This unit describes a participant’s skills and knowledge required to conduct civil construction excavator operations in Civil construction.

This unit is appropriate for those working in operational roles.

Licensing, legislative, regulatory and certification requirements that apply to this unit can vary between states, territories, and industry sectors. Relevant information must be sourced prior to application of the unit.

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 excavator operations including:

conducting prestart checks prior to commencing operations and shutdown procedures on completion of operations

driving and operating the equipment to site conditions

applying safe work practices and identifying and reporting all potential hazards, risks and environmental issues

applying problem solving and troubleshooting techniques

applying levelling techniques

selecting and using the required tools and equipment

working safely around other machines and personnel

safely parking and securing equipment

applying methods of changing machine attachments

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

using a range of communications techniques and equipment to convey information to others

maintaining written and verbal reporting requirements and procedures

organising work activities to meet all task requirements

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

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

completing operations to specification using a variety of material types and activities including:

loading, cutting/boxing

stripping/spreading

lifting and carrying materials

bulk excavation

mixing/backfilling

trench excavation

stockpiling

battering

benching

site clean up

fitting and removal of a variety of attachments selected from the following:

tilt bucket

buckets

lifting device

vibrating compaction wheel

ripper/tyne

compaction plate

compaction wheel

rock breaker

auger

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of the following when conducting civil construction excavator operations:

ground conditions

isolation procedures

equipment processes, technical capability and limitations

preparartion for fire/accident/emergency

signs of operator fatigue and how it should be managed

drawings and sketches

site isolation and traffic control responsibilities and authorities

civil construction terminology

project quality requirements

basic principles of soil technology and soil compaction for civil works

basic earthworks calculations

Civil construction activity sequences of road construction, earthworks and drainage

vehicle refuelling requirements and procedures

using methods for calculating safe working loads

operational, maintenance and basic diagnostics

housekeeping activities

Assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) 2015/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors; and industry regulations for certification and licensing; and,

this unit must be assessed in the context of this sector’s work environment; 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.

Civil construction