Free Verification of Competency (Rock Grab Attachment) Template

Purpose of the Free Verification of Competency (Rock Grab Attachment) Template

Strengthen your site safety protocols by ensuring operators are competent in using excavator attachments. This free Verification of Competency (Rock Grab Attachment) template provides a structured framework for assessing an individual's skill and knowledge in the safe operation of this specific piece of equipment.

Using a rock grab introduces unique risks compared to standard excavation, including load instability, crushing hazards, and changes to the machine's centre of gravity. This VOC process is designed to formally verify that an operator can not only operate the host machine but can also anticipate and manage the distinct hazards associated with using a rock grab attachment.

The document serves as a tool for Persons Conducting a Business or Undertaking (PCBUs) to meet their duty of care by ensuring workers are competent for the tasks they perform. It provides a clear, documented record of the assessment, forming a critical part of your safety management system.

Similar to our other plant-specific assessments like the Verification of Competency (Water Cart), this template focuses on the practical and theoretical knowledge needed for one specific type of equipment.

How to use the Free Verification of Competency (Rock Grab Attachment) Template

This resource is provided as a downloadable DOCX and PDF file. While the PDF is useful for quick printing, the DOCX version is fully editable to allow for essential customisation.

An effective VOC must be tailored to your specific operational context. This includes adding your company branding, specifying the exact make and model of the excavator and rock grab attachment being used, and referencing your site-specific safe operating procedures, traffic management plans, and emergency protocols.

Please note: This template is a starting point. We have developed it to align with good WHS practice, but you must customise it to reflect your specific workplace, equipment, tasks, and risk control measures.

The criteria for a rock grab are different from those for standard digging, so it’s crucial the assessment reflects this. For operators using smaller machinery, you may also find our Verification of Competency (Mini Excavator) Template a useful cross-reference.

When to use it

A Verification of Competency for a rock grab attachment should be conducted at several key points to ensure ongoing safety and competence. It is not a one-time event. Consider implementing this VOC process in the following situations:

• Pre-employment or mobilisation: To verify the skills of new hires or subcontractors before they begin work on your site.
• Post-incident: Following a near miss or incident involving a rock grab, to identify any competency gaps and implement corrective actions.
• Introduction of new equipment: When an operator is required to use a different model or type of rock grab they are unfamiliar with.
• Performance concerns: If a supervisor observes unsafe practices or has doubts about an operator's ability.
• Scheduled reassessment: As part of a regular competency review program, often conducted every 1-3 years, to ensure skills have not diminished over time.

Regularly scheduled VOCs create a robust audit trail that can be reviewed during a formal WHS compliance auditing process, demonstrating your organisation's commitment to worker safety.

Who should use it

This template is designed for use by individuals responsible for workplace safety and operational management. The assessor conducting the VOC must be a subject matter expert themselves—competent and experienced not only in operating the excavator but specifically with the rock grab attachment. The ideal users of this template include:

• Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) Advisors and Managers
• Site Supervisors and Forepersons
• Project Managers
• Plant and Equipment Trainers and Assessors
• Operations Managers

Integrating this VOC into your standard procedures helps embed safety within your operational framework. A consistent approach to competency verification is a cornerstone of effective WHS management systems, ensuring that safety is a managed and documented process, not an assumption.

By systematically verifying skills for all high-risk equipment, you create a safer environment for everyone. This principle applies across all types of mobile plant, which is why we also provide resources like the Verification of Competency (Rough Terrain Forklift) for other common site vehicles.