Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit of competency covers the process of implementing a grassed area maintenance program and defines the standard required to: determine the maintenance requirements for a turfed area; conduct a risk assessment for work in a turfed area; safely adjust and use turf maintenance machinery and equipment; write a report on the maintenance program activities.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to the maintenance and repair of turfed surfaces. This unit involves working under limited supervision, with checking only related to overall progress. It requires the application of horticultural knowledge and a broad range of grassed area maintenance skills. The work is usually done within routines, methods and procedures where some discretion and judgement is required in the selection of equipment, work organisation, services, actions and achieving outcomes within time constraints.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Prepare for grassed area maintenance work

1.1. Requirements of the maintenance program are clarified with supervisor and enterprise guidelines.

1.2. Equipment and material resource requirements are identified according to the scope of the co-ordination work and supervisor's instructions.

1.3. The priorities for maintenance activities and time allocation is identified, documented and presented to the supervisor for verification.

1.4. The environmental implications of the proposed maintenance work 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. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is selected, used, maintained and stored according to the type of work site activities to be undertaken.

2. Maintain and repair grassed areas

2.1. Grassed areas are maintained and repaired as authorised by the supervisor and according to enterprise guidelines and work place priorities.

2.2. Materials to assist in maintenance works are purchased, stored and/or used as required.

2.3. Delivery of materials to site is organised according to workplace priorities.

2.4. Machinery and equipment is organised to be on site in good order when they are required.

2.5. Grassed areas requiring specialist attention and work are identified and organised.

3. Coordinate and report on grassed area maintenance activities

3.1. Resources are coordinated and timed to suit the maintenance activities and priority of work.

3.2. Machinery operators are informed of appropriate use and their responsibilities in respect to operational maintenance requirements of machinery and equipment.

3.3. Personnel, activities, timelines and materials usage are monitored and documented according to enterprise guidelines.

3.4. Contingency situations are recognised and reported to the supervisor, and corrective actions taken according to enterprise guidelines.

3.5. A simple report is written to inform management of maintenance activities undertaken and completed.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• identify the turf
• apply appropriate maintenance activities for specific turf type
• read and interpret documentation associated with work site activities
• calculate material and resource requirements
• coordinate a team to achieve optimum performance
• communicate with personnel at all levels
• document results clearly and concisely
• conduct a risk assessment
• 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 

• types of turf and specific maintenance requirements
• growth rates and cultural requirements of specific turf types
• methods and practices for maintaining grassed areas
• turf grass physiology
• work schedule programming
• the range, use and availability of materials, equipment and machinery that may be required for the project.
• environmental awareness associated with undertaking maintenance and repair work on grassed areas
• OHS issues, legislative requirements and codes of practice.

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 maintenance requirements for a turfed area
• conduct a risk assessment for work in a turfed area
• safely adjust and use turf maintenance machinery and equipment
• write a report on the maintenance program activities.

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.

Maintenance activities may include:

• mowing
• slashing
• minor weed control
• watering
• line marking
• repairs to damaged/vandalised grassed areas
• sourcing contractors for specialist turf renovation work.

Unit sector 

Turf

Co-requisite units 

Competency field