Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to construct low-profile timber or modular retaining walls in landscape settings.
This unit applies to individuals who work under general supervision and exercise limited autonomy with some accountability for their own work. They undertake defined activities and work in a structured context.
No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Element | Performance criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Plan and prepare work | 1.1 Read work instructions relating to constructing the retaining wall and confirm instructions with the supervisor 1.2 Prepare tools and equipment and use according to the supervisor's instructions 1.3 Identify and report to supervisor any manual handling and other work health and safety hazards 1.4 Select, use and maintain personal protective equipment (PPE) and clothing 1.5 Check the quantity and quality of materials to make sure they conform to the requirements of the job plans 1.6 Locate and mark out services |
2. Mark out site for retaining wall | 2.1 Mark out the position of the retaining wall according to site plans 2.2 Determine the location and depth of excavations 2.3 Establish profiles to conform to the designated tolerances 2.4 Establish survey benchmarks |
3. Prepare footings according to industry standards | 3.1 Excavate foundations for the retaining wall to the required depth and dimensions as designated on the site plans 3.2 Remove soil and waste material and stockpile to ensure a safe working area 3.3 Locate reinforcing or steps in the excavated site and position accordingly 3.4 Position pegs to maintain levels of even depth and horizontal plane to the top of footings 3.5 Place, consolidate and finish footings to determined levels, to ensure coverage of reinforcement as necessary |
4. Prepare and install retaining wall components | 4.1 Prepare and lay out components for installation 4.2 Mark components to be cut to length and shape, and cut to the requirements of profiles already established 4.3 Install drainage media 4.4 Construct base layer of retaining wall to a point above the top of the drainage media and form weep holes where indicated 4.5 Back-fill and compact fill material behind base of retaining wall 4.6 Construct retaining wall components to required dimensions, profiles and levels as specified on the site plans 4.7 Set capping to top of retaining wall to specified levels with a tolerance appropriate to the style of capping |
5. Clean up site and store tools and equipment | 5.1 Dispose of or recycle soil and waste material from the site to minimise damage to the environment 5.2 Store and stack unused construction materials for future re-use 5.3 Clean and store all tools and equipment |
Evidence of Performance
The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting.
The candidate must provide evidence that they can
read and interpret site and construction plans
identify work health and safety hazards
calculate materials required and mark out the area to be retained
mark out the site and assemble materials
construct footings and place reinforcing
construct retaining walls as specified
clear up the site and dispose of waste
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
the principles and practices of low profile retaining walls
construction approaches and methods
construction materials for retaining walls
safe lifting practices for large and heavy components
methods of disposing soil and waste materials in order to minimise damage to the environment
the environmental effects of altering water flow when installing retaining walls with or without drainage media
the environmental impact of soil disturbance when excavating an area to be retained
Assessment Conditions
Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs.
Foundation Skills
Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
Sectors
Landscape (LSC)