Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit standard covers the process of spreading fertiliser and soil ameliorants according to environmentally sound practices to meet customer requirements and industry standards and defines required to: assess environmental and physical hazards that may be encountered when ground spreading and take appropriate action to minimise these risks; maintain and operate spreading equipment to meet industry standards for uniformity of application; maintain and operate spreading equipment to meet Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) requirements; apply fertiliser or soil ameliorants at rate agreed by customer to specified land area.

Application of the unit 

This unit is carried out under limited or independently and follows established enterprise procedures and the requirements of the land owner. The work may be performed as part of a team. If load-shifting equipment is required then appropriate training/certification must be provided according to state and territory safety and licensing requirements

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Confirm customer requirements.

1.1. Confirmation is sought from customer that fertiliser or soil ameliorant products to be spread are those that were ordered.

1.2. Verification is obtained from customer that technical specification of product is acceptable for job.

1.3. Customer's written fertiliser order is confirmed with customer and documented to enable trace back to depot or factory if required.

1.4. Agreement for spreading services is documented according to enterprise or industry codes of practice.

2. Identify features of the target area.

2.1. Location and boundaries of area to be treated are identified, agreed with customer and recorded according to relevant industry codes of practice.

2.2. Soil type and condition are assessed visually or advice is sought from customer.

2.3. Environmentally sensitive areas are identified and operations are planned to ensure minimum adverse impact and to comply with any required buffer zones.

2.4. Features that may present a hazard to the operation are identified by inspection and by discussion with customer and appropriate action is taken.

2.5. Location of services and utilities are identified from customer advice or local maps, and proposed spreading operation is adjusted if required.

2.6. Local weather and climate conditions are identified and taken into account when preparing to begin operations.

3. Perform pre-spreading checks.

3.1. Rate of spreading is determined and buffer allowance is calculated.

3.2. Before being moved onto site, machinery and equipment are confirmed to be clean of soil and/or plant material.

3.3. Machinery and equipment are prepared according to enterprise procedures and manufacturer instructions to ensure they are serviceable and are set up and calibrated.

4. Spread fertiliser

4.1. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and clothing are selected and used by self and all personnel involved in spreading tasks.

4.2. Fertiliser or soil ameliorant is applied in a manner that complies with guidelines on buffer zones, to minimise run-off into waterways and drains.

4.3. Weather and other conditions are monitored to ensure that variations that may alter limits to operation are taken into account, and that operations are adjusted accordingly.

4.4. Any existing site quarantine or biosecurity protocols are followed as required.

4.5. All work is monitored to ensure that it is performed in an environmentally aware and safe manner and according to industry codes of practice.

5. Perform follow up and clean-up activities on completion of spreading operations

5.1. Machinery, equipment and hand tools are returned to depot or storage area after cleaning, checking for future serviceability, and carrying out basic preventative maintenance according to enterprise procedures.

5.2. Faults are noted for remedial action.

5.3. Records are completed legibly and accurately, according to enterprise procedures and industry codes of practice.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• identifying hazards and implementing safe work procedures
• communicating with clients to ensure a common understanding of task to be performed
• monitoring and recording activities performed
• operating equipment according to manufacturer recommendations and in line with equipment calibration
• using maps and interpreting written instructions regarding areas to be spread, and products and rates to be applied
• use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures
• use interpersonal skills to work with and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge 

• equipment being used and understanding of appropriate service and safety checks
• environmental risks and how to identify and manage them
• operational limits of equipment being used with regard to uniformity of application and health and safety risks
• spreading characteristics of different fertiliser and soil ameliorant products.
• environmental impacts of fertiliser spreading including hazards to waterways
• OHS hazards including operating in rough or steep terrain.

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:

• assess environmental and physical hazards that may be encountered when ground spreading and take appropriate action to minimise these risks
• maintain and operate spreading equipment to meet industry standards for uniformity of application
• maintain and operate spreading equipment to meet health and safety requirements
• apply fertiliser or soil ameliorants at rate agreed by customer to specified land area.

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.

Equipment and products may include:

• all ground spreading machinery and equipment.

Products to be spread include:

• chemical and organic fertilisers, composts, lime and dolomite.

Equipment must include

• the tractors or other drive equipment used in the operation.

Unit sector 

Machinery operation and maintenance

Co-requisite units 

Competency field