Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the process of preparing turf surfaces for play and defines the standard required to: determine the condition of the existing surface with advice from senior greenkeepers for subsequent routine preparations; treatments and turf cultural practices; prepare a turf surface or sports playing field according to the rules of the game; use turf surface preparation machinery and equipment safely according to manufacturers' specifications to achieve the desired playing surface outcome.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to the process of work undertaken by greenkeepers and sports turf curators in preparing turf surfaces for match play and is usually conducted within established routines, methods and procedures.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Prepare the site to be mown

1.1. Services affecting the turf surface are located using site plans and in consultation with the supervisor.

1.2. Permanent obstacles and Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) hazards are identified, risks assessed and controls implemented.

1.3. Movable obstacles are removed before and replaced after mowing.

1.4. Abnormal conditions or changes in the appearance of the site are reported to the supervisor.

2. Prepare equipment for mowing

2.1. Tools, equipment and machinery are selected that are appropriate to the task being undertaken.

2.2. The mower is calibrated and adjusted to height according to the manufacturer's guidelines and documented work procedures.

2.3. Pre-operational checks of tools, equipment and machinery are completed according to manufacturer's specifications and documented work procedures.

2.4. Suitable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is selected, used and maintained.

2.5. Suitable safety equipment is selected and erected at the work site during work periods.

3. Mow playing surface

3.1. Grass appearance is assessed against enterprise guidelines and changes in appearance are reported.

3.2. The mower is matched to any implement attached to it according to manufacturer's guidelines and industry practice.

3.3. Continuous oversight of mowing activities is maintained according to enterprise work procedures.

4. Undertake final preparation of playing surface

4.1. Mark out tools appropriate for the task being undertaken are selected.

4.2. Lengths and angles are measured to locate markers and match play equipment according to enterprise work procedures and industry practice.

4.3. Marking out is completed according to the intended playing surface use and enterprise work procedures.

4.4. Markers and play equipment are placed where necessary according to enterprise work procedures.

4.5. Work outcomes are recorded or reported to the supervisor according to enterprise work procedures.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• inspect and check machinery
• erect safety equipment
• handle manual loads correctly
• use turf machinery and equipment
• calibrate machinery
• measure quantities, area, volume, ratios and application rates
• measure distances, angles and calculate areas
• calculate material requirements
• participate in teams and contribute to team objectives
• read and interpret work procedures
• communicate effectively with team members and supervisor
• utilise proforma recording, reporting and work procedure documents
• co-ordinate own activities with the work group
• 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 

• various requirements of turf species and their cultural requirements
• characteristics and growth rates of turf species and cultivars
• different soil preparations for use of the turf playing surface
• effective and safe use of tools and machinery
• high performance uses of turf surfaces
• purpose of turf surface preparation in maintaining turf presentation
• competition playing requirements affecting preparation of the turf surface
• irrigation and drainage system design and operational techniques
• effect of adverse outdoor climatic conditions
• influences on the selection of tools, machinery and safety equipment
• potential public nature of turf renovation work sites
• hazards and responsibilities working near public access
• environmental impact of turf works.

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:

• determine the condition of the existing surface with advice from senior greenkeepers for subsequent routine preparations, treatments and turf cultural practices
• prepare a turf surface or sports playing field according to the rules of the game
• use turf surface preparation machinery and equipment safely according to manufacturers specifications to achieve the desired playing surface outcome.

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.

Turf species may include

• all high performance turf species and cultivars.

Unit sector 

Turf

Co-requisite units 

Competency field