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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Prepare for the development of the plan for the removal of vegetation up to vegetation exclusion zone near electrical apparatus.
  2. Carry out the development of the Plan for the removal of vegetation up to vegetation exclusion zone near live electrical apparatus
  3. Complete development of the plan for the removal of vegetation up to vegetation exclusion zone near electrical apparatus.

Required Skills

Essential Knowledge and Associated Skills EKAS This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit

Evidence shall show that knowledge has been acquired of planning for the removal of vegetation up to vegetation exclusion zone near live electrical apparatus

All knowledge and skills detailed in this unit should be contextualised to current industry practices and technologies

KSTVCA Vegetation control planning

KS01-TVC23A Vegetation control planning

Evidence shall show an understanding of planning the removal of vegetation near live electrical apparatus to an extent indicated by the following aspects

T Hazard assessment and risk management appropriate to the level of responsibility in the vegetation control field encompassing

Identifying the terminologies associated with risk assessment risk management risk analysis and risk evaluation activities and eliminating or minimising risk This incorporates principles and purposes of risk management processes for conducting risk assessment including risk analysis and risk evaluation activities for selecting and implementing appropriate options for eliminating or minimising risk

Relationship risk assessment has with vegetation control

Basic principles of hazard and risk assessment what to look for basic procedures in conducting worksite hazardsrisk assessment contingences essential components of hazard assessment checks identification of hazards associated with work function and the environment type of equipment to be used location of the worksite condition of the surrounding vegetation and climate conditions

Techniques in the elimination or minimization of hazardsrisk identification of resources available identification of appropriate methodology in hazard control identification of the hierarchy of control formulating a worksite hazard and risk assessment checklist

Prejob Hazard Assessment Check HAC Items JSAs planned inspection hazard risk assessment form prompt sheet reference VMP electrical hazards VMP general VMP vegetation

Recognizing electrical hazards

Evaluation of risk assessment and management procedures

T Procedures and protocols for access to powerline facilities and isolation of powerlines encompassing

Standards codes legislation supply authority regulations and or enterprise requirements associated with accessing powerline facilities together with the relevant certification and licensing if required

Powerline access permit procedures and documentation

Work place signage traffic management unauthorised access public protection

Powerline distribution voltages

Switching requirements for authorised tree trimming work on high voltage overhead lines information required by system control information to be included on the vicinity permit system control functions authorised work adjacent to an area under an access permit communications

Weather conditions at work site

Work team communications

Adequate light at work site

T Principles of tree preservation encompassing

Standards codes legislation supply authority regulations and or enterprise requirements associated with endangered species of

Identifying site conditions and inspection of tree and or vegetation encompassing

Suitability of this type of tree in this location

Identifying hazards assessing and controlling risks with this tree in this location

Inspecting location and determining work methods for tree preservation tree defects tree diseases insect attacks

Relationship to how a tree grows to vegetation control Australian tree families

Tree preservation methods of clearing vegetation tree trimming pruning tree felling

Safety work measuresmethods

Prevention of soil erosion

Regrowth control

Disposal of debris

Heritage significant and urbanrural vegetation

Fire prone areas

T Vegetation control using chemicals encompassing

Commonwealth State and local government legislation standards codes supply authority regulations and or enterprise requirements including relevant certification and licensing applicable to the control of vegetation using chemicals

Chemical treatment principles types and characteristics of chemicals to be used regulations and procedures in handling and transporting chemicals safely application procedures of chemicals to be used mixing desirable quantities pouring spraying and storing procedures

Techniques in handling equipment to eliminatereduce risks to the environment from spillages of oils herbicides pesticides and chemicals from such equipment as

Methods of disposing and storage of herbicides pesticides and chemicals

Safety precautions specific to working with chemicals safe working practices and procedures Occupational Health and Safety hazards and precautions identification of OHS hazards assessment and control of OHS risks types selection maintenance storage and use of personal protective equipment appropriate selection of complete or partial body protection and processes of inspection prior to use and cleaning after use dangers of working in confined spaces and at heights while using chemicals permit to work systems and isolation proceduresprotocols

Safe working policies procedures and practices when usingoperating specialised chemical equipment

Emergency response and rescue including First Aid etc

Reasons and provisions of MSDSs

Precautions in the use of machinery plant equipment and tools when working with chemicals

Required safety techniques in the handling of herbicides use and application of chemical agents transporting and storage of chemicals and solvents cleaning of equipment used in applications procedures for spillages and contamination outside of vegetation control area

T Enterprise specific policy and procedure instructions encompassing

Responsibilities and duty of care of employer and employee relationship

Methods of obtaining the uptodate information on enterprise policy and procedures

Rules and regulations

Induction into workplace location of work area and storage area timetable uniform personal wellbeing housekeeping rules emergency procedures evacuation procedures

Techniques when deal with others working in teams customer relation complaint and issues procedures

Overview of enterprise professional development fire fighting procedures fatigue management training and competency development understanding and promotion

Evidence Required

This provides essential advice for assessment of the unit of competency and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria and the Range Statement of the unit of competency and the Training Package Assessment Guidelines

The Evidence Guide forms an integral part of this Competency Standard Unit and shall be used in conjunction with all component parts of this unit and performed in accordance with the Assessment Guidelines of this Training Package

Overview of Assessment

Longitudinal competency development approaches to assessment such as Profiling require data to be reliably gathered in a form that can be consistently interpreted over time This approach is best utilised in Apprenticeship programs and reduces assessment intervention It is the Industrys preferred model for apprenticeships However where summative or final assessment is used it is to include the application of the competency in the normal work environment or at a minimum the application of the competency in a realistically simulated work environment It is recognised that in some circumstances assessment in part or full can occur outside the workplace However it must be in accord with Industry and Regulatory policy in this regard

Methods chosen for a particular assessment will be influenced by various factors These include the extent of the assessment the most effective locations for the assessment activities to take place access to physical resources additional safety measures that may be required and the critical nature of the competencies being assessed

The critical safety nature of working with electricity electrical equipment gas or any other hazardous substancematerial carries risk in deeming a person competent Hence sources of evidence need to be rich in nature so as to minimise error in judgment

Activities associated with normal every day work have a bearing on the decision as to how much and how detailed the data gathered will contribute to its richness Some skills are more critical to safety and operational requirements while the same skills may be more or less frequently practiced These points are raised for the assessors to consider when choosing an assessment method and developing assessment instruments Sample assessment instruments are included for Assessors in the Assessment Guidelines of this Training Package

Critical aspects of evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Before the critical aspects of evidence are considered all prerequisites shall be met

Evidence for competence in this unit shall be considered holistically Each Element and associated Performance Criteria shall be demonstrated on at least two occasions in accordance with the Assessment Guidelines UET Evidence shall also comprise

A representative body of Performance Criteria demonstrated within the timeframes typically expected of the discipline work function and industrial environment In particular this shall incorporate evidence that shows a candidate is able to

Implement Occupational Health and Safety workplace procedures and practices including the use of risk control measures as specified in the Performance Criteria and range and

Apply sustainable energy principles and practices as specified in the Performance Criteria and range and

Demonstrate an understanding of the essential knowledge and associated skills as described in this unit to such an extent that the learners performance outcome is reported in accordance with the preferred approach namely a percentile graded result where required by the regulated environment and

Demonstrate an appropriate level of employability skills and

Conduct work observing the relevant Anti Discrimination legislation regulations policies and workplace procedures and

Demonstrated performance across a representative range of contexts from the prescribed items below

Range of toolsequipmentmaterialsproceduresworkplacesother variables

Group No

The minimum number of items on which skill is to be demonstrated

Item List

A

Confirm operational knowledge associated with the planning of the removal of vegetation in all of the following

Principles of electricity the three phase power system

Power system

Recognition of aerial voltage systems

Identification of Low Voltage Aerial Circuits

Identification of High Voltage Aerial Circuits

Safe working zone so defined by relevant authorities

Use of technical standards acts regulations codes guidelines and establishedenterpriseasset owners procedures

Confirm environmental principals and procedures

B

Confirm safe practices associated with the planning of the removal of vegetation in all of the following

OHS safety practices and procedures

Electric shock and resuscitation

Release and rescue

Role of the Safety Observer

Events constituting an incident

Procedures in the event ofresponding to incidents

Hierarchy and methods of identifying and controlling hazards

Risk assessment procedures

Selection of the best position for monitoring and controlling work cutting

Selection of correct line of site to the cutter

Correct observation of the work from ground level

Constant analysis and decision making relevant to the safety of the work taking into account prevailing site conditions lay of the land and ongoing weather conditions

C

Confirm vegetation control associated with the planning of the removal of vegetation in all of the following

Identify tree types

Confirm vegetation species and types

Confirm vegetation cutting techniques for different vegetation

Confirm appropriate vegetation machinery and equipment to be used

Use of feeder route plans

Conduct calculations related to loading and slinging

D

At least one occasion

Dealing with an unplanned event by drawing on essential knowledge and associated skills to provide appropriate solutions incorporated in the holistic assessment with the above listed items

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit should be assessed as it relates to normal work practice using procedures information and resources typical of a workplace This should include

OHS policy and work procedures and instructions

Suitable work environment facilities equipment and materials to safely undertake actual planning for the removal of vegetation up to the vegetation exclusion zone near live electrical apparatus

In addition to the resources listed above in Context of and specific resources for assessment evidence should show demonstrated competency working below ground in limited spaces with different structuralconstruction types and method and in a variety of environments

Method of assessment

This Competency Standard Unit shall be assessed by methods given in Volume Part Assessment Guidelines

Note

Competent performance with inherent safe working practices is expected in the Transmission Distribution and Rail Traction Industry This requires that the specified essential knowledge and associated skills are assessed in a structured environment which is primarily intended for learningassessment and incorporates all necessary equipment and facilities for learners to develop and demonstrate the essential knowledge and associated skills described in this unit

Concurrent assessment and relationship with other units

There are no concurrent assessment recommendations for this unit


Range Statement

10) This relates to the unit of competency as a whole providing the range of contexts and conditions to which the Performance Criteria apply. It allows for different work environments and situations that will affect performance.

This Competency Standard Unit shall be demonstrated in relation to preparation for the controlled removal of vegetation around live powerlines up to the live work zone as defined for both Instructed and Authorised Persons in the industry guidelines associated with live electrical apparatus.

Includes electrical and communications conductors and cables/powerlines and associated equipment on poles and structures according to requirements and established procedures.

Excludes the full gamut of rigging techniques and practices required of a Rigger or entry into to the safe approach distance (SAD) as defined for persons, mobile plant, equipment and specialised tools.

Includes the preparation of a plan for the control and removal of vegetation, specifying appropriate chemical control methods, using slinging and loading techniques and practices to be used, traffic management, and appropriate pruning and/or cutting techniques and practices (encompasses cutting plan) for given vegetation species to minimise regrowth within the electrical field according to requirements and procedures.

Includes the preparation of risk assessment control measures that encompass job safety assessment and compliance with relevant State or Territory regulatory agencies/bodies, local government legislation, Industry bi-partite body – Guidelines/Codes of Practices or other related requirements for safe work and access near live electrical and mechanical apparatus.

Working safely up to the defined “ordinary person zone” near energised electrical apparatus (inc. electrical powerlines) for non-electrical worker/ordinary persons and in some instances vegetation.

Risk assessment control measures that encompass job safety assessment.

Excludes any work that is or may be performed by other competent operatives within the defined “ordinary person zone”

Electricity supply infrastructure assets including electrical apparatus, electrical and communication conductors, and equipment

Safe approach distances zones/Safe Working Clearance

It may also include other areas such as: Feeder route plans, infrastructure constructions and excavations, rural applications, road construction, pavements and inclement weather

Plant, equipment and tools for use in electrical environments for vegetation control, loading and slinging equipment.

Vegetation control includes: site rehabilitation, horticultural vegetation cutting and pruning techniques to minimise regrowth - chemicals and physical cutting and pruning tools/equipment, concerns for vegetation type/species and significance – heritage, significant, urban/rural; vegetation fire prone areas and areas of particular significance.

Constants and variables included in this unit are fully described in the Definitions Section 1 of this volume and form an integral part of the Range Statement.

Appropriate and relevant persons (see Personnel)

Appropriate authorities

Appropriate work platform

Assessing risk

Assessment

Authorisation

Documenting detail work events, record keeping and or storage of information

Drawings and specifications

Emergency

Environmental and sustainable energy procedures

Environmental legislation

Environmental management documentation

Established procedures

Fall prevention

Hazards

Identifying hazards

Inspect

Legislation

MSDS

Notification.

OHS practices

OHS issues

Permits and/or permits to work

Personnel

Quality assurance systems

Requirements

Testing procedures

Work clearance systems