Application
This unit specifies the outcomes required to safely undertake only ceiling insulation installation work using bulk insulation products. The unit includes identifying legislative, regulatory, and job requirements; planning and preparing to install insulation; installing insulation; and, completing installation, including preparation of a Statement of Insulation Installation.
The unit requires a person undertaking this work to comply with legislative, regulatory, safety and technical, organisational and site requirements while planning and carrying out the work.
The unit applies to insulation installers working primarily in residential buildings, although there may be application in some instances in commercial buildings.
Persons undertaking this unit should be aware that coverage of this unit extends only to ceiling insulation and does not include the broader context of wall and floor insulation installation.
At the time of endorsement there was no requirement by any state or territory regulator for insulation installers to complete this unit for licensing or registration purposes.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENTS Elements describe the essential outcomes. | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. | ||
1. | Define job requirements. | 1.1 | Identify scope of required installation activities through review of job requirements and inspection of work site. |
1.2. | Assess and control site risks and hazards and communicate and clarify any issues with supervisor. | ||
1.3. | Identify requirements of workplace procedures for responding to the presence of vermin, asbestos, and dust within the workspace. | ||
1.4. | Identify required safety equipment and processes by review of work order, risk assessment, Safety Data Sheets (SDS), Safe Use Instruction Sheet (SUIS) and safety legislation. | ||
1.5. | Identify and review requirements of Australian Standard (AS) AS3999 relating to electrical inspections, safety and installation activities. | ||
1.6. | Identify and review workplace environmental requirements that relate to the installation activities. | ||
1.7. | Identify and review workplace emergency response and evacuation procedures as they apply to the site of the installation activities. | ||
1.8. | Identify and review work instructions and specifications that relate to the installation activities. | ||
2. | Plan and prepare for installing insulation. | 2.1. | Undertake an electrical risk assessment and prepare an electrical risk assessment report. |
2.2. | Document and submit for approval a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) for the worksite, incorporating identified risks and hazards, the outcomes of the electrical risk assessment, electrical isolation procedure and the hazard hierarchy of control. | ||
2.3. | Plan job incorporating identified requirements of work order, work site, safety legislation, AS 3999, environmental requirements, work instructions and specifications and SWMS. | ||
2.4. | Confirm that insulating material and insulation requirements meet work instructions and thermal and acoustic performance specifications. | ||
2.5. | Put in place all requirements of the SWMS. | ||
2.6. | Select Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), tools, equipment and associated materials, check for serviceability and report for repair or replacement where unserviceable. | ||
3. | Install ceiling insulation. | 3.1. | Isolate worksite electrical circuits and install safety signage and lock-out tag in accordance with the SWMS. |
3.2. | Undertake installation work in accordance with the SWMS. | ||
3.3. | Undertake installation work using approved methods of measurement and cutting of insulating material. | ||
3.4. | Undertake installation work in accordance with requirements of AS 3999 for recessed luminaries and electrical cable. | ||
3.5. | Undertake installation work in accordance with manufacturers’ specifications and minimise waste. | ||
3.6. | Install insulation without damage or distortion of the surrounding environment, electrical and other services and in a manner that maximises safety of self and others. | ||
3.7. | Conduct final inspection to ensure installed ceiling insulation conforms to work instructions, AS 3999 and manufacturers’ specifications. | ||
4. | Complete installation. | 4.1. | Clean work area and dispose of, re-use or re-cycle materials following workplace and environmental procedures. |
4.2. | Clean, check, maintain and store tools and equipment in accordance with manufacturer specifications. | ||
4.3. | Document details of malfunctions, faults, wear or damage to tools and equipment and report for repair or replacement. | ||
4.4. | Document, distribute and store Statement of Insulation Installation. |
Evidence of Performance
A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must; Conduct an electrical risk assessment and prepare an electrical risk assessment report. Plan and install: bulk insulation in: a ceiling space with a minimum area of 9 square metres. The person must provide evidence from each of the above activities that: satisfies the elements and associated performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit; and confirms the activities to be in accordance with legislative and workplace requirements specified in Knowledge Evidence. |
Evidence of Knowledge
A person demonstrating competency in this unit must provide evidence to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the following knowledge evidence items. Each item defines the type and depth of the knowledge required to meet the demands of one or more performance criteria. |
Jurisdictional Workplace Health and Safety and environmental legislation and regulations |
Workplace requirements for undertaking all aspects of ceiling insulation installation, including interpreting work orders and reporting problems |
Procedures to safely use equipment, shift and handle products and materials, and work at heights and in enclosed areas to install ceiling insulation in common situations |
Organisational procedures for responding to the presence of pests/vermin, asbestos and dust within an installation workspace |
Risks of asbestos containing materials (ACM), and their use in common building materials used in ceiling spaces |
Key requirements of legislation, regulation and building codes related to ceiling insulation |
Tools and equipment prohibited for use near identified asbestos-containing materials (ACM) |
Appropriate PPE and its use in ceiling insulation installation |
Safety data sheets (SDS) and Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS) commonly used in ceiling insulation installation |
Common health and safety risks associated with handling ceiling insulation products |
Emergency response and evacuation procedures relating to ceiling insulation installation |
Work instructions and specifications relating to ceiling insulation installation |
Electrical risk assessment process, hazard identification and reporting as per Australian Standard (AS) AS 3999 for common ceiling insulation installation |
Hierarchy of hazard control as it relates to ceiling insulation installation |
Organisational requirements and procedures relating to ceiling insulation installation, including requirements for a systematic approach to planning own work |
Key requirements of Australian Standards relating to ceiling insulation, including: AS/NZS 4859.1 Materials for the thermal insulation of buildings - Testing and labelling of insulation; and AS/NZS 3000 (with Amd 1) Wiring Rules, in particular Clause 4.5.2.3. |
Requirements relating to ceiling insulation installation from AS 3999 for: personal safety; electrical risk assessment; approved processes; and energy efficiency – new products and technologies. |
Specifications of common ceiling installation materials, including R rating and dimensions |
Types, safety, characteristics, uses and limitations of common ceiling insulation installation tools and equipment |
Type and purpose of lock out tags in ceiling insulation installation |
Requirements of AS 3999 for recessed luminaries and electrical cable, in ceiling insulation installation including: operating temperature limit of electrical cables; effect on cables partially surrounded by thermal insulation and fully surrounded by thermal insulation; common wiring systems used in domestic premises indicating the age of the installation; clearance and restraint methods to retain thermal insulation from recessed down lights and ancillary equipment; and electrical hazards in roof spaces, including unenclosed connections, unenclosed conductors, damaged cable sheaths and exposed conductors. |
Product and process knowledge to identify common problems and predict consequences in ceiling insulation installation |
Quality requirements for installation of ceiling insulation material including thermal and acoustic performance |
Energy efficiency of common ceiling insulation material types |
Methods for measuring and cutting ceiling insulation material |
Procedures for conducting a final inspection of a ceiling insulation installation |
Workplace procedures for environmental requirements for waste, including waste management and recycling relating to ceiling insulation installation |
Procedures for cleaning, checking and maintaining tools and equipment used for ceiling insulation installation |
Procedures for dealing with faulty ceiling insulation installation tools and equipment |
Procedures for documenting, distributing and storing Statements of Insulation Installation incorporating the format and required information as defined in AS 3999 – Appendix D |
Assessment Conditions
As a minimum, assessors must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards. Assessment of performance must be undertaken in the workplace and/or under realistic workplace conditions which typically reflect: the use of industry standard equipment; performing tasks/activities to the level of proficiency and within timelines that would be expected in a workplace; and following standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints. Assessment must include work in enclosed areas with an access/egress point (e.g. manhole) and ceiling space obstructions including roof framing, electrical cabling and recessed luminaries. Assessors are responsible for ensuring that candidates have access to specifications for: conducting an electrical risk assessment and preparing an electrical risk assessment report; and a ceiling installation task in a ceiling space with a minimum area of 9 square metres. ceiling spaces; materials and tools; relevant sections of the Australian Standards/National Construction Code; relevant sections of WHS/OHS legislation; electrical risk assessment report; SWMS template; Statement of Insulation Installation template; PPE; and technical documentation. |
Foundation Skills
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
Not Applicable
Sectors
Construction
Competency Field
Plasterboard