Range of VariablesThe 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 potting-on operations? | Potting-on plan, Nursery Industry Accreditation Scheme, production statistics, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), specifications, work notes, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), manufacturers instructions, product labels, or verbal directions from the manager, supervisor, or senior operator. |
What OHS hazards may be identified in the work area? | OHS hazards may include use of hazardous substances, use of potting mix, manual handling, moving equipment, sharp hand tools, and slippery or uneven surfaces. |
What tools andequipment may be required for potting-on activities? | Tools and equipment may include potting machine, secateurs, knives and other cutting instruments, pots and containers, bins, trailers, wheelbarrow, trolley, mechanical trolley, small tractors, shovel, trowel, plant supports, ties and rubbish bins. |
What hygiene practices may be relevant to this standard? | Hygiene practices may include personal hygiene, removing and disposing of all media and organic waste from production surfaces, disinfecting production surfaces, tools and equipment; footbaths, access restrictions and handling practices, which minimise cross contamination. |
What personal protective equipment (PPE) may be needed to carry out potting-on activities? | Personal protective clothing and equipment may include breathing apparatus, gloves, overalls, and boots. |
What media components may be required for the preparation of growing media? | Media components may include sand, potting mix, gravel, gro-wool, sawdust, pine bark, perlite, vermiculite, foam, peat, amendments, nutrients, ameliorants, ash, rice hulls, sphagnum moss, and commercial mixes. |
What media specifications might be relevant to this standard? | Media specifications may include pH, drainage, aeration, salinity and nitrate levels, and water repellence. |
What propagatedplants may require potting-on procedures? | Propagated plants may include established plants with developed root systems sown from seed, from cuttings, layering, growing on tissue cultured plants, division or splitting, spores, cloning, and budding or grafting. |
How might plants be prepared for potting-on? | Preparation steps may include root trimming, thinning and spreading, and shoot trimming. |
What criteria can be used to grade plants during the potting-on process? | Grading parameters may include size, health and potential. |
What types of pots may be used during the potting-on process? | Pots may include cells, tubes, standard, squat, planter bags, and root trainers. |
What OHS requirements apply to this standard? | OHS requirements may include identifying, assessing and reporting risks; working with hazardous substances such as potting mixes and organic matter, cleaning, maintaining and storing tools and equipment, appropriate use of personal protective equipment, safe operation of tools and equipment, correct manual handling, basic first aid; personal hygiene and reporting problems to supervisors. |
What type of waste may be collected? | Waste may include left over media and components, pots and containers, and organic waste. |
What records may be relevant to this standard? | Records may include number of plants potted-on, date, problems encountered, and batch number. |
For more information on contexts, environment and variables for training and assessment, refer to the Sector Booklet. |
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