Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers supporting irrigation work and defines the standard required to: apply safe irrigation work practices; support installation and maintenance activities; handle materials and equipment and clean up following work activities.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to the provision of support to others undertaking a range of irrigation activities in agricultural, horticultural, commercial and domestic situations.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Prepare materials, tools and equipment for irrigation work

1.1. The required materials, tools and equipment are identified according to lists provided and/or supervisor's instructions.

1.2. Checks are conducted on all materials, tools and equipment with insufficient or faulty items reported to the supervisor.

1.3. Techniques used when loading and unloading materials demonstrate correct manual handling and minimise damage to the load and the vehicle.

1.4. Suitable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is selected and checked prior to use.

1.5. Irrigation support is provided according to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) requirements and according to workplace information.

1.6. OHS hazards are identified and reported to the supervisor.

2. Undertake irrigation work as directed

2.1. Instructions and directions provided by supervisor are followed, and clarification sought when necessary.

2.2. Irrigation work is undertaken in a safe and environmentally appropriate manner according to enterprise guidelines.

2.3. Interactions with other staff and customers are carried out in a positive and professional manner.

2.4. Enterprise policy and procedures in relation to workplace practices, handling and disposal of materials is observed.

2.5. Problems or difficulties in completing work to required standards or timelines are reported to supervisor.

3. Handle materials and equipment

3.1. Waste material and debris produced during irrigation work is stored in a designated area according to supervisor's instructions.

3.2. Materials, equipment and machinery are handled and transported according to supervisor's instructions and enterprise guidelines.

3.3. A clean and safe work site is maintained while undertaking irrigation activities.

4. Clean up on completion of irrigation activities

4.1. Materials are returned to store or disposed of according to supervisor's instructions.

4.2. Tools and equipment are cleaned, maintained and stored according to manufacturer's specifications and supervisor's instructions.

4.3. Site is made good according to supervisor's instructions and good environmental practices.

4.4. Work outcomes are reported to the supervisor.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• follow safe work procedures
• prepare materials, tools and equipment for irrigation work
• undertake irrigation work as directed
• handle materials and equipment
• clean up on completion of work
• use literacy skills to read and follow a range of basic instructions
• use oral communication skills/language competence to communicate effectively with others
• use numeracy skills to complete basic calculations
• use interpersonal skills to work with and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds.

Required knowledge 

• safe work practices
• preparing for irrigation work and cleaning up on completion
• basic construction techniques
• irrigation tools and equipment
• maintenance practices for planted areas
• basic repair and maintenance of irrigation components and systems
• OHS legislation and enterprise requirements.

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:

• apply safe irrigation work practices
• support installation and maintenance activities
• handle materials and equipment
• clean up following work activities.

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.

Work tasks may include:

• assisting with installation of irrigation and/or drainage pipes and components for gravity fed or pressurised systems, including digging trenches, back filling of trenches and completing other basic tasks as instructed.
• assisting with maintenance of irrigation and/or drainage systems including clearing blockages, and completing other basic tasks as instructed.
• work with a range of materials including plastic and metal pipes and components using hand tools commonly used in irrigation work.
• associated irrigation activities including:

• assisting in establishing work base
• clearing site
• erecting barriers and signs
• unloading and loading of materials
• setting out of works
• cleaning up site
• disposal of debris and materials.

• make site good including:

• paths are swept and cleaned
• work area is left in a good state
• disturbed areas are repaired
• all materials, debris, tools and equipment are removed from site
• other signs of disturbance or damage are corrected.

Tools and equipment may include:

• levelling equipment
• wheelbarrow
• string lines
• tape measures
• marking gauges
• spades
• shovels
• crow bars
• rakes
• brooms
• sanding blocks
• hacksaws.

Hazards may include

• solar radiation
• dust
• noise
• air- and soil-borne micro-organisms
• chemicals and hazardous substances
• sharp hand tools and equipment
• manual handling
• holes
• slippery and uneven surfaces.

Unit sector 

Irrigation

Co-requisite units 

Competency field