Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the process of assisting with the operation of pressurised irrigation systems under routine supervision and defines the standard required to: assemble and join irrigation system components; monitor irrigation times to deliver sufficient volume without over watering; operate and monitor irrigation systems; estimate water flow and regulate system to achieve and maintain correct operating pressures and water flows.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to working with limited supervision, within enterprise guidelines.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Assist with setting up of irrigation components

1.1. Irrigation equipment is handled safely in accordance with Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) practices.

1.2. Irrigation equipment is positioned, if necessary, in accordance with enterprise requirements.

1.3. Irrigation components are checked and action taken, as required, in accordance with enterprise policy and procedures.

1.4. Assemble and join irrigation system components where required.

1.5. Water outlets are checked in accordance with enterprise practices.

2. Carry out irrigation operations

2.1. Valves are opened and shut, as necessary, in accordance with enterprise procedures.

2.2. Required pressures and water flows are achieved and maintained to ensure sufficient water availability.

2.3. Equipment is relocated, if necessary, in accordance with enterprise procedures and OHS guidelines.

3. Clean and store irrigation equipment as require

3.1. Equipment is cleaned and prepared for storage, as necessary, in accordance with enterprise policy and procedures.

3.2. Equipment is loaded for transport safely, if necessary, in accordance with OHS practices.

3.3. Equipment is stored, as required, in accordance with enterprise policy and procedures.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• identify hazards and follow safe work practices
• shift and transfer loads
• follow enterprise policy and procedures relating to irrigation duties
• assemble and join irrigation system components
• operate irrigation systems (i.e., turn on and off)
• regulate system to achieve and maintain correct operating pressures and water flows
• estimate water flow
• monitor the environmental impacts of pressurised irrigation
• 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 operation of pressurised irrigation system
• irrigation times to deliver sufficient volume without over watering
• manual handling procedures
• OHS and environmental procedures relating to using pressurised irrigation systems.

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:

• assemble and join irrigation system components
• monitor irrigation times to deliver sufficient volume without over watering
• operate and monitor irrigation systems
• estimate water flow
• regulate system to achieve and maintain correct operating pressures and water flows.

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.

Pressurised irrigation may include:

• micro-irrigation systems
• spray irrigation systems.

Micro-irrigation systems may include:

• mains pressure
• low pressure
• below or above ground
• sprays systems
• drip emitter trickle
• t-tape
• mini-sprinklers
• capillary pop ups
• gear driven sprinklers.

Spray irrigation systems may include:

• travelling irrigators (soft hose, hard hose boom type)
• centre pivot
• linear move
• powered side roll hand shift permanent (installed)
• bike shift/easy shift.

Irrigation systems may include:

• a range from manual operation and monitoring to fully automated with computer control and monitoring.

Unit sector 

Irrigation

Co-requisite units 

Competency field