Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the process renovating of grassed areas and defines the standard required to: establish the purpose of turf renovation programs in maintaining turf presentation, particularly in relation to the end use of the turf; use turf renovation machinery and equipment to restore turf health and condition; transport, clean and store turf renovation machinery and equipment; record turf maintenance activities as required by the enterprise.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to the process of basic seasonal renovation practices that are used to restore turf health and condition on a range of grassed areas and is usually conducted within established routines, methods and procedures.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Prepare turf area for renovation

1.1. Services are located using site and construction plans and in consultation with the supervisor.

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

1.3. Suitable safety equipment is selected for the turf renovation program.

1.4. The environmental implications of the turf renovation program are identified and reported.

1.5. Preparation of turf area is carried out according to enterprise work procedures and site and construction plans.

2. Prepare equipment for turf renovation

2.1. Hand tools and renovation machinery are selected that are appropriate to the task being undertaken.

2.2. Pre-operational and safety checks are carried out on hand tools and renovation machinery, according to manufacturers specifications and enterprise work procedures.

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

3. Undertake turf renovation

3.1. Safety equipment is erected around trench lines, holes and other disturbed surfaces during and between work periods.

3.2. Correct manual handling techniques are used when lifting or moving heavy loads.

3.3. The turf renovation program is undertaken according to OHS requirements.

3.4. Turf renovation tools and machinery are operated safely and effectively.

4. Complete turf renovation

4.1. Plant debris and waste material removed from the site are disposed of in an environmentally aware and safe manner according to enterprise work procedures.

4.2. Tools and machinery are cleaned, maintained and stored according to enterprise work procedures.

4.3. A clean and safe area is maintained throughout and on completion of work.

4.4. Work outcomes are recorded or reported to the supervisor according to enterprise work procedures.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• inspect and check machinery
• erect safety equipment
• handle manual loads correctly
• use turf renovation machinery and equipment
• calibrate machinery
• measure quantities, area, volume, ratios
• and application rates
• measure distances and calculate depth
• calculate material requirements
• participate in teams and contribute to team objectives
• read and interpret instructions
• communicate effectively with team members and supervisor
• utilise proforma recording, reporting and work procedure documents
• co-ordinate own activities with the work group
• minimise environmental disturbance
• 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 

• various requirements of turf species and their cultural requirements
• characteristics and growth rates of turf species and cultivars
• different soil preparations for renovation
• effective and safe use of tools and machinery
• high performance uses of turf surfaces
• purpose of turf renovation in maintaining turf presentation
• principles and application of site and construction plans
• irrigation and drainage system design and operational techniques
• effect of adverse outdoor climatic conditions
• influences on the selection of tools, machinery and safety equipment
• potential public nature of turf renovation work sites
• hazards and responsibilities working near public access
• environmental impact of turf works.

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:

• establish the purpose of turf renovation programs in maintaining turf presentation, particularly in relation to the end use of the turf
• use turf renovation machinery and equipment to restore turf health and condition
• transport, clean and store turf renovation machinery and equipment
• record turf maintenance activities as required by the enterprise.

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.

Turf species may include:

• all high performance turf species and cultivars.

Renovation tasks may include:

• scarifying, de-thatching
• over-sowing, turf replacement (e.g. seeds, sods, stolons, plugs or hydro mulching)
• checking surface and/or sub-surface drains
• soil improvement, soil aeration and decompaction
• fertiliser application and top dressing.

Unit sector 

Turf

Co-requisite units 

Competency field