This unit covers a generic competency for field staff with responsibility for ensuring that water collection, distribution, storage and transfer assets are regularly monitored and conducting scheduled maintenance and repair work on assets.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Analyse asset condition and determine remedial action.

1.1 Schedule routine inspections of assets and monitor fault reporting according to organisational procedures.

1.2 Collect and analyse data on asset and infrastructure condition according to organisational procedures.

1.3 Determine and cost asset maintenance and repair methods.

1.4 Correctly select equipment and fit and use required safety equipment, including personal protective equipment.

2Plan and prepare for asset repair.

2.1 Schedule and plan work site investigations and repair activities according to organisational requirements.

2.2 Develop repair plans and procedures and communicate to all stakeholders.

2.3 Assess and record environmental and occupational health and safety risks according to enterprise requirements and specify appropriate preventative measures.

2.4 Select equipment, materials, prefabricated components and fittings and make available for use on site.

3Monitor and report maintenance activities.

3.1 Monitor repairs to ensure compliance with organisational and statutory requirements.

3.2 Monitor repair and maintenance progress and keep records according to organisational procedures.

3.3 Inspect, confirm and report completion of repair and maintenance according to organisational procedures.

4Complete records and reports.

4.1 Complete workplace records and reports according to organisational requirements.

4.2 Make recommendations which contribute to the continuous improvement and quality of the organisation's systems.

Required skills:

identify and correct operational problems

undertake maintenance planning activities

undertake calculations and determine work requirements

monitor system operations and processes

produce reports and logs

use safety equipment and personal protective equipment

interpret plans and instructions

interpret the organisation's policies, standard operating procedures and standards for monitoring and maintenance of assets

communicate with employees and customers

use communication equipment

give and receive instructions

calculate water pressures and flows

identify and report control system faults.

Required knowledge:

environmental aspects of water distribution systems and infrastructure

organisational occupational health and safety procedures

lock out procedures for mechanical and electrical installations

cleaning and protection of assets

policies and standard operating procedures for monitoring and maintenance of assets

relevant utilities and service bodies

communication systems

environment, landscape and ground structure of work area

risk factors and potential hazards involved with water pressures and flows

equipment operation, capacity and limitations

effects of weather and conditions on operation of supply infrastructure

system pipes and fittings

pumping and valving systems

system layout

system processes

system operation

gravity systems

control systems.

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.

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

The candidate should demonstrate the ability to inspect and assess asset maintenance and repairs and to produce plans for and monitor and report on maintenance and repair work completion including:

conducting operational and maintenance inspections

monitoring fault reports

collecting and analysing operational and mechanical data

identifying and assessing work methods effectiveness

planning investigations and repairs

developing repair procedures

assessing risks and specifying preventive methods

selecting equipment, materials, prefabricated components and fittings

monitoring repairs

inspecting completed repairs

completing workplace records.

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

workplace specific equipment and technology

supervision and experienced team members to provide observations, feedback and third party reports

enterprise operating procedures and work allocation

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/or 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 require 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, any cultural issues that may affect responses to the questions, and reflecting 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. 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.

Assets may include:

infrastructure in urban or rural locations

pumping stations

filtration, treatment and related infrastructure

service reservoirs

channel and canal systems and related infrastructure

pipes, including:

polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

polyethylene

mild steel cement lined

ductile iron cement lined

cast iron

copper

glass reinforced plastic

vitrified clay

reinforced concrete

asbestos cement

structures, including:

meter pits

person access pits

regulators

erosion barriers

head walls

thrust blocks

drop structures

siphons

meter outlets

prefabricated sections, including:

drainage sections

drainage pits

culverts

under road crossovers

fittings, including:

jointing systems for pipe types eg gibault

tapping band

tension bands

solvent joins

compression ring joints

bolted flanges

malleable jointing materials

electrofusion

butt welding

cathodic protection

irrigation systems

drainage systems

Organisational procedures may include:

organisational policies

standard operating procedures

environment protection

occupational health and safety

lifts and cranes

mines

road signage code

electrical

marine

chemicals

dangerous goods.

Equipment used may include:

hand and power tools

lifting and winching equipment

mechanical excavation equipment

levering equipment

closed circuit television

hydraulic and/or vacuum set-ups

pneumatic and motorised equipment:

pneumatic spades and attachments,

pipes and associated fittings,

motorised cutting equipment,

on- and off-road vehicles,

portable pumps

compressors

chemical spraying apparatus

small marine craft

trenching systems

portable pumps

communication equipment

breathing apparatus

gas detection equipment

communication equipment

rescue equipment

appropriate personal protective equipment.

Asset management

This unit contains employability skills.