The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required knowledge and skills, the range statement and the assessment guidelines for this Training Package.

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

The evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the Elements, Performance Criteria, Required Skills, Required Knowledge and include:

complying with OH&S licensing legislation

complying with organisational and site policies and procedures

communicating and working safely with others in the work area.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Successful assessment of this unit meets the competency requirement of the OH&S regulations.

State/territory OH&S regulators have mandated the use of the Assessment Instrument and instructions for assessment for this unit, which have been endorsed by the national body responsible for OH&S matters.

Assessment of the safe and effective application of knowledge and skill to workplace tasks (performance) must be undertaken using the endorsed Assessment Instrument.

Assessment of performance must be undertaken either in the workplace or in a realistic workplace simulated setting.

Assessors must ensure that assessment in the workplace is organised to ensure that all the required equipment, materials and a suitable working area are made available to suit the assessment and the workplace.

Assessment must occur under standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints.

Assessment is to comply with the relevant appropriate standard requirements.

Applicants must have access to:

personal protective equipment (PPE) for the purpose of the performance assessment

appropriate reach stacker (greater than 3 tonnes) in safe operating condition

suitable 20 ft and/or 40 ft containers and container stack as specified by endorsed national Assessment Instrument

communication equipment (e.g. two-way radios, whistles, etc).

Method of assessment

Assessment must be conducted using the endorsed Assessment Instrument. The Assessment Instrument provides advice on its application.

The use of ‘simulators’ in the assessment of this unit of competency is not acceptable.

Assessment may be in conjunction with the assessment of other units of competency.

Assessment methods must confirm consistency and accuracy of performance.

Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competency is not only able to be satisfied under the particular circumstances, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances.

This section describes the knowledge and skills required for this unit.

Required knowledge:

Hazard identification, risk assessment and the hierarchy of control processes

Mathematical calculation methods for determining weight of containers

National/state/territory OH&S legislation, standards and codes of practice relevant to the full range of processes for the reach stackers

Organisational and workplace standards, requirements, policies and procedures for conducting reach stacker operations

Procedures for recording, reporting and maintaining workplace records and information

Read and comprehend manufacturer specifications, instructions, procedures and safety signs

Reach stacker characteristics and capabilities (including use of range diagrams/load charts) to allow the configuration of the reach stacker to suit the range of containers

Reach stacker operations and safe operating procedures

Typical routine problems encountered in the operation of the reach stacker and equipment and adjustments required for correction

Required skills:

Accurately interpret information relating to conducting reach stacker operations (such as procedures)

Accurately record and maintain information relating to reach stacker operations

Assess ground conditions to confirm that the site is suitable (firm, level and safe) to operate reach stacker

Identify hazards, and apply risk assessment and hazard control strategies, including hierarchy of control as applied to the positioning and safe operation of the reach stacker (in particular, awareness of the risks associated with overhead electric lines, electrical cables, ground conditions, reach stacker stability)

Mobilise containers using best mobile practice

Operate reach stacker including all functions to their maximum extension in lifting and moving containers to the safe working rated capacity in conjunction with other associated personnel

Safely conduct reach stacker operations including all functions to maximum limits

Use and interpret manufacturer specifications and data, including range diagram/load charts to enable reach stacker to be configured to mobile, stack and unstack containers

Use communication skills and techniques in the workplace including hand signals and two-way radios to communicate with other site personnel

Verify problems and equipment faults, and demonstrate appropriate response procedures

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance.

Appropriate may include:

reach stacker capabilities

environmental conditions (such as wind, lightning, storms)

Appropriate standards may include:

codes of practice

legislation and regulations (national/state/territory)

Australian Standards

manufacturer specifications

industry standards

Appropriate path may include:

clear of obstacles

clear of personnel

in accordance with traffic management plan

free of ramps or inclines

Appropriate personnel may include:

site OH&S personnel

supervisory personnel

operations supervisor

guide

Authorised personnel may include:

national/state/territory government regulatory bodies

site OH&S personnel

Best mobile practice may include:

minimum speed

gentle acceleration and braking (to minimise container swing)

minimum boom length

carrying the container at manufacturer recommended height

not driving across inclines or slopes

Configuration may include:

boom

spreader

stabilisers

Container spreader may include:

twist locks to engage and disengage the container

extension from 20 ft to 40 ft containers

articulation device to rotate container

side-shift to balance/equalise container

Communication equipment may include:

fixed channel two-way radios

hand held two-way radios

hand signals

whistle

Communication method may include:

verbal

written instructions and procedures

signage

two-way radios

hand signals

according to worksite protocol

Communication signals may include:

stop – hand

stop – whistle and/or two-way radio

luff boom down – hand

luff boom down – whistle and/or two-way radio

luff boom up – hand

luff boom up – whistle and/or two-way radio

telescope out – hand

telescope out – whistle and/or two-way radio

telescope in – hand

telescope in – whistle and/or two-way radio

Ground suitability may include:

hard standing

rough uneven ground

backfilled ground

soft soils

hard compacted soil

railway lines

rock

bitumen

concrete

Hazards may include:

condition of plant and equipment

movement of vehicle or rail wagon

ground stability (condition, recently filled trenches, slopes)

dangerous goods/hazardous substances

overhead hazards (electric lines, service pipes)

underground hazards (powerlines, service pipes)

insufficient lighting

weather conditions (high winds, lightning)

traffic (pedestrians, vehicles)

environmental conditions (wind, lightning, storms)

other specific site hazards (work personnel, other equipment)

Planned route may include:

unusual or difficult terrain

obstacles or obstruction

personnel

equipment/traffic

Pre-start operational checks must include:

complying with manufacturer instructions, Australian Standards and industry guidelines

Pre-start operational checks may include:

safety devices/alarms fitted where appropriate

all operational functions

load chart/range diagram interpreted

logbook, operators manual available

external visual check including, evidence of damage, leaks, electrical, wheels and tyres, boom and spreader

Post-operational checks may include:

checking equipment after shut down to ensure the reach stacker is safe for the next operator and includes checking:

equipment is parked to avoid hazards

all systems are shut down

structural damage

hydraulic or brake fluid leaks

Procedures may include:

manufacturer guidelines (instructions, specifications, operator manual or checklists)

industry operating procedures

workplace procedures (work instructions, operating procedures, checklists)

Range diagram may include:

height of container stack

maximum reach

container dimensions

maximum weight

Reach stacker may include:

a type of plant greater than 3 tonnes capacity that incorporates an attachment for lifting, moving and travelling with a shipping container, but does not include a portainer crane

Reach stacker controls may include:

luffing levers

spreader controls (extend/retract/side shift/rotate)

twist lock controls

boom extension levers

cabin positioning controls

Relevant reach stacker movements may include:

telescoping in and out

booming up and down

articulating

rotating spreader

extending/retracting spreader

equalising spreader

Risk prevention and control measures

eliminating or reducing risk to personnel and property through the application of control measures

applying the hierarchy of control:

elimination

substitution

isolation

engineering control measures

using safe work practices

personal protective equipment

safety tags on electrical switches/isolators

insulated electric lines

safety observer used inside exclusion zone

disconnected power

traffic barricades and traffic controls

pedestrian controls

trench covers

movement of obstructions

personal protective equipment

adequate illumination

Signage and labels may include:

reach stacker data plates/labels

range diagram/load charts

reach stacker safety decals

control labels

Service logbook may include:

equipment logbook

service book

history record system

Safety devices may include:

horns/sirens

audible and visual reversing devices

operator restraint devices

lights

stability and weight limitation/warning devices

Shut down may include:

parking in a safe location

using correct parking procedures

retracting boom

retracting spreader

reposition cabin

idling engine to stabilise temperature

retracting stabilisers

turning off engine

isolating power

Stability may include:

deploying stabilisers

computer providing stability reading as a percentage

Test lift may include:

conducting a controlled lift as a test lift prior to commencing operations, where the container is lifted just clear of the lifting plane to allow for checks to ensure that:

computer correctly displays stability percentage of reach stacker

boom length and height are displayed correctly

computer/weight scale is working correctly

all reach stacker hydraulic controls and brake systems are functioning properly (no boom creep etc.)

Unplanned and/or unsafe situations may include:

failure/loss of control (brakes and steering)

failure of equipment (hydraulic system, computer)

rail/road moving unannounced while loading/discharging

environmental conditions (wind, lightning, storms)

Work area may include:

depot

warehouse

wharf

rail siding