Persons achieving competence in this unit will need to fulfil the OH&S legislation and other relevant regulations covering the use, cleaning and basic servicing of the towing vehicle and the equipment concerned.

Work is performed under limited supervision. It involves the application of regulatory requirements and standard operating procedures to the use, cleaning and servicing of a towing vehicle and its equipment.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Visually inspect vehicle and towing equipment

1.1 Towing vehicle and equipment are visually inspected prior to operations as per standard pre-operational functional and safety check procedures and manufacturers specifications

1.2 Aspects of vehicle or equipment found to be faulty or outside manufacturers or workplace specifications are reported to designated persons for appropriate action

2Check vehicle and towing equipment for operational capability

2.1 Towing vehicle and equipment are checked to ensure that they can be operated in accordance with manufacturers specifications and standard operating procedures

2.2 Safety systems are all checked for operational effectiveness

2.3 Routine servicing and lubrication checks of the tow truck and its equipment are carried out in accordance with the service schedule for the vehicle and the equipment concerned

3Identify and assess impact of faults on towing operations

3.1 The effect of any identified faults on the operation of the towing vehicle and equipment is assessed

3.2 Faulty equipment or components that may affect the safe operation of the vehicle and equipment are isolated, tagged and reported to the appropriate personnel for rectification

4Use towing equipment on vehicle

4.1 Towing equipment is operated in accordance with manufacturers specifications and regulatory requirements

4.2 Attachment points used in the towing operation and the weight of the vehicle being towed or load being carried are checked to ensure that they are consistent with established towing practice, regulatory requirements and the permissible safe working loads for the tow truck and its associated towing equipment

4.3 Safety precautions are followed when using the towing equipment on a tow truck in accordance with standard operating procedures and occupational health and safety requirements

4.4 Personal protective equipment is worn in accordance with standard operating procedures and occupational health and safety requirements

5Clean towing vehicle and its equipment

5.1 Appropriate cleaning process is selected for type of towing vehicle and its equipment in accordance with standard operating procedures

5.2 Cleaning materials are prepared in accordance with manufacturers instructions and standard operating procedures

5.3 The required personal protective and safety equipment is selected and used in accordance with regulatory requirements and standard operating procedures

5.4 Towing vehicle is cleaned using appropriate cleaning materials and tools as per standard procedures

6Record and report results of visual inspection and operational checks

6.1 The results of the visual inspection and operational checks are accurately reported in accordance with regulatory requirements, workplace policy and standard procedures

6.2 Records are clear, unambiguous and concisely kept in accordance with workplace policy

6.3 Clear reference is made to any items which may affect the future safety of the towing vehicle or equipment

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

This describes the essential knowledge and skills and their level required for this unit.

Required knowledge:

Regulations and standards relevant to the use, cleaning and servicing of a towing vehicle and its equipment

Relevant OH&S and environmental protection procedures and guidelines

Standard operating procedures and policies for the use, cleaning and servicing of a towing vehicle and its equipment

Focus of operation of work systems, equipment, management and workplace standard operating systems for the use, cleaning and servicing of a towing vehicle and its equipment

The characteristics, capabilities and limitations of the towing vehicle and its equipment

Tools, materials and equipment used during the use, cleaning and maintenance of a towing vehicle and its equipment and the precautions and procedures that should be followed in their use

Problems that may occur when using, cleaning and servicing a towing vehicle and its equipment and appropriate action that can be taken to resolve the problems

Operational safety requirements for the towing vehicle and equipment concerned

Documentation and record requirements when using, cleaning and servicing a towing vehicle and its equipment

Housekeeping standards and procedures required when operating and servicing a tow truck and its equipment

Hazards that may exist when using, cleaning and servicing a towing vehicle and its equipment and the precautions and action that should be taken to minimise or eliminate the hazards concerned

Required skills:

Communicate effectively with others when using, cleaning and servicing a towing vehicle and its equipment

Read and interpret instructions, procedures and labels relevant to the operation, cleaning and servicing of a towing vehicle and its equipment

Complete documentation related to the operation, cleaning and servicing of a towing vehicle and its equipment

Work safely and collaboratively with others when using, cleaning and servicing a towing vehicle and its equipment

Adapt appropriately to cultural differences in the workplace, including modes of behaviour and interactions with others

Modify activities depending on differing towing contexts, risk situations and environments

Recognise problems concerning the safety and operational capability of the towing vehicle and its equipment and take appropriate action

Apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist when operating, cleaning and servicing a towing vehicle and its equipment

Plan own work including predicting consequences and identifying improvements

Adapt to changes in towing vehicles and associated equipment and procedures

Use required personal protective equipment conforming to industry and OH&S standards including the operation of portable fire extinguishers

Select and use relevant equipment, tools and cleaning agents when using, cleaning and servicing a towing vehicle and its equipment

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required knowledge and skills, the range statement and the assessment guidelines for this Training Package.

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 and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria of this unit and include demonstration of applying:

the underpinning knowledge and skills

relevant legislation and workplace procedures

other relevant aspects of the range statement

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Performance is demonstrated consistently over a period of time and in a suitable range of contexts

Resources for assessment include:

a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or other simulated practical and knowledge assessment, and/or

access to an appropriate range of relevant operational situations in the workplace

In both real and simulated environments, access is required to:

relevant and appropriate materials and equipment, and

applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals

Method of assessment

Assessment of this unit must be undertaken by a registered training organisation

As a minimum, assessment of knowledge must be conducted through appropriate written/oral tests

Practical assessment must occur:

through activities in an appropriately simulated environment at the registered training organisation, and/or

in an appropriate range of situations in the workplace

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance.

Work may be conducted:

in a range of towing situations

by day or night

in a range of weather conditions

Customers may be:

vehicle owners

operators of expressways, freeways, tollways or tunnels

police and other emergency services personnel

local government authorities

car park operators

road traffic authorities

owners and operators of equipment elevating work platforms, forklifts, small load shifting equipment, etc.

Towing situations may include:

vehicle accidents

vehicle breakdowns

expressway breakdowns and accidents

tunnel breakdowns and accidents

stolen cars

vehicles illegally parked on clearways

vehicles illegally parked in car parks

abandoned vehicles

carriage of equipment such as elevating work platforms, forklifts, small load shifting equipment, etc.

Required towing vehicle may include:

tilt tray tow truck with winch (5 tonne, 7.5 tonne and 10 tonne capacity)

tow truck with crane and cradle

towing vehicle with a detachable self loading table top

articulated drop-deck low loader

trailer

Purpose of equipment checking and inspection is to ensure:

it is free from damage and faults that may prejudice safety or limit operational capability

Safety and operational capability checks may be performed:

on a range of towing vehicles and their associated equipment

Operational and servicing checks may be performed by:

operating and checking the functionality of various pieces of safety and component equipment (where applicable)

completing a service checklist for the towing vehicle and its equipment

Potential problems that may be identified during visual inspections and service checks:

fluid leaks

low fluid levels

damaged or worn cables and ropes

broken equipment or parts

cracks, surface or structural faults or other damage

tightness of bolts, fixtures and fittings within specifications

Records and results of pre-operation and operational checks may include:

details of faulty equipment or specific components

action taken

results of checks

completion of a service checklist or schedules

details of repair and maintenance work to be undertaken

Personal protective equipment may include:

gloves

safety headwear and footwear

safety glasses

two-way radios

high visibility clothing (raincoats and vests)

portable fire extinguishers

Depending on the organisation concerned workplace procedures may be called:

standard operating procedures

company procedures

enterprise procedures

organisational procedures

established procedures

Communication in the work area may include:

mobile phone

fax

email

internet

RF communications

oral, aural or signed communications

Information and documents may include:

standard procedures and policies for the operation, checking and servicing of towing vehicle, equipment and tools

manufacturers specifications for towing vehicle, equipment and tools

workplace and client instructions

relevant OH&S requirements and policies

relevant Australian standards and certification requirements

material safety data sheets where applicable

industry code of practice

relevant legislation, regulations and related documentation

quality assurance standards

emergency procedures

Applicable legislation, regulations and codes may include:

relevant standards, codes and regulations pertaining to the a towing vehicle and its equipment

relevant state and territory OH&S legislation

relevant state and territory environmental protection legislation

This unit contains employability skills.