Application
This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to operate specific types of elevated work platforms (EWPs) safely and effectively in different locations, including on uneven terrain. The unit includes locating, setting up, operating and shutting down scissor lifts and self-propelled boom lifts with a boom length under 11 metres.
The unit supports construction workers in the safe and effective operation of electrical, hydraulic and mechanical EWPs.
The unit does not cover truck-mounted EWPs, powered telescoping devices, hinged devices or articulated devices, or any combination of these used to support a platform on which personnel, equipment and materials may be elevated to perform work and which has a boom length of 11 metres or more.
It applies to construction work on residential and commercial work sites in new construction, renovation or refurbishment, and maintenance projects.
Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit in some States. Relevant state and territory regulatory authorities should be consulted to confirm those requirements.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions. | ||
1. | Plan and prepare. | 1.1. | Job requirements are obtained, confirmed and applied to planning. |
1.2. | Work site is inspected and terrain level checked to determine stabilising and safe working area requirements. | ||
1.3 | Work site conditions and hazards are assessed and site health and safety requirements confirmed and applied to planning. | ||
1.4 | Safe work method statement (SWMS) for the type of EWP and job and work site requirements is reviewed with relevant personnel and confirmed. | ||
1.5. | Plant, tools and equipment, including personal protective equipment (PPE), are selected according to job requirements, checked for serviceability, and faults are rectified or reported before starting work. | ||
1.6. | Materials appropriate to the work application are identified, obtained, prepared, safely handled and located ready for use. | ||
1.7. | Verbal and non-verbal communication signals are confirmed with team members, supervisor, and other personnel working on site, as required. | ||
1.8. | Rescue plan, including use of fall arrest system, is established and practised before using EWP. | ||
2. | Conduct routine checks of EWP. | 2.1. | Power source is connected to platform equipment according to manufacturer specifications. |
2.2. | Routine pre-operational equipment checks are carried out according to operator manual or manufacturer specifications, and logbooks for defect checks and EWP maintenance schedules. | ||
2.3. | Equipment is switched on in line with start-up procedures, and controls are checked for correct operation and ease of movement. | ||
2.4. | EWP is checked to ensure that emergency safety devices | ||
3. | Locate EWP in place. | 3.1. | Platform is positioned for work application and stabilisers, if fitted, are engaged to set equipment base level into place according to safe operating procedures. |
3.2. | Tools, equipment and materials are placed into bucket or on platform according to job application requirements. | ||
4. | Elevate platform to work location. | 4.1. | Fall arrest harness is fitted securely and lanyard is connected to attachment point. |
4.2. | EWP controls are operated according to manufacturer recommendations and platform is elevated to work position. | ||
4.3. | Power is switched off where specified and locking devices are engaged according to operator manual. | ||
4.4. | Work is carried out according to job specification, operator manual, and health and safety requirements. | ||
5. | Lower platform and shut down. | 5.1. | Controls are operated according to manufacturer recommendations and platform is lowered to down position. |
5.2. | Shut-down procedures are carried out according to operator manual instructions and equipment is switched off. | ||
6. | Clean up. | 6.1. | Work area is cleared and materials disposed of, reused or recycled according to legislation, regulations, codes of practice, and job specifications. |
6.2. | EWP, tools and equipment are cleaned, checked, maintained and stored according to manufacturer recommendations and standard work practices. | ||
6.3. | Work completion procedures are applied and relevant personnel notified that work is finished. |
Evidence of Performance
A person demonstrating competency in this unit must satisfy all of the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit. The person must also set up and operate each of the following types of elevated work platforms (EWPs) at two different locations on the site, including moving the plant around the work site safely:
self-propelled boom lift (BL)
scissor lift (SL).
The following functions and controls must be performed while operating both BL and SL:
boom up and down
operate attachments
operate outriggers, where fitted.
The following functions and controls must be performed while operating the BL:
slew left and right
telescope in and out.
At least one EWP must be set up and operated on uneven terrain, using outriggers as required.
In doing the above, when working above six metres, the person must fit harnesses and attach lanyards as follows:
energy or shock absorbers, which must be used with all fall arrest equipment
lanyards, which must be attached to the harness installed so that the maximum distance a person equipped with a harness would free fall before the fall arrest system takes effect is two metres.
In doing the above, the person must also:
establish and apply a rescue plan
apply safe operating procedures, including conducting 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
work site visitors and the public
working at heights up to 11 metres
working in proximity to others
working with dangerous materials
locate, interpret and apply information relating to job requirements, including:
diagrams and sketches
environmental requirements, including:
clean-up protection
noise and dust management
vibration management
waste management
quality requirements relevant to EWP work
instructions issued by authorised organisational and external personnel
manufacturer specifications, operator manual, and instructions where specified
signage
industry standards and job specifications
verbal, written and graphical instructions
work schedules, plans and specifications
comply with site safety plan and health and safety legislation, regulations and codes of practice applicable to workplace operations
safely and effectively use tools, plant and equipment relevant to EWP work
ensure safe working load of EWP is not exceeded
communicate with others on the work site using verbal and non-verbal communication and communication technology
work effectively and safely with others on the work site.
Evidence of Knowledge
A person demonstrating competency in this unit must demonstrate knowledge of:
functions and operational limitations of EWP equipment
types of EWP equipment and health and safety authority certification of competency requirements
controls and techniques for using EWP
health and safety requirements for construction work sites, including:
procedures relating to equipment operation, including emergency shutdown and stopping, extinguishing equipment fires, organisational first aid requirements, and evacuation procedures
hazard identification and risk control procedures, including for handling hazardous materials and dangerous goods
selection and use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
location and use of firefighting equipment
selection and use of tools and equipment
processes for identifying equipment faults
general construction terminology relevant to operating EWPs
safe operating procedures for operating EWPs, including contents of and terms used in:
job safety analyses (JSA)
safe work method statements (SWMS)
safety data sheets (SDS)
processes for calculating load mass requirements
quality requirements relevant to operating EWPs
regulatory and legislative requirements relevant to operating EWPs
AS 2550 Set: Cranes, hoists and winches - Safe use
relevant Acts, regulations and codes of practice relevant to working safely at heights on construction sites
procedures for working safely at heights
signalling methods and communications relevant to operating EWPs
types, characteristics, use and limitations of plant, tools and equipment relevant to operating EWPs
use and limitations of fall rescue systems.
Assessment Conditions
Suitable assessment of performance requires:
equipment:
EWPs
extension leads
safety harnesses and lanyards
special attachments for the EWP when shifting equipment
PPE prescribed under legislation, regulations, codes of practice and workplace policies and practices
materials:
logbooks
service manuals
operator manuals
contingencies:
uneven terrain
specifications:
AS 2550 Set: Cranes, hoists and winches - Safe use
job specifications
manufacturer specifications
SWMS
physical conditions:
different weather conditions
relationship with team members and supervisor:
work is conducted as part of a team
timeframe:
according to job requirements.
Assessor requirements
As a minimum, assessors must satisfy the assessor requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) current at the time of assessment.
Foundation Skills
This section describes the language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills essential to performance in this unit but not explicit in the performance criteria. | |
Skill | Performance feature |
Numeracy skills to: | interpret safe working load of EWP from manufacturer specifications calculate the load to be put on EWP. |
Oral communication skills to: | provide work site personnel with key safety information when elevating and lowering an EWP use listening and questioning to clarify job and health and safety requirements. |
Reading skills to: | interpret operator manual instructions for using different controls of EWPs and operating on different types of terrain. |
Writing skills to: | legibly complete required documentation, including: equipment inspection and handover documents that form part of work completion procedures faulty equipment or workplace incident reports. |
Planning and organising skills to: | plan and schedule work in a logical sequence. |
Range Statement
This section specifies work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. | |
Safe work method statement must include: | assessing terrain at work site identifying location of overhead power lines directly above or within specified clearance distances as set out in documentation, such as WorkSafe Victoria’s ‘No Go Zones For Overhead Electrical Power Lines’ reference to permission to operate EWP from the power authority, if required identifying hazards and assessing risks for type of EWP, work site and job tasks, including existence of underground pits health and safety and environmental requirements mandated by regulatory authorities, work site safety plan, and workplace procedures establishing exclusion areas using signage and barricades identifying risk control measures to be implemented for job tasks safe operating procedures for type of EWP safe working load of the EWP using tools and equipment, including PPE, prescribed by legislation, regulations, and work site and workplace requirements. |
Emergency safety devices must be applicable to the EWP and include three or more of the following: | bleed valves electronic override emergency electric hydraulic pump emergency or controlled descent device ground controls manual hydraulic pump. |
Work completion procedures must include: | completing logbook completing post-operational checks safely and securely storing safety equipment. |
Sectors
Construction
Competency Field
Common