Unit Assessment Document A/507/0471 ©MPQC July 2010

Unit Number: / A/507/0471
Title: / Operate Plant to Excavate
Level: / 2
Credit value: / 26
Learning outcomes
The learner will: / Assessment criteria
The learner can:
1.Be able operate plant to excavate. / 1.1.Interpret the given operating information (specifications, schedules and manufacturers’ information) relating to the use of plant, and confirm its relevance.
1.2.Organise with others the sequence in which the work is to be carried out
1.3.Comply with the relevant, current legislation, special legal status documents, official guidance and organisational procedures to avoid risk and maintain safe, healthy and environmentally responsible work practices relating to at least four of the following:
  • methods of work
  • safe use of Personal Protective Equipment
  • safe use and storage of plant
  • safe use and storage of tools and equipment
  • specific risks to health
1.4.Request resources to sustain plant operations to complete the programme of work (e.g. tools, materials, consumables, ancillary equipment and other resources associated with the work activity)
1.5.Select plant resources for the methods of work and operations to be carried out (e.g.tools, materials, consumables, ancillary equipment and other resources associated with the work activity)
1.6.Comply with organisational procedures to protect the work and surrounding area, prevent damage, maintain a clean work space and dispose of waste
1.7.Comply with the given information to complete the work activity to the required specification relating to:
  • check, adjust, communicate, start, operate, manoeuvre, position, excavate, measure, remove, shut down and secure after use,
  • use, maintain and store or dispose of resources
1.8.Operate plant to excavate to given working instructions related to one of the following categories of plant:
  • excavators
  • loading shovels
  • loader compressors
  • trenchers
  • dozers

2.Understand how to operate plant to excavate. / 2.1.Describe the organisational procedures developed to report and rectify inappropriate information and unsuitable resources, and how they are implemented
2.2.State the types of information, their source and how they are interpreted relating to:
  • drawings or diagrams
  • specifications, schedules
  • method statements
  • risk assessments
  • manufacturers’ information
  • current regulations governing the operation of plant and the use of equipment
2.3.Describe the organisational procedures to solve problems with the information and why it is important they are followed in relation to:
  • those arising from information
  • resources
  • the method of work
  • circumstances that affect the work activity (those rectifiable under own authority)
  • limits of own authority
  • organisational reporting procedures
2.4.Outline the methods of communication between team members, to include:
  • discussions
  • diagrams
  • briefings
2.5.State the organisation of resources in conjunction with the progress of the work to include:
  • the types, quality and quantities of consumables, lubricants, fuels, tools
  • ancillary equipment associated with the method of work
  • organisational procedures to operate plant to excavate
2.6.Describe the skills required to do the work
2.7.State the level of understanding operatives must have of information on the relevant current Legislation, Approved Codes of Conduct and official guidance, and how it is applied (responsibilities regarding potential accidents and health hazards whilst working in the workplace)
2.8.Describe how to respond to emergencies, and who should respond, to include:
  • fire
  • spillages
  • injuries
  • emergencies related to the work activity and working environment
2.9.Outline the organisational security procedures for plant, tools, equipment and personal belongings related to the:
  • site
  • workplace
  • company
  • operative
2.10.Outline the organisational accident reporting procedures
2.11.Explain why, when and how Personal Protective Equipment must be used (include the types identified for the occupation, work activity and work area, their purpose, and how to use and maintain them)
2.12.State how to comply with environmentally responsible work practices
2.13.Describe the organisational procedures for requisitioning consumables and otherresources as outlined in 2.5
2.14.Outline the characteristics, quality, uses, sustainability, limitations and defects associated with the plant resources, and how defects should be rectified
2.15.Describe how the resources should be used and how problems associated with the resources should be reported
2.16.State the organisational procedures to select resources, why they have been developed and how they are used
2.17.Outline the hazards associated with the resources and the method of work, and how they are overcome
2.18.State how to protect work from damage, and the purpose of the protection relating to:
  • workplace activity
  • other occupations
  • adverse weather
2.19.State why disposal of waste should be carried out safely, and how it is achieved to include, (environmental responsibilities, organisational procedures, manufacturers’ information, statutory regulations and official guidance)
2.20.Describe how methods of work to meet the specification are carried out and problems reported relating to the following:
  • identify the characteristics of the plant
  • carry out function checks for excavation work
  • identify the area to be excavated
  • carry out pre-operational checks for obstructions, stability, safety and security of the work and surrounding area
  • identify geological, environmental and material changes and report
  • check to avoid damage to structures and utility services
  • recognise when specific skills and knowledge are required and report accordingly
2.21.Describe how methods of work to meet the specification are carried out and problems reported
  • excavate accurately to line and level
  • use equipment to gauge and measure
  • operate outside the normal work area
  • shut down and secure plant
  • use hand tools and ancillary equipment
  • operative care of plant, tools and equipment
  • communicate and work with a team
  • appreciate the needs of other occupations associated with the operation of plant to excavate
2.22.State how maintenance of plant, tools and equipment is carried out
2.23.Outline what the programme is for the work to be carried out in the estimated, allocated time, and why deadlines should be kept

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