Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the process of carrying out canopy maintenance and defines the standard required to: use, store and maintain tools safely and in line with plant hygiene requirements; remove unwanted growth and treat cuts if required; shape, support or position the canopy according to enterprise requirements; dispose of cuttings according to quarantine and environmental procedures; report problems or signs of disease to supervisor.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to the process of manual or mechanised canopy maintenance, and includes the removal of unwanted vegetative growth and the erection and removal of protective covers during the growing period of crops. This standard relates to working under direct supervision with regular checking. Reporting and recording is required under some situations.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Prepare for canopy maintenance activities

1.1. Instructions for canopy maintenance are obtained from and confirmed with the supervisor.

1.2. Tools and equipment are collected and prepared for use.

1.3. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) hazards are identified and reported to the supervisor.

1.4. Suitable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is selected, used and maintained.

2. Carry out basic canopy maintenance

2.1. Unwanted growth is identified and removed according to supervisor's instructions.

2.2. Pruned material is pulled out of the canopy according to supervisors instructions.

2.3. Perform post-pruning treatments on the canopy.

2.4. Canopy is shaped, supported or positioned according to instructions.

2.5. Control measures to regulate exposure of the crop to sun and to protect crop from damage are applied according to supervisor's instructions.

2.6. Equipment is operated and maintained according to work instructions and enterprise OHS procedures.

3. Complete canopy maintenance activities

3.1. Tools and equipment are cleaned, sharpened and stored according to enterprise housekeeping, hygiene and site quarantine procedures.

3.2. Pruned material is disposed of according to enterprise environmental procedures.

3.3. Problems and anomalies are identified and reported to the supervisor.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• use and maintain basic hand and power tools and equipment
• interpret instructions and communicate with team members and supervisor, and calculate hours and personal production rate
• participate in teams and contribute to team objectives
• dispose of pruning waste in an environmentally aware and sensitive manner, e.g. sort waste for mulching and minimise risk of cross contamination from infected/infested material
• 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 

• basic canopy maintenance techniques and their importance in relation to the desired quality of fruit the enterprise is aiming to produce
• difference between fruiting and non-fruiting wood
• the effect of different climatic conditions on canopy maintenance requirements
• the importance of hygiene and quality control when performing basic canopy maintenance activities
• OHS responsibilities of employees when maintaining a canopy.

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:

• use, store and maintain tools safely and in line with plant hygiene requirements
• remove unwanted growth and treat cuts if required
• shape, support or position the canopy according to enterprise requirements
• dispose of cuttings according to quarantine and environmental procedures
• report problems or signs of disease to supervisor.

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.

Maintenance may include:

• unwanted non-fruiting wood such as suckers and water shoots
• damaged limbs or those that have died back
• congested shoots
• excessive fruit, flowers, or leaves.

Unit sector 

Production horticulture

Co-requisite units 

Competency field