Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers supporting horticultural production and defines the standard required to: prepare materials, tools and equipment for work; complete routine horticulture production assistance work, including the safe use and operation of farm tools and equipment; clean up and dispose of waste consistent with environmental and enterprise requirements.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to the provision of support to others undertaking horticultural crop production work.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Prepare materials, tools and equipment for horticultural production 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. Work 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 horticultural production work as directed

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

2.2. 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 produced during 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 working.

4. Clean up on completion of work

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. 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 safety directions
• prepare materials, tools and equipment for work
• undertake 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
• planting, picking, packing, loading and transporting techniques appropriate to this level
• use of horticultural tools and equipment
• OHS and environmental protection legislation and enterprise procedures.

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:

• prepare materials, tools and equipment
• complete routine horticulture production assistance work including the safe use and operation of farm tools and equipment
• clean up and dispose of waste consistent with environmental and enterprise requirements.

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:

• assistance with all activities associated with horticultural production such as:

• land preparation
• seeding/planting
• maintaining
• loading and unloading
• harvesting/picking
• sorting
• packing.

• assisting with routine maintenance or cleaning of sheds and other buildings, fences, fixtures and fitting.

Tools and equipment may include:

• knives
• secateurs
• spades
• forks
• ladders
• hoes
• packing equipment
• boxes
• bins and buckets
• hoses and hose fittings.

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 

Production horticulture

Co-requisite units 

Competency field