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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Plan and prepare
  2. Conduct machine preoperational checks
  3. Operate excavator
  4. Lift, carry and place materials
  5. Select, remove and fit attachments
  6. Relocate the excavator
  7. Carry out machine operator maintenance
  8. Clean up

Required Skills

Required skills

Specific skills are required to achieve the performance criteria in this unit particularly for the application in the various circumstances in which this unit may be applied This includes the ability to carry out the following as required to conduct excavator operations

apply legislative organisation and site requirements and procedures

apply basic principles of soil technology for civil works

apply site and equipment safety requirements

apply techniques for calculating safe working loads

apply excavator and attachment operating techniques related to essential tasks

interpret drawings and sketches

apply operational maintenance and basic diagnostic procedures

apply site isolation and traffic control responsibilities and authorities

interpret materials safety data sheets and apply materials handling methods

apply project quality requirements

use civil construction terminology

apply methods of changing machine attachments

apply safe operating techniques in all terrain

carry out basic earthworks calculations

apply levelling techniques

apply JSAsSafe work method statement

Required knowledge

Specific knowledge is required to achieve the Performance Criteria of this unit particularly its application in a variety of circumstances in which the unit may be used This includes knowledge of the following as required to conduct excavator operations

excavator types characteristics technical capabilities and limitations

basic principles of soil technology for civil works

site and equipment safety requirements

techniques for calculating safe working loads

excavator and attachment operating techniques related to essential tasks

processes for interpreting drawings and sketches

operational maintenance and basic diagnostic procedures

site isolation and traffic control responsibilities and authorities

materials safety data sheets and materials handling methods

project quality requirements

civil construction terminology

methods of changing machine attachments

safe operating techniques in all terrain

basic earthworks calculations

civil construction activity sequences of road construction earthworks and drainage

levelling techniques

JSAsSafe work method statement

Evidence Required

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

Overview of assessment

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

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to worksite operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit and include evidence of the following

knowledge of the requirements procedures and instructions for conducting excavator operations

implementation of requirements procedures and techniques for the safe effective and efficient completion of excavator operations including

in a minimum of two different soil types and

to include the mandatory tasks of loading bulk excavation backfilling trench excavation stockpiling battering and benching

working with others to undertake and complete excavator operations that meet all of the required outcomes

consistent timely completion of excavator operations that safely effectively and efficiently meet the required outcomes

laser guidance or ATS are not to be used to assist in control of the machine during assessment

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit must be assessed in the context of the work environment Where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors assessment may occur in a simulated environment provided it is realistic and sufficiently rigorous to cover all aspects of workplace performance including task skills task management skills contingency management skills and job role environment skills

The assessment environment should not disadvantage the participant For example language literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required on the job

Customisation of assessment and delivery environment to sensitively accommodate cultural diversity

Aboriginal people and other people from a non English speaking background may have second language issues

Assessment of this competency requires typical resources normally used in the work environment Selection and use of resources for particular worksites may differ due to site circumstances

Where applicable physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities

Access must be provided to appropriate learning andor assessment support when required

Method of assessment

This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency The assessment strategy for this unit must verify required knowledge and skill and practical application using more than one of the following assessment methods

written andor oral assessment of the candidates required knowledge

observed documented andor first hand testimonial evidence of the candidates

implementation of appropriate requirement procedures and techniques for the safe effective and efficient achievement of required outcomes including

in a minimum of two different soil types and

to include the mandatory tasks of loading bulk excavation backfilling trench excavation stockpiling battering and benching

consistently achieving the required outcomes

first hand testimonial evidence of the candidates

working with others to undertake and complete excavator operations

Guidance information for assessment

Consult the SkillsDMC User Guide for further information on assessment including access and equity issues

Range Statement

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. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Relevant compliance documentation

may include:

legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures

manufacturer's guidelines and specifications

Australian standards

codes of practice

Employment and workplace relations legislation

Equal Employment Opportunity and Disability Discrimination legislation

An excavator is:

a self-propelled crawler or wheeled machine with an upper structure capable of a minimum of 360 degree rotation which excavates, elevates, swings and discharges material by the action of a bucket fitted to the boom and arm or telescoping boom, without moving the chassis or undercarriage during any part of the working cycle of the machine

are to include tracked and may include wheeled excavators

Excavator operations tasks are to include:

loading, bulk excavation, backfilling, trench excavation, stockpiling, battering and benching

Excavator operations tasks may include:

compacting materials, demolition, rock breaking, removal of trees and ripping, lifting materials, cutting/boxing, laying pipes, cut and fill, mixing materials, stripping/spreading topsoil and materials

Work instructions may include:

plans, specifications, quality requirements and operational details

quality requirements may include but not be limited to dimensions, tolerances, standards of work and material standards as detailed in the project drawings, specifications and project documentation to meet client satisfaction

Safety requirements are to be:

in accordance with state or territory legislation and regulations, organisational safety policies and procedures, and project safety plan

Safety requirements may include:

protective clothing and equipment, use of tools and equipment, workplace environment and safety, handling of materials, use of fire fighting equipment, use of First Aid equipment, hazard control and hazardous materials and substances

personal protective equipment is to include that prescribed under legislation, regulation and workplace policies and practices

safe operating procedures which are to include but not be limited to recognising and preventing hazards associated with underground and overhead services, other machines, personnel, restricted access barriers, traffic control, working at heights, working in proximity to others, worksite visitors and the public

safe parking practices which is to include but not be limited to ensuring access ways are clear, equipment/ machinery is away from overhangs and refuelling sites, safe distance from excavations, and secured from unauthorised access or movement

hazards and risks may include but not be limited to uneven/unstable terrain, trees, fires, overhead and underground services, bridges, buildings, excavations, traffic, embankments, cuttings, structures and hazardous materials

emergency procedures related to this unit are to include but may not be limited to emergency shutdown and stopping, extinguishing fires, organisational First Aid requirements and evacuation

Tools and equipment are to include:

hand tools and maintenance equipment relevant to the particular loader

Environmental requirements are to include:

organisational/project environmental management plan, waste management, water quality protection, noise, vibration, dust and clean-up management

Communications practices are to include:

verbal instructions and fault reporting and may include 2-way radio, hand signals, mobile phone, site specific instructions, written instructions or instructions related to job/task

on site meeting processes may include notification/ scheduling (time, place, purpose), task discussions and local coordination of procedural and operational issues

Materials may include:

clays, silts, stone, gravel, mud, rock, sand, topsoil, blended materials, organic materials, typical construction site materials/waste and bituminous mixes

rock types may include metamorphic, igneous and sedimentary

Attachments may include:

ripper/tyne, auger, tilt bucket, rock breaker, buckets, lifting device, vibrating compaction plate and compaction wheel

Operator maintenance is to include:

cleaning, authorised servicing and the monitoring, recording and reporting of faults. It may also include the conduct of authorised minor replacements and the provision of assistance to maintenance personnel during maintenance and repair activities