CPCCBL3004A
Construct masonry steps and stairs

This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to construct masonry steps, stairs and wing walls for different types and styles of buildings. It includes planning, preparation, set out and installation of the masonry.

Application

This unit of competency supports achievement of skills for laying of bricks to construct steps, stairs and wing walls, which includes working with others and as a member of a team.


Prerequisites

CPCCOHS2001A Apply OHS requirements, policies and procedures in the construction industry


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare for work.

1.1. Work instructions, including plans, specifications, quality requirements and operational details, are obtained, confirmed and applied from relevant information to determine bricklaying and blocklaying tasks.

1.2. Safety (OHS) requirements are followed in accordance with safety plans and policies.

1.3. Signage and barricade requirements are identified and implemented.

1.4. Plant, tools and equipment selected to carry out tasks are consistent with job requirements, checked for serviceability, and any faults are rectified or reported prior to commencement.

1.5. Material quantity requirements are calculated in accordance with plans, specifications and quality requirements.

1.6. Materials appropriate to the work application are identified, obtained, prepared, safely handled and located ready for use.

1.7. Environmental requirements are identified for the project in accordance with environmental plans and statutory and regulatory authority obligations, and are applied.

2. Set out brickwork/ blockwork.

2.1. Work platform is erected in accordance with regulatory and workplace requirements and brick and block stair construction requirements.

2.2. Location and relative level of prepared footing are checked from job drawings and specifications.

2.3. Rise and going of flight and individual steps are calculated to codes and workplace requirements.

2.4. Flight and individual steps are set out from calculations and job drawings.

3. Lay bricks/blocks forming steps and wing walls.

3.1. Mortar mix is prepared and checked for conformity and bricks/blocks are laid to set out according to specifications, standards and codes.

3.2. Base brickwork is constructed to specifications and requirements of standards and codes.

3.3. Steps are formed square, level, plumb and true and laid to specified bond.

3.4. Profile of steps is constructed to bond and design, aligned and plumb to specifications.

3.5. Parallel wing walls are formed to step alignment in accordance with specifications.

3.6. Jointing is carried out to job specifications.

3.7. Brickwork/blockwork is laid to line and set out with gauge and completed to job drawings, specifications, standards and codes.

3.8. Brick/block faces are cleaned free of mortar.

4. Clean up.

4.1. Work area is cleared and materials disposed of, reused or recycled in accordance with legislation, regulations, codes of practice and job specification.

4.2. Plant, tools and equipment are cleaned, checked, maintained and stored in accordance with manufacturer recommendations and standard work practices.

Required Skills

Required skills

Required skills for this unit are:

communication skills to:

determine requirements

enable clear and direct communication, using questioning to identify and confirm requirements, share information, listen and understand

follow instructions

read and interpret:

documentation from a variety of sources

plans, specifications and drawings

report faults

use language and concepts appropriate to cultural differences

use and interpret non-verbal communication, such as hand signals

numeracy skills to apply measurements and make calculations

organisational skills, including the ability to plan and set out work

teamwork skills to work with others to action tasks and relate to people from a range of cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with varying physical and mental abilities

technological skills to:

use a range of mobile technology, such as two-way radio and mobile phones

voice and hand signals to access and understand site-specific instructions.

Required knowledge

Required knowledge for this unit is:

brick and block expansion and growth, control and articulation joints

brick bond patterns

characteristics and applications of materials for masonry steps and stairs construction

construction terminology

job safety analysis (JSA) and safe work method statements

material safety data sheets (MSDS)

materials storage and environmentally friendly waste management

plans, specifications and drawings

processes for the calculation of material requirements

quality requirements

techniques of masonry steps and stairs construction

types, characteristics, uses and limitations of plant, tools and equipment

workplace and equipment safety requirements.

Evidence Required

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

This unit of competency could be assessed in the workplace or a close simulation of the workplace environment, provided that simulated or project-based assessment techniques fully replicate construction workplace conditions, materials, activities, responsibilities and procedures.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of the ability to:

locate, interpret and apply relevant information, standards and specifications

comply with site safety plan and OHS legislation, regulations and codes of practice applicable to workplace operations

comply with organisational policies and procedures, including quality requirements

safely and effectively use tools, plant and equipment

communicate and work effectively and safely with others

as a minimum, construct a flight of stairs with a minimum of three pre-cast treads, and construct a flight of three solid masonry treads with a parallel wing wall on one side, ensuring:

correct identification of requirement and finishing of the tasks

correct selection and use of appropriate processes, tools and equipment

completing all work to specification.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This competency is to be assessed using standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints.

Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge will usually be conducted in an off-site context.

Assessment is to comply with relevant regulatory or Australian standards' requirements.

Resource implications for assessment include:

an induction procedure and requirement

realistic tasks or simulated tasks covering the mandatory task requirements

relevant specifications and work instructions

tools and equipment appropriate to applying safe work practices

support materials appropriate to activity

workplace instructions relating to safe work practices and addressing hazards and emergencies

material safety data sheets

research resources, including industry related systems information.

Reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities must be made to assessment processes where required. This could include access to modified equipment and other physical resources, and the provision of appropriate assessment support.

Method of assessment

Assessment methods must:

satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Construction, Plumbing and Services Training Package

include direct observation of tasks in real or simulated work conditions, with questioning to confirm the ability to consistently identify and correctly interpret the essential underpinning knowledge required for practical application

reinforce the integration of employability skills with workplace tasks and job roles

confirm that competency is verified and able to be transferred to other circumstances and environments.

Validity and sufficiency of evidence requires that:

competency will need to be demonstrated over a period of time reflecting the scope of the role and the practical requirements of the workplace

where the assessment is part of a structured learning experience the evidence collected must relate to a number of performances assessed at different points in time and separated by further learning and practice, with a decision on competency only taken at the point when the assessor has complete confidence in the person's demonstrated ability and applied knowledge

all assessment that is part of a structured learning experience must include a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary evidence.

Assessment processes and techniques should as far as is practical take into account the language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate in relation to the competency being assessed.

Supplementary evidence of competency may be obtained from relevant authenticated documentation from third parties, such as existing supervisors, team leaders or specialist training staff.


Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Information includes:

diagrams or sketches

instructions issued by authorised organisational or external personnel

manufacturer specifications and instructions where specified

memos

MSDS

organisation work specifications and requirements

plans and specifications

regulatory and legislative requirements pertaining to constructing masonry steps and stairs

relevant Australian standards

safe work procedures related to constructing masonry steps and stairs

signage

verbal or written and graphical instructions

work bulletins

work schedules.

Bricklaying and blocklaying tasks:

include all clay brick (wire cut/pressed) and concrete block (hollow and solid) masonry work

may be performed on a new construction site, an existing structure being renovated or extended or an existing structure subject to service restoration or maintenance.

Safety (OHS) is to be in accordance with legislation, regulations, codes of practice, organisational safety policies and procedures, and project safety plan and may include:

emergency procedures, including emergency shutdown and stopping, extinguishing fires, organisational first aid requirements and evacuation

handling of materials

hazard control

hazardous materials and substances

safe operating procedures, including the conduct of operational risk assessment and treatments associated with:

earth leakage boxes

lighting

power cables, including overhead service trays, cables and conduits

restricted access barriers

surrounding structures

traffic control

trip hazards

underground services, including water, gas, electricity and communications

work site visitors and the public

working at heights

working in confined spaces

working in proximity to others

working with dangerous materials

organisational first aid

personal protective clothing and equipment prescribed under legislation, regulations and workplace policies and practices

use of firefighting equipment

use of tools and equipment

workplace environment and safety.

Tools and equipment:

include:

bolsters

brick grabs

brooms

buckets

builders' lines

concrete mixers

dumpy levels

elevators

hammers (brickies, club and scutch)

hoses

jig saws

jointing tools

line blocks

line pins

mason's squares

masonry saws

measuring tapes and rules

mortar boards

plumb rules

margin or raking tools

profiles

shovels

spirit levels

straight edges

string lines

trowels

wheelbarrows

may include:

brick buggies

elevators

forklifts

materials hoists

pallet trolleys

scaffolds

small petrol or diesel engines or compressors.

Quality requirements include relevant regulations, including:

Australian standards

internal company quality policy and standards

manufacturer specifications, where specified

workplace operations and procedures.

Materials include:

aggregates

cement

clay bricks

lime

masonry blocks

pre-cast concrete steps

waterproofing materials.

Environmental requirements include:

clean-up protection

noise and dust

vibration

waste management.

Statutory and regulatory authorities include:

federal, state and local authorities administering applicable Acts, regulations and codes of practice.

Brick and block stair construction includes:

internal and external construction of steps and stairs

stairs involving straight flights, which may incorporate landings.


Sectors

Unit sector

Construction


Co-Requisites

Nil


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not Applicable