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

Overview of assessment

This unit of competency could be assessed in the workplace or a close simulation of the workplace environment providing that simulated or project-based assessment techniques fully replicate plumbing and services workplace conditions, materials, activities, responsibilities and procedures.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of:

locating, interpreting and applying relevant information, standards and specifications

complying with WHS regulations and commonwealth, state and territory legislation applicable to workplace operations

complying with organisational policies and procedures, including quality assurance requirements

individually or as a member of a team, participating in two different circumstances requiring:

conduct of a plumbing and services work-based risk assessment to identify the acceptability and unacceptability of risk

development and implementation of a work-based risk control activity and action

in each case ensuring:

recording and reporting of the risk control process and outcomes

sustainability principles and concepts are applied throughout the work-based risk control processes

communicating and working effectively and safely with others.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This competency is to be assessed using standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints.

Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge will usually be conducted in an off-site context.

Assessment is to comply with relevant regulatory, Australian standards or International Standards Organisation’s requirements.

Resource implications for assessment include:

an induction procedure and requirement

realistic tasks or simulated tasks covering the minimum task requirements

relevant specifications and work instructions

tools and equipment appropriate to applying safe work practices

support materials appropriate to activity

workplace instructions relating to safe work practices and addressing hazards and emergencies

material safety data sheets

research resources, including industry-related systems information.

Reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities must be made to assessment processes where required. This could include access to modified equipment and other physical resources, and the provision of appropriate assessment support.

Method of assessment

Assessment methods must:

satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Construction, Plumbing and Services Training Package

include direct observation of tasks in real or simulated work conditions, with questioning to confirm the ability to consistently identify and correctly interpret the essential underpinning knowledge required for practical application

reinforce the integration of employability skills with workplace tasks and job roles

confirm that competency is verified and able to be transferred to other circumstances and environments.

Validity and sufficiency of evidence requires that:

competency will need to be demonstrated over a period of time reflecting the scope of the role and the practical requirements of the workplace

where the assessment is part of a structured learning experience the evidence collected must relate to a number of performances assessed at different points in time and separated by further learning and practice, with a decision on competency only taken at the point when the assessor has complete confidence in the person's demonstrated ability and applied knowledge

all assessment that is part of a structured learning experience must include a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary evidence.

Assessment processes and techniques should as far as is practical take into account the language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate in relation to the competency being assessed.

Supplementary evidence of competency may be obtained from relevant authenticated documentation from third parties, such as existing supervisors, team leaders or specialist training staff.

Required skills

communication skills to:

access and analyse safety systems information

communicate with others

complete records and reports and other relevant workplace documentation

enable clear and direct communication, using questioning to identify and confirm requirements, share information, listen and understand

use and interpret non-verbal communication, such as hand signals

use language and concepts appropriate to cultural differences

initiative and enterprise skills to:

accurately refer critical unacceptable risk situations to others

identify and report to appropriate personnel any faults in tools, equipment or materials

technical skills to:

identify courses of action, initiate action and complete records and reports

apply the three steps of identifying work-based hazards, assessing the risk and determining unacceptable risk situations

Required knowledge

industry terminology

job safety analysis (JSA) and safe work method statement (SWMS)

materials safety data sheets (MSDS)

materials handling methods

personal risk assessment and control processes (hazard identification through to action)

personal safety measures

processes for interpreting plans, specifications, drawings and sketches

quality assurance systems and standards

regulatory requirements related to obligations and risk management

reporting and recording procedures

risk management theory, including the hierarchy of controls on treatments

work access and traffic control responsibilities

workplace and equipment safety requirements

workplace communication methods

workplace rules, policies, procedures and regulations

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Safety systems information may include:

information that may be contained in:

codes of practice

international standards

legislation and regulations

manufacturer instructions

management plans

manager’s rules

work health and safety (WHS) policy

safe working or job procedures (or equivalent)

workplace policy, objectives, rules, procedures and assessment techniques that will vary between work locations

risk assessment terminology, including:

being a loss, injury, disadvantage or gain

consequence is the outcome of an event or situation expressed qualitatively or quantitatively.

Hazards:

are a source of potential harm or a situation with a potential to cause loss

controls for hazards should be considered using option types in sequence, from eliminating the hazard, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls (procedures, etc.) and finally personal protective equipment.

Likelihood:

is used as a qualitative description of probability and frequency

probability is:

expressed as a number between 0 and 1, with 0 indicating an impossible outcome and 1 indicating an outcome is certain

likelihood of a specific outcome, measured by the ratio of specific outcomes to the total number of possible outcomes.

Risk:

criteria for acceptable risk must be determined by the organisation's internal policy, goals and objectives

in the absence of other authorities, risk management processes must conform with the relevant and current Australian standard

is measured in terms of consequences and likelihood

is the chance of something happening that will have an impact upon objectives

risk assessment is the process used to determine risk management priorities by evaluating and comparing the level of risk against predetermined standards, target risk levels or other criteria

risk identification is the process of determining what can happen, why and how.

Sustainability principles and concepts:

cover the social, economic and environmental use of resources to meet current and future needs

may include:

use of materials and resources to meet the current needs of society while preserving the environment for the future

disposing of waste material to ensure minimal environmental impact

energy efficiency

water efficiency

environmental, social and economic considerations.

Information may include:

charts and hand drawings

codes of practice

International Standards Organisation

instructions issued by authorised organisational or external personnel

plans and sketches

JSA and SWMS

manufacturer specifications and instructions

maps

MSDS

memos

organisation work specifications and requirements

records and reports for risk assessment, such as:

accident reports

hazard reporting forms

incident reports

near miss reports

shift reports

supervisor reports

regulatory and legislative requirements pertaining to work and the environment

relevant Australian standards

safe work procedures relating to work in the plumbing and services sector

signage

verbal, written and graphical instructions

work bulletins

work schedules, plans and specifications.

Safe operating procedures may include:

emergency procedures, such as:

evacuation

fire fighting

medical and first aid

recognising and preventing hazards associated with:

electricity

fire

gas

other machines

other services

overhead services

personnel

restricted access barriers

traffic control

water

work site visitors and the public

working at heights

working in proximity to others

safe work access, including ensuring that:

access ways are clear

equipment and machinery are away from overhangs and refuelling sites

safe distances are maintained from excavations

safety systems are installed on roofs

work areas are secured from unauthorised access or movement.

Statutory and regulatory authorities include:

commonwealth, state or territory, and local authorities administering applicable Acts, regulations and codes of practice.