Assessor Resource

NWPNET011
Locate, identify and protect utilities

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit describes the skills required to work near utility services during the construction, repair or installation of utilities’ infrastructure. Work activities may involve trench excavation or the application of trenchless technologies for installation or repair.

This unit applies to those involved in the construction, repair or installation of underground utility infrastructure and locating, identifying and protecting existing utilities’ infrastructure to prevent damage, injury, death or loss of service.

The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative, regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and procedures must be consulted and adhered to, particularly those related to WHS.

Those undertaking this unit would work under supervision, performing routine tasks, in mostly familiar context ensuring minimum damage to the environment.

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

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions section.

1. Plan and prepare to locate utility services at work site

1.1 Obtain plans and relevant information from specific utility service owners using appropriate information source.

1.2 Determine work site boundaries and requirements from plans, specifications and instructions.

1.3 Determine type, size and likely configuration of all underground and overhead services from plans and typical or local installation practices.

1.4 Identify hazards and precautions associated with excavating or working near utilities’ apparatus.

2. Locate utility apparatus by excavation

2.1 Select tools and equipment for location of all apparatus.

2.2 Locate and identify apparatus and indicators of apparatus presence using tools and equipment.

2.3 Determine full extent of apparatus in the ground.

3. Operate plant in close proximity to underground or overhead utility apparatus

3.1 Monitor plant during work activities.

3.2 Identify potential or actual encroaches of plant on minimum clearances to apparatus.

3.3 Give instructions to plant operator using agreed signals.

4. Protect and support utility apparatus during excavation and backfilling

4.1 Protect apparatus according to utility owner requirements to prevent damage.

4.2 Support apparatus along or across excavation according to utility owner requirements or engineering advice to prevent damage.

4.3 Report damage to apparatus to utility owner according to agreed protocols.

4.4 Reinstate apparatus during backfill according to utility owner’s requirements.

5. Initiate emergency procedures

5.1 Recognise emergency situations or events.

5.2 Implement emergency response for particular infrastructure involved.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the candidate must demonstrate evidence of performance of the following on at least one occasion.

locating and identifying utilities

assessing and identifying risk of potential hazards associated with each utility

responding to all types of emergencies relating to utility services

using basic mathematics for calculations and measurement

communicating with employees, other service providers and customers

gathering information regarding location of utilities at a particular site

applying safe work methods for locating and protecting utilities at or near a work site

selecting and using tools and equipment

monitoring use of equipment

using agreed procedures and signals to ensure timely warnings of proximity to utilities’ apparatus

protecting and supporting apparatus during performance of work tasks and during site restoration

applying emergency procedures in response to a range of specific incidents

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the depth of knowledge demonstrated must be appropriate to the job context of the candidate.

published guidelines for working near utility services in the state or territory in which work is being undertaken

system layout

environmental aspects of excavation

relevant utilities and service bodies

communication systems

landscape and ground structure of work area

risk assessment and identification of potential hazards associated with each utility

emergency response procedures for all types of utility services

equipment operation, capacity and limitations

effects of weather and conditions on site or plant

Competency should be assessed in an actual workplace or in a simulated environment, with access to equipment and infrastructure appropriate to the outcome. Competency should be demonstrated over time to ensure the candidate is assessed across a variety of situations.

Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions section.

1. Plan and prepare to locate utility services at work site

1.1 Obtain plans and relevant information from specific utility service owners using appropriate information source.

1.2 Determine work site boundaries and requirements from plans, specifications and instructions.

1.3 Determine type, size and likely configuration of all underground and overhead services from plans and typical or local installation practices.

1.4 Identify hazards and precautions associated with excavating or working near utilities’ apparatus.

2. Locate utility apparatus by excavation

2.1 Select tools and equipment for location of all apparatus.

2.2 Locate and identify apparatus and indicators of apparatus presence using tools and equipment.

2.3 Determine full extent of apparatus in the ground.

3. Operate plant in close proximity to underground or overhead utility apparatus

3.1 Monitor plant during work activities.

3.2 Identify potential or actual encroaches of plant on minimum clearances to apparatus.

3.3 Give instructions to plant operator using agreed signals.

4. Protect and support utility apparatus during excavation and backfilling

4.1 Protect apparatus according to utility owner requirements to prevent damage.

4.2 Support apparatus along or across excavation according to utility owner requirements or engineering advice to prevent damage.

4.3 Report damage to apparatus to utility owner according to agreed protocols.

4.4 Reinstate apparatus during backfill according to utility owner’s requirements.

5. Initiate emergency procedures

5.1 Recognise emergency situations or events.

5.2 Implement emergency response for particular infrastructure involved.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the candidate must demonstrate evidence of performance of the following on at least one occasion.

locating and identifying utilities

assessing and identifying risk of potential hazards associated with each utility

responding to all types of emergencies relating to utility services

using basic mathematics for calculations and measurement

communicating with employees, other service providers and customers

gathering information regarding location of utilities at a particular site

applying safe work methods for locating and protecting utilities at or near a work site

selecting and using tools and equipment

monitoring use of equipment

using agreed procedures and signals to ensure timely warnings of proximity to utilities’ apparatus

protecting and supporting apparatus during performance of work tasks and during site restoration

applying emergency procedures in response to a range of specific incidents

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the depth of knowledge demonstrated must be appropriate to the job context of the candidate.

published guidelines for working near utility services in the state or territory in which work is being undertaken

system layout

environmental aspects of excavation

relevant utilities and service bodies

communication systems

landscape and ground structure of work area

risk assessment and identification of potential hazards associated with each utility

emergency response procedures for all types of utility services

equipment operation, capacity and limitations

effects of weather and conditions on site or plant

Competency should be assessed in an actual workplace or in a simulated environment, with access to equipment and infrastructure appropriate to the outcome. Competency should be demonstrated over time to ensure the candidate is assessed across a variety of situations.

Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Obtain plans and relevant information from specific utility service owners using appropriate information source. 
Determine work site boundaries and requirements from plans, specifications and instructions. 
Determine type, size and likely configuration of all underground and overhead services from plans and typical or local installation practices. 
Identify hazards and precautions associated with excavating or working near utilities’ apparatus. 
Select tools and equipment for location of all apparatus. 
Locate and identify apparatus and indicators of apparatus presence using tools and equipment. 
Determine full extent of apparatus in the ground. 
Monitor plant during work activities. 
Identify potential or actual encroaches of plant on minimum clearances to apparatus. 
Give instructions to plant operator using agreed signals. 
Protect apparatus according to utility owner requirements to prevent damage. 
Support apparatus along or across excavation according to utility owner requirements or engineering advice to prevent damage. 
Report damage to apparatus to utility owner according to agreed protocols. 
Reinstate apparatus during backfill according to utility owner’s requirements. 
Recognise emergency situations or events. 
Implement emergency response for particular infrastructure involved. 
Obtain plans and relevant information from specific utility service owners using appropriate information source. 
Determine work site boundaries and requirements from plans, specifications and instructions. 
Determine type, size and likely configuration of all underground and overhead services from plans and typical or local installation practices. 
Identify hazards and precautions associated with excavating or working near utilities’ apparatus. 
Select tools and equipment for location of all apparatus. 
Locate and identify apparatus and indicators of apparatus presence using tools and equipment. 
Determine full extent of apparatus in the ground. 
Monitor plant during work activities. 
Identify potential or actual encroaches of plant on minimum clearances to apparatus. 
Give instructions to plant operator using agreed signals. 
Protect apparatus according to utility owner requirements to prevent damage. 
Support apparatus along or across excavation according to utility owner requirements or engineering advice to prevent damage. 
Report damage to apparatus to utility owner according to agreed protocols. 
Reinstate apparatus during backfill according to utility owner’s requirements. 
Recognise emergency situations or events. 
Implement emergency response for particular infrastructure involved. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

NWPNET011 - Locate, identify and protect utilities
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

NWPNET011 - Locate, identify and protect utilities

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: