and responsibilities
• communication methods

• events constituting an unplanned event or incident
• procedures for responding to an unplanned event or incident
• vegetation control principles and techniques
• EWP operation, including:

• types of, selection and safe use
• insulation properties and testing
• inspection, care and maintenance
• emergency procedures

• vegetation control tools and equipment, including:

• types of, selection and safe use
• insulated tools and testing
• inspection, care and maintenance.

Assessors must hold credentials specified within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must satisfy the Principles of Assessment and Rules of Evidence and all regulatory requirements included within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must occur in workplace operational situations where it is appropriate to do so.

Where this is not appropriate, assessment must occur in simulated conditions involving realistic and authentic activities that replicate operational workplace conditions.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Resources for assessment must include access to:

• relevant and appropriate materials, tools, equipment and PPE currently used in industry
• applicable documentation, including workplace requirements, equipment specifications, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals.