Operating Mobile Plant Equipment in Excavation
5 ECTS
Operating Mobile Plant Equipment in Excavation
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€350 refund on this module
Module Description
This module focuses on the competencies, knowledge, and skills required from a Level 4 Excavation Plant Supervisor (which is one of the requirements to becoming an Excavations Contractor). Therefore, as required, its content and learning outcomes reflect very closely the MFHEA MQF Level 4 National Occupational Standards (NOS) for this occupation.
This module tackles another competence which is important in excavation plant supervision; that of operating mobile plant equipment for ground excavation purposes.
Students will learn about the importance of maintaining safety during such process, and their responsibilities as supervisors to instruct and direct their subordinates accordingly, in accordance with organisational procedures and instructions.
Students will navigate the process of selecting materials, tools, and equipment for mobile plant and, eventually, the process of preparing, setting up, and operating mobile plant equipment to conduct excavation work.
Entry Requirements
- A general Level 3 standard of education including the completion of a compulsory education and/or, O´levels, and/or a related Level 3 qualification.
- A good level of communication in English.
- Individuals currently working and/or having previous experience in the construction industry.
- The maturity clause can be applied to those students who have experience, but do not possess the required entry qualifications. Their experiences will be verified through an interview with a board of experts appointed by IDEA Academy.
- The maximum number of credits that may be gained as a result of the RPL process at IDEA Academy will not exceed 50% of the qualification/award chosen by the individual for formal learning.
Target Audience
- Individuals who aspire to advance further in their construction studies, particularly in excavation.
- Individuals who aspire to achieve competencies as excavation plant supervisors.
Career Paths
The possible positions for which this programme aims to prepare you for include, but are not limited to:
- Excavation Plant Supervisor
This programme constitutes a Level 4 certification in Excavation Plant Supervision, which is a requirement for attaining the licence of an Excavations Contractor. It is also a requirement (according to the Legal Notice no. 166 of 2023) that a programme of this nature should very closely reflect the related NOS.
How you’ll be assessed
The course comprises:
- Evening classes for part-time courses.
- Classes held throughout the day for full-time courses.
- Guided learning, presentations, comprising synchronous online discussions, tutorials and/or videos.
- Self-study hours comprising research, reading and assignment work.
Assessment
Assessment is carried out via two mandatory components:
- Modular Assessment
- Project Assessment
The programme includes different forms of assessment which allow for and promote students’ critical engagement. The formative and summative assessment tasks may include an in-class assignment and/or a home-based written assignment using diverse assessment tools which may take the form of online and in-class discussions, examinations, case studies, reports, proposals, essays, and presentations, etc., as applicable to the diverse modules.
Module Intake Dates
October 2024
Learning Outcomes
Competences:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the responsibility and autonomy to:
- Interpret information relating to the organisation and the operation of mobile plant equipment in excavation.
- Adopt safe practices and ensure that team members also adhere to them.
- Select tools, materials, and equipment for mobile plant, and instruct fellow team members, when performing excavation work and separating materials.
- Prepare, set up, and operate mobile plant equipment for excavation work.
Knowledge:
At the end of the module/unit, the learner will be able to:
- Interpret information relating to the organisation and the operation of mobile plant equipment in excavation.
- Adopt safe practices and ensure that team members also adhere to them.
- Select tools, materials, and equipment for mobile plant, and instruct fellow team members, when performing excavation work and separating materials.
- Prepare, set up, and operate mobile plant equipment to undertake extraction and excavation work.
Skills:
At the end of the module/unit, the learner will have acquired the following skills:
- Conform to organisational procedures and oversee that subordinates carry out their duties accordingly, in an efficient manner.
- Conform to information extracted from method statements, organisational instructions and procedures, and risk assessments.
- Ensure the security of the excavation work areas to mitigate the risk of damage.
- Adopt a respective attitude towards the usage of health and safety equipment in excavation.
- Oversee that checks relating to proximity hazards are undertaken before conducting extraction, excavation, and segregation duties.
- Prepare and set up the mobile plant machine for extraction and excavation work.
- Avoid damaging resources, buildings, tools, and equipment by safely operating the machine.
- Conduct basic operator maintenance and adjustments to the mobile plant using the appropriate tools and equipment.
- Conforming to organisational policies and procedures, report any issues that may hinder the schedule and content of the work programme.
- Conduct checks prior to and post operation of mobile plant equipment.
- Communicate at all times with line management and team members before, during, and post conducting extraction and excavation work activities.
- Make sure that the machine is properly shut down, isolated, and secured when activities are completed.
- Oversee that work is completed within the established timeframes and using productive operation cycles.
- Direct team members when operating mobile plant equipment for excavation purposes and removal of loose materials.
Module-Specific Learner Skills:
At the end of the module/unit the learner will be able to:
- Conduct pre-operational checks on the machine.
- Operate the plant machine in restricted and confined areas.
- Operate the plant machine, laden and unladen, in terrain variation and in contrasting ground conditions.
- Extract and excavate substances according to the specification.
- Refill the plant machine with fuel, fluids, and lubricants, abiding by organisational requirements and procedures.
- Load materials from stockpiles into vehicles.
- Ensure that mobile plant and equipment are shut down effectively.
Module-Specific Digital Skills and Competences:
At the end of the module/unit, the learner will be able to:
- Navigate through the online learning platform to find, download, and upload assignments, discussion boards, literature, tutorials, etc.