This unit supports the attainment of skills and knowledge required for field staff with specific responsibility for ensuring that maintenance and repair of tanks and water storage assets are completed in a safe and timely manner.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Plan and prepare for work.

1.1 Determine work requirements for maintenance and repair of tanks and water storage assets from specifications and instructions.

1.2 Plan work according to job requirements using relevant plans, drawings, standards and technical data.

1.3 Check coordination issues with relevant personnel, including isolations and permits to work.

1.4 Identify, check and prepare materials, equipment and resources required to satisfy job plan according to legislative and organisational requirements.

1.5 Select, fit and use personal protective equipment.

2Clean and maintain water tanks and water storage assets.

2.1 Monitor, operate and tag flow-regulating devices to isolate tanks according to organisational requirements.

2.2 Use safety equipment and follow safety procedures for entry into storages.

2.3 Carry out de-silting processes and clean and flush assets according to organisational requirements.

2.4 Repair minor structural damage to storage assets and tanks and identify and report major faults according to organisational procedures.

2.5 Check and operate flow-regulating devices to return tank to service.

2.6 Check maintenance and repairs to tanks and water storage assets to ensure specifications are met.

2.7 Check level sensing equipment and alarms to ensure effective operation.

3Review, report and record work.

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

3.2 Restore work site to meet environmental and organisational requirements.

3.3 Maintain workplace records as required.

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

Required skills:

maintain structures, fittings and assets

conduct earthworks

identify and respond to operational problems

produce reports and logs

use safety and personal protective equipment

use tools and equipment

follow plans and instructions

perform work-related calculations

apply procedures and standards

communicate with employees and customers

work effectively as part of a team

use communication systems

give and receive instructions

identify system faults

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

identify hazards.

Required knowledge:

system hydraulics basics

system layout

environmental aspects of maintenance

lock-out procedures for mechanical and electrical installations

relevant utilities and service bodies

communication systems

hazardous materials handling

material safety data sheets (MSDS)

landscape and ground structure of work area

risk factors and potential hazards of maintenance processes

equipment operation, capacity and limitations

control systems

pipes and fittings

disinfection of systems and chemical usage.

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 perform maintenance and repair work on tanks and water storage assets by:

planning and preparing work site

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

the evidence collected must relate to a number of performances assessed at different points in time and separated by further learning and practice

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.

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:

work site boundaries

types of tanks and assets to be maintained or repaired

methods to be used

risk assessment and preventative measures.

Tanks and water storage assets may include:

pipes

valves

controlling equipment of polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

polyethylene

mild steel cement lined

ductile iron cement lined

cast iron cement lined

asbestos cement

copper

glass reinforced piping

structures, including:

meter pits

person access chambers or pits

valve chambers

regulators

erosion barriers

head walls

thrust blocks

fittings, including:

hydrants

sluices

scours

main taps

jointing systems for pipe types, e.g. gibault

tapping bands

tension bands

solvent cement joints

compression ring joints

bolted flanges

electrofusion

welded

cathodic protection.

Equipment used may include:

hand and power tools

lifting and winching equipment

mechanical excavation equipment

pneumatic and motorised equipment, including:

compressors

pneumatic spades and attachments

motorised cutting equipment

on- and off-road vehicles

portable pumps

communication equipment

breathing apparatus

gas detection equipment

rescue equipment

appropriate personal protective equipment.

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.

Collection and distribution

This unit of competency contains employability skills.