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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Prepare to control vegetation
   • Works schedule(s), including drawings, plans, requirements, established procedures, and material lists, are received, analysed and confirmed, if necessary, by site inspection.
   • Relevant requirements and established procedures for the work are communicated to all personnel and identified for all work sites.
   • OHS policies and procedures related to requirements and established procedures for the control of vegetation near live low voltage conductors are obtained and confirmed for the purposes of the work to be performed and communicated.
   • Work is prioritised and sequenced following consultation with others for completion within acceptable timeframes and in accordance with established procedures.
   • Hazards are identified, OHS risks assessed and control measures are prioritised, implemented and monitored including emergency exits kept clear according to established procedures.
   • Relevant work permits are obtained to access and perform work according to requirements and/or established procedures.
   • Resources including personnel, equipment, tools and personal protective equipment required for the job are obtained and confirmed in working order.
   • Relevant personnel at worksite are confirmed current in First Aid, Pole Top Rescue and other related work procedures according to requirements.
   • Liaison and communication issues with other/authorised personnel, authorities, clients and land owners are resolved to carry out work where necessary.
   • Site is prepared according to the work schedule and to minimise risk and damage to property, commerce, and individuals in accordance with established procedures.
   • Personnel participating in the work, including plant operators and contractors, are fully briefed and respective responsibilities confirmed where applicable in accordance with established procedures.
   • Road signs, barriers and warning devices are positioned in accordance with requirements.
2. Carry out vegetation control
   • OHS and sustainable energy principles and practices to reduce the incidents of accidents and minimise waste are monitored and followed in accordance with requirements and/or established procedures.
   • Lifting, climbing, working aloft, and use of power tools/equipment, techniques and practices are safely followed and, currency according to requirements confirmed.
   • Essential knowledge and associated skills for the safe control of vegetation near live low voltage conductors are applied to ensure completion in an agreed timeframe and, to quality standards with a minimum of waste according to requirements.
   • Vegetation control is carried out, in accordance with the work schedule and requirements/established procedures.
   • Hazard warnings and safety signs are recognised and hazards and assessed OHS risks are reported to the immediate authorised persons for directions according to established procedures.
   • Unplanned events in vegetation control are undertaken within the scope of established procedures.
   • Known solutions to a variety of problems are applied using acquired essential knowledge and associated skills.
   • Ongoing checks of quality of the work are undertaken in accordance with instructions and established procedures.
3. Complete vegetation control
   • Work undertaken is checked against works schedule for conformance with requirements and anomalies reported in accordance with established procedures.
   • Accidents and/or injuries are reported in accordance with requirements/established procedures, where applicable.
   • Work site is rehabilitated, cleaned up and made safe in accordance with established procedures.
   • Tools, equipment and any surplus resources and materials are, where appropriate, cleaned, checked and returned to storage in accordance with established procedures.
   • Relevant work permit(s) are signed off and, the site is returned to service in accordance with requirements.
   • Works completion records, reports, as installed /modified drawing and/or documentation and information are finalised and processed and appropriate personnel notified.

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 controlling vegetation linework All knowledge and skills detailed in this unit should be contextualised to current industry practices and technologies KSTVCA Ecological principles for vegetation control KS01-TVC29A Ecological principles for vegetation control Evidence shall show an understanding of ecological principles for vegetation control to an extent indicated by the following aspects T Ecological principles encompassing Interdependence of plants animals the soil and the environment Environment Habitats The food chain T Soil and erosion control principles encompassing Soil types Simple tests Types of erosion Theory of erosion prevention and control Land degradation control Functions of trees in the environment T Basic anatomy and physiology encompassing Plant morphology Internal anatomy Growth patterns and habits Simple physiology T Tree hazard assessment encompassing Symptoms of stress in trees Diagnosing tree problems Assessments for line clearance Personal hazards The trees response to wounding and decay Theory of compartmentalisation Tree stability damage to root systems due to excavation Principles of pruning Branch collars KSTVCA Vegetation control techniques KS02-TVC29A Vegetation control techniques Evidence shall show an understanding of the control of vegetation to an extent indicated by the following aspects T Standards codes legislation supply authority regulations and or enterprise requirements including relevant certification and licensing applicable to the control of vegetation encompassing Clearance zones and approach distances from overhead power lines Legislation associated with easement access and maintenance Appropriate personal protection equipment Equipment maintenance and safety precautions T Tree climbing and pruning encompassing Chainsaw safety and maintenance Basic crosscutting techniques Simple felling Use of EWPs Safe climbing with ropes and harnesses Use of chainsaws in the tree Cutting techniques Roping techniques Chemical control of foliage and the required safety techniques Practical work on site with a range of trees T Easement management encompassing Legislation relating to easement access and maintenance Use of chemicals and herbicides and provision of MSDSs for those substances Use of machinery and plant Access tracks

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	At least one of the following	Non conductive ladder EWP Ground level
		B	At least two of the following	Hand clearing Specialised tools and equipment Machinery assisted clearing Herbicidal clearing
		C	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 undertake actual control of vegetation 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

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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 the control of vegetation including tree trimming with relevant and complimentary linework competencies and includes working near live low voltage conductors, as specified in the relevant State/Territory legislation. Vegetation control measures may include hand clearing, growth retardants, machinery-assisted clearing and herbicidal clearing. Work may be conducted from a ladder, an elevating work platform, a tree or on the ground under minimal supervision. The following constants and variables included in the Element/Performance Criteria in this unit are fully described in the Definitions Section 1 of this volume and form an integral part of the Range Statement of this unit: Appropriate and relevant persons (see Personnel) Appropriate authorities Appropriate work platform Assessing risk Assessment Authorisation Diagnostic, testing and restoration 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

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