Unit of competency

Modification History

Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to maintain general turf grass surfaces involving the general procedures for cutting and trimming grass, dethatching older grassed areas, applying fertilisers and treatments for managing grass health.

The unit applies to individuals who maintain turf surfaces under general direction and take responsibility for their own work. They use discretion and judgement in the selection, allocation and use of available resources and for solving problems.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Pre-requisite Unit

Nil

Unit Sector

Turf (TRF)

Elements and Performance Criteria

Foundation Skills

This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential for performance in this unit of competency but are not explicit in the performance criteria.

Unit Mapping Information

Links

Companion Volumes, including Implementation Guides, are available at VETNet: - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=c6399549-9c62-4a5e-bf1a-524b2322cf72

Assessment requirements

Modification History

Performance Evidence

An individual demonstrating competency must satisfy all of the elements and performance criteria in this unit.

There must be evidence that the individual has, on at least one occasion, implemented a grassed area maintenance program, including:

• clarified the maintenance requirements for a grassed area with supervisor
• conducted a risk assessment and implemented controls for grassed area maintenance work
• identified fixed and temporary obstacles, and implemented procedures to avoid damage to obstacles
• identified and selected equipment and resources required for the maintenance activities
• prioritised and scheduled maintenance activities
• ensured workplace safety practices were implemented for all grassed area maintenance works
• selected, checked and used personal safety equipment
• selected, checked and adjusted equipment and machinery.

There must also be evidence that the individual has:

• operated equipment and machinery safely to maintain at least 100 square metres of grassed area and has performed the following tasks:

• used mowers and trimmers to cut grass to a specified height
• used coring or scarifying equipment to manage thatch
• used mechanical spreader to apply fertilisers or amendments at a specified rate
• used manual methods to control broad leaf and grass weeds
• used manual or mechanical equipment to apply liquid treatments to control weeds at a specified rate

• followed operating procedures for pre-start checks, start-up, operation and shut-down for all machinery and equipment used
• reviewed grassed area maintenance activities and recommended changes to the maintenance plan with supervisor
• recorded and reported grassed area maintenance activities.

Knowledge Evidence

An individual must be able to demonstrate the knowledge required to perform the tasks outlined in the elements and performance criteria of this unit. This includes knowledge of:

• maintenance and management of grassed areas, including:

• recognising local turf grass species
• growing conditions and cultural requirements of warm and cool climate turf grass species
• purpose of grass and selection of mowing height
• thatch and impact on grass health and vigour, and methods for reducing thatch
• basic nutrient requirements of grass and commonly used fertilisers
• fertiliser application methods and rates
• turf grass physiology as it applies to grassed area maintenance

• methods of applying fertiliser and chemical treatments to grassed areas, including:

• liquid treatments using drenches and sprayers and basic application equipment
• broadcasting granular and powder applications by hand or mechanical means

• health, safety and environmental policies and procedures in a workplace, including:

• identifying hazards, assessing and controlling risk
• protecting the environment during operations and waste
• personal protection and equipment

• methods and practices for mowing grassed areas, including:

• setting the height of cut
• obtaining uniform cut
• maintaining consistent pattern
• variation of cut direction to reduce wear and tear

• tools, equipment and machinery used for grass maintenance, including:

• rotary and cylinder mowers and other grass cutting and trimming equipment
• operation of coring or scarifying equipment, including the potential damage to irrigation and drainage infrastructure
• mechanical spreaders
• hand or motorised spray equipment

• equipment operation and maintenance, including:

• pre-start checks, start-up and shut-down procedures
• clean-up and storage

• impediments to safe maintenance activities and action to be taken, including;

• people and animals
• proximity to roadways, pathways and other public spaces
• assets and other facilities that may be damaged

• weed species and control strategies in turf grasses, including:

• broad leaf weeds
• grass weeds
• mosses and other invasive plant species

• record keeping and recording procedures.

Assessment Conditions

Assessment of skills must take place under the following conditions:

• physical conditions:

• a grassed area of at least 100 square metres

• resources, equipment and materials:

• rotary and cylinder mowers, coring and scarifying equipment or machines
• fertiliser spreaders, and spray and drenching equipment
• measuring equipment for treatments and fertilisers
• fertilisers, amendments and weed treatments
• fuel, oil, tools and equipment required to adjust and operate machinery

• specifications:

• workplace procedures and instructions related to implementing grassed area maintenance programs, including safety and environmental procedures
• operating instructions for machinery and equipment
• specifications for rates of application of fertilisers and weed treatments

• relationships:

• supervisor.

Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.

Links

Companion Volumes, including Implementation Guides, are available at VETNet: - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=c6399549-9c62-4a5e-bf1a-524b2322cf72