ICTOHS2153B - Work safely near power infrastructure

ICTOHS2153B
Work safely near power infrastructure

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge to conduct telecommunications operations near substantial safety hazards. It includes safe hazard management at heights near electrical distribution infrastructure, radiation devices or other services in confined spaces.If state or territory law require a licence to operate an elevated work platform (EWP) TLILIC508A Licence to operate a boom-type elevating work platform (boom length 11 metres or more) should be completed concurrently.

Application

Field officers who work with cables on elevated work platforms, in confined spaces and on roofs and other structures apply the skills and knowledge in this unit.

Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Conduct a risk assessment

1.1 Confirm work instructions with appropriate personnel and seek clarification if required

1.2 Select occupational health and safety (OHS) legislation, policy and procedures and technical standards relevant to the work and work site

1.3 Assess the risks from electrical, radiation, gas and other services in or adjacent to the worksite

1.4 Assess the safety of the worksite, other services and support structures using appropriate monitoring equipment

1.5 Complete a job safety analysis (JSA) or similar risk assessment record listing potential safety hazards associated with site and work requirements and report safety hazards to relevant personnel

1.6 Obtain and confirm permits from relevant authorities within scope of personal authority

1.7 Assess potential emergency situations relevant to the site

1.8 Note earthing arrangements for telecommunications infrastructure and any other services that impinge on the worksite

2. Develop hazard management plan

2.1 Propose strategies to manage potential safety hazards

2.2 Communicate hazard management strategies and confirm with co-workers

2.3 Establish and confirm safety procedures to ensure management of emergency situations

2.4 Obtain safety equipment and personal protective equipment

2.5 Delineate safe work zones and limits of approach to other services

2.6 Arrange road safety and traffic control measures

2.7 Implement safe strategies for working at heights and in confined spaces

3. Work safely

3.1 Use safety equipment and clothing effectively

3.2 Use ladders, climbing or lifting equipment to work safely at heights

3.3 Operate hand and power tools safely at heights

3.4 Work within identified safety zones and approach limits

3.5 Comply with enterprise and industry earthing practices

3.6 Monitor and manage risks throughout work procedures

3.7 Apply emergency procedures in the event of an incident

3.8 Reinstate the worksite to ensure the safety of telecommunications workers, the public and the telecommunications network

Required Skills

Required skills

communication skills to listen and liaise with clients on technical and operational matters and raise OHS matters

literacy skills to interpret technical documentation and standards and demonstrate knowledge by incorporating technical language into identifying and reporting on safety hazards and emergency situations

planning skills in establishing measures in road safety and strategies for working at heights

problem solving skills to apply methodology in minimising risks

research skills to identify OHS legislation, policy and procedures relevant to the worksite 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 distinguish between insulated and bare conductors, low voltage (LV) and high voltage (HV) cables and ways of ascertaining the voltages present.

Required knowledge

appropriate electrical safety and technical knowledge relating to the type of work, operating plant or vehicle near power lines (safe system of work according to the relevant electrical regulations and Acts)

environmental control processes:

disposal and handling of hazardous and dangerous substances

noise pollution

waste disposal

rights and responsibilities of the workplace parties under environmental and OHS Acts, regulations and codes of practice

sound knowledge of OHS including legislation and standards

ways in which OHS is managed in the workplace, and activities required under OHS legislation, including:

hazard identification

hazards that exist in the workplace

OHS instruction

preferred order of ways to control risks (known as the hierarchy of control)

risk assessment and control

sound knowledge of operating safely at heights

training and provision of OHS information

workplace environmental and OHS procedures relevant to the work being undertaken, including procedures for:

designated personnel responsible for OHS

employee participation in OHS management

meaning of OHS symbols found on signs and labels in the workplace

raising OHS issues

recognising and reporting on hazards

responding to accidents, fires and emergencies

work operations to control risks.

Evidence Required

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: conduct a risk assessment for a telecommunications site near power infrastructure develop a hazard management plan apply safety precautions while working at heights and confined spaces near power infrastructure.
Context of, and specific resources for assessment	Assessment must ensure: telecommunications site near power infrastructure relevant OHS Acts, regulations and codes of practice enterprise OHS policies and procedures personal protective equipment.
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: direct observation of the candidate assessing and implementing safe work practices oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of OHS concepts, risk assessment practices and development of hazard management plan evaluation of written documentation on planning and implementation of safety measures and strategies.
Guidance information for assessment	Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example: ICTWHS2170B Follow occupational health and safety and environmental policy and procedures ICTCBL2065B Splice and terminate optical fibre cable for carriers or service providers. 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.

Range Statement

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.

Appropriate personnel may include:	construction manager consultant project manager safety officer site manager site supervisor.
OHS legislation, policy and procedures and technical standards may include:	Australian Communications Industry Forum (ACIF) standards and codes Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) standards TS 14 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 general duty of care under OHS legislation and common law International Standards ISO 9000 and 9001 International Telecommunications Union (ITU) recommendations OHS Acts and relevant codes and standards provisions relating to OHS issue resolution provisions relating to roles and responsibilities of health and safety representatives and OHS committees road and traffic control legislation and codes regulations and codes of practice relating to hazards present in the workplace or industry technical standards AS/ACIF S008:2006 and AS/ACIF S009:2006 Telecommunications Act and relevant codes.
Risks from electrical, radiation, gas and other services may relate to:	cable types fire alarms gas pipes pole construction radiation emissions sewerage voltages water pipes.
Support structures may include:	joint use with electrical services, building services or other utilities support structures construction may include: brick concrete steel or a suitable combination wood.
Monitoring equipment may include:	electrical current leakages devices gas leakage detector pole safety tester radio frequency (RF) leakage detector.
Job safety analysis (JSA) includes:	documents for new workplace or worksite situation health, safety and environmental hazards primary application of assessment sheets to record the steps in the risk management process: assessment control identification.
Safety hazards may include:	electrical current leakage general site conditions geography structural faults in support structures radiation weather debris on ground electrically unsafe equipment faulty equipment gas leak loose wires slippery surfaces unsafe work at heights.
Relevant authorities may include:	cable location services (Dial Before you Dig) environment protection local government private owners utility providers: electricity gas telecommunications water.
Emergency situations may include:	collapse of support structure damage to infrastructure injury to personnel.
Earthing arrangements may include:	ACMA standards manufacturer’s enterprise local environmental hazard requirements.
Manage potential safety hazards may include:	additional safety precautions or equipment road closures roof guards shutdown or relocation of other services site clearances specialised operational equipment temporary outage warning signs.
Safety equipment may include:	aerial safety belts and lines flashing lights guards traffic signs warning signs and tapes witches hats.
Personal protective equipment may include:	asbestos precautions dust protection earmuffs eye protection gas monitoring equipment gloves: plastic rubber leather gumboots hard hats overalls personal reflecting jackets radiation protection clothing riggers gloves safety boots vests.
Safe work zones and limits of approach may relate to:	area near electricity supply assets and sources of radiation advice published by: ACIF asset owners private companies state and territory authorities from one to several metres away from live electrical or radiation emitting infrastructure gas and water services.
Road safety and traffic control measures may include:	additional personnel to manage traffic flow barricades placement of cones sign and warning lights.
Confined spaces includes:	equipment cupboards pits power asset space roof spaces shafts.
Ladders, climbing or lifting equipment may include:	devices to support construction personnel at heights: elevated work platforms fixed ladders non-metallic ladders safety harnesses.

Sectors

Telecommunications - Occupational health and safety

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.

Licensing Information

Licensing, legislative, regulatory and certification requirements apply to working at heights. If an EWP is required, verify state or territory law requirements for a licence to operate an EWP.

If working at heights, achievement of the unit CPCPCM2015A Work safely on roofs from the CPC08 Construction and Plumbing Services integrated framework training package fulfils this requirement.

This unit addresses confined spaces but does not confer endorsement for work in confined spaces. This requires extensive specialised training which is beyond the scope of this unit. Users should confirm requirements with the relevant federal, state or territory authority.