Task
To be assessed as competent in this unit, you will need to demonstrate to your assessor that you can use a particular range of hand-held tools safely and efficiently, and carry out any routine maintenance that an operator would normally need to do. So the main assessment activities will be practical demonstrations, where you'll use the tools to do various jobs while your assessor watches you.
The specific tools that you'll need to demonstrate are likely to be selected on the basis of the type of work you do each day, the training you've already received, and the discussions you have with your assessor and supervisor.
This Task is designed to help you to prepare for these practical assessment events, and also provide additional 'evidence of competence' for your assessor.
Here are the steps you should follow to complete the Task:
- Choose one of the more hazardous tools you are going to be assessed on for this unit. For instance, if you will be using a hammer, screwdriver, cordless drill and circular saw, you should choose the circular saw.
- Write up your own Safe Operating Procedure (SOP) for the tool, using the template provided. You may already have an SOP in your workplace for this tool, in which case you could use it for guidance. If you don't have an existing SOP, you could look at the manufacturer's instruction booklet. If neither is available, you can do it yourself and ask your supervisor or trainer for help.
- Take the SOP out to your work area and 'trial' it. That is, check all the details in the SOP while you use the tool, to make sure you've covered all the important points.
- Submit your completed SOP to your assessor.
You can go to the case study to hear how Paul has gone about completing this Task.
Your trainer may ask you to complete this Task as a formal assessment exercise. To complete it in writing, select the appropriate format below. If you prefer to record your answers in an audio file, speak to your trainer about the best way to go about it.