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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Prepare for on-site operations
   • Identify the job, consult with the client and obtain relevant information, including the level of supervision required, drawings and specifications
   • Select equipment and materials required for the job
   • Identify site hazards and the personal protective equipment and safety procedures specified for job
   • Organise site induction for support personnel as required
   • Record description of the job to be undertaken, compare with specification and resolve any variations
   • Select suitable transport for site access
   • Brief support personnel on job-specific requirements
2. Establish on-site operations
   • Consult with the site superintendent to determine methods of communication, roles, responsibilities and expectations of each party, including identification of potential problems and conflicts
   • Set up facilities for supervision, testing and sample storage
   • Inspect the site to determine the characteristics of the project, including survey control points
   • Design inspection, sampling and testing program in accordance with specifications
3. Supervise earthworks operations
   • Conduct inspection, sampling and testing in accordance with project requirements
   • Direct and advise the site superintendent based on test results and observations
   • Record test data and observations in accordance with enterprise practices
   • Remit samples to the base laboratory for testing as required
   • Ensure cleaning of equipment does not cause environmental damage
   • Supervise the removal of equipment and materials from site
4. Analyse project data and report to client
   • Analyse project data and report to client
   • Report test results to site superintendent at specified frequency
5. Maintain enterprise records
   • Record observations, data and results in accordance with enterprise practices
   • Maintain security and confidentiality of enterprise information
   • Prepare and issue a final project report detailing supervision and testing carried out, statement of compliance and relevant tables and plans as required.

Required Skills

Evidence Required

The Evidence Guide describes the underpinning knowledge and skills that must be demonstrated to prove competence

Critical aspects of competency

Competence must be demonstrated in the ability to perform consistently at the required standard Candidates must be able to direct earthworks operations as well as sampling and testing of materials In particular the assessor should look to see that the candidate

reads and interprets maps drawings specifications and Codes of Practice

identifies and locates sampling and testing sites

measures and estimates elevations lengths areas and volumes

determines sampling and testing frequencies

takes representative samples

identifies and describes materials

records project details in writing by sketching and photography

handles and transports samples correctly

records sampling and testing information

compares test results with specifications and draws valid conclusions on compliance

uses tools and equipment effectively and efficiently

observes interprets and reports atypical situations

communicates problems to appropriate personnel

records and communicates work results

works safely

resolves problems constructively

Underpinning knowledge

Competency includes the ability to apply and explain

engineering properties of soil and rock materials

techniques used in civil construction

plant and equipment used in earthworks

insitu and laboratory test methods and their application to various materials

roles and responsibilities for different levels of supervision

relevant health safety and environment requirements

Assessment context and methods

This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or simulated workplace environment

It is strongly recommended that assessment is conducted through observation over time The timeframe must allow for adequate assessment of operation under all normal and a range of abnormal conditions Where this is not practical additional assessment techniques must be used

The following assessment methods are suggested

inspection of workplace documents completed by the candidate

review of work outputs over a period of time to ensure accuracy consistency and timeliness

feedback from peers and supervisors

use of suitable simulation andor a range of case studiesscenarios

In all cases practical assessment should be supported by questions to assess underpinning knowledge and those aspects of competency which are difficult to assess directly Questioning techniques should suit the language and literacy levels of the candidate

Interdependent assessment of unit

This unit of competency may be assessed with

PMLORGB Schedule laboratory work for a small team

PMLORG500B Schedule laboratory work for a small team

PMLCOMB Provide information to customers

PMLCOM500B Provide information to customers

PMLDATAB Analyse data and report results

PMLDATA500B Analyse data and report results.

Resource implications

Resources may include

access to construction sites tools equipment and materials

enterprise procedures sampling plans test methods and equipment manuals

This competency in practice

Construction materials

A geotechnical consultancy company has been contracted to provide level one supervision for a commercial development in accordance with AS Guidelines on earthworks for commercial and residential developments This will involve the construction of roadways building pads and parking areas for heavy vehicles A senior technician has been placed in charge of the project with an experienced tester to assist with routine testing and supervision The principal contractor has provided copies of specifications drawings and local authority requirements for this type of project The project will involve clearing and stripping settingout by contract surveyors cuttofill drainage sewer lines and other services and construction of roadways and building pads

The supervision will be carried out in accordance with local authority requirements Testing will involve measuring insitu densities of fill including trench backfill and road base materials California Bearing Ratio CBR tests will be used as an aid in determining pavement thicknesses Additional tests will be used to monitor the quality of pavement materials supplied from a local quarry This will involve both onsite and offsite testing and require liaison with offsite personnel to ensure that the testing is timely and as specified Based on test results and direct observations the technician is able to direct and advise the contractors operators so that the materials are correctly placed and compacted Test locations are marked on drawings and sketches and photographs used to record details of the project Detailed daily records are used to prepare monthly reports for the contractor accompanied by test certificates Office staff use this information to invoice the client The technician monitors the project to avoid exceeding the project budget When the project is finished the technician prepares a completion report including all test results site observations and a scale drawing showing all filled areas and reviews the information as a guide to planning and costing future projects

Key Competencies

The seven key competencies represent generic skills considered for effective work participation The bracketed numbering against each of the key competencies indicates the performance level required in this unit These are standalone levels and do not correspond to levels in the Australian Qualifications Framework AQF

Level represents the competence to undertake tasks effectively

Level represents the competence to manage tasks

Level represents the competence to use concepts for evaluating and reshaping tasks

Collecting analysing and organising information	Communicating ideas and information	Planning and organising activities	Working with others and in teams	Using mathematical ideas and techniques	Solving problems	Using technology
Level	Level	Level	Level	Level	Level	Level

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Range Statement

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

Where reference is made to industry Codes of Practice, and/or Australian/international standards, it is expected the latest version will be used.

This unit of competence describes the work conducted by experienced technicians and engineering para-professionals.

Operations are performed in accordance with laboratory and/or enterprise procedures and appropriate legislative requirements. These procedures and requirements include or have been prepared from:

industry Codes of Practice

environmental legislation and regulations

standard operating procedures (SOPs)

equipment manuals

equipment start-up, operation and shutdown procedures

calibration and maintenance schedules

quality manuals

enterprise recording and reporting procedures

production and laboratory schedules

material, production and product specifications.

Tools and equipment used may include:

hand and power augers

hand tools, including shovels, crowbars, scoops, spanners, wrenches, tape measure

consumables, including sample bags, labels

documentation, including maps, plans, contract documents, worksheets

field test equipment, including sand replacement apparatus, nuclear soil moisture/density gauge, dynamic cone penetrometer

still/video camera

two-way radio, mobile telephone

levelling equipment (dumpy, automatic levels).

Site hazards may include:

solar radiation, dust and noise

manual handling of heavy materials and equipment

working in/on trenches, confined spaces, wet and uneven surfaces, heights, slopes

vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

Safety procedures may include:

location of site services before investigations commence

use of material safety data sheets (MSDSs)

use of personal protective equipment, such as hard hat, hearing protection, sunscreen, gloves, masks, goggles, coveralls, safety boots, high visibility clothing

handling, and storage of hazardous materials and equipment in accordance with labels, MSDS, manufacturer's instructions, enterprise procedures and regulations

regular cleaning of equipment and vehicles

machinery guards

signage, barriers, flashing lights, traffic control.

Typical skills may include:

working safely with equipment and around earthmoving plant

driving safely on- and off-road

working safely in field conditions

setting up and maintaining tools and equipment

using tools and equipment to perform sampling and in-situ testing

cleaning equipment before leaving site in compliance with environmental authority requirements

reading site plans, specifications and codes to determine sampling locations and frequencies

measuring and estimating elevations, lengths, areas and volumes

identifying of soil and rock materials

observing and recording project information

handling and storing samples appropriately

comparing test results with specifications

resolving problems without creating confrontational environments

using computer software to create/maintain databases and produce detailed reports.

Typical problems include:

uncooperative site personnel

non-conformances leading to confrontation with other personnel

delays in obtaining test results

damage to services, materials and site conditions

displaced, missing and inaccurate survey markers

misidentification of samples and sampling locations

equipment breakdown and breakage

environmental problems and issues, including site access, inclement weather, traffic, wildlife, vegetation, construction activities.

Health, safety and environment

All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent health, safety and environmental (HSE) requirements, which may be imposed through State or Federal legislation, and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between performance criteria and HSE requirements, the HSE requirements take precedence.

All operations assume the potentially hazardous nature of samples and require standard precautions to be applied. Users should access and apply current industry understanding of infection control issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council and State and Territory Departments of Health. All operations are performed in accordance with standard operating procedures.

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