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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Operate four wheel drive vehicles on roads
   • Pre-start checks of vehicle and equipment are carried out in accordance with manufacturer specifications and roadworthy requirements
   • Job hazards are identified and required action is taken to minimise, control or eliminate identified hazards
   • Tyres are checked for pressure suitable for terrain and/or changed in accordance with manufacturer and workplace procedures
   • Vehicle fuel, water and any ancillary equipment are checked before starting vehicle journey in accordance with manufacturer and workplace procedures
   • Loads are secured in accordance with workplace and legislative requirements
   • Vehicle is driven on-road and off-road in accordance with legislative and workplace requirements, at appropriate operating speeds for road or track conditions and hazards
   • Vehicle equipment/controls are set and operated in accordance with manufacturer instructions for operation in surrounding terrain
   • Road conditions are constantly monitored, negotiated and appropriate operations and control techniques are used to ensure safe vehicle operation and no injury to people or damage to vehicle, tracks or loads is sustained
   • Vehicle is parked and shut down in accordance with workplace and manufacturer requirements
2. Operate vehicle on, or across a gradient
   • Intended vehicle path is inspected prior to negotiating gradient
   • Loads are secured in accordance with workplace and legislative requirements
   • Appropriate gear and/or range are selected and engine revolutions are maintained to ensure constant traction
   • Vehicle is driven on-road and off-road in accordance with legislative and workplace requirements at appropriate speeds for conditions and gradient hazards
   • Vehicle equipment/controls are set and operated in accordance with manufacturer instructions for operation in, on or across a gradient
   • Gradient conditions are constantly monitored, and appropriate operations and control techniques are used to ensure safe vehicle operation and no injury to people or damage to vehicle, tracks or loads is sustained
3. Operate vehicle ascending a steep gradient
   • Intended vehicle path is inspected prior to negotiating ascent
   • Appropriate gear and/or range are selected to ascend grade, and engine revolutions are maintained to ensure constant traction
   • Vehicle equipment/controls are set and operated in accordance with manufacturer instructions for operation while ascending a steep gradient
   • Stall recovery techniques are applied in accordance with manufacturer and workplace procedures
   • Ascent conditions are constantly monitored, and appropriate operations and control techniques are used to ensure safe vehicle operation and no injury to people or damage to vehicle, tracks or loads is sustained
4. Operate vehicle descending a steep gradient
   • Intended vehicle path is inspected prior to negotiating gradient
   • Appropriate gear and/or range are selected to descend grade, and engine revolutions are maintained to ensure constant traction
   • Vehicle equipment/controls are set and operated in accordance with manufacturer instructions for operation while descending a steep gradient
   • Stall recovery techniques are applied in accordance with manufacturer and workplace procedures
   • Descent conditions are constantly monitored, and appropriate operations and control techniques are used to ensure safe vehicle operation and no injury to people or damage to vehicle, tracks or loads is sustained
5. Operate vehicle in rugged terrain
   • Intended vehicle path is inspected prior to negotiating rugged terrain
   • Appropriate gear and/or range are selected to negotiate rugged terrain and engine revolutions are maintained to ensure constant traction
   • Vehicle equipment/controls are set and operated in accordance with manufacturer instructions for operation in surrounding terrain
   • Vehicle chains are fitted in accordance with manufacturer instructions and environmental conditions, as required
   • Vehicle load is inspected, positioned and secured to maximise traction for four wheel driving
   • Rugged conditions are constantly monitored, and appropriate operations and control techniques are used to ensure safe vehicle operation and no injury to people or damage to vehicle, tracks or loads is sustained
6. Complete operations
   • Vehicle is parked and shut down in accordance with workplace and manufacturer requirements
   • Faults or malfunctions are corrected and/or reported in accordance with manufacturer and workplace requirements
   • Vehicle and equipment are cleaned and stored after use in accordance with workplace requirements
   • Documentation and journey reports are completed in accordance with workplace procedures

Range Statement

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Non-essential conditions can be found in the Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

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Performance Evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria on at least one occasion and include:

applying relevant legislation and workplace procedures cleaning and storing vehicles and equipment communicating effectively with others completing relevant documentation conducting pre-start checks demonstrating low-risk driving behaviours identifying and correcting minor operational faults identifying job hazards and taking required action implementing contingency plans interpreting and following operational instructions and prioritising work modifying activities depending on operational contingencies, risk situations and environments reporting and/or rectifying identified problems, faults or malfunctions promptly, in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures reading and interpreting relevant instructions, procedures, information and signs using and adjusting vehicle equipment/controls as required: brakes electronic traction control freewheeling hubs gears/range heating and cooling systems jacks tyres working systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self or others, or damage to goods or equipment.

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Knowledge Evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and include knowledge of:

documentation and record keeping requirements effect of hard surface driving (such as transmission wind up) on a 4x4 system effect of loads while negotiating a gradient effect on centre of gravity of changing fluid loads efficient driving techniques and safe driving strategies environmental impact of 4x4 driving hazards and risks associated with traversing cross gradients hazards that may exist when operating a four wheel drive vehicle in on-road and off-road situations, and action to minimise, control or eliminate identified hazards low risk driving behaviours: creating and maintaining crash avoidance space protecting crash avoidance space road rules and directions space and time management pre- and post-operational checks and related action problems that may occur when operating a four wheel drive vehicle, and action that can be taken to report or resolve the problems relevant land management procedures and regulations relevant state/territory road traffic authority road rules, regulations, permit and licence requirements relevant work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental procedures and regulations vehicle equipment/controls, instruments and indicators, and their use vehicle handling procedures and techniques for a range of road and track conditions workplace procedures for operating a four wheel drive vehicle in both on-road and off-road situations.

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