Page 1 of 8 Title Demonstrate knowledge of safe working practices in telecommunications Level 2 Credits 4 Purpose This unit standard covers basic instruction in safe working practices in the telecommunications industry. People credited with this unit standard are able to demonstrate knowledge of: the fundamental principles of safe working in the telecommunications industry; evacuation procedures; identification and safe management of hazards in telecommunications; the safe use of hand and portable electric tools; safe manual handling of loads; the safe use of ladders; fire prevention and control procedures; hazardous substances and associated procedures in telecommunications; electrical hazards and safety precautions in telecommunications; safety clothing and associated equipment for use in telecommunications; and the reporting of electrical accidents. Classification Available grade Explanatory notes Telecommunications > Telecommunications - Service Delivery Achieved 1 This unit standard has been designed for learning and assessment off-job. 2 References Electricity Act 1992; Electricity Regulations 1997; Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996; Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Regulations (various) 1998; Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992, and all associated regulations; Resource Management Act 1991; Telecommunications Act 2001; IEC/TS 60479-1 (2005) Effects of current on human beings and livestock, Part 1 - General aspects; NZS 2772.1:1999A1 Maximum exposure levels - 3 khz to 300 GHz;
Page 2 of 8 New Zealand Electrical Codes of Practice (Ministry of Economic Development, ISSN 0114-0663); Safe Working Practices for Electricians and Electrical Workers (Wellington: Ministry of Commerce, 1990); Safety Manual - Electricity Industry (SM-EI) (Parts 1 & 2 & 3) (2004). Available from the Electricity Engineers Association New Zealand. http://www.eea.co.nz, PO Box 5324, Wellington; and their subsequent amendments and replacements. 3 Definitions Associated equipment the meaning as assigned to it in Section 2 of the Electricity Act 1992 with items listed in Regulation 35 of the Electricity Regulations 1997 and includes - insulating gloves, screens, stands, mats, boots and protective covers; safety belts; ladders; ropes for pole top rescue. Current regulations and standards requirements of the above legislation and codes, applied to the context in which the term is used. Enterprise procedures procedures which an enterprise requires employees to follow in order to meet its obligations. Industry practice those practices which competent practitioners within the industry recognise as current industry best practice. Outcomes and evidence requirements Outcome 1 Demonstrate knowledge of the fundamental principles of safe working in the telecommunications industry. 1.1 The responsibilities of the individual in relation to personal safety and the safety of others are stated in accordance with Section 19 of the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992. 1.2 The warning and reporting procedures used for hazardous situations in the workplace are explained in accordance with the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 and its regulations. 1.3 The concept of prescribed electrical work is explained, and the types of persons authorised to do such work are identified, in accordance with current regulations. 1.4 The importance of planning all work and of communicating clearly with others is explained. Outcome 2 Demonstrate knowledge of evacuation procedures. 2.1 Exit points, escape routes and assembly points are identified.
Page 3 of 8 2.2 Evacuation procedures are identified, and followed in accordance with documented enterprise procedures. Outcome 3 Demonstrate knowledge of identification and safe management of hazards in telecommunications. management of hazards Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 and its regulations; elimination, isolation, and minimisation of hazards in that order as practicable; use of hazard control plans. 3.1 Hazards likely to be encountered on or near telecommunications work sites are identified and the general means of managing each safely is stated. hazards include but are not limited to live electrical plant and equipment, including overhead lines and cables, and telecommunications power supplies; battery rooms; confined spaces; hazardous gases and atmospheres; types of poles and falling distances; vehicular traffic; trenches. 3.2 Hazards likely to arise from types of telecommunications work are identified and the general means of managing each safely is stated. hazards include but are not limited to work near telecommunications power supplies; hazards associated with operating plant and equipment; trenching; working with hazardous substances including battery acid, asbestos, kerosene, isopropyl alcohol, polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs), lead of lead-sheathed cables, bare fibre ends, live fibre cable. 3.3 International symbols warning of presence of radiation and of laser beams are identified. 3.4 The dangers and safeguards associated with working in the presence of electromagnetic radiation in the vicinity of transmitting antennas and laser beams are explained in accordance with industry practice and NZS 2772.1:1999. Outcome 4 Demonstrate knowledge of the safe use of hand and portable electric tools. 4.1 The practices relating to the safe use of hand tools are stated. use of protective clothing and equipment, fitness for purpose, tool condition.
Page 4 of 8 4.2 The practices relating to the safe use of portable electric tools are stated. use of protective clothing and equipment, fitness for purpose, tool condition, sharp tool bits, use of isolating transformer and residual current devices, condition of supply leads. Outcome 5 Demonstrate knowledge of safe manual handling of loads. 5.1 Correct posture and load gripping is maintained when lifting and shifting loads. use of leg muscles, load kept close, gripped at load front, controlling movement. 5.2 Work area is arranged to minimise the likelihood of accidents and injuries. table and bench heights, heavy loads lifted from and set down at carrying height wherever possible, walkways wide and kept clear of obstructions. Outcome 6 Demonstrate knowledge of the safe use of ladders. 6.1 Ladder types are selected to meet job requirements and are moved, erected and used according to industry practice. types step ladder, single ladder, extension ladder, trestle ladder; erection and use include but are not limited to suitable support, sufficient space for placement, four to one rule, use of non wirereinforced wooden or fibreglass stile ladders only near live electrical plant and equipment, avoidance of standing on top two steps, use of blocks or assistant at base for additional stability, avoidance of foot slipping. 6.2 Ladder defects are identified, recorded, and reported according to industry practice. cracks, splinters, loose hinges, loose rungs, missing bolts, rivets, rungs or other parts, worn ropes, deterioration. Outcome 7 Demonstrate knowledge of fire prevention and control procedures.
Page 5 of 8 7.1 Possible causes and types of fire encountered in telecommunications work are identified. simple combustion theory fuel, oxygen, ignition; paper, wood, textiles, flammable liquid or gas; electrical equipment. 7.2 Simple fire extinguishing theory is explained and extinguishing agents suitable for different types of fire are identified. theory use of smothering and cooling to remove or reduce oxygen supply and heat; extinguishing agents water including fog, carbon dioxide, foam. 7.3 The importance of disconnecting power supplies to burning electrical plant or equipment is explained. 7.4 The danger of toxic gases given off by fires in electrical plant and equipment is identified and the measures to be taken to deal with such gases are explained. avoidance of exposure to combustion products, breathing apparatus, ventilation away of smoke and gaseous products. 7.5 Use of fire extinguishers is demonstrated according to manufacturers operating instructions. water, carbon dioxide, foam. Outcome 8 Demonstrate knowledge of hazardous substances and associated procedures in telecommunications. 8.1 Hazardous substances likely to be encountered during telecommunications work are identified. hazardous substances include but are not limited to chemicals, battery acid, polychlorobiphenyls (PCBs) in old transformers and capacitors, sodium and mercury from metal vapour lamps and rectifiers, lead of lead-sheathed cables, fibre from fibre cables. 8.2 Procedures for the reporting, handling, storing and disposal of hazardous substances are described. procedures include reference to use of protective clothing and equipment, disposable overalls, rags and sawdust, safe storage in sealed containers, fibre disposal, use of disposal specialists. 8.3 Procedures for dealing with spills of hazardous substances are described.
Page 6 of 8 Outcome 9 Demonstrate knowledge of electrical hazards and safety precautions in telecommunications. 9.1 The nature of electric shock is explained with reference to the effects of voltage and current on the human body. 9.2 Potential sources of electric shock in telecommunications are identified, and descriptions given as to how these sources may cause electric shocks to telecommunications workers. contact between telecommunications drop wires and power lines, induction from power lines into parallel telephone wires on shared poles, high voltage flashover, earth potential rise, insulation breakdown in equipment. 9.3 The safety procedures for the prevention of electric shock are outlined. switching off supply, provision of protective equipment at main distribution frames, bonding of conductors, bonding to earth, tagging, use of insulating gloves or tools, use of earth continuity conductors to operate protection, use of isolating transformers, use of residual current devices, understanding the safety requirements for controlling touch and step voltages. 9.4 The hazards of uncontrolled short circuit or earth fault currents are explained. Outcome 10 rapid heating of conductors and plant, immediate heating of air if arcing occurs, flash burns to eyes or skin, control by fast operation of fuses or protective relays to open circuit breakers. Demonstrate knowledge of safety clothing and associated equipment for use in telecommunications. 10.1 Commonly used personal items of safety clothing are listed and their purposes stated. overalls, safety spectacles, protective gloves, safety boots, safety helmet, fall arrest devices. 10.2 Checking, inspection, and care requirements of personal safety clothing are stated.
Page 7 of 8 checks of appearance and correct operation before every use; cleaning whenever dirty; periodic inspections; replacement when damaged, worn out or deemed to have lost adequate protective function. 10.3 Commonly used items of associated equipment are listed and their purposes stated. items include but are not limited to insulating gloves, screens, mats, stands, boots, protective covers, safety belts, non-wirereinforced wood and fibreglass ladders, ropes, temporary earthing fittings. 10.4 Inspection and care requirements of associated equipment are stated. checks of appearance and correct operation before every use; cleaning whenever dirty; regular inspections, especially as per regulations; regular maintenance, repair and replacement as required; regular testing of integrity and adequacy of strength or insulation as required by regulations; clear labelling of defective equipment items to prevent inadvertent use. Outcome 11 Demonstrate knowledge of the reporting of electrical accidents. 11.1 The types of electrical accidents that must be reported are stated in accordance with current regulations. 11.2 The procedures and details of reporting electrical accidents are stated in accordance with current regulations. Replacement information This unit standard and unit standard 17490 have been replaced by unit standard 27911.. Assessment against the standard must take place by the last date for assessment set out below.
Page 8 of 8 Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions Process Version Date Last Date for Assessment Registration 1 30 May 2000 31 December 2016 Revision 2 3 April 2001 31 December 2016 Revision 3 10 October 2002 31 December 2016 Rollover and Revision 4 21 November 2008 31 December 2016 Review 5 18 July 2013 31 December 2016 Rollover 6 17 April 2014 31 December 2016 Rollover 7 16 April 2015 31 December 2018 Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference 0003 This CMR can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do. Please note Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment. Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards. Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards. Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR). The CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.