Application
Composting is used as a general expression for the processing of organic materials; with this unit being relevant for aerobic and anaerobic composting and vermiculture technologies.
This unit of competency applies to an employee of an enterprise engaged in commercial-scale composting operations. Tasks are likely to be performed by a yard hand or general hand under supervision of an operations team leader or site foreman. Work is likely to be performed as a part of a team.
This unit must be read in conjunction with the National Guidelines for Occupational Health and Safety Competency Standards for Operation of Load-Shifting Equipment and Other Types of Specified Equipment [NOHSC: 7019 (1992)].
Where work requires the use of load-shifting equipment, appropriate training/certification must be provided according to state and territory safety and licensing requirements.
Prerequisites
Not applicable.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements and Performance Criteria | |||
Element | Performance Criteria | ||
1 | 1 Recognise, handle and locate raw materials on site. | 1.1 | Raw materials are identified for potential purpose. |
1.2 | Characteristics of raw materials, including handling risks and potential or common contaminants, are compared to site operating guidelines. | ||
1.3 | Potential hazards in handling raw materials are identified and reported to supervisor. | ||
1.4 | Initial handling requirements, stockpiling location and arrangement on site are confirmed from site operating guidelines. | ||
1.5 | Visible or physical contaminants present in raw materials are identified and recorded. | ||
1.6 | Physical contaminant handling, stockpiling location and arrangement on site are confirmed from site operating guidelines. | ||
2 | 2 Recognise and locate key processes and technologies. | 2.1 | Composting technologies and methods, key process control steps and technologies are identified and locations on site are confirmed from site map. |
2.2 | Windrows or vessels are identified by reference to batch or code numbers. | ||
2.3 | Machinery, plant and equipment and their functional uses are confirmed from site operating guidelines. | ||
3 | 3 Recognise, handle and locate compost and other products on site. | 3.1 | Compost and other products are identified for their intended use. |
3.2 | Characteristics of products, including handling risks and potential or common contaminants, are compared to site operating guidelines. | ||
3.3 | Potential hazards in handling products are identified and reported to supervisor. | ||
3.4 | Handling requirements, stockpiling location and arrangement on site are confirmed from site operating guidelines. | ||
3.5 | Potential for contamination of products is identified and action is taken according to enterprise procedures. | ||
3.6 | Batching sheets or other product formulas are matched to end product. | ||
3.7 | Visible or physical contaminants present in products are identified and reported to supervisor. | ||
3.8 | Physical contaminant handling, stockpiling location and arrangement on site are identified. | ||
4 | 4 Identify and carry out site maintenance requirements. | 4.1 | Site maintenance requirements are identified and carried out according to enterprise procedures. |
4.2 | Traffic access routes and site traffic/pedestrian safety rules are identified from site operating plan and maintained according to enterprise and occupational health and safety (OHS) procedures. | ||
4.3 | Vehicle access routes on site are maintained according to enterprise procedures. | ||
4.4 | Machinery and site security requirements are identified and maintained according to enterprise procedures. |
Required Skills
This section describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.
Required skills include:
applying communication skills including active listening, questioning and asking for clarification from supervisor
applying literacy and numeracy skills sufficient to read and follow enterprise policies and procedures
identifying and handling physical contaminants
identifying and handling raw materials and products
recognising and complying with site traffic and security requirements.
Required knowledge includes:
characteristics of a range of raw materials
company policies and procedures, including OHS requirements
key process control stages critical to consistent quality in compost production
overview of systems and technologies used in compost production, particularly as relevant to workplace
range and characteristics of products
risks associated with movement of vehicles and machinery on site
safety risks to self and product posed by contaminants in raw materials and products
standard risk control measures used in the industry to minimise risk associated with handling raw materials and products.
Evidence Required
Overview of assessment
This unit of competency could be assessed on its own or in combination with other units of competency relevant to the job function such as:
RTC2701A Follow OHS procedures
RTC2702A Observe environmental work practices
RTE2608A Set up, operate and maintain a water delivery system.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The critical requirements for this unit of competency as a whole are listed below.
Assessment must confirm one's ability to:
identify, confirm, locate, handle and maintain raw materials, products and physical contaminants on site
maintain site arrangement and segregation of materials and products to avoid contamination
recognise and locate key process control stages of production cycle and associated machinery on site
maintain site and machinery security requirements
read and follow batch numbers and codes, and site operating plan
implement site machinery and traffic management plans.
Context and specific resources for assessment
Assessment for this unit of competency is to be largely practical in nature and must be assessed in a commercial-scale composting facility or in a situation that reproduces and/or simulates operational conditions.
For valid assessment, one should have opportunities to participate in exercises, case studies and other real and simulated practical and knowledge assessments that demonstrate the skills and knowledge specified in this unit.
The candidate should also have access to the following resources:
personal protective equipment
commercial-scale compost piles
raw materials and products for recognition and handling
access to a commercial-scale compost facility with documented management system and batch documentation.
Guidance information for assessment
To ensure consistency in performance, competency should preferably be demonstrated on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances and operational contexts, and where possible, over a number of assessment activities.
The skills and knowledge required to demonstrate competency must allow for application in a broad industry context, and should be transferable to a range of work environments. For example, this could include work within commercial-scale composting operations of varying size; a range of different raw materials; a range of different composts and value-added products manufactured to meet the demands of different markets; location (i.e. urban or rural context); varying environmental constraints; and using various equipment, practices, technologies and management systems.
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. Add any 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.
Raw materials may include: | animal mortalities biosolids such as sewage sludge crop residuals dairy waste fats and oils food organics such as: food waste kitchen waste food processing waste forestry residuals manures organic sludges paper mill wastes paper-based materials plant materials such as: garden organics green organics green waste yard waste sewage facility grit and screenings wood and timber (not treated) other organic waste or by-product of processing. |
OHS hazards: | may include: biological hazards compressed air and water dusts ergonomic hazards associated with manual handling hazards to pedestrians hot or cold weather conditions mechanical hazards such as: grinders hammer mills shredders noise physical hazards such as: mobile machinery vehicles sharps or other physical contaminants in materials underfoot conditions must be addressed by observing enterprise and OHS procedures for: hazard identification risk assessment risk control. |
Physical contaminants observed may include: | binding and rubble glass metals plastics sharps stone and soil other non-biodegradable materials. |
Composting technologies and methods may include: | aerated static pile agitated bay in-vessel composting technologies rotating drum turned pile vermiculture beds windrow. |
Machinery, plant and equipment may include: | conveyor belts and associated attachments such as magnetic and blower or suction separators elevators excavators first-response firefighting equipment front-end loaders gantry cranes hoppers, bins and other containers for contaminant disposal personal protective equipment such as: dust mask earmuffs hard hats protective clothing reflector high visibility vests respirators safety footwear safety glasses and gloves power or trommel screen safety and road signs size reduction machinery for grinding or chipping static machinery, such as weighbridges windrow turners. |
Products may include: | additives blended with recycled organic products after composting such as: inorganic fertilisers lime and gypsum organic fertilisers sand soil wetting agents recycled organic products such as: composts landscaping soils and materials mulches potting mixes soft fall products soil conditioners vermicast. |
Site maintenance activities may include: | implementation of site machinery and traffic access and circulation plans location and management of compost piles, and recipe or batch blends location of material during curing processes placement and management of raw materials, products and other inputs or material for disposal. |
Sectors
Not applicable.
Employability Skills
The required outcomes described in this unit of competency contain applicable facets of Employability Skills.
Licensing Information
Refer to Application of the Unit