This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to safely operate a vehicle carrying a special load in accordance with road traffic authority and other relevant government regulations and company policies, and to effectively manage hazardous situations.

It involves carrying out pre-operational checks, driving a vehicle carrying special loads, and applying routine vehicle driving principles and procedures to maintain the safety and operation of a commercial vehicle carrying a special load across a variety of driving contexts.

Driving must be carried out in accordance with relevant state/territory roads and traffic authority licence and permit requirements and regulations and specific regulatory and permit requirements for the special load being carried.

Driving is performed with limited supervision, and with duty of care responsibility for self and others in achieving the prescribed outcomes.

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

Carry out pre-operational checks

1.1

Job hazards are identified and required action is taken to minimise, control or eliminate identified hazards

1.2

Pre-operational checks for special purpose vehicle and associated ancillary equipment are carried out in accordance with manufacturer requirements, government regulations, and workplace policies and procedures

1.3

Faults and defects identified during checks are repaired or reported in accordance with workplace procedures

2

Drive a vehicle carrying special loads

2.1

Vehicle is manoeuvred in accordance with regulations/permit requirements for vehicle class involved and load being carried

2.2

Vehicles carrying explosives or dangerous goods are driven along designated routes in accordance with relevant codes, government regulations and workplace policies

2.3

Load is transported and vehicle is manoeuvred in accordance with required precautions relating to load unusual/special characteristics and/or relevant government regulations for special load including the current Australian Dangerous Goods (ADG) Code and the current Australian Code for the Transport of Explosives by Road and Rail

2.4

Signs, placards or indicators are fixed to vehicle as required

2.5

Appropriate procedures are followed for load concerned in a driving emergency

2.6

Documentation is completed and proofread in accordance with workplace procedures

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:

applying precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate identified hazards

applying relevant legislation and workplace procedures

checking and replenishing fluids and carrying out lubrication processes

communicating effectively with others

completing relevant documentation

interpreting and following operational instructions and prioritising work

modifying activities depending on operational contingencies, risk situations and environments

monitoring and anticipating traffic hazards and taking appropriate action

monitoring performance of vehicle, its equipment and load, and taking appropriate action as required

operating and adapting to differences in equipment in accordance with operating procedures

reading and interpreting relevant instructions, procedures, information and signs

reporting and/or rectifying identified problems, faults or malfunctions promptly, in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

servicing vehicle and its equipment in terms of maintenance schedule and operating procedures

working collaboratively with others

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

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:

efficient driving techniques

engine power management and safe driving strategies

factors that increase fatigue-related accidents

factors that may cause traffic delays and diversions and related action that can be taken by a driver

fatigue management strategies including on-road techniques

lifestyles that promote effective long-term fatigue management

map reading and road navigation techniques

pre-operational checks carried out on vehicle and related action

procedures to be followed in a driving emergency

relevant Australian regulations and codes of practice for handling and transporting dangerous goods and hazardous substances, including the current Australian Dangerous Goods (ADG) Code and the current Australian Code for the Transport of Explosives by Road and Rail

relevant state/territory road traffic authority road rules, regulations, permit and licence requirements

relevant work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental procedures and regulations

vehicle controls, instruments and indicators, and their use

workplace driving and operational instructions.

As a minimum, assessors must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

As a minimum, assessment must satisfy applicable regulatory requirements, which include requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must occur in workplace operational situations where it is appropriate to do so; where this is not appropriate, assessment must occur in simulated workplace operational situations that replicate workplace conditions.

Practical assessment must be in vehicles designed to carry special loads, for example concrete agitator, livestock transporter, armoured car, tanker, refrigerated vehicle, waste vehicle, fresh produce vehicle, car carrier, container carrier, recovery vehicle.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Resources for assessment include:

a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or simulations

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

relevant materials, tools, equipment and personal protective equipment currently used in industry.