Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit of competency involves routinely maintaining aquaculture, seafood holding or ornamental structures or systems.

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

Application of the unit 

The unit does not apply to activities where, under government regulations, a licensed tradesperson is required to undertake the work.

All enterprise or workplace procedures and activities are carried out according to relevant government regulations , licensing and other compliance requirements , including occupational health and safety  (OHS ) guidelines  and ecologically sustainable development  (ESD ) principles .

Equipment operation, maintenance, repairs and calibrations are undertaken in a safe manner that conforms to manufacturer instructions. Appropriate personal protective equipment  (PPE ) is selected, checked, used and maintained.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Maintain and repair stock culture holding and farm structures

1.1. Stock culture , holding  and farm structures  are checked for soundness and signs of damage by the elements, pests, corrosion and general wear and tear and minor repairs  are undertaken according to the supervisor's instructions.

1.2. Damage to fixtures and fittings  is identified and repaired according to the supervisor's instructions.

1.3. Tools and materials  chosen and used are appropriate to the task being undertaken.

2. Follow up on maintenance and repair tasks

2.1. Clean up of work area, including repairs and storage of equipment, is supervised and condition report prepared.

2.2. Relevant maintenance and repair data, observations or information are recorded legibly and accurately, and any out of range or unusual records checked.

2.3. Compliance and other required reports are prepared and conveyed to senior personnel advising of the effectiveness of maintenance and repair, and recommendations made for improvements.

2.4. Feedback given and sought on effectiveness of the monitoring activities.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• assessing and reporting on extent and urgency of required repairs and maintenance
• communicating ideas on possible improvements
• communicating with supervisor on maintenance and repair activities
• using a range of workshop, hand and power tools.

Literacy skills used for :

• interpreting warning signs and/or labels on tools or products
• recording information on maintenance and repair activities in required reports.

Numeracy skills used for :

• measuring quantities.

Required knowledge 

• enterprise OHS guidelines and procedures
• techniques to repair or maintain structures
• tools required for maintenance and repair.

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 evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit 

Assessment must confirm the ability to:

• communicate with supervisor on maintenance and repair activities
• identify the need for and carry out basic maintenance and repair work on stock culture, holding and farm structures and fittings and fixtures in an aquaculture, holding or ornamental enterprise.

Assessment must confirm knowledge of:

• basic repair and maintenance techniques or work procedures relevant to stock culture, holding and farm structures.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment is to be conducted at the workplace or in a simulated work environment. It should cover the basic maintenance and repairs typically required in an aquaculture, holding or ornamental facility in the region.

Resources may include:

• stock culture or holding structures, farm structures and areas of property in need of maintenance
• tools and repair materials
• work procedures for repairs and maintenance.

Method of assessment 

The following assessment methods are suggested:

• demonstration
• practical exercises
• written and oral short-answer testing.

Guidance information for assessment 

This unit may be assessed holistically with other units within a qualification.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Relevant government regulations , licensing and other compliance requirements  may include:

• biodiversity and genetically modified organisms
• biosecurity, translocation and quarantine
• business or workplace operations, policies and practices
• environmental hazard identification, risk assessment and control
• food safety/Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP), hygiene and temperature control along chain of custody, and Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) Export Control (Fish) orders
• health and welfare of aquatic animals
• Indigenous land rights and cultural activities, including fishing by traditional methods
• maritime operations, safety at sea and pollution control
• OHS hazard identification, risk assessment and control.

OHS guidelines  may include:

• appropriate workplace provision of first aid kits and fire extinguishers
• codes of practice, regulations and/or guidance notes which may apply in a jurisdiction or industry sector
• enterprise-specific OHS procedures, policies or standards
• hazard and risk assessment of workplace, maintenance activities and control measures
• induction or training of staff, contractors and visitors in relevant OHS procedures and/or requirements to allow them to carry out their duties in a safe manner
• OHS training register
• safe lifting, carrying and handling techniques, including manual handling, and the handling and storage of hazardous substances
• safe systems and procedures for outdoor work, including protection from solar radiation, fall protection, confined space entry and the protection of people in the workplace
• systems and procedures for the safe maintenance of property, machinery and equipment, including hydraulics and exposed moving parts
• the appropriate use, maintenance and storage of PPE.

ESD principles  may include:

• applying animal welfare ethics and procedures
• control of effluents, chemical residues, contaminants, wastes and pollution
• control of weeds, pests, predators and diseases, stock health maintenance
• improving energy efficiency
• increasing use of renewable, recyclable and recoverable resources
• minimising noise, dust, light or odour emissions
• preventing live cultured or held organisms from escaping into environment
• reducing emissions of greenhouse gases
• reducing energy use
• reducing use of non-renewable resources
• undertaking environmental hazard identification, risk assessment and control
• undertaking facility quarantine, biosecurity and translocation of livestock and genetic material
• using and recycling water, and maintaining water quality.

PPE  may include:

• buoyancy vest or personal floatation device (PFD)
• hard hat or protective head covering
• hearing protection (e.g. ear plugs and ear muffs)
• non-slip and waterproof boots (gumboots) or other safety footwear
• personal locator beacon or Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB)
• protective eyewear, glasses and face mask
• protective outdoor clothing for tropical conditions
• respirator or face mask
• safety harness
• sun protection (e.g. sun hat, sunscreen and sunglasses)
• uniforms or overalls
• waterproof clothing (e.g. wet weather gear and waders).

Stock culture or holding structures or systems  may include:

• blowers, aerators, paddlewheels and aspirators
• greenhouses, hothouses and igloos
• pest, predator and disease control structures
• water supply and disposal or effluent systems, including pumps, pipes, canals, channels, settlement ponds and storage dams
• cages, pontoons, enclosures and pens, including associated moorings, anchors, floats and markers
• dams, ponds and pools
• display tanks, aquaria and aquascapes
• grow out facilities, hatcheries and nurseries
• harvesting swimways, canals or channels
• live holding tanks, bins, cages and pens
• longlines, posts, racks and rails, rafts, fences, socks, trays, sticks, baskets, modules, barrels, bags and panels
• open, flow-through, closed and semi-closed systems
• purging or depurating systems
• tanks, raceways and recirculating systems.

Farm structures  may include:

• buildings
• equipment storage
• fences and gates
• greenhouses, hothouses and igloos
• jetties
• moorings
• ramps
• security systems
• shelters and shade cloths
• soil conservation works
• surrounding grounds and gardens
• tanks, pumps and blower stands
• tracks, roads and pathways
• waste holding and disposal structures
• water supply and effluent systems, pipes and channels.

Minor repairs  may include:

• clean or wash
• disinfect or sterilise
• dry out or moisten
• fill or fix holes
• paint, oil or grease
• untangle, repair or replace
• weed or remove vegetation and debris.

Fixtures and fittings  may include:

• alarms, security, lighting and temperature control
• feeders and hoppers
• pumps and water treatment equipment
• ropes, moorings and buoys
• screens and predator control equipment
• water quality monitors
• water supply and effluent system.

Tools and materials  may include:

• cleaning rags
• concrete
• fibreglass tools
• glue, primer and sandpaper
• oil and/or grease gun
• plugs or repair patches
• safety equipment (e.g. goggles, mask or breathing equipment)
• screwdrivers, spanners or socket set, stilson, hacksaw and heat guns
• silicone or similar sealant
• spade, shovel, pick and crowbar
• thread and plumber's tape.

Unit sector 

Aquaculture operations

Co-requisite units 

Competency field