Maintain land drainage systems
Overview
This standard is for those who maintain land drainage systems.
The typical activities you would carry out include inspecting land drainage systems and identifying and dealing with blockages and leaks.
If you are working with chemicals or machinery you should be trained and hold relevant certification in line with relevant legislation.
You must carry out your work in a way which will minimise the impact on the natural environment and enhance its nature, conservation and recreational value.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
- assess risks associated with the maintenance of land drainage systems
- wear suitable clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE)
- inspect and report the condition of land drainage systems according to agreed time schedules
- select, prepare, use, clean, maintain and store equipment and machinery for the maintenance of land drainage systems safely and correctly
- maintain land drainage systems and restore to full capacity safely and correctly
- minimise damage to services and surroundings whilst maintaining the land drainage systems
- maintain working relations with all those involved in, or affected by, your work
- maintain communication with all those involved in, or affected by, your work
- record inspections and work undertaken correctly in accordance with instructions
- restore the site to an appropriate condition following the maintenance of land drainage systems
- process waste safely and correctly in accordance with relevant legal requirements and specifications
- carry out your work in accordance with relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, risk assessment requirements, codes of practice and organisational policies
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
- how to identify hazards and assess risks associated with the maintenance of land drainage systems
- the types of clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) suitable for the activity
- how to select, prepare, use, clean, maintain and store equipment and machinery for the maintenance of land drainage systems safely and correctly
- how to carry out inspections of land drainage systems
- the importance of inspecting land drainage systems periodically
- the types of problems that are likely to occur with land drainage systems
- how to identify impeded drainage, its causes and the methods to correct them
- the factors affecting flow rates in drains
- the importance of land drainage systems working efficiently and correctly
- the principles of land drainage design
- why it is important to keep working areas clean and tidy
- how to minimise damage which is likely to occur to services and surroundings whilst maintaining land drainage systems
- how to handle, transport and dispose of waste in accordance with relevant legal and organisational requirements
- why it is important to complete work to the agreed schedule
- the records must be completed and kept and why
- the importance of maintaining communication with all those involved in, or affected by, your work and how this should be done
- the importance of following environmental and ecological best practice to help minimise the impact of your work on the environment
- your responsibilities under relevant health and safety legislation, codes of practice and organisational policies
Scope/range
A. maintain the following types of land drainage system:
- solid pipe
- tile
- open
- perforated pipe
- sustainable drainage systems
B. maintain the following types of land drainage systems:
- solid pipe
- perforated pipe
- sustainable drainage systems
C. deal with the following types of problems:
- blockages
- leaks
D. use the following types of tools and equipment:
- hand tools
- powered equipment
Scope Performance
Scope Knowledge
Values
Behaviours
Skills
Glossary
Instructions – verbal or written
Specification: drawings, schedules, method statements, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), manufacturers' guidelines, customer requirements, organisational policies