Application
This unit describes a participant’s skills and knowledge required to Operate multi-combination vehicle in the Resources and Infrastructure Industries.
This unit is appropriate for those working in supervisory and technical specialist 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.
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Prepare for multi-combination vehicle operations | 1.1 Access, interpret and apply vehicle haulage documentation and ensure the work activity is compliant 1.2 Obtain, interpret and clarify/confirm work requirements such as shift briefings/handover details/work orders before proceeding 1.3 Prepare vehicle records and carry out log-on procedures |
2. Couple and uncouple trailers | 2.1 Couple and uncouple trailer 2.2 Check prime mover and trailer status |
3. Conduct vehicle checks | 3.1 Conduct pre-start checks on vehicle, trailers and ancillary equipment 3.2 Test vehicle and trailer operations, record and report faults affecting the safety of the operation 3.3 Start engine per manufacturer’s guidelines and start-up procedures, and check systems against operational criteria |
4. Supervise loading and unloading of goods and materials | 4.1 Identify load characteristics, and determine appropriate loading and unloading procedures 4.2 Segregate dangerous or hazardous goods 4.3 Ensure that goods/materials are loaded in accordance with relevant mass and loading regulations and workplace procedures 4.4 Select and supervise the use of lifting aids and appliances 4.5 Conduct unloading activities, considering suitable locations, stowage, safe use of equipment and the balance of remaining load 4.6 Identify goods requiring special handling and/or documentation and follow procedures |
5. Steer, manoeuvre and position vehicle | 5.1 Steer, manoeuvre and position vehicle in accordance with traffic regulations and site rules 5.2 Ensure vehicle movements are within limits of vehicle and road dimensions and in line with manufacturer’s specifications 5.3 Confine centrifugal forces to load configuration and driving environment 5.4 Perform smooth and controlled movements 5.5 Avoid contact with obstacles 5.6 Carry out movements ensuring safety to personnel or damage to property, equipment or facilities, and load 5.7 Utilise available road area to increase radius of turn and swept path |
6. Manage engine power | 6.1 Manage engine power, ensure efficiency of vehicle movement and minimise strain to the engine and drive line 6.2 Operate vehicle within manufacturer’s specified torque range and temperature 6.3 Coordinate engine power with gear selection and maintain torque range 6.4 Effect smooth transition in gear changes, while maintaining engine power and torque range |
7. Monitor and anticipate traffic and road conditions | 7.1 Monitor and anticipate traffic and road condition, ensure safety of operation, people, property, equipment, loads and facilities 7.2 Achieve vehicle speed and safety using the accelerator, gears, brakes and speed retarding devices 7.3 Anticipate traffic flows, use optimum route of travel without backtracking 7.4 Consider road and traffic conditions, road standards, distance and load |
8. Monitor vehicle efficiency | 8.1 Monitor the vehicle's performance ensure maximum efficiency of operation and fuel consumption 8.2 Respond to warning devices and indicators of engine or vehicle reduced performance 8.3 Monitor vehicle for any engine malfunctions or factors which may affect vehicle performance 8.4 Record and report vehicle faults/damage |
9. Park and secure the vehicle | 9.1 Bring vehicle to a halt, apply straight line braking techniques 9.2 Park vehicle in an area that is safe and legal in line with traffic 9.3 Lock/secure vehicle |
10. Carry out post-operational activities | 10.1 Carry out engine shutdown 10.2 Complete post-operational checks 10.3 Maintain/update and submit vehicle written records |
Evidence of Performance
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 legislation, documentation, policies and procedures
works effectively with others to undertake and complete effective operation of multi-combination vehicle to meet all required outcomes including:
preparing for and organising work activities to meet all task requirements
communicating clearly and concisely with others to receive and clarify work instructions
using a range of communication techniques and aids to advise others of work activity and exclusion zones
demonstrates completion of the operation of multi-combination vehicle that safely, effectively and efficiently meets all of the required outcomes on more than one (1) occasion including:
organising work activities to comply with site standards
couple and uncouple trailer
carry out pre-start and start-up checks on vehicle, trailers and ancillary equipment
operate, steer, manoeuvre and position vehicle, trailers and ancillary equipment
manage engine power and efficiency
monitor vehicle performance and respond to warnings and alarms
halt, park, lock and secure vehicle
carry out engine shutdown and post operational procedures
process written records and reports
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of the following when operating a multi-combination vehicle through:
interpret and communicate work instructions and processes
apply problem solving skills to haulage operations issues
location of equipment relative to working environment
recording, reporting and handover procedures
using start up and shutdown procedures
applying technical information, including manufacturer’s manuals related to multi-combination vehicles/trailers, and their operations
operating vehicles within specifications and limitations
identifying and reporting faults in vehicles and ancillary equipment
Assessment Conditions
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 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:
Industry sector | AQF** Level | Required assessor or Industry subject matter expert experience |
Drilling, Metalliferous Mining, Coal Mining, Extractive (Quarrying) and Civil Construction | 1 | 1 Year |
2 | 2 Years | |
Drilling, Coal Mining and Extractive (Quarrying) | 3-6 | 3 Years |
Metalliferous Mining and Civil Construction | 3-6 | 5 Years |
Other sectors | Where this Unit is being assessed outside of the Resources and Infrastructure Sectors assessor and/or Industry subject matter expert experience should be in-line with industry standards for the sector in which it is being assessed and where no Industry standard is specified should comply with any relevant regulation. | |
*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
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.