The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The candidate should demonstrate the ability to determine and mark the location and identity of gas, water, electrical, telecommunications and other underground utility services including:

identifying work site and task requirements

accessing appropriate sources of information for location of underground services

assessing the possible presence of undocumented services

selecting appropriate locating equipment

assessing the site hazards and take preventive action

marking out the worksite

operating utility locating device, including compensation for spurious signals

identifying and correcting equipment malfunction

marking and confirming location of utilities

maintaining equipment on good working order

completing relevant documentation.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Access to the workplace and resources including:

documentation that should normally be available in a water industry organisation

relevant codes, standards, and government regulations.

Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required.

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

Validity and sufficiency of evidence requires that:

competency will need to be demonstrated over a period of time reflecting the scope of the role and the practical requirements of the workplace

where the assessment is part of a structured learning experience the evidence collected must relate to a number of performances assessed at different points in time and separated by further learning and practice

a decision of competence only taken at the point when the assessor has complete confidence in the person's competence over time and in various contexts

all assessment that is part of a structured learning experience must include a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary evidence

where assessment is for the purpose of recognition (RCC/RPL), the evidence provided will need to be authenticated and show that it represents competency demonstrated over a period of time

assessment can be through simulated project-based activity and must include evidence relating to each of the elements in this unit.

In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge. Questioning will be undertaken in a manner appropriate to the skill levels of the operator, any cultural issues that may affect responses to the questions, and reflecting the requirements of the competency and the work being performed.

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

Required skills:

use pipe and cable locating equipment

interpret policies, procedures and standard operating procedures

provide maintenance records for equipment

solve problems

use basic mathematics for calculation and measurement

collect data

analyse data to take remedial action

produce reports and logs

use safety and personal protective equipment

use tools and machinery

communicate with employees, other service providers and customers

use communication equipment

give and receive instructions

identify hazards.

Required knowledge:

system hydraulics

system layout

environmental requirements

lock out procedures for mechanical and electrical installations

legal and social consequences of service disruption

relevant utilities and service bodies

communication systems

landscape and ground structure of work area

risk assessment and the identification of potential hazards

equipment operation, capacity and limitations

effects of weather and conditions on site or plant.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the Performance Criteria, is detailed below. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs if the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.

Information sources may include:

Dial before you Dig service

service search diagrams

asset owner

land owner.

Services may include:

electricity

gas

fuel and oil

water

sewer and stormwater

telecommunication lines

pay television

road traffic control

power cables

steam pipes

relevant surface fittings.

Undocumented services may include:

customer's service from main service

private street lighting

private effluent mains.

Pipe and cable locating equipment may include:

equipment suitable for locating pipes such as:

vitrified clay

reinforced concrete

polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

polyethylene

cast iron cement lined

ductile iron cement lined

glass reinforced plastic

mild steel cement lined

equipment suitable for locating cables, such as:

post tensioning cables

earthing cables.

Hazards may include:

contact with live conductors

injury from high pressure gas stream

engulfment.

Organisational and statutory requirements may include:

by-laws or organisational policies

standard operating procedures

environment protection

occupational health and safety, including the use of personal protective equipment

mines and subsidence

road signage

electrical safety

dangerous goods

manufacturer's guidelines.