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.

Overview of assessment

Successful assessment of this unit meets the competency requirement of the National Standard for Licensing Persons Performing High Risk Work.

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

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

Compliance with OH&S licensing legislation.

Emergency procedures and safety equipment, including the use of safety harnesses, energy absorbers, lanyard and anchor points.

Assessment of ground conditions to confirm that the site is suitable (e.g. firm, level and safe) to extend and travel the elevating work platform.

Risk assessment and hazard control strategies, including hierarchy of control as applied to the positioning and safe operation of the elevating work platform (particular awareness of the risks associated with overhead powerlines/electrical cables, ground conditions, wind, pedestrians and tipping).

Appropriate procedures for estimation of loads, to ensure that the elevating work platform is not overloaded.

Positioning and operation of the elevating work platform to ensure that the safest lift is performed.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

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 realistically simulated workplace.

Assessors must ensure that the assessment in the workplace is organised to ensure that all the required equipment and materials and a suitable working area is 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 relevant appropriate standard requirements.

Applicants must have access to:

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for the purpose of the Performance Assessment

appropriate safety equipment in safe condition

appropriate elevated working platform and associated equipment in safe condition

communication equipment (e.g. two-way radios, mobile phones etc.) where applicable.

Method of assessment

Assessment must be conducted using the endorsed Assessment Instruments. These Instruments provide advice on their 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 together with application of underpinning knowledge.

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.

Guidance information for assessment

Further information about endorsed Assessment Instruments may be obtained from state/territory OH&S regulators.

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

Required skills:

Accurately record and maintain information relating to elevating work platform operations

Assess ground conditions to confirm that the site is suitable (e.g. firm, level and safe) to extend and travel the elevating work platform

Complete the positioning, stabilising, set up of elevating work platforms, including the use of outriggers/stabilisers and packing

Operate mobile elevating work platform using best mobile practice

Use communication skills at a level sufficient to communicate with other site personnel

Operate and control an elevating work platform including all functions to their maximum extension within the safe working (rated) capacity

Apply risk assessment and hazard control strategies, including hierarchy of control as applied to the positioning and safe operation of the elevating work platform (particular awareness of the risks associated with overhead powerlines/electrical cables, ground conditions, wind, pedestrians and tipping)

Use and interpret manufacturer's specifications and data

Identify problems and equipment faults and where practicable demonstrate appropriate response procedures

Required knowledge:

Appropriate mathematical procedures for estimation of loads, to ensure that the elevating work platform is not overloaded

Commonwealth, state or territory OH&S legislation, standards and codes of practice relevant to the full range of processes for conducting elevating work platform operations

Ability to read and comprehend manufacturer's instructions, procedures and safety signs

Understanding of elevating work platform operations and operating techniques

Emergency procedures and safety equipment, including the use of safety harness, energy absorber, lanyard and anchor points

Understanding of organisational and workplace standards, requirements, policies and procedures for conducting elevating work platform operations

Understanding of the hierarchy of hazard identification and control

Procedures for the recording, reporting and maintenance of workplace records and information, including the use of the service logbook

Typical routine problems encountered in the process and with equipment and adjustments required for correction

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.

Hazards

May include but not limited to:

ground stability (e.g. ground condition, recently filled trenches, slopes)

overhead hazards (e.g. powerlines, service pipes, trees, buildings etc.)

insufficient lighting

traffic (e.g. pedestrians, vehicles, plant)

environmental conditions (e.g. wind, lightning, storms, etc.)

other specific hazards (e.g. tidal areas, chainsaws, pressure washers, dangerous materials)

Hazard control measures

Refers to the systematic process of eliminating or reducing the risk to personnel and property through the application of controls

It includes the application of the hierarchy of control - the six-step preference of control measures to manage and control risk:

1. elimination

2. substitution

3. isolation

4. engineering control measures

5. using safe work practices

6. personal protective equipment

Appropriate standards

May include but not limited to:

codes of practice

legislation

Australian Standards

manufacturer's specifications

industry standards (where applicable)

Elevating work platform

The operation of a telescoping device, hinged device, or articulated device or any combination of these used to support a platform on which personnel, equipment and materials may be elevated to perform work. Excluded from this definition are platforms of less than 11 metres boom length.

The 11 metre boom length shall be taken to mean the greater of the following:

(a) The vertical distance from the floor of the platform to the surface supporting the elevating work platform with the platform at its maximum height; or

(b) The nominal reach, measured horizontally from the centre point of rotation to the outer edge of the platform in its most extended position

Communication method

May include but not limited to:

verbal and non-verbal language

written instructions

signage

hand signals

listening

questioning to confirm understanding

appropriate worksite protocol

Service logbook

May include but not limited to:

any logbook

service book

history record system where the service and maintenance history is kept

Procedures

May include but not limited to:

manufacturer's guidelines (instructions, specifications, operators manual or checklists)

industry operating procedures

workplace procedures (work instructions, operating procedures, checklists)

Safety equipment

May include but not limited to:

safety harness

energy absorber

lanyard

anchor points

Safety devices

May include but not limited to:

horns/sirens

audible and visual reversing devices

operator restraint devices (platform gate)

lights (where applicable)

Communication equipment

May include but not limited to:

two-way radios

mobile phone

Ground suitability

May include but not limited to:

rough uneven ground

backfilled ground

soft soils

hard compacted soil

rock

bitumen

concrete

Stability

May include but not limited to:

deploying outriggers

establishing correct size plates or packing

correctly positioning plates or packing

Hazard prevention/control measures

May include but not limited to:

safety tags on electrical switches/isolators

insulated powerlines

safety observer used inside exclusion zone

disconnected power

traffic barricades and controls

illumination requirements

pedestrian controls

trench covers

movement of obstructions

personal protective equipment

suitable area for set-up

suitable firm and stable standing

Relevant plant movements

May include but not limited to:

raising boom

lowering boom

slewing

hinging

articulating

telescoping

Best mobile practice

May include but not limited to:

minimum speed

gentle acceleration and braking

minimum boom/jib length

avoiding ground depressions

Unplanned and/or unsafe situations

May include but not be limited to:

loss of power

failure of controls

contact with overhead electrical conductors

damage caused by contact with obstructions

illness of personnel

Shut down

May include but not limited to:

retracting boom/jib (where applicable)

folding boom/jib into the transport position

retracting outriggers/stabilisers

idling engine to stabilise temperature

turning off engine (where applicable)

removing key from ignition (where applicable)