This unit of competency supports development of skills to identify and clear common plumbing system blockages using a range of specialist equipment. Site location for work application may be either domestic or commercial, and may be a new work site or an existing structure being renovated, extended, restored or maintained. |
Carry out OHS requirements | ||
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Prepare for work. | 1.1. Plans and specifications are obtained from job supervisor. 1.2. Safety (OHS) requirements associated with locating and clearing blockages and workplace environmental requirements, are adhered to throughout the work. 1.3. Quality assurance requirements are identified and adhered to in accordance with workplace requirements. 1.4. Tasks are planned and sequenced in conjunction with others involved in or affected by the work. 1.5. Tools and equipment, including personal protective equipment, are selected and checked for serviceability. 1.6. Work area is prepared to support efficient locating and clearing of blockage. |
2. Locate and clear blockage. | 2.1. Section containing blockage is located and isolated and its material identified. 2.2. Blockage clearing equipment is selected in accordance with the job. 2.3. Where necessary, mechanical drain clearing equipment is assembled and used in accordance with manufacturer instructions. 2.4. Blockage is cleared without causing damage to pipework and fittings. 2.5. Pipework is tested to confirm blockage is cleared from pipe system. 2.6. Pipework is repaired and resealed to permit normal use. 2.7. Authorities are advised of work completion. |
3. Clean up. | 3.1. Work area is cleared, with materials disposed of or recycled in accordance with state or territory statutory and regulatory authority legislation. 3.2. Tools and equipment are cleaned, checked, maintained and stored in accordance with manufacturer recommendations and workplace procedures. 3.3. Information is accessed and documentation completed in accordance with workplace requirements. |
Required skills |
Required skills for this unit are: communication skills to: access information complete workplace documentation determine requirements enable clear and direct communication, using questioning to identify and confirm requirements, share information, listen and understand follow instructions plan and sequence tasks with others read and interpret: drawings and specifications documentation from a variety of sources use language and concepts appropriate to cultural differences use and interpret non-verbal communication, such as hand signals identifying and accurately reporting to appropriate personnel any faults in tools, equipment or materials locating and clearing blockages, such as tree roots and other refuse, from sanitary plumbing, water and sewerage pipe installations and drainage and roof installations using: mechanically operated drain clearing machines and attachments manually operated drain cleaning tools and equipment numeracy skills to apply measurements and 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: access and understand site-specific instructions in a variety of media use mobile communication technology. |
Required knowledge |
Required knowledge for this unit is: application of mechanical and hydraulic principles for clearing blockages characteristics of different pipes, fittings and fixture supports, including fixing and joining techniques correct materials handling processes effective isolation processes and procedures job safety analysis (JSA) and safe work method statements (SWMS) processes of clearing blockages properties of water, including pressure and flow rates relevant statutory and authority requirements SI system of measurements workplace and equipment safety requirements. |
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 providing that simulated or project-based assessment techniques fully replicate plumbing and services 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: locating, interpreting and applying relevant information, standards and specifications to locate and clear blockages applying safety requirements throughout the work sequence, including the use of personal protective clothing and equipment as a minimum, the ability to locate and clear blockages from drainage pipework using both manual tools and mechanical equipment, ensuring: correct identification of location and clearance process correct selection and use of appropriate tools and equipment completing all work to specification compliance with regulations, standards and organisational quality procedures and processes communicating and working effectively and safely with others. |
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 minimum 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 working 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. |
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. | |
Safety (OHS) is to be in accordance with commonwealth, state and territory legislation and regulations and may include: | handling of materials hazard control hazardous materials and substances personal protective clothing and equipment prescribed under legislation, regulations and workplace policies and practices safe operating procedures, including recognising and preventing hazards associated with: blockage clearance tools and equipment dangerous materials other machines recently filled trenches services surrounding structure and facilities traffic control trip hazards work site visitors and the public working in confined spaces working in proximity to others use of tools and equipment workplace environment and safety use of firefighting equipment use of first aid equipment. |
Environmental requirements cover water quality management and may include: | clean-up protection stormwater protection waste management. |
Quality assurance requirements may include: | Environment Protection Authority (EPA) internal company quality assurance policy and risk management strategy International Standards Organisation site safety plan workplace operations and procedures. |
Tools and equipment include: | hacksaw hand and power tools heating equipment manually operated drain cleaning, including plungers and rods measuring equipment mechanically operated drain clearing machines and attachments, including the use of a sanitary snake pipe cameras pipe locating equipment plungers rods. |
Materials may include: | cast iron pipework concrete high density polyethylene (HDPE) unplasticised polyvinyl chloride (PVC-U) vitrified clay other approved products. |
Statutory and regulatory authorities include: | state or territory statutory authority statutory plumbing authority. |
Information may include: | charts and hand drawings diagrams or sketches instructions issued by authorised organisational or external personnel job drawings manufacturer specifications and instructions material safety data sheets (MSDS) memos organisation work specifications and requirements regulatory and legislative requirements, particularly those pertaining to: building codes OHS and environmental requirements plumbing regulations relevant Australian standards safe work procedures relating to locating and clearing blockages signage verbal, written and graphical instructions work bulletins work schedules, plans and specifications. |
Unit sector | Plumbing and services |
Nil | ||
This unit contains employability skills. |
Not Applicable