1. Practical skills performance assessment

The practical skills performance assessment is one of three assessments which applicants must pass to qualify for the advanced scaffolding certificate (certificate of competency). The other components are a knowledge assessment and a written assignment.

What does the test cover?
How does the assessor evaluate me?
Where does the test take place?

What does the test cover?

The practical skills performance assessment for advanced scaffolding is a 'closed book' practical exercise covering five sections:

Section 1: Use of safety harness
Section 2: Hung scaffold construction
Section 3: Hung scaffolding work practices
Section 4: Fixing flexible steel wire rope
Section 5: Inspection of chains

Further details of the knowledge and skills required to complete assessment are available in the unit of competency to Perform advanced scaffolding operations (PDF, 152 KB) .

A full assessment should be completed within two hours.

To pass the practical assessment, the applicant must complete satisfactorily each of the sections.

How does the assessor evaluate me?

In practical skills performance assessment the assessor evaluates the applicant's applied knowledge and understanding and the applicant's familiarity with scaffolding equipment and recommended work procedures.

On completion of the assessment the assessor will determine whether the applicant can safely undertake, without direct supervision, the tasks encompassed within each of the four units of competence comprising advanced scaffolding prescribed by Schedule A of the National Occupational Health and Safety Certification Standard for Users and Operators of Industrial Equipment (NOHSC:1006, 2001) (non-Queensland Government link)

An applicant undergoing re-assessment need only be re-assessed in those sections in which he or she previously failed.

Any other partial or full waiver of assessment should only be permitted in compliance with guidelines, determinations or advice given to certificate assessors by the certifying authority.

Where does the test take place?

The practical skills assessment can be conducted at any location which has:

adequate temporary or permanent overhead supporting structure for the scaffold; and
sufficient clear space for the scaffold to be erected and dismantled.