Elements and Performance Criteria

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.
Belay system may include:
top belay
bottom belay.
Contextual issues may include:
weather conditions, including times
season
transport
location.
Equipment may include:
helmets
karabiners
harnesses
belay device
slings
ropes
tapes
anchors
quick draws
protection
footwear
chalk bag and chalk
first aid kit.
Relevant legislation may include:
occupational health and safety
permits or permission for access
environmental regulations.
Organisational policies and procedures may include:
occupational health and safety
use and maintenance of equipment
emergency procedures
code of ethics.
Anchors may include:
bolts
chains
bollards
eyelets
U bolts
beams
wire cables.
Participants may include:
experienced
adults
tourists, club members, clients, school or youth groups.
Condition of the anchors may include:
age
location
wear
decay
corrosion
environmental stress
insect damage.
Likely load may include:
group size
set up
type of climb conducted
climber ability
technique
possible forces generated during a fall.
Belay device may include:
plate devices
auto-locking devices
tubular devices.
Artificial surface conditions may include:
portable or fixed walls or towers
fixed towers or bridges
indoor or outdoor
multi pitch.
Safety checks may include:
A - anchors - secure and suitable to application
B - buckles - locked as per manufacturers recommendations
C - connector - locked, secured and orientated
D - devices - threaded correctly and secured
E - everything else including end or rope knots, friction hitches, belayer ready, helmet chin strap, clothing, jewellery and hair secured.
F- friend - cross check
G - organisation specific procedures.
Knots may include:
end-of-rope knots
mid-rope knots
rope joining knots
tape knot
lock-off knots.
Hazards may include:
temperature extremes
slippery or unstable terrain
group management hazards.
Safety of belayer may include:
attachment to anchor or alternate safety system
positioning out of direct line of equipment fall
minimising movement of the belayer in the event of a fall.

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:
independently selects appropriate equipment and carries out safety checks to ensure effective working order
differentiates between the types of belay systems, anchors and knots and their suitability to different rigging situations and uses discretion and judgement to determine belay system required for climbing in routine and non-routine multi pitch contexts
determines the need for, and establishes, back up belay systems to ensure safety of self and other participants.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment must ensure participation in multiple rigging of anchors and equipment to demonstrate competency and consistency of performance
Assessment must ensure access to:
resources and information regarding climbing and belaying equipment
suitable artificial multi pitch climbing sites with fixed anchors and varying qualities and features that allow participant to demonstrate rigging skills
other climbing participants, to assist in belaying and rigging
equipment such as anchors, harnesses, belay systems, belay devices, slings, ropes, karabiners and first aid equipment.
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 ensure safe and appropriate use of all climbing equipment
observation of safe participation and demonstration of setting up belay systems suitable to different contexts and participants
observation of dealing with contingencies, such as equipment failure
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:
SISOCLA407A Apply multi pitch lead climbing skills on artificial surfaces