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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Carry out pre-operational tow truck checks
   • Pre-operational tow truck checks are carried out in accordance with government regulations, manufacturer requirements, and workplace policies and procedures
   • Hazards are identified, risks are assessed and control measures are implemented
   • Faults and defects identified during checks are repaired or reported in accordance with workplace procedures
   • Checks are made to ensure vehicle or load being towed or carried is secured in accordance with tow truck operational practice and regulatory requirements
2. Drive a tow truck carrying or towing a vehicle or other load
   • Tow truck is manoeuvred in accordance with established towing practices, regulations/permit requirements for vehicle class involved, and vehicle being towed or load being carried
   • Appropriate defensive driving techniques are applied for prevailing road, traffic and weather conditions
   • Tow truck is driven along appropriate routes in accordance with relevant codes, government regulations and workplace policies
   • Vehicle or load is transported and vehicle is manoeuvred in accordance with required precautions relating to unusual/special characteristics of load and/or relevant government special load regulations
   • Signs or indicators are fixed to vehicle as required
   • In a driving emergency, appropriate procedures are followed taking into account vehicle being towed or load being carried
   • Symptoms of fatigue are recognised and appropriate fatigue management strategies are applied during towing operations
3. Operate ancillary tow truck equipment
   • Visual check of internal and external condition of tow truck ancillary equipment is carried out in accordance with workplace procedures
   • Towing equipment is tested to ensure it functions correctly in accordance with manufacturer specifications
   • Towing equipment is operated in accordance with manufacturer specifications and regulatory requirements
   • Towing operation attachment points and weight of vehicle being towed or load being carried are checked to ensure they are consistent with established towing practice, regulatory requirements and permissible safe working loads for tow truck and its associated towing equipment
4. Complete documentation
   • Records of tow truck operations and related maintenance of tow truck and ancillary equipment are kept in accordance with workplace procedures
   • All forms and official record requirements for towing operations are completed in accordance with regulatory requirements and company 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 precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate identified hazards applying relevant legislation and workplace procedures communicating effectively with others completing relevant documentation identifying, selecting and using relevant equipment, processes and procedures modifying activities and taking appropriate initiative depending on towing contexts, risk situations and environments providing information on towing services and their features reading and interpreting relevant instructions, procedures, regulations, signs, charts, maps and labels recognising problems and taking appropriate action recognising symptoms of fatigue and taking appropriate action using required personal protective equipment correctly, including operating portable fire extinguishers working safely and collaboratively with others.

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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:

causes and effects of fatigue on drivers differences between transmission types on various types of tow trucks and the implications for driving techniques driving hazards and related defensive driving techniques efficient driving techniques emergency procedures for operating a tow truck including using portable fire extinguishers engine power management and safe driving strategies factors that increase fatigue-related accidents factors that may cause traffic delays and diversions and related action that can be taken by a driver lifestyles that promote effective long-term fatigue management map reading and road navigation techniques relevant for area of tow truck operations pre-operational checks carried out on a tow truck and its towing equipment and related action that should be taken principles of stress management when driving a tow truck records and documentation requirements for tow truck operations and procedures for their completion relevant work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental procedures and regulations relevant state/territory road traffic authority road rules and related regulations relevant state/territory road traffic authority towing permit and licence requirements strategies and techniques to manage on-road fatigue tow truck controls, instruments and indicators, and their use tow truck handling procedures with and without a tow or load workplace driving and operational instructions.

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