NWP230B
Maintain and repair irrigation channels and drains

This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to maintain and repair irrigation or stock and domestic supply channels and drains.

Application

This unit supports the attainment of skills and knowledge required for field and operational staff with responsibility for carrying out planned and emergency maintenance and repair work on raw water delivery systems.


Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Plan and prepare work site.

1.1 Determine work requirements from plans, drawings, specifications or instructions.

1.2 Make appropriate drainage and inflow diversion arrangements without damage to environment.

1.3 Select and check equipment and excavation methods to meet safety requirements of task and site.

2Maintain irrigation channels, drains and associated fittings.

2.1 Conduct routine inspections of designated work areas according to maintenance schedules.

2.2 Identify system faults and apply corrective action according to structure type, location, specification and legislative and organisational requirements.

2.3 Identify, select, place and join components and associated fittings according to manufacturer specifications and organisational requirements.

2.4 Construct cast in situ components according to specifications and organisational requirements.

2.5 Repair earthworks and embankments to meet organisational requirements.

3Check work and restore work site.

3.1 Check repaired or replaced components and earthworks to ensure that specifications have been met.

3.2 Backfill, compact and restore work site to meet environmental and organisational requirements.

4Finalise work.

4.1 Check, maintain and store equipment, tools and materials according to manufacturer guidelines and organisational procedures.

4.2 Complete workplace records and process as required.

Required Skills

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required skills:

identify and respond to operational problems

lay concrete

insert water stop or seal

produce reports and logs

use safety and personal protective equipment

use tools and machinery

interpret plans, charts and instructions

perform work-related calculations

apply procedures and standards

work effectively as part of a team

communicate with employees and customers

use communication equipment

use literacy skills in regard to verbal and written communication in the workplace

give and receive instructions.

Required knowledge:

environmental aspects of maintenance

construction processes

concrete placement techniques, including compaction

water to cement ratio of concrete

relevant utilities and service providers

communication systems

work-related calculations

hazardous materials handling

landscape and ground structure of work area

backfilling and compaction requirements

risk factors and potential hazards of maintenance processes

effects of weather and conditions on construction site or plant

control systems

recording and reporting systems

pre-cast components

pipes and fittings

chemical usage.

Evidence Required

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, the range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

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

The candidate should demonstrate the ability to conduct maintenance and repair work on irrigation drains and channels by:

planning and preparing work site

inspecting irrigation drains and channels and identifying faults

performing maintenance and repair tasks according to manufacturer specifications and organisational requirements

checking work, restoring work site, storing equipment and completing documentation.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Access to the workplace and resources including:

documentation that should normally be available in a water industry organisation

relevant codes, standards and government regulations.

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

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

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

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

a decision of competence only taken at the point when the assessor has complete confidence in the person's competence over time and in various contexts

all assessment that is part of a structured learning experience must include a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary evidence

where assessment is for the purpose of recognition (RCC/RPL), the evidence provided will need to be authenticated and show that it represents competency demonstrated over a period of time

assessment can be through simulated project-based activity and must include evidence relating to each of the elements in this unit.

In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge. Questioning will be undertaken in a manner appropriate to the skill levels of the operator and cultural issues that may affect responses to the questions, and will reflect the requirements of the competency and the work being performed.


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. Add any 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.

Work requirements may include:

selection and correct use of safety and personal protective equipment

site boundaries

boundary protection

extent of work

safe work methods

job work orders

hazard identification, such as damage to other utilities.

Equipment used may include:

hand and power tools

on- and off-road vehicles

lifting and winching equipment

mechanical excavation equipment

compressors

pneumatic spaders and attachments

motorised cutting equipment

chemical spraying apparatus

small marine craft

trenching systems

portable pumps

communication equipment

breathing apparatus

gas detection equipment

rescue equipment

appropriate personal protective equipment.

System faults may include:

unapproved works and connections

exfiltration

contamination.

Legislative and organisational requirements may include:

relevant federal and state or territory legislation and regulations

codes of practice, associated standards and guidance material

documented organisational policies, manuals and induction programs

relevant community planning and development agreements, such as land care agreements.

Components and associated fittings may include:

controlling equipment

channels

pipes

metered or unmetered outlets

regulators

prefabricated channel components

collection and person access chambers

meter pits

drop structures

erosion barriers

head walls

pipes, including:

vitrified clay

polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

polyethylene

reinforced concrete

glass reinforced piping

ductile iron cement lined

cast iron cement lined

fittings, including:

jointing systems for pipe types and prefabricated sections, e.g. gibault and tension bands

solvent cement joints

compression rings

bolted flanges

malleable jointing materials

electrofusion

butt welding.


Sectors

Not applicable.


Competency Field

Collection and distribution


Employability Skills

This unit of competency contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.