This unit involves the skills and knowledge required for higherorder safe driving. This unit applies to heavy vehicle drivers required to apply safe driving behaviours.

This includes higherorder skills involving broad cognitive, technical, communication and vehicle management. It also requires knowledge about hazard perception, risk control and safe driving behaviour, judgement, decision making and multi-tasking, that builds on basic driver licence requirements across a nominated heavy vehicle class and driving situations.

Safe heavy vehicle driving behaviours are applied without supervision.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Apply relevant legislation applicable to safe heavy vehicle driving

1.1

Current road rules and regulations are identified, interpreted and applied

1.2

Road signs, signals and markings are identified and complied with in safe heavy vehicle driving activities

1.3

Purpose of road rules and traffic safety laws in ensuring safe and efficient regulation of traffic flow, is interpreted and applied when driving a heavy vehicle

2

Inspect vehicle and secure load for safe transportation of goods/cargo

2.1

Visual safety check of internal and external condition of vehicle/trailer is undertaken, in accordance with manufacturer specifications and workplace procedures

2.2

Internal controls and gauges relating to safe vehicle operation are inspected

2.3

Pre-operational inspections and checks of vehicle/trailer brake systems, suspension, axles, electrical systems, wheels and tyres, and couplings are undertaken in accordance with national road safety standards as required

2.4

Associated equipment is tested to ensure it functions correctly in accordance with manufacturer specifications

2.5

Distribution of vehicle load is checked to ensure it is even, legal, and within safe working capacity and mass management requirements

2.6

Load is checked to ensure dangerous goods and hazardous substances are appropriately segregated in accordance with the current Australian Dangerous Goods (ADG) Code, as required

2.7

Load is secured in accordance with load restraint guidelines and protection equipment for different loads, carrying and storage conditions

2.8

Load is protected in accordance with legal and workplace safety requirements

2.9

All required goods documentation is completed in accordance with workplace requirements and the current ADG Code, as required

3

Apply safe heavy vehicle driving behaviours

3.1

Requirements for safe heavy vehicle driving are applied

3.2

Importance of attitude in complying with road rules in relation to level of risk faced by a driver, is applied when driving a heavy vehicle

3.3

Importance of road sharing principles is applied when driving a heavy vehicle

3.4

Importance of motivation to drive safely is interpreted and explained

3.5

Principles of proactive driving methods, that maintain one’s driving at a low-level risk, are identified and applied

3.6

Contributing risk factors to potential crash risks, are identified and are taken into consideration

4

Apply low-risk heavy vehicle driving strategies

4.1

Contributing risk factors to forming opinions and beliefs about low-risk driving are applied

4.2

Human factors that can influence low-risk driving behaviour are outlined

4.3

Low-risk driving strategies are applied and their rationale is explained

5

Explain risk factors that contribute to accidents when driving a heavy vehicle

5.1

Contributing risk factors to accidents are recognised

5.2

External factors that could lead to accidents are outlined

5.3

Internal factors that could lead to accidents are outlined

5.4

Consequences of accidents in relation to relevant traffic laws and physical, financial and psychological costs to the individual and society, are explained

5.5

Functions of vehicle operations and control, and how to recover control of a vehicle are explained

6

Apply heavy vehicle operation and control skills

6.1

Appropriate action is taken to respond to hazardous situations

6.2

Principles of braking are applied to a high level of technical competence

6.3

Principles of steering are applied to a high level of technical competence

6.4

Slow speed manoeuvres are carried out to a high level of technical competence

6.5

Vehicle is operated and controlled at a high level of technical competence

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria on at least one occasion and include:

adapting to differences in heavy vehicles, including their controls and safety devices, and the driving environment

applying correct selection and application of a braking and gear system

applying correct steering control techniques in a variety of driving conditions

applying high-level road craft skills

applying road rules

carrying out pre-operational checks and related action on heavy vehicles

complying with appropriate legislative, regulatory and procedural requirements while driving a heavy vehicle

dealing with adverse conditions while driving a heavy vehicle

evaluating risk and consequences of own driving actions

following operational instructions

identifying risk factors that might impact on driving behaviours and implementing appropriate low-risk driving response measures

identifying, monitoring and anticipating traffic hazards and taking appropriate and timely action

implementing contingency plans

implementing work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements and practices when:

conducting prestart-up checks

identifying hazards

minimising, controlling or eliminating hazards

observing and interpreting driver behaviour that may put people at risk

maintaining situational awareness

making necessary adjustments to suit driving environment

managing speed and space while driving a heavy vehicle

manoeuvring a heavy vehicle at slow speed

monitoring and anticipating traffic hazards and taking appropriate and timely action

monitoring heavy vehicle performance and taking appropriate action as required

monitoring traffic and road conditions and reacting appropriately

negotiating complex traffic and road conditions and making appropriate decisions

reading and interpreting relevant instructions, road rules, procedures, jurisdictional requirements, information and signs

selecting and using vehicle controls and safety devices to enable safe heavy vehicle driving

working collaboratively with other road users when driving a heavy vehicle.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and include knowledge of:

additional equipment fitted to heavy vehicles

cognitive factors that may influence performance in heavy vehicle driving

consequences of heavy vehicle accidents

critical factors underpinning high-level heavy vehicle driving technical competence

driving hazards and related low-risk driving techniques

factors contributing to accidents:

age, experience, drugs, alcohol, medication, road conditions, fatigue and time of day

driver values, emotions, limitations and personal needs

emotional factors, driver’s own behaviours and driver’s operation at high levels of risk

speed, space, vision, road conditions, vehicle condition and environmental conditions

heavy vehicle braking systems and techniques for use such as maxi brakes, trailer brakes and exhaust brake system

load restraint guidelines

low-risk driving behaviours including:

creating and maintaining crash avoidance space

protecting crash avoidance space

obeying road rules, safety information and directions

observation and scanning techniques

procedures for identifying and responding to hazards

purpose and benefits of road rules enforcement for safe heavy vehicle driving

range of heavy vehicle and or trailer designs and capabilities (in accordance with manufacturer specifications)

rationale for ongoing development of traffic regulations to meet changing traffic conditions

relevant laws and penalties for demerit point offences, such as driving while unlicensed, disqualified or under the influence of drugs or alcohol

relevant road rules and traffic safety legislation including:

alcohol and drugs

driver licensing

vehicle registration

vehicle standards

road safety issues including heavy vehicle driver fatigue

road signs, signals and markings

sources and availability of relevant learning resources and learning material

steering operation and control

types of driving conditions commonly encountered requiring correct selection of appropriate gears to avoid losing control of a heavy vehicle

types of driving conditions commonly encountered requiring steering operation/control to maintain a heavy vehicle under adverse conditions

use of pre drive documentation requirements

vehicle operation and control including:

cabin drill

start, move off, shut down and secure

managing accelerator

managing brakes

managing steering.