This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to observe safety practices are followed in the vicinity of isolated electrical cables.

It includes preparing and observing safety practices whilst taking actions to mitigate risks when working near isolated cables/conductors designed to operate above extra-low voltage (ELV). It also includes identifying electrical hazards and consequences of damage to cables and electrical infrastructure, applying safe working methods, identifying hazards, evaluating risks, adapting safe work methods and documenting safety activities.

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

Prepare to observe safety practices

1.1

Extent of work is determined from job instructions, design brief and other relevant documentation

1.2

Electrical cables in the work area are located and identified and authorisation received from relevant person/s

1.3

Access permit is obtained, read and applied from authorised switching officer and electrical supply is isolated

1.4

Safe workplace procedures for plant, machinery and equipment are reviewed and applied

2

Observe safety practices

2.1

Work is observed to ensure safe working methods are followed in accordance with workplace procedures

2.2

Work area near isolated electrical cables is observed to ensure it is not damaged or disturbed

2.3

Unplanned events are responded to in accordance with workplace procedures

3

Take actions to mitigate risk

3.1

Hazards not previously identified are referred to relevant person/s for risk mitigation measures in accordance with workplace procedures

3.2

Hazards are identified, risks assessed and control measures implemented

3.3

Solutions used to solve problems are justified and documented 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, performance criteria and range of conditions on at least one occasion and include:

reading instructions and understanding the nature of the work to be undertaken

understanding the location of electrical cables in the vicinity of the work to be undertaken

receiving, reading and understanding access permits

reviewing and understanding safe working methods for the plant, machinery and equipment to be used

observing work activities ensuring safe working methods are followed

dealing with previously unidentified hazards in accordance with established procedures

monitoring risk mitigation methods for continuous improvement in accordance with established procedures

documenting safe working practices and any corrective actions in accordance with established procedures

dealing effectively with unplanned events

applying relevant work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements, including taking actions to mitigate risk

implementing risk control measures

observing safety practices are followed around isolated electrical cables

preparing and observing safety practices.

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

safety practices - working safely around electrical cables and infrastructure, including:

effects of electric shock on the human body encompassing:

shock currents

burns

risks of low voltage (LV), high voltage (HV) and high currents

risk management and assessment of risk encompassing:

principle and purpose of risk management

processes for conducting a risk assessment

hazards associated with electrical cables/conductors encompassing:

electrical supply arrangements for isolation of circuits

supply connected

capacitance charge on cables isolated from supply

consequences of damaged cables/conductors encompassing:

accelerated deterioration of insulated cables, including damage to enclosures, serving, armours, sheathing and insulation without exposure of the conductors

damage of exposing conductors with the likelihood of dangerous step voltage and touch voltage

how a short circuit occurs and the resulting potential damage they cause

risks and control measures associated with work in the vicinity of electrical cables and infrastructure

the main features and purpose of an access permit system

electrical isolation and types of permits issued for work in the vicinity of isolated cables

scope of work permitted on an access permit

safety observation procedures

relevant industry standards for electrical isolation

relevant WHS/OHS legislated requirements

relevant workplace documentation

relevant workplace policies and procedures.

Assessors must hold credentials specified within the Standards for Registered Training Organisations current at the time of assessment.

Assessment must satisfy the Principles of Assessment and Rules of Evidence and all regulatory requirements included within 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.

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 must include access to:

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

relevant and appropriate materials, tools, equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) currently used in industry

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

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Non-essential conditions may be found in the UEE Electrotechnology Training Package Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

Observing safety practices are followed in the vicinity of isolated electrical cables normally operating above ELV must include each of the following situations:

cables installed underground in ducts or buried direct

bare and insulated overhead conductors/cables

cables installed above ground, unenclosed or enclosed in conduit, trunking or ducts

Electrotechnology

Cross Discipline