NWP331B
Inspect conduit and report on condition and features

This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to plan, prepare and conduct an inspection of gravity sewer or stormwater conduits, using specialised CCTV camera and transport systems, and reporting on observed defects and other features of the conduit in accordance with the industry code and job specifications. The ability to interpret technical information, identify and assess hazards, operate and maintain specialised technical equipment and produce computer generated reports on the condition and features of the conduit inspected are essential to performance.

Application

This unit supports the attainment of skills and knowledge required for operators with a specific responsibility for: inspecting and reporting on the condition of operational gravity sewers and stormwater conduits and new or rehabilitated sewers or stormwater conduits; and operating and maintaining specialised CCTV inspection equipment in compliance with organisational and statutory requirements. This unit may also be applied to the inspection of other types of conduit system.


Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Plan and prepare for conduit inspection.

1.1 Identify the purpose of the inspection and the location, size, type and extent of the conduit assets from relevant documentation.

1.2 Determine the inspection method and equipment to be used according to organisational and statutory requirements.

1.3 Conduct and document hazard identification and risk assessment and implement appropriate risk control processes.

1.4 Establish and implement asset isolation / flow management plans and inspection schedules in consultation with the system operator.

1.5 Arrange for preparation of the conduit and site for inspection as required.

2Operate and maintain equipment.

2.1 Set up and calibrate equipment to suit the size, type and conditions of conduit according to relevant industry codes and/or specifications.

2.2 Operate equipment according to relevant industry codes and/or specifications and examine, record and report features of the conduit accurately.

2.3 Conduct routine maintenance of equipment in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations.

2.4 Diagnose and correct equipment malfunctions.

2.5 Recognise and appropriately respond to potential risks to equipment and/or system operation.

3Identify and code defects and other features observed during conduit inspection.

3.1 Identify and code structural defects, service conditions and other features of the conduit according to relevant industry codes and/or specifications.

3.2 Record asset and inspection data using approved data capture software according to relevant industry codes and/or specifications.

3.3 Investigate and report unrecognisable defects, service conditions or other features.

3.4 Identify a conduit at risk of imminent failure and communicate details to the system operator or owner according to organisational and statutory requirements.

3.5 Identify and report defects or malfunctioning of access structures in accordance with industry codes and/or specifications.

4Withdraw inspection equipment and reinstate system operation.

4.1 Clean and inspect equipment for damage during and after withdrawal from the conduit.

4.2 Reinstate system operation according to asset isolation / flow management plan and/or specifications.

4.3 Restore work site to meet organisational, safety, property owner's and environmental requirements.

5Review, record and report work.

5.1 Check inspection data and video records prior to removal of equipment for completeness, quality and accuracy.

5.2 Compile conduit inspection reports and present to the client in the required format.

5.3 Complete job documentation and communication according to the asset owner or operator's, and statutory requirements.

Required Skills

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

Required skills:

identify structural defects, service conditions and other features in a range of different conduits

apply industry inspection reporting code requirements

use data capture software

operate CCTV camera controls and recording systems

identify and solve operational problems

operate communication equipment

access and interpret GIS data, interpret plans/maps, house service diagrams, instructions, specifications and standard operating procedures

interpret policies, procedures and standards

use safety equipment and personal protective equipment

use tools and instruments associated with camera/transport operation, maintenance and calibration

identify hazards

give and receive instructions

communicate with customers and other employees

prepare and restore work site.

Required knowledge:

industry inspection reporting code

data capture, recording and reporting software

occupational health and safety

confined space entry procedures

typical traffic control arrangements

personal work site safety

potential hazards and risk factors of operational processes

equipment operation

techniques of operation in unusual situations

capabilities of camera, lights and transport system

routine maintenance and calibration requirements of camera, lights and transport system

effects of weather and conditions on operation of site or plant

environmental aspects of operation and installation

features of conduits used in Australia for gravity sewer and stormwater construction over the last 100 years

construction and operation of sewerage and stormwater systems.

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 plan, prepare and conduct an inspection of gravity sewer or stormwater conduits including:

preparing for conduit inspection by:

identifying the location and extent of the work, methods to be applied, and equipment, including safety equipment, to be used

assessing risks and preparing for hazards

implementing appropriate isolation and inspection procedures

calibrating equipment for conduit inspection

operating and maintaining equipment

conducting inspections and identifying and coding conduit defects and condition

recording data manually, or using approved software program

investigating and recording anomalies

reporting conduit at risk of failure

removing equipment and reinstating system operation

restoring worksite

completing and processing inspection information according to organisational procedures.

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/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 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, any cultural issues that may affect responses to the questions, and reflecting 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 if the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.

Conduit assets may include:

pipes, including those manufactured from:

vitrified clay (earthenware)

reinforced concrete

polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

polyethylene

polypropylene

unlined cast iron

cast iron cement lined

asbestos cement

ductile iron cement lined

glass reinforced plastic

mild steel cement lined

profiled thin gauge steel

other types of conduit, including:

concrete box culverts

circular or oviform brick

circular or oviform cast in situ concrete

circular, rectangular or variable cross section stone masonry block

lined pipes

other cross sections

asset structures, such as:

maintenance holes

maintenance shafts

drainage pits.

Relevant documentation may include:

plans

GIS asset data on digital media

drawings

'house' service diagrams

specifications

work instructions.

Equipment used may include:

specialised closed circuit television conduit inspection equipment and associated apparatus

hand-held still camera

computer hardware and software for data entry

hand and power tools

manhole cover lifters

lifting and winching equipment

mechanical excavation equipment

pneumatic and motorised equipment:

compressors

pneumatic spades and attachments

motorised cutting equipment

on- and off-road vehicles

road signage

portable pumps

sewer plugs - pneumatic, or other types

communication equipment

breathing apparatus

gas detection equipment

rescue equipment

appropriate personal protective equipment.

Organisational and statutory requirements may include:

interpretation or assessment of:

specifications

instructions

codes

conduit size and configuration

access to conduit

sewerage or stormwater system operation.

by-laws

organisational policies

standard operating procedures

communication and reporting protocols

environment protection

occupational health and safety, including the use of personal protective equipment

lifts and cranes

mines and subsidence

road signage

electrical

dangerous goods.

Risk control processes include:

traffic control arrangements

grating or barricading of openings

asset isolation/flow control

compliance with confined space entry procedures

compliance with asset access procedures

personal protective equipment such as gloves

personal hygiene practices.

Asset isolation / flow management plans may include:

arrangements with system operator or owner for:

shutting down, tagging and/or lockout of parts of the system, for example:

pumping stations

valves

reinstatement of operations

conducting inspections to coincide with low flow in the conduit

blocking off flow in a sewer and monitoring backup

blocking off flow and bypass pumping.

Preparation of the conduit and site for inspection includes:

high pressure water jet cleaning to remove surface build-up on the wall of the conduit, roots and or debris

locating, exposing, removal and replacement of maintenance hole/pit covers or grates

arranging special access requirements, such as:

across private land

through gates

inside buildings

construction of platforms for above ground maintenance holes.

Industry codes and/or specifications may include:

the Conduit Inspection reporting code of Australia WSA 05 2006

other codes as nominated by the asset owner, operator or regulator

contract specifications for work activity.

Features of the conduit may include:

structural condition

service condition.

Potential risks to equipment and/or system may include:

loss of camera or equipment due to the condition of the conduit

backup of sewage caused by camera or equipment and/or sudden changes in flow.

Data recording may be conducted:

manually

using approved data capture software.

Conduit evaluation reports may comprise:

videotapes

log sheets

asset information such as plans, maps, asset location, number, age and type

photographs.


Sectors

Not applicable.


Competency Field

Collection and distribution


Employability Skills

This unit of competency contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.