Range of Variables The Range of Variables explains the contexts within which the performance and knowledge requirements of this standard may be assessed. The scope of variables chosen in particular training and assessment requirements may depend on the work situations available |
What workplace information may be relevant when undertaking propagation activities? | Planting program, Production Statistics, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), specifications, work notes, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs), Nursery Industry Accreditation Scheme of Australia (NIASA) Guidelines, manufacturers instructions, product labels, or verbal directions from manager, supervisor, or senior operator. |
What OHS hazards may be identified in the work area? | Hazards may include manual handling, hazardous substances, moving equipment and vehicles, sharp hand tools, solar radiation, slippery or uneven surfaces, and insect and spider bites. |
What personal protective equipment (PPE) may be needed to undertake propagation activities? | Personal protective clothing and equipment may include respirators, overalls, boots, gloves, sun hat and sunscreen lotion. |
What tools andequipment may be required for supporting propagation activities? | Tools and equipment may include secateurs, knives and other cutting instruments, plastic containers and trays, wheelbarrow, trolley, mechanical trolley, shovel, water spray container, dibblers and rubbish bins. |
How might propagation materials be collected? | Collection procedures for propagation materials may include taking leaf or stem or root cuttings, gathering seeds, lifting bulbs, and dividing clumps. |
What maintenance and storage procedures may apply to collected propagation materials? | Maintenance and storage procedures may include controlling environmental parameters such as moisture, air, humidity and temperature by methods such as refrigeration, wrapping in wet hessian or plastic, drenching, placing in water and burying in sawdust or other media. |
What pre-treatments may be relevant to this standard? | Pre-treatments may include hormones, fungicides, cold/moist stratification, rehydration, heat or chemical disinfestation, breaking seed coat, cleaning, division and sterilisation. |
What propagation techniques may be relevant to this standard? | Propagation techniques may include seed - (small seed sown in modules and pricked out or sown in seedbeds by hand), cuttings - (hardwood stem, semi-ripe stem, leaf, root), simple layering, growing on tissue-cultured plants, division or splitting, spores. |
What label information may be required when propagating plants? | Label information may include date of propagation, species, variety, batch number and cultivar, treatments applied, strike rate. |
What remedial action may be taken to control pests and diseases? | Remedial action may include applying preventative fungicides, fertilisers, removing and disposing of damaged plant material, irrigation. |
What OHS requirements apply to this standard? | OHS requirements may include identifying hazards, assessing and reporting risks, cleaning, maintaining and storing tools and equipment, appropriate use of personal protective equipment including sun protection, safe operation of tools and equipment, safe handling, use and storage of chemicals and hazardous substances, correct manual handling; basic first aid, personal hygiene and reporting problems to supervisors. |
What records may need to be maintained in regard to propagation activities? | Records may include date of propagation, type of propagation carried out, number of plants carried out, source of propagation material, treatments carried out, spray records |
What waste may be relevant to this standard? | Waste may include unused propagation material, potting media wastage, damaged plants, and damaged pots. |
What hygiene practices may apply to this standard? | Hygiene practices may include removing all dirt and organic matter from production surfaces, tools and equipment, disinfecting production surfaces, tools and equipment, disinfestation and removal of plant and media waste, hand washing, footbaths, access restrictions and handling practices which minimise cross contamination. |
For more information on contexts, environment and variables for training and assessment, refer to the Sector Booklet. |
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