Front end loaders are either articulated or rear wheel steer wheel loaders and may include diesel-electric or diesel-mechanical, and do not include integrated tool carriers. This unit is appropriate for those working in mobile plant operator roles, at worksites within:
Extractive industries
Metalliferous mining
Not applicable.
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Plan and prepare for operations | 1.1. Access, interpret and apply compliance documentation relevant to face loader operations 1.2. Access, interpret and clarify geological and survey data required to complete the allocated work 1.3. Obtain, interpret and clarify work requirements for the satisfactory completion of operations 1.4. Inspect and prepare work area in coordination with others |
2. Operate wheel loader | 2.1. Resolve coordination requirements with others at the site prior to commencing and during work activities 2.2. Carry out pre-start, start-up, park-up and shutdown procedures 2.3. Select and modify the operating technique to appropriately meet changing work conditions 2.4. Conduct, control and monitor operations within the equipment limitations 2.5. Distribute bulk materials into haulage units to ensure maintenance of the stability and maximum load requirements of the haul unit 2.6. Load bulk materials into materials handling equipment 2.7. Carry out dumping and stockpiling operations 2.8. Connect and tow equipment and plant safely and in accordance with the authorised equipment and connection capacity 2.9. Act on or report monitoring systems and alarms 2.10. Recognise and respond to hazardous and emergency situations 2.11. Complete work in accordance with the agreed plan and outcomes and within the operating capacity of the allocated equipment |
3. Carry out post-operational procedures | 3.1. Inspect, fault find and report faults 3.2. Carry out authorised operational maintenance, servicing, lubricating and housekeeping tasks 3.3. Process records and reports |
Required skills |
Specific skills are required to achieve the performance criteria in this unit, particularly for the application in the various circumstances in which this unit may be applied. This includes the ability to carry out the following as required to conduct face loader operations: apply legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures apply operational safety requirements access, interpret and apply technical information apply equipment records maintenance requirements apply diagnostic techniques use relevant hand tools apply procedures for disposal of environmentally sensitive fluids and materials apply chemical and fuel safety measures work wearing personal protective equipment |
Required knowledge |
Specific knowledge is required to achieve the performance criteria of this unit, particularly its application in a variety of circumstances in which the unit may be used. This includes knowledge of the following as required to conduct face loader operations: site risk control procedures site and equipment health and safety procedures site environmental requirements and constraints site quality requirements site communication procedures site product characteristics towing requirements and techniques site geological and survey data site operational procedures front end loader pre-start, start-up, operating and shutdown procedures and techniques front end loader characteristics, technical capability and limitations hazard identification and response procedures site record keeping requirements site personal protective equipment requirements |
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. | |
Overview of assessment | |
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit | The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to worksite operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit and include evidence of the following: knowledge of the requirements, procedures and instructions for conducting face loader operations implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of face loader operations working with others to undertake and complete the face loader operations that meet all of the required outcomes consistent timely completion of face loader operations that safely, effectively and efficiently meet the required outcomes |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | This unit must be assessed in the context of the 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 workplace performance, including task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills. The assessment environment should not disadvantage the participant. For example, language, literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required on the job. Customisation of assessment and delivery environment to sensitively accommodate cultural diversity. Aboriginal people and other people from a non English speaking background may have second language issues. Assessment of this competency requires typical resources normally used in the work environment. Selection and use of resources for particular worksites may differ due to site circumstances. 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. |
Method of assessment | This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency. The assessment strategy for this unit must verify required knowledge and skill and practical application using more than one of the following assessment methods: written and/or oral assessment of the candidate's required knowledge observed, documented and/or first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's: implementation of appropriate requirement, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient achievement of required outcomes consistently achieving the required outcomes first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's: working with others to undertake and complete the face loader operations |
Guidance information for assessment | Consult the SkillsDMC User Guide for further information on assessment including access and equity issues. |
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. | |
Relevant compliance documentation may include: | legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures manufacturer's guidelines and specifications Australian standards codes of practice Employment and Workplace Relations legislation Equal Employment Opportunity and Disability Discrimination legislation |
Face loading operations may include from: | blast muck piles sedimentary deposit faces |
Geological data may include relevant site-specific information in relation to: | rock type and characteristics faults and joints water tables or other water sources |
Survey data may include relevant site-specific information in relation to: | floor heights bench widths grades |
Work requirements may come from briefings, handovers, and work orders and may include: | nature and scope of tasks achievement targets operational conditions obtaining permits required site layout out of bounds areas worksite inspection requirements lighting conditions plant or equipment defects hazards and potential hazards coordination requirements or issues |
Inspect and prepare work area may include: | identification of hazards selection and implementation of control measures for the hazards identified safeguarding site and non-site personnel by: erection of barricades and posting of signs selection of appropriate equipment to ensure personnel safety and protection determination of appropriate path of movement for loads and equipment/vehicles floor clean up to specified levels and grade requirements |
Coordination with others may include with: | yard persons laboratory personnel weighbridge personnel mobile plant operators processing plant operators haulage unit operators maintenance personnel |
Pre-start and start-up procedures are to include: | external check of the machine checking and topping up fluid levels (including fuel) lubrication inspection of attachments to ensure security and defects instrument and control lever checks reporting defects and damage |
Park-up and shutdown procedures are to include ensuring that: | vehicle/equipment is secured as required by site procedures attachments are rendered safe access ways are clear |
Operating techniques may include: | bucket loading load carrying equipment positioning load discharge towing observing site speed limits working safely around: overhead powerlines other machines and personnel live stockpiles |
Changing work conditions may include variations in: | grades height of faces bench widths materials haulage units materials handling facilities weather conditions day and night |
Haulage units may include: | rigid dump trucks articulated dump trucks highway trucks |
Materials handling equipment may include: | feed hoppers feeders crushers |
Dumping and stockpiling operations may include: | oversized material contaminated materials material to be used for special purposes or products |
Hazardous and emergency situations may include: | powerlines and other overhead services dust noise face overhangs lighting strikes (potential tyre explosion) tyre fires (isolation procedures) |
Mobile Plant Operations
Refer to Unit Sector(s).
Not applicable.
This unit contains employability skills.
Refer to Unit Descriptor.