Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
23/07/2026 1:05 AM AWST

Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.

Use hand and power tools

Use hand and power tools

Unit of competency
National Code
RIISAM203A
State Code
WB452
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
05/05/2009
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
27/02/2012
Field of Education
030717 - Plant And Machine Operations
Original Release Date
27/02/2012
Nominal Hours
60
Description
This unit covers the use of hand and power tools in resources and infrastructure industries. It includes planning and preparing for work, selecting and using hand tools and power tools, and cleaning up.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan and prepare
  • 1.1. Access, interpret and apply compliance documentation relevant to the use of hand and power tools
  • 1.2. Obtain, confirm and apply work instructions for the allotted task
  • 1.3. Obtain, confirm and apply safety requirements from the site safety plan and organisational policies and procedures relevant to the allotted task
  • 1.4. Identify, confirm and apply environmental protection requirements for the allotted task from the project environmental management plan
2. Select and use hand tools
  • 2.1. Select hand tools consistent with needs of the job
  • 2.2. Check tools for serviceability and safety, and report faults
  • 2.3. Clamp or fix materials in position
  • 2.4. Use hand tools safely and effectively according to their intended use
  • 2.5. Safely locate hand tools when not in immediate use
3. Select and use power tools
  • 3.1. Select power tools and equipment consistent with needs of job and in accordance with standard work practice, and report any faults
  • 3.2. Check tools for serviceability and safety, and report faults
  • 3.3. Visually check power leads/hoses for serviceability/safety in accordance with the site safety plan
  • 3.4. Clear route for safe placement of leads/hoses of identified hazards
  • 3.5. Run electrical power leads to power supply so they are clear of traffic or covered where possible
  • 3.6. Connect electric power leads to the power board or direct to power tool
  • 3.7. Run air hoses out to the compressed air supply and covered where potential trip hazards exist
  • 3.8. Connect hose to power tool and air supply
  • 3.9. Clamp or fix material in position for power tool application where applicable
  • 3.10. Use power tools safely and effectively in application processes
  • 3.11. Locate power tools safely when not in use
4. Clean up
  • 4.1. Clear work area and dispose of or recycle materials in accordance with project environmental management plan
  • 4.2. Clean, check, maintain and store machinery, tools and equipment in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations and standard work practices
may include:
legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures
manufacturer's guidelines and specifications
Australian standards
code of practice
Employment and workplace relations legislation
Equal Employment Opportunity and Disability Discrimination legislation

verbal or written and graphical instructions, signage, work schedules/plans/specifications, work bulletins, charts and hand drawings, memos, materials safety data sheets (MSDS) and diagrams or sketches
plans and specifications
quality requirements, including: dimensions and tolerances, standards of work and material standards
safe work procedures or equivalent related to using hand and power tools

protective clothing and equipment
use of tools and equipment
workplace environment and safety
handling of materials
use of fire fighting equipment
use of First Aid equipment
hazard control
hazardous materials and substances
personal protective equipment
emergency procedures related to equipment operation which may include
emergency shutdown and stopping
extinguishing equipment fires
organisational First Aid requirements and
evacuation

organisational/project environmental management plan
waste management
water quality protection
noise
vibration
dust and
clean-up management

cramps
vices
adjustable spanners
crow bars
pinch bars
bolt cutters
brooms
chisels
hacksaws
handsaws
hammers
measuring tapes
axes
rakes
hand augers
picks
mattocks
pliers
shovels
spades
sledge hammers
spanners
wrenches
spirit levels and
wire cutters

checking of electrical safety/inspection tag for currency
equipment defect identification
assessment of conditions and hazards and determination of work requirements

to include those associated with the use of hand and power tools

240 volt electricity
compressed air
battery driven and
hydraulics

kanga hammers
cut off saws
drills
screwdrivers
angle grinders
pneumatic wrenches
impact hammers
tampers
rotary hammers/drills
circular saws
planers
sanders and
scalers

power leads and
safety switches and
may include air hoses

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

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to worksite operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit and include evidence of the following:

knowledge of the requirements, procedures and instructions for the use of hand and power tools
implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient use of hand and power tools
working with others to undertake the use of hand and power tools that meets all of the required outcomes
consistent timely use of hand and power tools that safely, effectively and efficiently meets the required outcomes

Context of and specific resources for assessment
This unit must be assessed in the context of the work environment. Where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment may occur in a simulated environment provided it is realistic and sufficiently rigorous to cover all aspects of workplace performance, including task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.
The assessment environment should not disadvantage the participant. For example, language, literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required on the job.
Customisation of assessment and delivery environment to sensitively accommodate cultural diversity.
Aboriginal people and other people from a non English speaking background may have second language issues.
Assessment of this competency requires typical resources normally used in the work environment. Selection and use of resources for particular worksites may differ due to site circumstances.
Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.
Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required.

Method of assessment

This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency. The assessment strategy for this unit must verify required knowledge and skill and practical application using more than one of the following assessment methods:

written and/or oral assessment of the candidate's required knowledge

observed, documented and/or first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:

implementation of appropriate requirement, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient achievement of required outcomes
consistently achieving the required outcomes

first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:

working with others to undertake the use of hand and power tools

Guidance information for assessment
Consult the SkillsDMC User Guide for further information on assessment including access and equity issues.

Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
W2065 BCCCM2001B Use civil construction hand and power tools Unit of competency
W5882 RIIG2003A Use hand and power tools Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
WC368 RIISAM203B Use hand and power tools Unit of competency