Work must be carried out in compliance with the licence/permit requirements and regulations of the relevant state/territory roads and traffic authority pertaining to the piloting and escorting of oversized and overmassed loads.

Work is performed with limited or minimum supervision, and with limited accountability and responsibility for self and others in achieving the prescribed outcomes. It involves the application of routine principles and procedures to pilot or escort an oversized or overmassed vehicle in a variety of operational contexts.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Prepare for pilot or escort operation

1.1 Maintenance needs of pilot and/or escort vehicles and associated equipment are identified according to maintenance schedule or reports of faults

1.2 Pilot and/or escort vehicles and associated equipment are prepared for operation to manufacturers specifications, workplace procedures and government regulations

1.3 Minor maintenance on vehicles is carried out in accordance with workplace policies and to manufacturers specifications

1.4 Post-maintenance inspections and tests of pilot and/or escort vehicles and associated equipment are completed

1.5 The outcomes of inspections, identified faults and repairs are recorded in accordance with workplace procedures

2Carry out communications regarding pilot or escort operation

2.1 Transport companies whose vehicles are scheduled for escort are consulted to confirm requirements for escort operation

2.2 The escort permit is verified for completeness and accuracy and convoy is checked to ensure compliance with the permit in accordance with government rules and regulations and government policy

2.3 The permit holder is advised of the results of the check

2.4 Convoy is briefed and given instructions and directions on the escort operation

3Conduct pilot and/or escort operation

3.1 Required vehicle positioning, traffic warning and directional signalling procedures are implemented to enable safe passage of the load

3.2 Safety equipment is operated and roadside obstacles are positioned to ensure safe passage of the load in accordance with government rules and regulations and workplace procedures

3.3 Precautions are taken to ensure that convoy personnel are aware of road and other conditions that may impact on load and vehicle security

3.4 All required liaison with relevant authorities is undertaken

3.5 Documentation is completed in accordance with government rules and regulations and workplace procedures

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

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

Required knowledge:

Relevant road rules, regulations, permit and licence requirements of the relevant state/territory roads and traffic authority pertaining to the piloting and escorting of oversized and overmassed loads

Relevant OH&S and environmental procedures and regulations

Vehicle controls, instruments and indicators and their use

Vehicle handling procedures

Procedures to be followed in the event of a driving/piloting/escort emergency

Engine power management and safe driving strategies

Efficient driving techniques

Pre-operational checks carried out on vehicle and related action

Differences between transmission types

Map reading and road navigation techniques

Driving hazards and related defensive driving techniques

Principles of stress management when carrying out pilot/escort functions

Factors which may cause traffic delays and diversions and related action that can e taken by a driver

Workplace driving and operational instructions

Causes and effects of fatigue on drivers

Factors which increase fatigue-related accidents

Fatigue management techniques

Lifestyles which promote the effective long-term management of fatigue

Documentation requirements for piloting and escorting oversized/overmassed loads

Required skills:

Communicate effectively with others when piloting and escorting vehicles with oversized and overmassed loads

Read and interpret instructions, procedures, information and signs relevant to the piloting and escorting of vehicles with oversized and overmassed loads

Interpret and follow operational instructions and prioritise work

Complete documentation related to the piloting and escorting of vehicles with oversized and overmassed loads

Operate electronic communication equipment to required protocol

Work collaboratively with others when piloting and escorting vehicles with oversized and overmassed loads

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

Promptly report and/or rectify any identified problems that may occur when piloting and escorting vehicles with oversized and overmassed loads in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

Implement contingency plans for unexpected events when piloting and escorting vehicles with oversized and overmassed loads

Apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist during work activities

Monitor work activities in terms of planned schedule

Modify activities depending on differing operational contingencies, risk situations and environments

Apply fatigue management knowledge and techniques

Work systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self or others, or damage to goods or equipment

Operate and adapt to differences in equipment in accordance with standard operating procedures

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.

Operations include:

all pilot and escort vehicle operations

Pilot and escort operations may be carried out in typical road transport situations, including:

operations conducted at day or night

typical weather conditions

on the open road

on a private road

Vehicle handling procedures may include:

starting a vehicle

steering and manoeuvring a vehicle

accelerating and braking

positioning and stopping a vehicle

reversing a vehicle

operating vehicle controls, instruments and indicators

using defensive driving techniques

managing engine performance

Pre-operational checks may include:

visual check of vehicle

checking and topping up of fluid levels

checks of tyre pressures

checks of operation of vehicle lights and indicators including warning indicators

checks of brakes

Minor routine repairs may include:

replacement of blown globes in vehicle lights

replacement of broken fan belt

replacement of blown fuse

replacement of door mirrors

repairs to rear tail-light lens

changing of tyres

repair of tyre punctures

replacement of broken coolant hose

Driving hazards may include (examples only):

wet and iced roads

oil on road

animals and objects on road

fire in vehicle

leaking fuel

faulty brakes

parked vehicles on the road

faulty steering mechanism on vehicle

pedestrians crossing the road

flooded sections of road

windy sections of road

foggy conditions

Factors that can cause traffic delays and diversions may include (examples only):

traffic accidents

flooded sections of road

road damage

bridge/tunnel damage

road works

building construction

emergency situations such as bushfires, building fires, etc.

road closures for special events such as marches, parades, etc.

holiday traffic

road closures for utility works such as electricity, water, sewerage, telecommunications, gas, etc.

Depending on the type of organisation concerned and the local terminology used, workplace procedures may include:

company procedures

enterprise procedures

organisational procedures

established procedures

Documentation/records may include:

state/territory pilot/escort permit/regulatory requirements

state/territory road rules

workplace driving instructions and procedures

vehicle manufacturers instructions, specifications and recommended driving procedures including preoperational checks of vehicle

emergency procedures

vehicle log book or record book (where required)

Applicable procedures and codes may include:

relevant state/territory roads and traffic authority driving regulations and licence requirements pertaining to piloting and escort functions

relevant state/territory road rules

relevant state/territory oversized and overmassed permit regulations and requirements

relevant state/territory OH&S legislation

relevant state/territory fatigue management regulations

relevant state/territory environmental protection legislation

This unit contains employability skills.