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Unit of competency details

AHCORG408 - Manage on farm composting (Release 1)

Summary

Usage recommendation:
Superseded
Mapping:
MappingNotesDate
Is superseded by and equivalent to AHCORG415 - Manage on farm compostingMinor changes to Application for clarity. Changes to Performance Criteria for brevity, sequencing and clarity. Changes to Performance Evidence, Knowledge Evidence and Assessment Conditions for clarity. Foundation Skills added 23/Jan/2023

Releases:
ReleaseRelease date
1 1 (this release) 27/Jun/2016


Classifications

SchemeCodeClassification value
ASCED Module/Unit of Competency Field of Education Identifier 050301 Horticulture  

Classification history

SchemeCodeClassification valueStart dateEnd date
ASCED Module/Unit of Competency Field of Education Identifier 050301 Horticulture  14/Oct/2016 
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Unit of competency

Modification History

Release

TP Version

Comment

1

AHCv1.0

Initial release

Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to manage on farm composting.

All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, work health and safety, animal welfare and biosecurity legislation and codes, and sustainability practices.

This unit applies to farm managers who work according to the principles of sustainable, organic and ecological agriculture. Work is likely to be done independently and according to the requirements of State regulations, Australian Standards, the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce or agro-ecological principles

This unit applies to individuals who take responsibility for their own work and for the quality of the work of others within know parameters and use discretion and judgment in the selection, allocation and use of available resources.

No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Pre-requisite Unit

Nil.

Unit Sector

Organic Production (ORG)

Elements and Performance Criteria

Element

Performance criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Organise for composting

1.1 Confirm composting technology, recipe and method to be used are as appropriate to raw material types and farm enterprise needs

1.2 Define compost quality requirements for end product

1.3 Identify composting site requirements and prepare the composting area

1.4 Identify and implement measures are to manage drainage, dust, noise and odours

1.5 Select and check for serviceability and safe operation machinery, equipment and materials appropriate to the job

1.6 Identify and assess potential work health and safety hazards and take action to minimise risk to self and others

1.7 Select, fit, use, suitable personal protective equipment (PPE)

1.8 Maintain and store according to work requirements, manufacturer specifications and enterprise procedures

1.9 Comply with enterprise work health and safety guidelines

2. Prepare raw materials and compost on farm

2.1 Identify and collected raw materials and additives for composting, check to ensure compliance with enterprise procedures or organic standards if applicable; including assessment of physical or chemical contamination

2.2 Pre-process raw materials into suitable forms for composting if required

2.3 Mix raw materials are into suitable compost mixtures for composting according to documented recipes

2.4 Handle feedstock mixtures for composting according to technology, appropriate method, and industry best practice and enterprise procedures

2.5 Assign batch numbers or codes, and create batch documentation to enable tracking of batch through compost production cycle if required

3. Manage and monitor the composting process

3.1 Manage compost batches as required through the composting cycle

3.2 Monitor composting batch by observation or by use of field testing equipment to maintain effective composting process through the compost cycle

3.3 Maintain records for process control indicators through the compost production cycle

3.4 Identify problems observed at any stage of the composting process are and take remedial action to maintain effective and consistent compost production

3.5 Follow site quarantine, biosecurity protocols and farm and personal hygiene requirements are as required by enterprise guidelines

4. Inspect compost quality and maintain site

4.1 Inspect and assess finished compost is to determine if quality indicators have been met

4.2 Maintain and clean loading-shifting machinery and other processing equipment as required to avoid contamination between batches

4.3 Store raw materials and finished compost products in designated areas and kept processing site clean

Foundation Skills

Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Range of Conditions

Unit Mapping Information

New unit - No equivalent.

Links

Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=c6399549-9c62-4a5e-bf1a-524b2322cf72

 

Assessment requirements

Modification History

Release

TP Version

Comment

1

AHCv1.0

Initial release

Performance Evidence

The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.

The candidate must provide evidence that they can:

  • implement and manage an on farm compost system
  • manage composting processes
  • manage a composting site
  • evaluate compost quality and implement remedial actions if required
  • implement enterprise work health and safety policies
  • follow site quarantine and biosecurity protocols

Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

  • compost quality standards
  • basic principles of composting
  • different methods of composting
  • characteristics of a range of raw materials
  • fundamental characteristics of compost quality
  • steps in pre-processing compost materials
  • batch documentation techniques
  • site and equipment requirements for on farm composting
  • key process control stages critical to consistent compost production
  • overview of systems and technologies used in compost production, particularly as relevant to farm
  • characteristics and categories of a range of compost products.
  • relevant environmental, work health and safety legislation and regulations
  • record keeping requirements
  • site quarantine and biosecurity protocols
  • agro-ecological principles
  • principles, practices and inputs allowable under the National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce if applicable

Assessment Conditions

Competency is to be assessed in the workplace and/or a simulated environment that accurately reflects performance in a real workplace setting.

Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs.

Links

Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=c6399549-9c62-4a5e-bf1a-524b2322cf72