This unit describes a participant’s skills and knowledge required to conduct dredging operations in Metalliferous mining and Extractive.

This unit is appropriate for those working in operational roles.

No licensing or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Evidence is required to be collected that demonstrates a candidate’s competency in this unit. Evidence must be relevant to the roles within this sector’s work operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria of this unit and include evidence that the candidate:

locates and applies relevant documentation, policies and procedures

implements the requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of dredging operations including:

selecting and using relevant tools and equipment

working wearing personal protective equipment

hazard identification and reporting defects

handling hazardous substances/materials including:

disposal of environmentally sensitive fluids and materials

applies chemical and fuel safety measures

interpreting documents, plans, reports, maps, specifications

maintaining equipment records

interpreting and responding to environment/ground conditions

works effectively with others to undertake and complete dredging operations that meets all of the required outcomes including:

complying with written and verbal reporting requirements and procedures

communicating clearly and concisely with others to receive and clarify work instructions

communicating clearly and concisely with others to resolve coordination requirements prior to commencing and during work activities

using computer systems and communications equipment

applying operations directing techniques

demonstrates completion of conducting dredging operations that safely, effectively and efficiently meets all of the required outcomes on more than one (1) occasion including:

organising work tasks and applying diagnostic, problem solving, and decision making techniques

relocating and securing dredge ready for operations

conducting dredging operations

modifying operating techniques in response to changing conditions

operating dredge

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of conducting dredging operations through:

site product characteristics and the mine operational system

site geological and survey data, including identifying working face dangers

indicator readings

hazardous goods procedures and consequences of spills

dredge and equipment processes and characteristics including:

technical capabilities and limitations

pre-start, start-up, operating and shutdown procedures

anchoring and anchor move procedures

sounding, centre-line and retreat procedures

side-line cable replacement procedures

ladder swing capability and limitations

dredge preparation and clean up procedures

An assessor of this unit must satisfy the requirements of the NVR/AQTF or their successors; and Industry regulations for certification and licensing; and,

this unit is best assessed in the context of this sector’s work environment;

where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment may occur in a simulated environment provided it is realistic and sufficiently rigorous to cover all aspects of this sector’s workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills; and,

this unit must be assessed in compliance with relevant legislation/regulation and using policies, procedures, processes and operational manuals directly related to the industry sector for which it is being assessed; and,

assessment may be conducted in conjunction with the assessment of other Units of Competency; and,

assessment must confirm consistent performance can be applied in a range of relevant workplace circumstances; and,

assessors must demonstrate the performance evidence, and knowledge evidence as outlined in this Unit of Competency, and through the minimum years of current* work experience specified below in an Industry sector relevant to the outcomes of the unit; or,

where the assessor does not meet experience requirements a co-assessment or partnership arrangement must exist between the qualified assessor and an Industry subject matter expert. The Industry subject matter expert should hold the unit being assessed (or an equivalent unit) and/or demonstrate equivalence of skills and knowledge at the unit level. An Industry technical expert must also demonstrate skills and knowledge from the minimum years of current work experience specified below in the Industry sector, including time spent in roles related to the unit being assessed; and,

assessor and Industry subject matter expert requirements differ depending on the Australian Qualifications Framework Level (AQF) of the qualification being assessed and/or Industry Sector as follows:

*Assessors can demonstrate current work experience through employment within Industry in a role relevant to the outcomes of the Unit; or, for external assessors this can be demonstrated through exposure to Industry by conducting frequent site assessments across various locations.

**Where a unit is being delivered outside of a Qualification the first numeric character in the Unit code should be considered to indicate the AQF level

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit. Further information is available in the Resources and Infrastructure Industry Training Package Companion Volume.