Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the process of preparing and/or blend finishing compost with other materials or products to produce various value added compost-based products, and defines the standard required to: interpret batch sheets and follow enterprise production procedures; recognise, quantify and handle products according to enterprise requirements and procedures; recognise value added products and their characteristics; prepare batches of value-added product according to defined batch recipes and methods.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to the people working at a commercial-scale composting facility It will require taking responsibility for work output with checking related to overall progress, and taking limited responsibility for the work output of others for example as a loader operator or team leader. Where work requires the use of load-shifting or other equipment, appropriate training/certification must be provided according to state and territory safety and licensing requirements.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Organise for value-added product preparation

1.1. Job sheet or work order is reviewed to clearly identify all product requirements.

1.2. Equipment required for safe, effective and efficient product preparation is identified and organised.

1.3. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) hazards in workplace are identified, and risk is assessed and managed according to enterprise procedures.

1.4. Environmental implications associated with product preparation are identified, assessed and reported to supervisor.

2. Prepare value-added products

2.1. Compost and product additives are clearly identified and confirmed against job sheet and enterprise procedures.

2.2. Suitable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and clothing are selected, used, maintained and stored according to OHS requirements.

2.3. Required quantities of compost and product additives are measured and transported to product preparation area.

2.4. Compost and product additives are regularly monitored and checked against value-added product specifications and variations or non-conformances are identified and reported, and remedial action is taken according to enterprise procedures and product specifications.

2.5. Preparation method and machinery to be used are confirmed as appropriate for product and as meeting enterprise product requirements.

2.6. Plant and machinery are operated in a safe and controlled manner, and monitored for performance and efficiency.

2.7. Compost, materials and other product additives are blended and processed according to product requirements.

2.8. Products are monitored and adjustments to machinery operations are made to meet job sheet specifications.

2.9. Batch numbers of compost materials and other additives are combined or reassigned.

2.10. Blending, processing machinery and site are cleared and cleaned as required to avoid contamination between batches according to enterprise procedures.

3. Conduct quality inspection and readiness for sale

3.1. Value-added product is inspected and checked for compliance with job sheet and product requirements.

3.2. Product details are documented accurately and promptly according to enterprise procedures.

3.3. Value-added product is transported to holding bay and quantity of product is confirmed.

3.4. Value-added product is clearly labelled according to regulatory and customer requirements.

3.5. Value-added product is released for dispatch according to enterprise procedures.

3.6. Work outcomes are reported to supervisor, feedback on performance is sought and any required improvements are noted for future action.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• demonstrating safe and environmentally responsible workplace practices
• following Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs)
• identifying and handling raw materials, products, additives and contaminants
• interpreting and applying instructions
• measuring and calculating volumes and consumption requirements
• reading and interpreting job sheets
• recording and reporting equipment faults, workplace hazards and accidents
• using emergency and personal protective equipment
• use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning techniques, active listening, clarifying information and consulting with supervisors as required
• use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures
• use interpersonal skills to work with and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge 

• common product contaminants
• enterprise product specifications and standards
• environmental license requirements, aspects and management measures associated with operation of machinery and equipment
• hazards in handling materials and additives and appropriate risk control measures
• identification of contaminants
• legislation, regulations and codes of practice with regard to workplace OHS and use and control of hazardous substances
• operating principles and methods for plant and machinery
• procedures for cleaning, securing and storing machinery, equipment and materials
• potential risks and hazards associated with operation of machinery and equipment
• product types and characteristics
• raw materials, compost and additives commonly used to manufacture value-added products
• relevant Australian standards for products
• relevant state and territory legislation, regulations and codes of practice with regard to licensing, roads and traffic requirements
• value-added product types and characteristics.

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:

• interpret batch sheets and follow enterprise production procedures
• recognise, quantify and handle products according to enterprise requirements and procedures
• recognise value added products and their characteristics
• prepare batches of value added product according to defined batch recipes and methods.

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.

Compost-based products from aerobic, anaerobic and vermiculture composting systems may include:

• composted and pasteurised mulches
• composted and pasteurised soil conditioners
• effluent, storm water or emission treatment products
• general and special purpose landscaping soils
• soft fall or loose fill materials for playground surfacing or other applications
• mushroom substrate
• ornamental mulches
• products for agricultural disease suppression
• products for erosion control or site remediation
• sports turf substrates
• standard and specialised potting mixes.

Unit sector 

Production horticulture

Co-requisite units 

Competency field