Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

AHCARB211 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Apply treatments to trees

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency AHCARB211 - Apply treatments to trees
Description
Employability Skills
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to remedy common tree problems by applying treatments including alleviating tree stress and improving soil condition, application of fertilisers and soil amelioration in consideration of the environmental implications of treatment methods, techniques and procedures.The unit applies to individuals working in a broad range of arboriculture contexts who undertake defined routine activities under supervision. They exercise limited autonomy within established and well known parameters, providing solutions to a limited range of predictable problems. The arboriculture industry requires that all arboriculture work is undertaken according to preferred industry practices (as outlined in the Companion Volume).Legislation, regulations and by-laws relating to the treatment and removal of trees apply in some states and territories.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.

Assessment of the skills in this unit of competency must take place under the following conditions:

physical conditions:

living trees requiring treatments or an environment that accurately represents workplace conditions

resources, equipment and materials:

tree treatment equipment, including sprayers

measuring and weighing equipment

chemical spill kit

personal protective equipment

safety signage

specifications:

workplace and manufacturer instructions for tree treatment equipment

procedures for application of treatments to trees

materials safety data sheets

product labels, including chemicals.

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

arboriculture vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed

current arboriculture industry skills directly relevant to the unit of competency being assessed.
Prerequisites/co-requisites
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Prepare to apply tree treatments
  • Confirm trees to be treated and work activity instructions with supervisor
  • Confirm workplace health and safety hazards and controls from job safety analysis (JSA) with supervisor
  • Select, check and use personal protective equipment
  • Select, prepare and carry out pre-operational and safety checks on tools and equipment
  • Confirm availability of first aid and emergency personnel, equipment and procedures
  • Select and prepare treatment tools and equipment according to workplace and biosecurity procedures
       
Element: Modify environment to maintain health and vigour of tree
  • Undertake weed control measures to remove competing plants according to treatment instructions
  • Apply soil additives according to soil condition and treatment instructions
  • Apply plant-based mulch according to treatment instructions
  • Use tools and equipment for de-compaction of soil according to supervisor and equipment manufacturer instructions
       
Element: Apply chemical treatment
  • Identify chemical treatments required from supervisor instructions
  • Select, prepare and calibrate application equipment
  • Prepare chemical treatments according to manufacturer label and workplace safety procedures
  • Apply chemical treatment according to workplace procedures
       
Element: Complete treatment operations
  • Clean site, collect and store unused materials and dispose of waste according to workplace and environmental procedures
  • Clean, maintain and store equipment and machinery according to workplace and biosecurity procedures
  • Record and report treatment outcomes according to workplace procedures
       


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

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

There must be evidence that the individual has applied treatments to trees on at least one occasion according to work activity instructions for the following four situations:

control weeds

apply soil additives and ameliorants to the tree root system

apply plant-based mulch

implement soil de-compaction procedures using tools and equipment.

There must also be evidence that the individual has:

confirmed target trees and treatments required with supervisor

identified site hazards, assessed risks and confirmed controls with supervisor, including:

selected, checked and used personal protective equipment

confirmed availability of first aid equipment and emergency procedures

selected, prepared, calibrated and conducted pre-operational checks on tools, equipment and machinery according to operational and biosecurity procedures

identified and prepared chemical treatments according to manufacturer label instructions

carried out cleaning and maintenance tasks on site and equipment, including disposal of unused materials and waste safely according to environmental procedures

maintained records and reported according to workplace procedures.

All arboriculture work is required to be performed according to preferred industry practices (as outlined in the Companion Volume).

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:

practices and procedures for treating trees, including:

using maps for locating trees

tree recognition

site hazard and risk assessment for tree treatments, including:

methods for assessing risk

control strategies for managing risk attributed to treating trees

first aid personnel, equipment, emergency plans

personal protective equipment

common tree disorders and treatments, including:

weed plants and competition for growing conditions

nutrient disorders and the role of fertilisers

soil conditions and effect on tree growth

pests and diseases

basic control strategies for tree disorders, including:

fertiliser application methods

ameliorants and effect on pH, soil compaction and condition

mulch, moisture retention and nutrient tie down

managing the growing environment

chemical treatments

biological treatments

integrated pest control

methods of weed control

tools, equipment and machinery used in the treatment of trees, including:

soil de-compaction equipment

chemical sprayers and applicators

tree injection systems

fertiliser and ameliorant spreaders and applicators

pre-operational and safety checks on tools, equipment and machinery

chemicals and chemical applications, including:

interpretation and use of chemical label instructions

material safety data sheets

measurements and calculations for weighing and mixing chemicals

rates of application

dealing with chemical spills

methods of cleaning and sanitising tools and equipment, including:

methods of disease transfer

biosecurity principles and hygiene practices

calibration techniques of application equipment

chemical application techniques, usage restrictions and risk controls

environmental implications of tree treatments

waste disposal, including:

environmental protection

biosecurity and hygiene practices

records and record keeping requirements of tree treatments, including legislative and regulatory requirements.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.
Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Confirm trees to be treated and work activity instructions with supervisor 
Confirm workplace health and safety hazards and controls from job safety analysis (JSA) with supervisor 
Select, check and use personal protective equipment 
Select, prepare and carry out pre-operational and safety checks on tools and equipment 
Confirm availability of first aid and emergency personnel, equipment and procedures 
Select and prepare treatment tools and equipment according to workplace and biosecurity procedures 
Undertake weed control measures to remove competing plants according to treatment instructions 
Apply soil additives according to soil condition and treatment instructions 
Apply plant-based mulch according to treatment instructions 
Use tools and equipment for de-compaction of soil according to supervisor and equipment manufacturer instructions 
Identify chemical treatments required from supervisor instructions 
Select, prepare and calibrate application equipment 
Prepare chemical treatments according to manufacturer label and workplace safety procedures 
Apply chemical treatment according to workplace procedures 
Clean site, collect and store unused materials and dispose of waste according to workplace and environmental procedures 
Clean, maintain and store equipment and machinery according to workplace and biosecurity procedures 
Record and report treatment outcomes according to workplace procedures 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCARB211 - Apply treatments to trees
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

AHCARB211 - Apply treatments to trees

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: