Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the process of supporting the establishment of turf and defines the standard required to: work in a team on a turf establishment project; use a range of turf establishment machinery and equipment; follow procedures and sequence work during the course of the growing-in period and transport; clean, maintain and store turf establishment machinery and equipment.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to the process of supporting the establishment of turf by seed, sod or other methods and is usually conducted within established routines, methods and procedures.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Prepare to establish a planted area

1.1. The planting site , planting methods and turf plant species and cultivars are identified according to the site plan and enterprise work procedures.

1.2. Materials, tools, equipment and machinery are selected according to planted area design requirements and enterprise work procedures.

1.3. Pre-operational and safety checks are carried out on tools, equipment and machinery according to manufacturers specifications and enterprise work procedures.

1.4. The environmental implications of the turf establishment program are identified and the likely outcomes assessed and reported to the supervisor.

1.5. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) hazards are identified, risks assessed and reported to the supervisor.

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

2. Prepare the planting area

2.1. Layout of services is recognised, depths checked against the site plan and discrepancies are reported to the supervisor.

2.2. Earthworks are undertaken according to OHS requirements.

2.3. All competing plants are treated according to enterprise work procedures.

2.4. Soil is assessed for moisture, tilth, compactness, depth and decaying plant material according to enterprise work procedures.

2.5. Soil additives are selected and applied according to enterprise work procedures.

2.6. The entire surface is raked out evenly to achieve a consistent texture and the area is uniformly levelled to defined contour requirements according to enterprise work procedures.

2.7. The planting site is watered according to the planting method and enterprise work procedures.

2.8. Debris and pollutants are removed from the site and disposed of in an environmentally aware and safe manner according to enterprise work procedures.

3. Plant turf

3.1. All turf plant material is inspected prior to being planted and material with major defects is discarded according to enterprise work procedures.

3.2. Hygiene practices with use of tools and equipment are clarified with supervisor and observed in establishment work.

3.3. Turf plant material with minor defects is trimmed or treated to maintain health and vigour according to enterprise work procedures.

3.4. Seed spread by hand and mechanically is evenly distributed over the whole planting area with no overlap and no areas missed according to enterprise work procedures.

3.5. The entire sown surface is evenly raked and thoroughly watered according to enterprise work procedures.

3.6. Sods are correctly oriented, rolled evenly onto a moist surface and interlocked in the pattern and area according to enterprise work procedures.

3.7. Newly laid turf is watered thoroughly to encourage establishment according to enterprise work procedures.

4. Provide post-planting care

4.1. The planted site is protected from animals, pedestrian and vehicular traffic according to enterprise work procedures.

4.2. The planted site is rolled to a work pattern planned to cover the area evenly and efficiently and rolling is even, flat and uniform with no disturbance according to enterprise work procedures.

4.3. Turf is mown according to a pattern and height specified in enterprise work procedures.

4.4. Top dressing is applied evenly to the required depth over the whole area and is worked or rubbed into the surface according to enterprise work procedures.

4.5. New turf is watered according to irrigation system manufacturer's specifications and enterprise work procedures.

4.6. Water is applied by hand to dry or under-watered plants according to the requirements of the turf species and cultivar, and according to enterprise work procedures.

4.7. Watering patterns are checked for dry spots and blockages and faults are rectified according to manufacturer's specifications and reported to the supervisor.

5. Monitor turf health

5.1. Turf structure is observed for quality according to published data, enterprise work procedures and industry standards.

5.2. Damaged turf is identified according to published data, supplier's specifications, historical data and enterprise work procedures.

5.3. Plants incorrectly planted or situations that will prevent plants from reaching their full potential are identified, recorded and reported to the supervisor according to enterprise work procedures.

6. Complete establishment of the planted are

6.1. Waste material is removed from the planting site and disposed of in an environmentally aware and safe manner according to enterprise work procedures.

6.2. Tools, equipment and machinery are cleaned, maintained and stored according to enterprise work procedures.

6.3. A clean and safe work area is maintained throughout and on completion of work.

6.4. 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 establishment machinery and equipment
• calibrate machinery
• interpret site plans and turf establishment specifications
• measure quantities, area, volume, ratios and application rates
• calculate material requirements
• participate in teams and contribute to team objectives
• read and interpret instructions
• communicate effectively with team members and supervisor
• utilise proforma recording, reporting and work procedure documents
• co-ordinate own activities with the work group
• minimise environmental disturbance
• 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 establishment
• effective and safe use of tools and machinery
• high performance uses of turf surfaces
• purpose of turf establishment in maintaining turf presentation
• 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:

• work in a team on a turf establishment project
• use a range of turf establishment machinery and equipment
• follow procedures and sequence work during the course of the growing-in period
• transport, clean and maintain and store turf establishment machinery and equipment.

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.

Establishment methods may include:

• seed or sod or other methods for sporting, recreational, landscaping, community and private use.

Unit sector 

Turf

Co-requisite units 

Competency field