Application
Composting is used here as a general expression for the processing of organic materials; with this unit being relevant for aerobic and anaerobic composting as well as vermiculture systems.
This unit of competency applies to people working at a commercial-scale composting facility that produces value-added products. It will require taking responsibility for work output with checking related to overall progress, and taking limited responsibility for the work output of others for example as a loader operator or team leader.
Where work requires the use of load-shifting or other 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 Organise for value-added product preparation. | 1.1 | Job sheet or work order is reviewed to clearly identify all product requirements. |
1.2 | Equipment required for safe, effective and efficient product preparation is identified and organised. | ||
1.3 | Occupational health and safety (OHS) hazards in workplace are identified, and risk is assessed and managed according to enterprise procedures. | ||
1.4 | Environmental implications associated with product preparation are identified, assessed and reported to supervisor. | ||
2 | 2 Prepare value-added products. | 2.1 | Compost and product additives are clearly identified and confirmed against job sheet and enterprise procedures. |
2.2 | Suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) and clothing are selected, used, maintained and stored according to OHS requirements. | ||
2.3 | Required quantities of compost and product additives are measured and transported to product preparation area. | ||
2.4 | Compost and product additives are regularly monitored and checked against value-added product specifications and variations or non-conformances are identified and reported, and remedial action is taken according to enterprise procedures and product specifications. | ||
2.5 | Preparation method and machinery to be used are confirmed as appropriate for product and as meeting enterprise product requirements. | ||
2.6 | Plant and machinery are operated in a safe and controlled manner, and monitored for performance and efficiency. | ||
2.7 | Compost, materials and other product additives are blended and processed according to product requirements. | ||
2.8 | Products are monitored and adjustments to machinery operations are made to meet job sheet specifications. | ||
2.9 | Batch numbers of compost materials and other additives are combined or reassigned. | ||
2.10 | Blending, processing machinery and site are cleared and cleaned as required to avoid contamination between batches according to enterprise procedures. | ||
3 | 3 Conduct quality inspection and readiness for sale. | 3.1 | Value-added product is inspected and checked for compliance with job sheet and product requirements. |
3.2 | Product details are documented accurately and promptly according to enterprise procedures. | ||
3.3 | Value-added product is transported to holding bay and quantity of product is confirmed. | ||
3.4 | Value-added product is clearly labelled according to regulatory and customer requirements. | ||
3.5 | Value-added product is released for dispatch according to enterprise procedures. | ||
3.6 | Work outcomes are reported to supervisor, feedback on performance is sought and any required improvements are noted for future action. |
Required Skills
This section describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.
Required skills include:
communicating with work team and supervisor
demonstrating safe and environmentally responsible workplace practices
following material safety data sheets (MSDS)
identifying and handling raw materials, products, additives and contaminants
interpreting and applying instructions
measuring and calculating volumes and consumption requirements
reading and interpreting job sheets
recording and reporting equipment faults, workplace hazards and accidents
using emergency and personal protective equipment.
Required knowledge includes:
common product contaminants
enterprise product specifications and standards
environmental licence requirements, aspects and management measures associated with operation of machinery and equipment
hazards in handling materials and additives and appropriate risk control measures
identification of contaminants
legislation, regulations and codes of practice with regard to workplace OHS and use and control of hazardous substances
operating principles and methods for plant and machinery
procedures for cleaning, securing and storing machinery, equipment and materials
potential risks and hazards associated with operation of machinery and equipment
product types and characteristics
raw materials, compost and additives commonly used to manufacture value-added products
relevant Australian standards for products
relevant state and territory legislation, regulations and codes of practice with regard to licensing, roads and traffic requirements
value-added product types and characteristics.
Evidence Required
Overview of assessment
It is preferred that this unit of competency be assessed in a commercial-scale composting facility.
The unit could be assessed on its own or in combination with other units of competency relevant to the job function such as after:
RTC2210A Maintain properties and structures
RTC2701A Follow OHS procedures
RTC2702A Observe environmental work practices
RTC2706A Apply chemicals under supervision
RTE2507A Recognise raw materials, production processes and products on a composting site
RTE2608A Set up, operate and maintain a water delivery system
RTE2709A Recognise and respond to fire emergencies on a composting site.
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:
interpret batch sheets and follow enterprise production procedures
recognise, quantify and handle products according to enterprise requirements and procedures
recognise value-added products and their characteristics
prepare batches of value-added product according to defined batch recipes and methods
conduct work in a safe and efficient manner
establish and maintain appropriate documentation accurately and promptly.
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 must 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 must also have access to the following resources:
a commercial-scale value-added compost-based product facility
a range of load-shifting machinery and measuring equipment
PPE
finished compost
additives
job sheets or work orders.
Guidance information for assessment
To ensure consistency in performance, competency should be demonstrated on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances, cases and responsibilities 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, including the ability to deal with unplanned events. For example, this could include work within composting operations of varying scale; processing a range of different raw materials; producing a range of different composts and value-added products to meet the demands of different markets; located in an urban or rural context with 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.
Value-added products: | are defined as a basic compost output with the addition of certain materials to form a new product are produced using defined batch recipes to meet documented product specifications may include: composted and pasteurised mulches for various applications composted and pasteurised soil conditioners for various applications effluent, stormwater or emission treatment products general and special purpose landscaping soils soft fall or loose fill materials for playground surfacing or other applications mushroom substrate ornamental mulches products for agricultural disease suppression products for erosion control or site remediation sports turf substrates standard and specialised potting mixes other products for specialised applications |
Job sheet or work order may include: | batch number compost (batch) recipe job number product batch order and packaging requirements raw materials or product quantity and quality requirements raw materials preparation (pre-processing) requirements. |
Measuring equipment used may include: | automatic volume measuring equipment containers for measuring volume scales or balances for measuring weight. |
OHS hazards: | may include: dust ergonomic hazards associated with posture and vibration exposure to loud noise and fumes extreme weather conditions hazardous substances such as: fertiliser fuel oils machinery, including hydraulics mechanical malfunctions and exposed moving parts obstacles oil and grease spills pests solar radiation the presence of bystanders varying gradients, potholes, ditches and embankments |
may be addressed by systems and procedures for: appropriate use, maintenance and storage of PPE hazard identification, assessment and reporting outdoor work, including protection from solar radiation pedestrian safety protection from hazardous noise, mechanical vibration and organic and other dusts protection of people in the workplace safe lifting, carrying and handling safe operation and maintenance of machinery and equipment, including hydraulics guarding of moving parts. | |
Environmental implications associated with operation of plant and machinery may include: | negative environmental impacts resulting from: aerosol particulates excessive noise and exhaust emissions incorrect use and disposal of hazardous substances such as: fuel fertiliser incorrect use and disposal of maintenance debris such as: oil containers chemical residues organic dusts impacts such as: dust problems from high speed and frequent traffic run-off flows of water and cleaning agents from servicing, maintenance and cleaning activities soil disturbance. |
Compost and product additives may include: | finished compost of varying maturity and characteristics product additives such as: biological inoculants bulking agents or other products that alter the visual, physical, chemical or biological characteristics of finished product colouring agents inorganic or organic fertiliser liming agents wetting agents raw materials (compostable organic materials). |
PPE and clothing may include: | apparel such as: appropriate footwear gloves hard hats high visibility clothing overalls emergency equipment and procedures such as: emergency procedure guides eye wash kit fire extinguisher first aid kit MSDS eye and hearing protection face shields and masks respirators. |
Preparation methods may include: | load-shifting measuring quantities mixing and blending materials particle size screening size reduction. |
Safe and controlled operation of machinery and equipment may include: | appropriate selection and use of machinery and equipment effective communication between work team members maintaining working loads within specifications using operational techniques for specific weather conditions. |
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