Assessor Resource

NWPSOU025
Inspect and report on embankment dam safety

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


This unit describes the skills required to plan, implement and report on embankment on dam safety inspection. This requires the operator to conduct routine visual inspection and capture and report dam condition and faults, in dams constructed primarily from earth and rock materials. Dam safety operators should be aware of the damage potential of the dam and be able to recognise and report deficiencies or adverse trends that could lead to failure.

This unit applies to those with responsibility for the inspection of embankment dams and reporting of faults or trends.

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.

Those undertaking this unit would work under supervision while performing routine tasks in range of familiar contexts.

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 embankment dam inspection

1.1 Identify and apply organisational requirements relating to embankment dam safety inspection.

1.2 Identify features of embankment dam types and their applications to the dams to be inspected.

1.3 Identify embankment dam behaviour under a range of conditions.

1.4 Gather and validate checklists and previous inspection reports.

1.5 Schedule activities for embankment dam inspection.

2. Inspect and assess the condition of components of embankment dams

2.1 Implement embankment dam inspection procedures and practices including for unusual events.

2.2 Inspect and assess the condition and performance of identified areas and features of embankment dams.

2.3 Recognise, record and assess any faults and changes in the condition of the embankment dam and its appurtenant structures.

3. Report the condition of the components of embankment dams

3.1 Identify the purpose and audience of dam safety reports.

3.2 Collect and record measurements and evidence to establish the extent of changes in conditions.

3.3 Prepare and submit reports to meet organisational requirements.

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.

following instructions, standard operating procedures, policies and standards for embankment dam safety

planning and organising work schedules and responses to contingencies

communicating with engineering professionals, team members and the public on dam safety using clear and direct communication

making mathematical calculations to collect and process data from dam inspections

identifying embankment dam faults and failure indicators

assessing the importance and urgency of deficiencies

applying safety hazards protocols

using digital photography and locational equipment

reporting on embankment dam safety inspection

interpreting and applying relevant organisational and regulatory information and requirements to the planning of inspection activities

identifying inspection features and scheduling activities according to the required frequency

conducting embankment dam inspection activities

gathering and recording data

identifying faults, changes and failure indicators

reporting on inspection and monitoring outcomes, with recommendations for action

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.

embankment dam types including:

concrete faced rock fill dams

elements, zones

risks and failure modes

historic information and lessons from previous embankment dam incidents

potential earthquake effects and damage

properties of stored water

embankment dam design and construction principles, including basic understanding of:

materials science (in particular soil and rock properties)

hydraulics and erosion by water

principles of filters, piping and embankment stability

treatment of foundations, grouting and drainage system

pore pressures

causes of cracks and settlement

dam performance history

principles of embankment dam inspection

WHS and personal work site safety relevant to worksite and working with dams including working in confined spaces

organisational policies, procedures, guidelines and requirements relevant to the work site and dam safety monitoring

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:

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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 embankment dam inspection

1.1 Identify and apply organisational requirements relating to embankment dam safety inspection.

1.2 Identify features of embankment dam types and their applications to the dams to be inspected.

1.3 Identify embankment dam behaviour under a range of conditions.

1.4 Gather and validate checklists and previous inspection reports.

1.5 Schedule activities for embankment dam inspection.

2. Inspect and assess the condition of components of embankment dams

2.1 Implement embankment dam inspection procedures and practices including for unusual events.

2.2 Inspect and assess the condition and performance of identified areas and features of embankment dams.

2.3 Recognise, record and assess any faults and changes in the condition of the embankment dam and its appurtenant structures.

3. Report the condition of the components of embankment dams

3.1 Identify the purpose and audience of dam safety reports.

3.2 Collect and record measurements and evidence to establish the extent of changes in conditions.

3.3 Prepare and submit reports to meet organisational requirements.

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.

following instructions, standard operating procedures, policies and standards for embankment dam safety

planning and organising work schedules and responses to contingencies

communicating with engineering professionals, team members and the public on dam safety using clear and direct communication

making mathematical calculations to collect and process data from dam inspections

identifying embankment dam faults and failure indicators

assessing the importance and urgency of deficiencies

applying safety hazards protocols

using digital photography and locational equipment

reporting on embankment dam safety inspection

interpreting and applying relevant organisational and regulatory information and requirements to the planning of inspection activities

identifying inspection features and scheduling activities according to the required frequency

conducting embankment dam inspection activities

gathering and recording data

identifying faults, changes and failure indicators

reporting on inspection and monitoring outcomes, with recommendations for action

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.

embankment dam types including:

concrete faced rock fill dams

elements, zones

risks and failure modes

historic information and lessons from previous embankment dam incidents

potential earthquake effects and damage

properties of stored water

embankment dam design and construction principles, including basic understanding of:

materials science (in particular soil and rock properties)

hydraulics and erosion by water

principles of filters, piping and embankment stability

treatment of foundations, grouting and drainage system

pore pressures

causes of cracks and settlement

dam performance history

principles of embankment dam inspection

WHS and personal work site safety relevant to worksite and working with dams including working in confined spaces

organisational policies, procedures, guidelines and requirements relevant to the work site and dam safety monitoring

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
Identify and apply organisational requirements relating to embankment dam safety inspection. 
Identify features of embankment dam types and their applications to the dams to be inspected. 
Identify embankment dam behaviour under a range of conditions. 
Gather and validate checklists and previous inspection reports. 
Schedule activities for embankment dam inspection. 
Implement embankment dam inspection procedures and practices including for unusual events. 
Inspect and assess the condition and performance of identified areas and features of embankment dams. 
Recognise, record and assess any faults and changes in the condition of the embankment dam and its appurtenant structures. 
Identify the purpose and audience of dam safety reports. 
Collect and record measurements and evidence to establish the extent of changes in conditions. 
Prepare and submit reports to meet organisational requirements. 
Identify and apply organisational requirements relating to embankment dam safety inspection. 
Identify features of embankment dam types and their applications to the dams to be inspected. 
Identify embankment dam behaviour under a range of conditions. 
Gather and validate checklists and previous inspection reports. 
Schedule activities for embankment dam inspection. 
Implement embankment dam inspection procedures and practices including for unusual events. 
Inspect and assess the condition and performance of identified areas and features of embankment dams. 
Recognise, record and assess any faults and changes in the condition of the embankment dam and its appurtenant structures. 
Identify the purpose and audience of dam safety reports. 
Collect and record measurements and evidence to establish the extent of changes in conditions. 
Prepare and submit reports to meet organisational requirements. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

NWPSOU025 - Inspect and report on embankment dam safety
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Assessment Record Sheet

NWPSOU025 - Inspect and report on embankment dam safety

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

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