Technical staff who haul underground cable for telecommunications cabling projects apply the skills and knowledge in this unit.

They may provide cabling in access networks or customer premises. They may also carry out cable maintenance, new installations or upgrades.

This unit may be applied to domestic, commercial or industrial installations.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare for safe underground cable hauling

1.1. Prepare for given work according to relevant legislation, codes, regulations and standards

1.2. Arrange access to the site according to required procedure

1.3. Inform appropriate personnel of identified hazards on worksite

1.4. Confirm hauling location of proposed cable according to the appropriate plan specifications obtained from authorised personnel

1.5. Obtain information on proposed locations of other services from relevant authorities

1.6. Set up tools and equipment required for safe work practice according to enterprise guidelines

1.7. Verify air pressure in drum cables before hauling to ensure integrity of the cable

1.8. Check for dangerous gases and place guards around open manholes following occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental requirements

2. Haul cable

2.1. Handle existing cables in a manner that avoids cable damage

2.2. Use roping techniques to prove that conduit is clear for hauling

2.3. Attach cable to rope and haul cable into and out of pits and manholes ensuring no sheath damage

2.4. Lubricate cable and haul at correct tension maintaining smooth passage between dispenser and hauler

2.5. Maintain cable and services separations in parallel runs and crossovers to meet manufacturer's and regulation requirements

2.6. Maintain sufficient cable length allowance for jointing and ensure cable is laid up and bent within bending radius tolerance for cable materials in underground enclosure

2.7. Seal and pressurise cables according to enterprise requirements to ensure no sheath damage

2.8. Tag cable for future identification

3. Complete works on site

3.1. Record any approved alteration to the original design using correct symbols and return to appropriate personnel

3.2. Complete and sign reports, where required, according to enterprise policy

3.3. Reinstate the site to customer's satisfaction and dispose of wastes in an environmentally safe manner

3.4. Notify customer and obtain sign off

Required skills

communication skills to liaise with internal and external personnel on technical and operational matters and work in teams

literacy skills to interpret technical documentation, such as cable plans, equipment manuals and specifications

numeracy skills to take and analyse measurements

planning and organisational skills to organise and maintain equipment

problem solving skills to solve equipment and logistics problems

safety awareness skills to:

apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist during work activities

select and use required personal protective equipment conforming to industry and OHS standards

work systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self or others, or damage to goods or equipment

task management skills to work systematically with required attention to detail and adherence to all safety requirements

technical skills to:

diagnostic equipment

perform fault clearance

use hand and power tools

Required knowledge

ACMA Competency Requirements for Telecommunications Cabling Provider Rules 2000

features and operating requirements of test equipment

information required to operate equipment according to a test specification

legislation, codes of practice and other formal agreements that impact on the work activity

manufacturer's recommendations for correct hauling optical fibre cables

safety precautions when working with laser based systems

specific OHS requirements relating to the activity and site conditions

test methods and performance requirements

typical issues and challenges that occur on site

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

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

Evidence of the ability to:

haul cable applying related OHS requirements and work practices, including those related to dangerous gases and air pressures in existing and new cable

use cable dispensing equipment

use specialised hand or power tools and equipment for hauling cable safely

read and interpret drawings

comply with all related OHS requirements and work practices.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

sites where installation of underground cable may be conducted

use of installation equipment currently used in industry

relevant regulatory and equipment documentation that impact on cable installation activities.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

review of a hands-on project completed by the candidate

review of an oral and written report with completed documentation, including updated cable plans and records

direct observation of the candidate hauling underground cable.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

ICTCBL2133A Construct underground telecommunications infrastructure.

Aboriginal people and other people from a non-English speaking background may have second language issues.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and assessment support when required.

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and appropriate to the oral communication skill level, and language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge. Questioning techniques should not require language, literacy and numeracy skills beyond those required in this unit of competency.

Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with special needs.

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.

Relevant legislation, codes, regulations and standards may include:

Australian Communications Industry Forum (ACIF) standards and codes

ACMA technical standards

ARPANSA electromagnetic radiation (EMR) standard

Australian building codes and regulations

Australian standards

enterprise standards

environmental protection

equipment standards, intrinsically safe lightning protection, site engineering standard

fire regulations

heritage legislation

international standards

local government

OHS

Radcoms Act

Telecoms Act

WI's, CI's, Business Operating Procedures (BOP), Radiocommunications Assignment and Licensing Instruction (RALI), assignment guidelines, spectrum planning reports.

Hazards may include:

earth potential rise (EPR)

optical cable:

bare fibres

hazardous laser light

remote power feeding

radio frequency (RF) emission.

Cable may include:

coaxial (CATV)

grease filled or air cored copper cable

optical fibre.

Plan specifications may include:

building plans

cable existing in pipes

cable size

conductor size

conduit size

construction plans

distance to be hauled

site layout drawings

site plans

street plans.

Authorised personnel may include:

construction manager

project manager

site manager

site supervisor.

Relevant authorities may include:

cable location services (Dial Before you Dig)

environment protection

local government

private owners

utility providers such as:

electricity

fire services

gas

other telecommunications providers

water.

Tools and equipment may include:

crane

forklift

hand

hauling eye

jinker

mandrill

mechanical

mesh stockings

power

pressure gauge

roly winch

winch truck.

Dangerous gases may be:

asphyxiating gas

carbon dioxide

carbon monoxide

combustible

natural gas

noxious gas.

Guards may be:

barricades

plates

temporary fencing.

OHS and environmental requirements may relate to:

identifying other services, including power and gas

need to decommission and isolate worksite and lines prior to commencement

personal protective clothing:

earmuffs

gloves:

leather

plastic

rubber

head protection

kneepads

masks

protective suits

safety boots

safety glasses

safe working practices, such as the safe use and handling of:

asbestos

chemicals

materials

tools and equipment

work platforms

safety equipment:

flashing lights

gas and other hazard detection equipment

safety barriers

trench guards

warning signs and tapes

witches hats

suitable light and ventilation

special access requirements

environmental considerations:

clean-up protection

stormwater protection

waste management.

Cable damage may be reduced using:

cable dispensing methods:

2 pair cable multi-dispenser

jinker or cable trailer

spinner

end sealing methods:

lead wipe

thermo-shrink end caps.

Roping techniques may include using:

blower-sucker

compressed air fibreglass rods

PVC rods

Thomas duct rodder.

Unit sector

Telecommunications

Cabling

This unit contains employability skills.