Thatch structures with specialist features
URN: COSVR119
Business Sectors (Suites): Heritage Skills (Construction)
Developed by: Construction Skills
Approved on:
15 Dec 2022
Overview
This standard is about thatching structures with specialist features, interpreting information, adopting safe, healthy and environmentally responsible work practices, selecting and using materials, components, tools and equipment, in accordance with organisational requirements which are equal to or exceed current statutory and legislative requirements
This standard is for people working in the occupational area of heritage skills and can be used by operatives, supervisors and managers
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
Interpretation of information
P1 interpret the information relating to the work and resources as relevant to geographical location and climatic conditions to confirm its relevance for the following:
• drawings
• specifications
• schedules
• method statements
• risk assessments
• manufacturers’ and suppliers’ information
• oral, written or electronic instructions
• current regulations, legislation, official guidance and permits
Safe work practices
P2 comply with the relevant, current legislation and official guidance to carry out the work and maintain safe and healthy work practices relating to the following:
• methods of work
• safe use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
• safe use of access or lifting equipment
• safe use, storage and handling of materials, tools and equipment
• safe use of health and safety control equipment
• specific risks to occupational health and safety including mental health awareness
• specific risks associated with hazardous or asbestos containing materials
• specific risks associated with, heat, particulates, gas and electricity associated with processes, equipment and materials
Selection of resources
P3 select the required quantity and quality of resources for the methods of work for:
• materials and components
• tools and equipment
Minimise the risk of damage
P4 comply with organisational procedures to minimise the risk of damage to the work and surrounding area by:
• taking relevant steps to protect the work and its surrounding area from accidental or unintended damage
• working with an awareness of the environment in liaison with other occupations
• maintaining a safe, clear and tidy work area
• disposing of waste in accordance with current legislation
Meet the contract specification
P5 comply with the contract information to thatch structures with specialist features efficiently to the required specification by:
• demonstrating work skills to:
- measure
- mark out
- measure moisture of thatching materials
- select thatching materials
- fit
- position
- secure
- finish
• using and maintaining hand or power tools and ancillary equipment
• preparing structures to receive thatch
• preparing thatching materials
• thatching structures to provide a surface to prevent the penetration of water, using one of the following materials:
- long straw (cereal straw)
- combed cereal straw
- water reed
- sedge grass (cladium mariscus)
- heather
- marram
- bent
- bracken
- rush
- flax
- turf
- specialist materials
• preparing:
- spars
- sways
- liggers
• forming:
- coatwork
- eaves
- gables
- ridge work
- hips
- valleys
- dormers
• accommodating chimneys
• forming specialist features or cladding upright structures to incorporate at least one of the following:
- eyebrow windows
- saddles
- roof lights
- back or box gutter
Allocated time
P6 complete the work within the estimated, allocated time, taking account of climatic conditions, in accordance with organisational procedures, the programme of work and to meet the needs of other occupations and/or client
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
P1 Interpretation of information
K1 why organisational procedures have been developed and how they are implemented
K2 types of information, their source and how they are interpreted in relation to:
• drawings
• specifications
• schedules
• method statements
• risk assessments
• manufacturers’ and suppliers’ information
• contractual information
• current legislation, regulations, official guidance and permits including but not limited to listed buildings and scheduled monuments
• conservation reports and plans
• oral, written or electronic instructions
K4 information for relevant, current legislation, official guidance and site-specific requirements and how it is applied
P2 Safe work practices
K5 how emergencies should be responded to in accordance with organisational authorisation and personal skills in relation to:
• fires and the types of fire extinguishers and how and when they are used in relation to water, CO2, foam and powder
• spillages and injuries
• emergencies relating to occupational activities
• identification of and reporting of hazardous substances including but not limited to asbestos containing materials and lead carbonate
K6 the organisational and site-specific security procedures for tools, plant and equipment in relation to:
• site
• workplace
• vehicles
• company
• operatives
• clients
• the general public
K7 how to report risks and hazards identified by the following:
• methods of work
• risk assessments
• personal assessment
• manufacturers’ technical information
• statutory regulations
• official guidance
• Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)
K8 the accident reporting procedures and who is responsible for making the report
K9 why, when and how health and safety control equipment identified by the principles of prevention should be used in relation to:
• collective protective measures
• personal protective equipment (PPE)
• respiratory protective equipment (RPE)
• local exhaust ventilation (LEV)
K10 how to comply with environmentally responsible work practices to meet current legislation and official guidance when dealing with potential accidents, health hazards and the environment whilst working in the workplace in relation to:
• confined spaces
• working at height
• tools, plant and equipment
• materials and substances
• moving and storing materials by manual handling and mechanical lifting
P3 Selection of resources
K11 why the characteristics, quality, uses, sustainability, suitability, limitations and defects associated with the resources are important and how defects should be reported
K13 the organisational procedures to select resources, why they have been developed and how they are used
K14 how to confirm the resources and materials conform with the specification
K15 how the resources should be used and how any problems associated with the resources are reported in relation to:
• thatch materials:
- long straw (cereal straw)
- combed cereal straw
- water reed
• specialist thatch materials:
- sedge grass (cladium mariscus)
- heather
- marram
- bent
- bracken
- rush
- flax
- turf
• coppice materials:
- spars
- sways
- liggers
• netting
• lead
• mortar
• fixing and ancillary items
• hand and power tools and ancillary equipment
• digital equipment including moisture meters
K16 how to identify and report the hazards associated with the resources and methods of work and how they are managed with reference to method statements and risk assessments
K17 methods of calculating the quantity, length, area and wastage associated with the method and procedure to thatch structures with specialist features
P4 Minimise the risk of damage
K18 how to protect work and its surrounding area from damage and the purpose of protection from general workplace activities, other operations and adverse weather conditions and how to minimise damage
K19 how to, and the importance of, carrying out the safe disposal of waste in accordance with the following:
• environmental responsibilities
• organisational procedures
• manufacturers’ information
• suppliers’ information
• statutory regulations
• official guidance
K20 why it is important to maintain a safe, clear and tidy work area
P5 Meet the contract specification
K21 how the methods of work to meet the specification are carried out, and how problems are identified and reported, by the application of knowledge for safe, healthy and environmental work practices, procedures and skills, relating to:
• how to prepare structures to receive thatch
• how to prepare and thatch with:
- long straw (cereal straw)
- combed cereal straw
- water reed
- sedge grass (cladium mariscus)
- heather
- marram
- bent
- bracken
- rush
- flax
- turf
- other specialist materials
• how to prepare:
- spars
- sways
- liggers
• how to form:
- coatwork
- eaves
- gables
- ridge work
- hips
- valleys
- dormers
• how to accommodate chimneys
• how to form specialist features to incorporate:
- eyebrow windows
- saddles
- solar panels
- roof lights
- back or box gutter
- wall capping
• how to clad upright structures and walls
• why it is important to identify the characteristics of thatch materials when used as insulation
• how to form joins with other materials and abutments
• why it is important to ensure thickness and depth of thatch materials will provide optimum long-term performance
• why it is important to position fixings to secure and maintain the integrity of the thatch (depth and spacing)
• why it is important to have fire prevention measures
• how to work on buildings of historical significance
• how to use all hand and power tools and ancillary equipment
• how and why operative care and maintenance of all hand and power tools and ancillary equipment is carried out
• how to work at height using access equipment
• the relevance of an assessment of significance
• how to recognise specific requirements for:
- structures of special interest
- traditional construction
- hard-to-treat buildings
- historical significance
• how to work with, around and in close proximity to plant and machinery
K22 the organisational procedures with respect to site behaviours, and recognise and action fairness, inclusion and respect within the working environment, and how to address and report inappropriate site behaviours
K23 the importance of methods of work, interpersonal relations and communication and the needs of other occupations associated with thatching structures with specialist features
P6 Allocated time
K24 the programme of work to be carried out including the estimated and allocated time, and why deadlines should be kept or reported if likely to be missed
K25 the types of progress charts, timetables and estimated times and the organisational procedures for reporting circumstances which will affect the work programme
Scope/range
Scope Performance
Scope Knowledge
Values
Behaviours
Skills
Glossary
Links To Other NOS
External Links
Version Number
3
Indicative Review Date
15 Dec 2027
Validity
Current
Status
Original
Originating Organisation
CITB
Original URN
COSVR119
Relevant Occupations
Roof Tilers and Slaters, Roofers, Thatcher
SOC Code
5314
Keywords
Thatcher; Thatching; Long straw; Combed wheat reed; Water reed; Sedge grass; Heather; Marram; Bent; Bracken; Rush; Flax; Turf; Spars; Sways; Liggers