Unit of competency details

Elements and Performance Criteria 

Element 

Performance Criteria 

1

Maintain grassed areas.

1.1

Liaise with appropriate staff  to identify and confirm work requirements .

1.2

Select, prepare and use mowing tools and equipment  according to supervisor instructions, workplace policies and procedures , and relevant legislation .

1.3

Trim edges according to workplace policies and procedures.

1.4

Apply fertiliser according to supervisor instructions and workplace policies and procedures.

2

Weed grassed and planted areas.

2.1

Identify weeds  to be removed according to supervisor instructions.

2.2

Select, prepare and use weeding tools and equipment  according to workplace policies and procedures.

2.3

Prepare and administer weed treatments  according to supervisor instructions, workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.

2.4

Remove and dispose  of weeds according to workplace policies and procedures.

2.5

Clean site according to workplace policies and procedures.

3

Water grassed and planted areas.

3.1

Select, prepare and use watering tools and equipment  according to supervisor instructions and workplace policies and procedures.

3.2

Apply water to grass and plants according to supervisor instructions and workplace policies and procedures.

3.3

Drain, clean and store equipment according to manufacturer guidelines and workplace policies and procedures.

4

Maintain plants in healthy condition.

4.1

Apply fertiliser according to supervisor instructions and workplace policies and procedures.

4.2

Treat dead, diseased and damaged plants  according to supervisor instructions and workplace policies and procedures.

4.3

Clean, maintain and store tools and equipment according to manufacturer guidelines, workplace policies and procedures, and relevant legislation.

This section describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

The following skills must be assessed as part of this unit:

safe handling techniques for chemicals, tools and equipment

communication skills, including active listening and questioning techniques to determine, clarify and inform work requirements

literacy and numeracy skills to interpret manufacturer guidelines for use and maintenance of tools and equipment and accurately calculate application of fertiliser

organisational and self-management skills to complete required tasks according to supervisor instructions and workplace policies and procedures.

The following knowledge must be assessed as part of this unit:

types and characteristics of annual and perennial weeds

water and general health requirements of plants

chemical and non-chemical weed treatment control measures

vehicle handling procedures for turf maintenance equipment where driving on public roads is required

broad working knowledge of relevant federal, state or territory, and local government legislation and regulations relating to OHS and safe use and storage of chemicals, tools and equipment

workplace policies and procedures regarding general grounds care

operating and maintenance requirements of relevant hand tools and equipment.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, the range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

Evidence of the following is essential:

ability to select, prepare, use, clean and maintain the required tools and equipment according to supervisor instructions and manufacturer guidelines

the ongoing care and maintenance of grass and plants inclusive of weed control and diseased and damaged plants

knowledge of different weed types and associated treatment controls

providing different types of general grounds care on multiple occasions to ensure consistency of performance and ability to respond to different situations.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment must ensure:

demonstration of skills in an environment that has plants and grass, including plants in different states of repair

access to weed treatments and fertiliser

access to watering, weeding and mowing equipment and personal protective equipment.

Methods of assessment 

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

observation of candidate demonstrating appropriate planning and preparation for work; maintaining grassed areas; applying fertiliser; treating and removing weeds, and diseased and damaged plants; watering grass and plants; and cleaning up work site

written or verbal questioning to assess knowledge and understanding of relevant legislation and workplace policies and procedures with regard to providing general grounds care

review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

SIFBGM002A Maintain property and structures.

Employability skills embedded in this unit should be assessed holistically with other relevant units that make up the skill set or qualification and in the context of the job role.

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 in the performance criteria is detailed below.

Appropriate staff  may include:

supervisor

manager.

Work requirements  may include:

height to which grass needs to be mown

pattern for grass to be mown

mowing distances from tree trunks and shrubs.

Mowing tools and equipment  may include:

2-stroke pedestrian and ride-on rotary mowers

4-stroke pedestrian and ride-on rotary mowers

cylinder mowers

motorised blowers

pavement sweepers

diesel ride-on mowers and sweepers

turf edging machines

brush cutters.

Workplace policies and procedures  may include:

standard operating policies and procedures

standards and certification requirements

quality assurance procedures

OHS procedures, such as:

workplace environment and safety

use of personal protective equipment

manual handling procedures

use of tools and equipment

material handling procedures, including hazardous materials

emergency procedures, including fire and accident procedures.

Relevant legislation  and regulations may include:

OHS

cemetery Acts and by-laws

local government regulations

Public Health Act

Environment Protection Act

Australian standards

Worksafe Australia certification and standards.

Weeds  may include:

those occurring in a specified workplace or region that may impact on quality of the garden or turf.

Weeding tools and equipment  may include:

personal protective equipment

motorised blowers

hand edging tools

spades

forks

rakes

hoes

brooms

knives

trowels

wheelbarrows.

Weed treatments  may include:

chemical or cultural control

mechanised and non-mechanised operations.

Disposal  may include:

composting

bagging and removal

burying.

Watering tools and equipment  may include:

personal protective equipment

hoses

sprinklers.

Plants  may include:

trees

shrubs

native ground covers

exotic ground covers.