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Elements and Performance Criteria

Required Skills

Required skills

communication skills including clear and direct communication and active listening and questioning techniques to identify confirm and conduct all work requirements

problemsolving skills to identify and address onsite hazards

literacy and numeracy skills to read and interpret plans and site drawings complete maintenance reports and calculate load requirements

organisational skills to determine and assemble appropriate tools equipment and machine attachments

Required knowledge

manufacturer instructions for machine operation and maintenance

broad working knowledge of relevant federal state or territory and local government legislation and regulations relating to OHS and required permits and licences for operating excavation machinery

workplace policies and procedures relevant to safe and efficient operations

local soil types and conditions and their relevance to machine operations

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

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

Evidence of the following is essential

ability to safely operate and maintain a backhoe frontend loader or excavator inclusive of all attachments tools and equipment

knowledge of relevant legislation workplace policies and procedures for the safe operation of all tools equipment and machinery

operating a backhoe frontend loader or excavator on multiple occasions to ensure consistency of performance and ability to respond to different situations

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure

demonstration of skills in a facility where a backhoe frontend loader or excavator can be operated safely

access to relevant documentation such as site plans

access to a backhoe frontend loader or excavator and attachments

Methods of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge The following examples are appropriate for this unit

observation of candidate preparing operating and maintaining a backhoe frontend loader or excavator for a range of different job specifications

review of completed maintenance schedules for backhoe frontend loader or excavator

written or verbal questioning to assess knowledge and understanding of workplace policies and procedures and relevant legislation

review of portfolios of evidence and thirdparty workplace reports of onthejob performance by the candidate

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector workplace and job role is recommended for example

SIFBCRA Dig a grave using machinery

SIFBCR023A Dig a grave using machinery.

Employability skills embedded in this unit should be assessed holistically with other relevant units that make up the skill set or qualification and in the context of the job role

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.

Work activity may include:	loading dump trucks, wagons, hoppers, grizzlies and chutes stockpiling mixing materials stripping and spreading topsoil laser levelling backfilling excavating trenches lifting materials laying pipes.

Workplace policies and procedures may include:	standard operating policies and procedures standards and certification requirements quality assurance procedures maintenance and reporting schedules communication procedures OHS procedures waste disposal emergency procedures, including fire and accident procedures.

Relevant legislation and regulations may include:	OHS workers' compensation cemetery Acts and by-laws Public Safety Acts Crematorium Acts local government regulations Lands Act Public Health Act Environment Protection Act Australian standards Worksafe Australia certification and standards licensing requirements.

Backhoe or loader controlsand functions may include:	bucket brakes manoeuvrability serviceability.

Features may include:	structures designated parking areas haul roads unstable ground.

Operating conditions may include:	day and night visibility prevailing winds dust rain.

Soil conditions may include:	soil types rock types soil compaction moisture content.

Materials may include:	clay silt stone gravel mud sand topsoil concrete bituminous mixes steel, plastic or concrete pipes.

On-site hazards may include:	uneven or unstable terrain trees overhead service lines bridges surrounding buildings obstructions structures facilities dangerous materials recently filled trenches unauthorised movement.

Communication protocols may include:	two-way radios reporting defects either verbally or in writing hand signals site-specific instructions mobile phones.