Unit of competency details

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

1. Determine course operational procedures.

1.1. Establish procedures for the use of the course, including training of staff and verification and maintenance of staff skills.

1.2. Implement mechanisms to inform course users and facilitators of changes to elements and procedures.

1.3. Identify and document safety and emergency procedures and equipment required for use at the site according to relevant legislation  and organisational policies and procedures .

1.4. Develop vertical rescue techniques and procedures for a variety of scenarios.

1.5. Determine and document risks and hazards associated with individual elements and eliminate or reduce where possible.

1.6. Determine the impact of course installation on the conduct of activities and maintenance procedures.

2. Conduct course maintenance.

2.1. Determine pre-activity course inspection protocols and procedures for monitoring compliance by individual course users.

2.2. Document course maintenance  procedures, after consultation with challenge ropes course installation and maintenance specialists.

2.3. Conduct regular course maintenance according to operational procedures, relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures.

2.4. Identify common problems  with the natural environment surrounding the challenge ropes course and implement strategies  to deal with or reduce the problem.

2.5. Refer maintenance and repair beyond personal ability and responsibility to relevant industry specialists.

2.6. Establish procedures for recording and reporting checks on elements and hardware.

3. Select equipment for use in high ropes courses.

3.1. Select pulleys according to common practices for ropes course installation, operational procedures and organisational policies and procedures.

3.2. Select harnesses based on contextual issues .

3.3. Identify factors  affecting the use of karabiners and rapid links in different situations.

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

• communication skills to:

• inform course users and facilitators of changes to elements and operational procedures
• consult with challenge ropes course installation and maintenance specialists where required

• language and literacy skills to:

• document, edit and review operational procedures for the overall set up, operation and maintenance of a high ropes course
• record and report all maintenance and safety checks performed on course

• problem-solving skills to:

• manage and maintain a high ropes course
• determine pre-activity course inspection protocols and procedures
• document potential aims, risks and belay techniques appropriate for each element
• implement strategies to reduce an identified problem

• planning and organising skills to:

• conduct regular and routine maintenance checks and repairs of high ropes course, elements and surrounding area
• coordinate resources and equipment appropriately
• manage risks safely

• self management skills to understand legal responsibilities, and to organise time and priorities effectively.

Required knowledge 

• legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable safe management and maintenance of high ropes course
• site and course specific information to enable safe and effective maintenance with minimal environmental impact, and management of potential hazards, risks and any special restrictions applying to the site
• methods used and issues to consider when developing operational procedures for high ropes courses
• equipment required for use at the course site and warranty requirements and implications
• pre-activity course inspection protocols and methods of identifying hazards and risks
• course maintenance procedures, such as re-tensioning fibre ropes and splicing
• common practices for the installation of challenge ropes courses in Australia
• best practice for the conduct of high ropes course activities, and the aims, risks and belay techniques appropriate to each element
• staff training requirements for the conduct of high ropes course activities
• recording and reporting procedures for checks on elements
• challenge ropes course installation and maintenance specialists in the local area to assist with maintenance and repairs beyond responsibility
• emergency and safety procedures to negotiate potential hazards and risks associated with management and maintenance of relevant high ropes course.

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 

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

Evidence of the following is essential:

• conducts thorough routine inspections of high ropes course and surrounding area and applies safe installation techniques, practices and hardware
• develops and reviews operational procedures for the set up, operation and maintenance of high ropes courses, including rescue procedures
• devises methods of promptly informing course users and facilitators of changes made to elements and procedures and outlines staffing and training requirements for a high ropes course
• documents safety and emergency procedures required for use at the site and aims, risks and spotting techniques appropriate for each element
• consults with challenge ropes course installation and maintenance specialists to determine course maintenance procedures where required.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment must ensure application of detailed knowledge of high ropes course elements and maintenance requirements to develop and review comprehensive procedures.

Assessment must also ensure access to:

• a minimum of two different high ropes courses, each with a minimum of five elements,
• equipment required for the maintenance of a high ropes course
• challenge ropes course installation and maintenance specialists, where required
• resources such as relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to assist in the development of operational and maintenance procedures.

Method of assessment 

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

• oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of relevant legislation and organisational policies and procedures to enable adequate management and maintenance of high ropes course
• observation of safe inspection and thorough maintenance and installation of course equipment and elements
• review of devised operational and maintenance procedures, and course maintenance records and reports
• third-party reports from a supervisor detailing performance.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

• SISOODR405A Manage risk in an outdoor activity.

Guidance information for assessment 

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.

Relevant legislation  may include:

• occupational health and safety
• permits or permissions for access
• environmental regulations.

Organisational policies and procedures  may include:

• occupational health and safety
• common practices for the installation of challenge ropes courses in Australia
• warranty requirements
• working load limits and tension formula
• time and budget constraints
• use and maintenance of equipment
• recording and reporting procedures
• operational procedures for specific high ropes course
• code of ethics.

Course maintenance  may include:

• tightening nuts
• covering wire rope ends
• re-tensioning ropes
• trimming of tree branches
• tree hazard assessment
• removal of other hazards
• checking of anchors, belay systems and back up wires.

Problems  may include:

• tree disease
• falling branches
• soil compaction
• unauthorised use
• fauna.

Strategies  may include:

• use of mulch and or soft fall material
• moving elements
• resting areas and not using elements
• signage
• fencing.

Contextual issues  may include:

• weather conditions, including times
• season
• transport
• location
• trip distance and duration
• group objectives
• group size.

Factors  may include:

• requirement for locking
• rope wear when passing over small diameter karabiners or rapid links versus use of shear reduction pulleys
• need for steel versus alloy
• preferred item for use in belay systems or for use for attaching to pulleys.