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Title / Operate a motor grader for earthworks
Level / 3 / Credits / 20
Purpose / People credited with this unit standard are able to: prepare for grader operations; manoeuvre and control grader on site; use ripper or scarifier; use grader for earthworks; and refuel, park, and inspect a motor grader.
Classification / Infrastructure Works > Civil Plant Operation
Available grade / Achieved
Prerequisites / Critical health and safety prerequisites:
Prerequisite: Class of driver licence required for the vehicle being driven.
Guidance Information
1The following legislation and regulations must be complied with: Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992; Health and Safety in Employment Regulations 1995; Traffic Regulations 1976; Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass 2002; and Land Transport Rule: Heavy Vehicles 2004.
2Assessment against this unit standard must take place in a workplace environment. Assessment parameters will depend on company and site specific equipment, procedures, and practices. Practices must reflect industry best practice and comply with legislative requirements.
3The following manual must be complied with: Operator Safety Manual for Earthmoving Machinery, 2002 available by contacting the Infrastructure ITO or the Civil Contractors New Zealand,
4Definitions
Batter refers to an earthworks cut or wall with a sloping face.
Company requirements include the policy, procedures, and methodologies of the company. They include legislative and regulatory requirements applicable to the company or a specific site. Requirements are documented in the company’s health and safety plans, traffic management plans, contract work programmes, quality assurance programmes, policies, and procedural documents.
Contract specifications include plans, diagrams, and special technical conditions. They do not include special administrative conditions.
Job instructions are those given to the operator prior to undertaking a job. They may include site safety instructions, contract drawings, and written memos.
Manufacturer’s instructions may include specifications, installation, handling, use and maintenance instructions and safety data sheets.
Walk round means to walk around the machine inspecting it and its environment for hazards and removing hazards that may impair start-up.
5The type of grader used in this unit standard is a construction grader that is able to position the blade for battering.
Outcomes and performance criteria
Outcome 1
Prepare for grader operations.
Performance criteria
1.1Job instructions are confirmed in accordance with contract specifications and company requirements.
1.2Walk round is completed prior to starting work in accordance with job instructions.
1.3Machine operation is checked prior to starting work in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.
Rangevisibility, seat belt, engine controls and gauges, throttle position, hydraulic controls;
check controls and gauges after warm-up.
1.4Site and machine are checked for hazards in accordance with the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 and company requirements.
1.5Cutting edges are checked for wear and corrected if worn in accordance with company requirements.
Outcome 2
Manoeuvre and control grader on site.
Performance criteria
2.1Grader is manoeuvred on site with adequate clearances and in accordance with Operator Safety Manual for Earthmoving Machinery and job instructions.
Rangeclearances include but are not limited to – overhead wires, underground services, proximity of people and plant, trenching works.
2.2Grader is controlled on slopes in accordance with Operator Safety Manual for Earthmoving Machinery.
2.3Grader controls are used to produce controlled flow of material.
Rangeforward movement, reversing, wheel lean, differential lock, articulation.
2.4Grader is controlled on different ground conditions in accordance with Operator Safety Manual for Earthmoving Machinery.
Rangesoft ground, slippery ground.
2.5When manoeuvring grader, survey pegs and settings are preserved at all times.
Outcome 3
Use ripper or scarifier.
Performance criteria
3.1Ripper or scarifier is used to break up hard surface in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.
3.2Ripper or scarifier is used to aerate cohesive soils in accordance with contract specifications.
3.3Ripper or scarifier is used to mix materials in accordance with contract specifications.
Outcome 4
Use grader for earthworks.
Performance criteria
4.1Sequence and work methods are chosen to ensure safety of people and plant.
Rangeproduction requirements, site traffic.
4.2Topsoil is stripped in accordance with job instructions.
4.3Formation levels are shaped in accordance with job instructions.
Rangecross-fall, grade, batter slope, super elevation.
4.4Foundation material is prepared in accordance with job instructions.
Rangeripping, mixing, reshaping.
4.5Drainage channels are cut in accordance with job instructions.
Rangeany three of – cut-out drain, interceptor drain, vee drain, swale drain.
4.6Materials are spread and levelled in accordance with job instructions.
Rangeaggregate, stabilised material.
4.7Earthworks are trimmed to line and level in accordance with job instructions.
Rangefeather edge, shoulder, carriageway using either peg lines or a laser control.
4.8Topsoil is spread and levelled in accordance with job instructions.
Outcome 5
Refuel, park, and inspect a motor grader.
Performance criteria
5.1Motor grader is refuelled and oils checked in accordance with company requirements.
5.2Motor grader is parked, shut down safely, and secured in accordance with company requirements.
5.3Motor grader is inspected and any faults are reported in accordance with company requirements.
Replacement information / This unit standard, unit standard 17312 and unit standard 17313 were replaced by unit standard 31455.This unit standard is expiring. Assessment against the standard must take place by the last date for assessment set out below.
Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process / Version / Date / Last Date for AssessmentRegistration / 1 / 30 May 2000 / 31 December 2021
Review / 2 / 25 September 2006 / 31 December 2021
Review / 2 / 7 May 2007 / 31 December 2021
Review / 3 / 19 February 2015 / 31 December 2021
Review / 4 / 27 September 2018 / 31 December 2021
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference / 0101
This CMR can be accessed at
Infrastructure ITOSSB Code 101813 / New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2019