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

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to conduct visual checking and treatment of power system poles and structures in the electricity supply industry (ESI).

It includes testing or examining at eye level to below ground, checking above ground of crossarms and attached hardware with the use of binoculars to determine the integrity of poles, structures and attached hardware. It also includes completing inspection reports and updating workplace records.

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

Other conditions may apply under State and Territory legislative and regulatory licensing requirement which must be confirmed prior to commencing this unit.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

All competencies in the Common Unit Group must have been completed, plus all competencies in one (1) of the identified Pathway Unit Group(s).

Common Unit Group

UEENEEE101A Apply Occupational Health and Safety regulations, codes and practices in the workplace

UEENEEE102A Fabricate, assemble and dismantle utilities industry components

UEENEEE104A Solve problems in d.c. circuits

UEENEEE105A Fix and secure electrotechnology equipment

UEENEEE107A Use drawings, diagrams, schedules, standards, codes and specifications

UEENEEG101A Solve problems in electromagnetic devices and related circuits

UEENEEG102A Solve problems in low voltage a.c. circuits

UETTDREL11 Apply sustainable energy and environmental procedures

UETTDREL12 Operate plant and equipment near live electrical conductors and apparatus

UETTDREL16 Working safely near live electrical apparatus

Transmission Overhead Pathway Group

UETTDRIS54 Install and maintain poles, structures and overhead conductors and cables

UETTDRTP26 Install transmission structures and associated hardware

UETTDRTP27 Maintain transmission structures and associated hardware

UETTDRTP29 Install and maintain transmission overhead conductors and cables

UETTDRTP30 Inspect transmission overhead structures and electrical apparatus

Distribution Overhead Pathway Group

UETTDRDP11 Inspect overhead poles-structures and electrical apparatus

UETTDRDP12 Maintain overhead energised low voltage conductors and cables

UETTDRIS41 Install network infrastructure electrical equipment

UETTDRIS42 Maintain network infrastructure electrical equipment

UETTDRIS52 Install and maintain poles, structures and associated hardware

UETTDRIS54 Install and maintain poles, structures and overhead conductors and cables

UETTDRIS56 Install and maintain low voltage overhead services

Rail Traction Pathway Group

UETTDRIS52 Install and maintain poles, structures and associated hardware

UETTDRIS54 Install and maintain poles, structures and overhead conductors and cables

UETTDRRT21 Install traction overhead wiring systems

UETTDRRT22 Maintain traction overhead wiring systems

UETTDRRT23 Install rail traction bonds

UETTDRRT27 Install overhead traction components and equipment

UETTDRRT28 Maintain overhead traction components and equipment

Distribution Cable Jointing Pathway Group

UETTDRCJ21 Lay ESI electrical cables

UETTDRCJ26 Install and maintain de-energised low voltage underground polymeric cables

UETTDRCJ27 Install and maintain de-energised high voltage underground polymeric cables

UETTDRDP11 Inspect overhead poles-structures and electrical apparatus

UETTDRIS41 Install network infrastructure electrical equipment

UETTDRIS42 Maintain network infrastructure electrical equipment

UETTDRIS55 Install and maintain low voltage underground services

Industry Specific Cross Discipline

Not applicable.

ELEMENTS 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

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

1  

Prepare to perform visual checking and treatment of poles and structures 

1.1 

Work schedules, construction plans, drawings, workplace procedures and material lists are received and confirmed

1.2 

Job requirements and workplace procedures are identified and communicated with relevant personnel

1.3 

Work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS), environmental and workplace procedures for the visual checking and treatment of poles and structures are obtained and confirmed for the purposes of the work to be performed

1.4 

Work is prioritised and sequenced for completion within acceptable timeframes following consultation with relevant personnel and in accordance with workplace procedures

1.5 

Hazards are identified, WHS/OHS risks assessed and control measures identified in accordance with workplace procedures

1.6 

Relevant work permits are obtained, understood and signed in accordance with workplace procedures

1.7 

Plant, equipment, tools and personal protective equipment (PPE) required for work are identified, obtained and confirmed in working order

1.8 

Worksite is prepared to minimise risk, damage to property, commerce and individuals in accordance with workplace procedures

1.9 

Traffic management plan is confirmed as being applied in accordance with workplace procedures

2 

Carry out visual checking and treatment of poles and structures 

2.1 

WHS/OHS, sustainable energy and environmental principles and practices are monitored and followed to reduce incidents in accordance with workplace procedures

2.2 

Requirements for lifting and/or climbing and/or working at heights and the use of power tools/equipment are followed in accordance with workplace procedures

2.3 

Visual checking and treatment of poles and structures to ensure completion are performed in agreed timeframes, to quality standards and with minimum waste in accordance with workplace procedures

2.4 

Visual checking, by testing or examining pole and/or structures from eye level to below ground, is conducted in accordance with job requirements and workplace procedures

2.5 

Defective or suspect poles are identified for repair or replacement in accordance with workplace procedures

2.6 

Treatment of poles and/or structures is performed in accordance with work schedule, job requirements and workplace procedures

2.7 

Unplanned events are responded to in accordance with workplace procedures

2.8 

Quality checks of work are undertaken in accordance with workplace procedures

3 

Complete the visual checking and treatment of poles and structures 

3.1 

Completed work is checked against work schedule, construction plans and drawings for compliance and anomalies are reported in accordance with workplace procedures

3.2 

WHS/OHS and environmental incidents are reported in accordance with workplace procedures, as required

3.3 

Worksite is rehabilitated, cleaned up and made safe in accordance with workplace procedures

3.4 

Tools, equipment and surplus resources and materials are, where appropriate, cleaned, checked and returned to storage in accordance with workplace procedures

3.5 

Relevant work permits are signed off and poles and structures are returned to service in accordance with workplace procedures

3.6 

Work records, reports and/or documentation are completed in accordance with workplace procedures

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 Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

This unit replaces and is equivalent to UETTDRIS57A Conduct visual checking and treatment of power system poles and structures.

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

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 work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements, including the use of risk control measures
• applying sustainable energy principles and practices
• checking visually at least one (1) of the following types of poles:

• wood
• steel
• concrete
• composite

• testing power systems poles and structure using at least one (1) of the following:

• stress tester
• drill test
• non-intrusive test

• conducting maintenance of power systems poles and structures using at least one (1) of the following:

• chemical treatment
• re-butting
• nailing
• welding
• stays/guys

• completing all of the following:

• recording
• reporting

• visually checking hardware attached to poles and structures, including at least two (2) of the following:

• cross-arms
• insulators
• surge arrestors
• support brackets

• dealing with unplanned events on at least one (1) occasion.

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:

• standards, codes, legislation, supply authority regulations and/or enterprise requirements
• chemical treatment principles, including:

• types of chemical used to treat timber
• regulations and procedures in handling and transporting chemicals safely
• application procedures of chemicals to wood

• deterioration prevention techniques, including:

• relationship between steel, concrete and wood
• inspection procedures for deterioration
• deterioration prevention procedures in steel, concrete and wood
• procedures for the repair of deterioration in steel, concrete and wood.

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:

• a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or other simulations
• relevant and appropriate materials, tools, facilities, equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) currently used in industry for conducting visual checks and treatments of power system poles and structures
• applicable documentation, including workplace procedures, relevant industry standards, equipment specifications, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals.