Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the process of recognising raw materials and products and defines the standard required to: identify, confirm, locate, handle and maintain raw materials, products and physical contaminants on site; maintain site arrangement and segregation of materials and products to avoid contamination; recognise and locate key process control stages of production cycle and associated machinery on site; maintain site and machinery security requirements; read and follow batch numbers and codes and site operating plan; implement site machinery and traffic management plans.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to the employee of an enterprise engaged in commercial-scale composting operations. Tasks are likely to be performed by a yard hand or general hand under supervision of an operations team leader or site foreman. Work is likely to be performed as a part of a team.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Recognise, handle and locate raw materials on site

1.1. Raw materials are identified for potential purpose.

1.2. Characteristics of raw materials, including handling risks and potential or common contaminants are compared to site operating guidelines.

1.3. Potential hazards in handling raw materials are identified and reported to supervisor.

1.4. Initial handling requirements, stockpiling location and arrangement on site are confirmed from site operating guidelines.

1.5. Visible or physical contaminants present in raw materials are identified and recorded.

1.6. Physical contaminant handling, stockpiling location and arrangement on site are confirmed from site operating guidelines.

2. Recognise and locate key processes and technologies

2.1. Composting technologies and methods, key process control steps and technologies are identified and locations on site are confirmed from site map.

2.2. Windrows or vessels are identified by reference to batch or code numbers.

2.3. Machinery, plant and equipment and their functional uses are confirmed from site operating guidelines.

3. Recognise, handle and locate compost and other products on site

3.1. Compost and other products are identified for their intended use.

3.2. Characteristics of products, including handling risks and potential or common contaminants are compared to site operating guidelines.

3.3. Potential hazards in handling products are identified and reported to supervisor.

3.4. Handling requirements, stockpiling location and arrangement on site are confirmed from site operating guidelines.

3.5. Potential for contamination of products is identified and action is taken according to enterprise procedures.

3.6. Batching sheets or other product formulas are matched to end product.

3.7. Visible or physical contaminants present in products are identified and reported to supervisor.

3.8. Physical contaminant handling, stockpiling location and arrangement on site are identified.

4. Identify and carry out site maintenance requirement

4.1. Site maintenance requirements are identified and carried out according to enterprise procedures.

4.2. Traffic access routes and site traffic/pedestrian safety rules are identified from site operating plan and maintained according to enterprise and Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) procedures.

4.3. Vehicle access routes on site are maintained according to enterprise procedures.

4.4. Machinery and site security requirements are identified and maintained according to enterprise procedures.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

• applying communication skills including active listening, questioning and asking for clarification from supervisor
• applying literacy and numeracy skills sufficient to read and follow enterprise policies and procedures
• identifying and handling physical contaminants
• identifying and handling raw materials and products
• recognising and complying with site traffic and security requirements
• use literacy skills to follow sequenced written instructions and record information accurately and legibly
• use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification and seeking advice from supervisor
• use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures
• use interpersonal skills to relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge 

• characteristics of a range of raw materials
• key process control stages critical to consistent quality in compost production
• overview of systems and technologies used in compost production, particularly as relevant to workplace
• range and characteristics of products
• company policies and procedures, including OHS requirements
• safety risks associated with movement of vehicles and machinery on site
• safety risks to self and product posed by contaminants in raw materials and products
• standard operating procedures to minimise risk associated with handling raw materials and products.

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment 

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:

• identify, confirm, locate, handle and maintain raw materials, products and physical contaminants on site
• maintain site arrangement and segregation of materials and products to avoid contamination
• recognise and locate key process control stages of production cycle and associated machinery on site
• maintain site and machinery security requirements
• read and follow batch numbers and codes, and site operating plan
• implement site machinery and traffic management plans.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.

Composting may include:

• aerobic and anaerobic composting
• vermiculture technologies.

Composting technologies and methods may include:

• aerated static pile
• agitated bay
• in-vessel composting technologies
• rotating drum
• turned pile
• vermiculture beds
• windrow.

Unit sector 

Composting

Co-requisite units 

Competency field