1

Stop operation if vehicle contacts overhead wires.

1.1

Operation of lifter or vehicle is stopped immediately if contact with overhead wires is made, to prevent potential danger.

1.2

Nature of electrical event or potential threat is assessed from inside cab of vehicle.

2

Remain in vehicle if there is no potential threat.

2.1

While operator remains in vehicle, people in close proximity are directed to stay clear until area is electrically safe and situation is resolved, according to organisational requirements and legislation and codes.

2.2

Relevant organisational personnel are contacted and informed of exact location and nature of incident according to organisational requirements and legislation and codes.

3

Evacuate vehicle in the case of potential threat.

3.1

Location of possible fallen wires is determined and all parts of vehicle are treated as live.

3.2

Side of the vehicle where exit can be made safely is identified.

3.3

Vehicle is exited safely.

4

Report the incident.

4.1

Operator observes organisational policy with regard to reporting method or returning to depot.

4.2

Incident report is completed according to organisational requirements and legislation and codes.

Required skills

self-management skills to:

apply emergency response and safety procedures in a decisive, calm and efficient manner

apply signalling techniques

oral communication skills to provide clear information on safety issues

reading skills to interpret gauges and indicators

driving skills to operate vehicle safely and efficiently

written communication skills for:

incident reports

documentation

Required knowledge

electrical safety identification

occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements relating to:

safe emergency action

first aid

OHS hierarchy of control

industry standards

overhead wire infrastructure knowledge to understand:

dangerous electrical events

suitable emergency response procedures

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 by discussion, relaying the safe operational practices when vehicles contact overhead wires.

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 required skills and knowledge specified in this unit.

In particular the person should demonstrate the ability to:

identify potential hazards and risks

apply emergency response procedures suitable to nature of hazardous event

evacuate the vehicle immediately and according to required procedures upon vehicle contact with overhead wires.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge may be conducted in an off-site context. It is to comply with relevant regulatory or Australian standards’ requirements.

Resource implications for assessment include:

work plans and approved specifications

forms and procedures manuals.

Method of assessment

Operational practices when a vehicle comes into contact with overhead wires must comply with industry expectations in the particular client environment. If the environment is narrowly defined or is not representative of industry needs, it may be necessary to refer to portfolio case studies to assess competency in safe operational practices to vehicle contact with overhead wires.

Assessment methods must:

satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Property 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.

Guidance information for assessment

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.

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.

This unit could be assessed on its own or in combination with other units of competency relevant to the job function, for example:

CPPCMN3003A Contribute to workplace safety arrangements.

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.

Overhead wires may include wires or structures, such as:

catenary wires

pay TV

power company wire that may be:

high voltage wire – wire carrying a voltage above low voltage in accordance with state regulations

low voltage wire – wire carrying a voltage greater than extra low voltage, but not more than 1000V AC RMS or 1500V ripple-free DC; this includes service lines or feeders (i.e. 240V or 415V), street lighting wires (240V) and telecommunications cabling (i.e. 90V)

low wire – wire or similar structure that has been erected or is suspended at a height that would permit contact with vehicle or load during normal collection operations

service lines

streetlight power supply lines

telecommunication wires.

Potential danger may include:

contact with component of vehicle or load, which may create:

disruption of service

health and safety risk to vehicle or load

health and safety risk to vehicle operators and members of the public.

Electrical event may include:

event that involves electrical equipment and in which significant property damage is caused directly by electricity or originates from electricity

circumstances in which a person is not electrically safe if:

circumstances involve high voltage electrical equipment

person has not received a shock or injury but may still be unsafe

electrical contact that does not comply with state or territory legislation.

Potential threat may include:

event involving imminent risk of explosion

death

fire

serious bodily injury.

Organisational requirements may include information found in:

briefing papers

job sheets

letters

memos

operations manuals

quality assurance documents

verbal or written instructions

work procedures.

Legislation and codes may include:

codes, including:

Australian Code for the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road and Rail

industry

commonwealth, state and territory legislation, including:

anti-discrimination

environmental protection

equal employment opportunity

freedom of information

industrial

OHS

trade practices

road laws.

Nature of incident may include the vehicle, or part of the vehicle, or an object in contact with the vehicle:

contacting overhead wires and remaining in contact with overhead wires

bringing down overhead wires

becoming entangled in overhead wires

temporarily contacting overhead wires and causing no apparent damage.

Exiting safely from a vehicle must include:

ground and vehicle are not touched at same time when exiting

jumping clear of vehicle and landing on feet in a stationary position, with feet held closely together

with feet held tightly together, a series of small hops (bunny hops) is conducted to be at least 10 metres clear of vehicle and other potentially energised items.

Organisation may include:

all forms of business enterprises in this context, including:

government agencies

internal customers

local governments and councils

private and public companies

residents and ratepayers.