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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Plan and prepare to locate utility services at work site
   • 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.
2. Locate utility apparatus by excavation
   • 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.
3. Operate plant in close proximity to underground or overhead utility apparatus
   • 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.
4. Protect and support utility apparatus during excavation and backfilling
   • 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.
5. Initiate emergency procedures
   • Recognise emergency situations or events.
   • Implement emergency response for particular infrastructure involved.
6. Plan and prepare to locate utility services at work site
   • 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.
7. Locate utility apparatus by excavation
   • 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.
8. Operate plant in close proximity to underground or overhead utility apparatus
   • 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.
9. Protect and support utility apparatus during excavation and backfilling
   • 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.
10. Initiate emergency procedures
    • Recognise emergency situations or events.
    • Implement emergency response for particular infrastructure involved.

Performance Evidence

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

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Knowledge Evidence

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

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