Technicians and lineman installers who install and maintain network cable equipment within the broadband infrastructure deployment apply the skills and knowledge in this unit.

They may upgrade a coaxial or optical fibre cable as part of a HFC network, a broadband access network or a large customer private network.

A cable network can be for indoor and outdoor installations within a customer premises or a service provider access network and may be a domestic, commercial or industrial installation.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare for cable maintenance

1.1. Obtain relevant legislation, codes, regulations and standards for compliance when conducting work

1.2. Scope the work by obtaining project plan from appropriate personnel and arrange for site access to comply with security arrangements

1.3. Notify appropriate personnel of identified safety hazards at the worksite

1.4. Determine cable route and type of cable from schedule and identify and avoid other services

1.5. Obtain plant, tools and safety equipment and material to perform tasks safely and efficiently

2. Maintain cables, cable supports and enclosures

2.1. Follow occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental requirements for the given work and avoid contact with other services

2.2. Clean area of debris, vegetation and foreign matter if required

2.3. Conduct visual inspections on cable infrastructure for assessment of evident damages according to enterprise guidelines and notify appropriate personnel

2.4. Undertake remedial action on damages according to warranties and service level agreements prior to maintenance routine

2.5. Perform maintenance tasks and tests in a safe manner and note activities on maintenance schedule

3. Complete maintenance documentation

3.1. Record test results, maintenance activities and corrective actions for future reference and complete maintenance schedule attendance chart according to enterprise requirements

3.2. Recover obsolete materials and return to appropriate point for disposal

3.3. Restore site according to the requirements of enterprise or approving authority and to customer satisfaction

3.4. Notify appropriate personnel of job completion and obtain sign off

Required skills

analytical skills to interpret test equipment settings and readings

communication skills to liaise with customers to ensure requirements are known and can be met within timeframes

literacy skills to interpret technical specifications and related documentation

planning and organisation skills to arrange site access and monitor own work

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

technical skills to:

correctly handle and connect test equipment

repair damage to cable networks

Required knowledge

cabling types, connectors and cabling structures

connections to carrier infrastructure or equipment, such as main distribution frame (MDF) or customer interface units (CIU)

customer premises equipment

electrical and optical properties to be measured

OHS considerations including:

electrical safety and lifting hazards

manufacturer's requirements for safe operation of equipment

test methods and performance requirements

typical issues and challenges that occur on site

warranties and service level agreement

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:

maintain cables, cable supports and enclosures

test and interpret results

undertake remedial action on damages

safely use specialised hand or power tools and equipment

apply regulations and standards related to the maintenance

comply with all related OHS requirements and work practices.

Context of, and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

sites where maintenance of network cable may be conducted

use of equipment currently used in industry

relevant regulatory and equipment documentation that impact on maintenance activities.

Methods of assessment

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

direct observation of the candidate visually inspecting cable infrastructure

direct observation of the candidate undertaking remedial action

review of reports completed by the candidate outlining test results, maintenance activities and corrective action taken

oral or written questioning to assess required knowledge.

Guidance information for assessment

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

ICTWOR3127A Supervise work site activities.

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

appropriate licences:

crane

EWP

forklift

winch

AS Communications Cabling Manual (CCM)
Volume 1

AS/NZS 3000:2007

AS/NZS 3080:2003

AS/NZS 3084:2003

AS/NZS 3085.1:2004

AS/NZS IEC 61935.1:2006

AS/NZS IEC 61935.2:2006

AS/NZS ISO/IEC 14763.3:2007

AS/NZS ISO/IEC 15018:2005

AS/NZS ISO/IEC 24702:2007

cabling security codes and regulations

Environmental Protection Acts

ISO Draft 11801 (International)

OHS

regulated or industry codes of practice including appropriate ACMA standards

relevant Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) standards

road and traffic control legislation and codes

technical standards AS/ACIF S008:2006 and AS/ACIF S009:2006.

Appropriate personnel may be:

cable administrator

consultant

customer

project engineer

project manager

site supervisor.

Safety hazards may refer to:

access points that may contain:

hazardous light (non-visible laser)

radio frequency (RF) emission

contact with remote power feed

electrical supply and areas of earth potential rise (EPR) that require mandatory separation from communications cable

hazardous conduit as according to AS 1345:1995 conduit colours associated with a hazardous service

unsafe support structures:

condemned poles

visible signs of decay or stress

unsafe weather:

heavy rains

high winds

severe heat or cold

thunderstorms.

Cable may be:

aluminium

coaxial

copper

lead encased

optical fibre

plastic sheathed

structured data cables.

Other services may include:

availability and suitability of existing cabling trays and fixing systems

drainage and sewerage

fire sprinkler systems

gas and water mains

high voltage (HV) power.

Plant, tools and safety equipment may include:

plant:

elevated platform vehicle

ladders

scissor lifts

wire raising tool (insulated)

safety equipment:

personal protective clothing:

earmuffs

fall arrest systems

gloves

head protection

kneepads

masks

protective suits

safety boots

safety glasses

flashing lights

gas and other hazard detection equipment

safety barriers

trench guards

warning signs and tapes

test equipment:

cable tester

continuity tester

LAN Cat tester

passive optical network (PON) meter

tools:

auger

fixing brackets

spanner.

OHS and environmental requirements may relate to:

decommissioning and isolating worksite and lines prior to commencement

identifying other services, including power and gas

personal protective clothing:

earmuffs

gloves:

leather

plastic

rubber

head protection

kneepads

masks

protective suits

safety boots

safety glasses

safety harness

safety line

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

special access requirements

suitable light and ventilation

environmental considerations:

clean-up protection

stormwater protection

waste management.

Visual inspections may include:

damaged items:

cabinets

cable sheath

cable supports

cables

conduit

enclosures

equipment

lead-in cable

terminations

gas pressure alarms.

Cable infrastructure may include:

cables

cable supports

enclosures:

cabinets

fibre hubs

housing

pits.

Remedial action may include:

by-pass to another route

repair damage

replace damaged item.

Maintenance schedule may include:

customer requirements

location and type of cable and equipment

maintenance schedule report

maintenance tasks

process notification for disruption to service

spare parts availability

tests required

visual inspections details.

Unit sector

Telecommunications

Cabling

This unit contains employability skills.