What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?

Competence in maintaining specialised machinery and equipment requires evidence that specialised machinery and equipment has been properly maintained according to enterprise guidelines and industry best practice. The skills and knowledge required to maintain specialised machinery and equipment must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts. For example, this could include different machinery and equipment, operational systems, maintenance procedures and working environments.

What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this unit are listed below:

Engine function principles.

Turbo charging and after cooling.

Assessing engine specifications in line with power requirements.

All engine electric and hydraulic indicators and gauges.

Transmission and drive systems.

Safety including relevant OHS issues, OHS legislative requirements and Codes of Practice.

Machinery and equipment operation principles.

OHS responsibilities of employees and employers.

Hazard identification and control.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These skills include the ability to:

Carry out engine/equipment checks.

Carry out transmission checks.

Maintain machinery and equipment components.

Record maintenance.

What processes should be applied to this competency standard?

There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life, which are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies, although others may be added. The questions below highlight how these processes are applied in this competency standard. Following each question a number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency needs to be demonstrated where 0 = not required, 1 = perform the process, 2 = perform and administer the process and 3 = perform, administer and design the process.

1. How can communication of ideas and information (1) be applied?

By discussing verbally specialised machinery and equipment maintenance with supervisors.

2. How can information be collected, analysed and organised (1)?

Maintaining specialised machinery and equipment will require basic maintenance information to be gathered and organised accordingly.

3. How are activities planned and organised (1)?

Maintaining specialised machinery and equipment requires limited planning and organising.

4. How can team work (1) be applied?

Maintaining specialised machinery and equipment may require participation with others in a maintenance team.

5. How can the use of mathematical ideas and techniques (1) be applied?

Basic mathematical techniques associated with machinery and equipment servicing and maintenance can be applied.

6. How can problem-solving skills (1) be applied?

While maintaining specialised machinery and equipment, technical problems may arise requiring simple solutions.

7. How can the use of technology (1) be applied?

Technology may be required to maintain specialised machinery and equipment.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?

This competency standard could be assessed on its own or in combination with other competencies relevant to the job function.

For information about assessing this competency standard for consistent performance and where and how it may be assessed, refer to the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.

Range of Variables

The Range of Variables defines the different contexts, work environments and parameters governing the performance of this competency standard. The variables chosen in training and assessment will need to reflect local industry and regional contexts

Which specialised machinery and equipment may be covered by this standard?

Heavy earthmoving equipment, skid steer loaders, self-propelled harvesters and pickers, front end loaders, irrigation equipment, scissor lifts, forklifts, land levellers, feed mixers, milking machinery and equipment, specialised turf equipment, specialised nursery equipment, livestock feeding systems, watering systems, filtering and pumping equipment, poultry performance monitoring equipment, cultivation equipment, fertilising application and grain handling equipment.

What engine equipment may be included?

Fuel filters, crankcase vents, air cleaners.

What hazards may be associated with maintenance activities?

Workplace hazards may include exposure to loud noise and fumes, solar radiation, dust, and hazardous substances. It may also include oil and grease spills, electricity, mechanical malfunctions and entanglement with machinery and equipment from exposed moving parts including hydraulics.

What personal protective equipment may be relevant to this standard?

This may include boots, hat/hard hat, overalls, gloves, protective eyewear, safety harness, hearing protection, respirator or face mask, and sun protection (sun hat, sunscreen).

What OHS requirements may be relevant to this standard?

Safe systems and procedures for:

operating and maintaining machinery and equipment including hydraulics and guarding of exposed moving parts.

hazard and risk control.

manual handling including lifting and carrying.

the provision of safety decals and signage.

handling, application and storage of hazardous substances.

outdoor work including protection from solar radiation, dust and noise.

lock out or danger tag procedures.

protection of people in the workplace.

the appropriate use, maintenance and storage of personal protective clothing and equipment.

Which regular maintenance checks may be included?

Gauges, fan, engine oil, air cleaners (wet and dry), visible gaskets, exhaust colour, tyres, tracks, track rollers and carriers, fuel and oil filters, crankcase ventilation, cooling systems, belts and chains, transmission, gearbox, hydraulic hoses, hydraulic systems, final drives, oilers, batteries and electrical systems, level linkage wear, oil and fuel leaks, brakes, Rollover Protection Systems/safety guards, guards over exposed parts, sources of hazardous noise.

Which machinery and equipment maintenance may this standard relate to?

Operating checks, daily checks, programmed maintenance, breakdown maintenance, prescribed lubrication.

Which transmission checks may be included?

Clutches, gearbox, direct drive and power shaft transmission, torque converter, final drives.

Which tracks/wheels and undercarriage wear and tear checks may be included?

Sprockets, idler wheels, track roller frames, track rollers, carrier rollers, track chains, track shoes and grousers, tyre pressure and abnormal wear patterns.

Which engine equipment checks may be included?

Oil/coolant levels, filters, oil, air, fuel, and air conditioner.

Which machine operational replacement wear components may be included?

Ground engaging components, buckets, blades, cutter teeth and forks.

Which moving operational components may be included?

Elevator and loading chains, cutters/knives.

For more information on contexts, environment and variables for training and assessment refer to the Sector Booklet.