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Learner Guide
Table of Contents
1.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 3
1.1.1 What is Levelling? ............................................................................................................................................ 3
1.1.2 Levelling Tasks ................................................................................................................................................ 3
1.1 Introduction
This course is based on the unit of competency RIICCM208D Carry Out Basic
Levelling.
You will learn about:
Planning and preparing tasks and activities.
Establishing offsets for civil works.
Setting up and using levelling devices.
Cleaning up the work area.
Description
This is an important aspect of civil construction particularly in the formation of layers or when
performing concreting activities.
It is also part of the process in the positioning of offset pegs or markers.
Earthwork
Roadwork
You will be checking heights relevant to the specifications and ensuring correct cross fall on
the surface.
Pipe-Work
You will check inlet and outlet levels to make sure the pipes are installed so that water or
other fluids drain in the correct direction.
You will also need to ensure the pipes are at the correct depth in trenches.
Correct fall is important so that water flows downhill and to the correct catchment locations.
Drainage Works
Contour banks may be required on some jobs and must allow the proper volume of water to
be carried and in the correct direction to the appropriate catchment.
You will also be required to place offset markers or pegs relative to the work area.
Positioning Offsets
Installing Recovery
Pegs
Often this involves the transferring of levels to cater for cross fall or to maintain a constant
level based on the position of the offset.
These are used where the original levels may have been damaged or displaced and new pegs
are required.
This task can also include the installation of secondary benchmark pegs or control points as a
protection measure in high traffic areas.
Your worksite will also have instructions for working safely including:
Emergency procedures, including using fire fighting equipment, first aid and
evacuation.
Handling hazardous materials.
Safe operating procedures.
Personal protective clothing and equipment.
Safe use of tools and equipment.
You also need to make sure you have all of the details about the kind of work you
will be doing:
The Task What area is being levelled? How big is it? Does it need any
special equipment?
Equipment What type of tools and equipment will be used? How big is
it? How much room does it need?
Communications How are you going to communicate with other
workers?
Procedures and Rules Do you need any special permits or licences?
Are there site rules that affect the way you will do the work?
It will be issued by the manufacturer and may or may not include material handling methods.
Talk to your WHS representative or supervisor if you have any questions about legislative requirements relating to your
work.
1.4.1 Evacuation
Things to remember are:
1.
Keep calm.
2.
3.
4.
2.
3.
4.
If it is safe to do so, use an extinguisher to attempt to control the fire using the PASS
system.
Contact your site emergency management team as soon as possible and call the fire brigade on 000.
Thinking about these things will help you to choose how to control the hazards. Hazards controls need to follow:
Legislation (laws).
Australian Standards.
Codes of Practice.
Manufacturers specifications.
Industry standards.
Elimination
Completely remove the hazard. This is the best kind of hazard control.
2.
Substitution
3.
Isolation
4.
Engineering
Controls
5.
Administrative
Controls
Site rules and policies attempt to control a hazard. This includes using
signage to warn people of danger. It also includes permits and other
procedures to stop access to a dangerous area or situation.
6.
Personal
Protective
Equipment
The least effective control. Use PPE while you carry out your work. This
should be selected at the planning stage of your work, and checked
before starting the job.
Hazard control measures need to be put in place before you start your work, or
as soon as you see a hazard while you are doing your work. Hazard controls can
sometimes be listed in your work instructions or you can ask your boss or
supervisor for help.
Once a hazard control is in place you will need to check to make sure it is
working well to control the hazard or danger.
Talk to your supervisor or safety officer if you are not sure if it is safe enough to
carry out your work. If you think the hazard is still too dangerous you should not
try to do the work.
Make sure any PPE you are wearing is in good condition, fits well and is right for the
job.
If you find any PPE that is not in good condition, tag it and remove it from service.
Then tell your supervisor about the problem and they will organise to repair or
replace the PPE.
In the traffic or vehicle management plan, signs and the distances between signs
will be listed. Reading the plans will show you where particular signs need to be
placed. Signs and barriers may include:
Danger or warning signs like speed limits, workmen ahead or reduce
speed.
Flashing lights.
Barricades and fences.
Information about technical capabilities and limits can be found in the operator manuals
supplied by the manufacturer of each item.
It is not safe to operate tools and equipment outside site procedures and the
manufacturers specifications. This may cause the equipment to break and could also
cause an accident or injury.
Description/Use
Spirit Levels
A straight edged tool with levelling bubbles that can be used for either vertical or horizontal
level checks. Some will allow angle checks as well.
Laser Levels
Used to give a constant level through the use of a laser transmitter and a receiver that can
be mounted on a level staff. Very accurate but must be looked after to make sure the
calibration of the unit is not affected.
Automatic Levels
Can use a laser to maintain a constant height/depth. May also include GPS equipment that
automatically alters the levels based on the criteria setup in the machine.
Tape Measures
Vary in length and are used for many general measuring tasks.
Stringlines
Lengths of string can be used to provide a straight line, or series of straight lines between
two or more points.
Survey Pegs
Usually wooden or metal pegs that are hammered into the ground to indicate levels, offsets,
slope/gradient and identification reference information.
Levelling Staffs
Plumb Bobs
A pendulum device that can be used to determine vertical alignment in construction. Can
also be suspended above a particular reference point to ensure movement has not occurred
in the process.
Optical Squares
Used for visually checking angles. Some can be adjusted to allow for different angles in the
construction process.
Inclinometers
Determine the incline or slope of an area and are usually placed at the base of the area.
Batter Pegs/Boards
Also known as batter profiles or profile pegs, these are usually set up when using survey
equipment to show the slope in areas of cutting or embankment construction. Often given
different colours to represent areas of cut or fill.
Wooden/Steel Pegs
Wooden pegs are mostly used as temporary markers. Steel pegs are often used for long
term works and are also hammered into the ground to form reference points or
benchmarks.
Straight Edges
Chalk-lines
A stringline is chalked and held tight between two points. It is then snapped so the string
hits the object and marks a line.
It is important that the correct tools or equipment are used for the job at hand.
The wrong tools can be inaccurate and may not provide the correct standard of
work for the job requirements or specifications.
Levelling tools should be treated carefully to ensure they are maintained in
good working order and used for the purpose for which they are intended.
Safety should be considered where there is a potential risk to the operator or
others in the vicinity, e.g. when using laser levelling equipment, all people in
the area should be made aware of the hazards (eye damage etc.) associated
with the activity.
Description
This test ensures the accuracy of the levelling device, particularly automatic levels.
The levels should be checked on at least two pegs at the start of the level run. This is based
on the height of the instrument. The same answer should be calculated from each of the
two pegs based on the same height of the machine.
Often, known points are used, e.g. benchmark or control line pegs with predetermined
heights.
Reverse
Readings Test
Any device that uses a bubble or spirit level system can be checked through using one point
before and one after, then checking back to the previous marker.
When the equipment is relocated and setup in another location, you should be able to
calculate the same level at the previous marker. This test should be used whenever a
bubble or spirit level type of level is used at the start of each level
As specified in project plans and drawings, the offset pegs or markers are set out to a
standard distance, depending on the type of work being performed and the requirements
of the workplace.
The offset distance is usually written on the peg or marker.
If for some reason the offset distance changes, it should be noted on the pegs or markers
and recorded on the plans.
2.
3.
Sometimes a stringline measure may be used to give a constant distance from a given
point.
When carrying out levelling it is important to be accurate in your measurements and in
recording the details.