Application
This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to safely shift materials by hand. It applies to manually shifting raw materials, components, products or similar items with or without the use of manual handling aids, such as handcarts and block and tackle.
This unit of competency applies to production support, operators or those in similar roles who are required to identify the materials to be moved and manually load, unload, shift and store the materials according to procedures.
This unit of competency applies to an individual working alone or as part of a team or group and working in liaison with other shift team members, team leader and supervisor, as appropriate.
It applies to all sectors of the industry.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. | ||
1 | Plan operations | 1.1 | Correctly identify type and quantity of produce or material to be moved |
1.2 | Identify the safest and most efficient and appropriate movement route | ||
2 | Manually transfer products or materials | 2.1 | Manually shift products or materials to and from production processes according to procedures and work health and safety (WHS) state/territory regulations |
2.2 | Manually load specified products or materials at specific points during the manufacturing process, according to procedures and WHS state/territory regulations | ||
3 | Store, stack and/or relocate products or materials | 3.1 | Manually stack products or materials according to procedures and WHS state/territory regulations |
3.2 | Manually store products or materials in correct locations | ||
3.3 | Document and/or report material movements as required | ||
4 | Respond to routine problems to procedures | 4.1 | Recognise known faults that occur during the operation |
4.2 | Identify and take action on causes of routine faults | ||
4.3 | Log problems as required | ||
4.4 | Identify non-routine process and quality problems and take appropriate action | ||
Evidence of Performance
Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and demonstrate the ability to:
read and interpret procedures, job specifications, material labels and safety data sheets (SDS)
select and use materials, tools and equipment to meet job specifications
plan and sequence the work to meet job specifications
identify hazards and apply relevant hazard controls
apply safety procedures
apply housekeeping procedures
apply waste management procedures
recognise routine and non-routine problems
identify when the operator is able to rectify problems, when assistance is required and who is the appropriate source for assistance
take action to resolve faults or report problems to appropriate personnel
distinguish between possible causes of routine problems, including:
characteristics of materials
process/procedural problems
mechanical abnormalities
distinguish between jobs which:
may be easily and safely done by a single person
will require assistance from other people
require manual handling equipment
need mechanical lifting aids
communicate effectively with team/work group and supervisors
complete workplace records
do basic arithmetical manipulations, including additions, subtractions, divisions, fractions and percentages.
Evidence of Knowledge
their job sufficient to operate under routine only supervision and to solve routine problems, including knowledge of:
principles of safe manual handling
types and application of manual handling and lifting/moving techniques
types and application of lifting/moving equipment
routine and non-routine problems that may arise, the range of possible causes and appropriate actions
organisation procedures relevant to the work environment/job role
hierarchy of control
hazards that may arise in the job/work environment and:
their possible causes
potential consequences
appropriate risk controls.
Assessment Conditions
The unit should be assessed holistically and the judgement of competence shall be based on a holistic assessment of the evidence.
In all plants it may be appropriate to assess this unit concurrently with units such as:
teamwork
communication.
The collection of performance evidence:
should occur over a range of situations which include typical disruptions to normal, smooth operations and provide for demonstration of responding to problems
will typically include a supervisor/third-party report or other evidence, focusing on consistent performance and problem recognition and solving. A supervisor/third-party report must be prepared by someone who has a direct, relevant, current relationship with the person being assessed and who is in a position to form a judgement on workplace performance relevant to the unit of competency
must include the use of industry appropriate materials, tools, equipment, data and documentation
may use industry-based simulation for all or part of the unit particularly where safety, lack of opportunity or significant cost is an issue.
Assessment should occur in operational workplace situations. Where this is not possible or where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors assessment must occur in a sufficiently rigorous simulated environment that reflects realistic operational workplace conditions. This must cover all aspects of workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.
Assessment in a simulated environment should use evidence collected from demonstration of skills and one or more of:
walk-throughs
pilot plant operation
industry-based case studies/scenarios
‘what ifs’
Knowledge evidence may be collected concurrently with performance evidence or through an independent process, such as workbooks, written assessments or interviews.
Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.
Conditions for assessment must include access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required, including relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications associated with this unit.
The regulatory framework will be reflected in workplace policies and procedures and is not required to be independently assessed.
Foundation skills are integral to competent performance of the unit and should not be assessed separately.
Assessors must satisfy the assessor competency requirements that are in place at the time of the assessment as set by the VET regulator.
In addition the assessor or anyone acting in subject matter expert role in assessment shall demonstrate both technical competency and currency. If the assessor cannot demonstrate technical competency and currency they shall assess with a subject matter expert who does meet these requirements.
Technical competence can be demonstrated through one or more of:
relevant VET or other qualification/Statement of Attainment
appropriate workplace experience undertaking the type of work being assessed under routine and non-routine conditions
appropriate workplace experience supervising/evaluating the type of work being assessed under routine and non-routine conditions
Currency can be demonstrated through one or more of:
being currently employed undertaking the type of work being assessed
being employed by the organisation undertaking the type of work being assessed and having maintained currency in accordance with that organisation’s policies and procedures
having consulted/had contact with an organisation undertaking the type of work being assessed within the last twelve months, the consultation/contact being related to assessment
conducting on the job training/assessments of the type of work being assessed
being an active member of a relevant professional body and participating in activities relevant to the assessment of this type of work.
Foundation Skills
This section describes those required skills (language, literacy and numeracy) that are essential to performance.
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
This field allows for different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included. | |
Regulatory framework | The latest version of all legislation, regulations, industry codes of practice and Australian/international standards, or the version specified by the local regulatory authority, must be used. Applicable legislation, regulations, standards and codes of practice include: health, safety and environmental (HSE) legislation, regulations and codes of practice relevant to the workplace, manual handling and hazardous materials any relevant licence and certification requirements. All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent HSE requirements, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation, and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between performance criteria and such requirements the legislative requirements take precedence. |
Procedures | All operations must be performed in accordance with relevant procedures. Procedures are written, verbal, visual, computer-based or in some other form, and include one or any combination of: emergency procedures work instructions standard operating procedures (SOPs) safe work method statements (SWMS) formulas/recipes batch sheets temporary instructions any similar instructions provided for the smooth running of the plant. |
Tools and equipment | Tools and equipment include one or more of: hand carts self-propelled trolleys wheelbarrows block and tackle relevant personal protective equipment (PPE). |
Hazards | Hazards must be identified and controlled. Identifying hazards requires consideration of: weight, shape, volume of materials to be handled hazardous products and materials sharp edges, protrusions or obstructions slippery surfaces, spills or leaks heat, smoke, dust, vapours or other atmospheric hazards electricity gas gases and liquids under pressure structural hazards equipment failures machinery, equipment and product mass other hazards that might arise. |
Problems | Routine problems must be resolved by applying known solutions. Routine problems are predictable and include one or more of: load too heavy or large for safe, easy moving load in awkward position for safe, easy moving clash of work priorities correct equipment not available irregularly shaped materials. Known solutions are drawn from one or more of: procedures training remembered experience. Non-routine problems must be reported according to according to relevant procedures. |
Sectors
Not applicable
Competency Field
Handling