Elements and Performance Criteria

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 training and assessment requirements may depend on the work situations available.

What materials may be injected using fertigation equipment?
Materials may be wet or dry, and may include fertilisers, chlorine, acid and cleaning agents.

What injection or fertigation equipment may be relevant to this standard?
This may include injection pump, injection point and chemical holding tank.
The irrigation system may range from manual operation and monitoring to fully automated with computer control and monitoring.

What OHS procedures may be relevant to this standard?
These may include hazards identification and risk assessment, systems and procedures for the safe operation and maintenance of machinery and equipment, selection, use and maintenance of relevant personal protective clothing and equipment, and safe systems and procedures for handling, transporting and storing chemicals and hazardous substances taking into account toxicity levels and environmental effects.

How might process operation and monitoring functions be carried out?
Operation and monitoring may be manual or involve the use of a process control system.

What materials may be injected using fertigation equipment?
Materials may be wet or dry, and may include fertilisers, chlorine, acid and cleaning agents.

What injection or fertigation equipment may be relevant to this standard?
This may include injection pump, injection point and chemical holding tank.
The irrigation system may range from manual operation and monitoring to fully automated with computer control and monitoring.

What OHS procedures may be relevant to this standard?
These may include hazards identification and risk assessment, systems and procedures for the safe operation and maintenance of machinery and equipment, selection, use and maintenance of relevant personal protective clothing and equipment, and safe systems and procedures for handling, transporting and storing chemicals and hazardous substances taking into account toxicity levels and environmental effects.

How might process operation and monitoring functions be carried out?
Operation and monitoring may be manual or involve the use of a process control system.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in operating fertigation equipment requires evidence that a person can calculate and prepare fertigation materials, connect and calibrate equipment, operate, monitor and adjust delivery, shut down and clean equipment, and dispose of waste in an environmentally responsible way.

The skills and knowledge required to operate fertigation equipment must be transferable to a different work environment. For example, this could include different fertilisers, fertigation equipment, plant/crop types and enterprise procedures.
What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this competency standard are listed below:

fertigation injection equipment
chemical handling procedures for fertiliser, chlorine, acid and cleaning agents
cleaning procedures for fertigation equipment
material safety data sheets (MSDS)
environmental impacts of delivering fertilisers via the irrigation system
OHS issues
enterprise policies and procedures.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, appropriate literacy and numeracy levels as well as some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

calculate and prepare fertigation materials
connect, calibrate and operate the equipment, and monitor and adjust the delivery of fertilisers
shut down, clean equipment and dispose of waste
use personal protective equipment
identify adverse environmental impacts of fertigation activities and appropriate remedial action
implement enterprise, OHS and environmental policies and procedures.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard

Essential Assessment Information
There is essential information about

What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this competency standard are listed below:

fertigation injection equipment
chemical handling procedures for fertiliser, chlorine, acid and cleaning agents
cleaning procedures for fertigation equipment
material safety data sheets (MSDS)
environmental impacts of delivering fertilisers via the irrigation system
OHS issues
enterprise policies and procedures.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, appropriate literacy and numeracy levels as well as some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

calculate and prepare fertigation materials
connect, calibrate and operate the equipment, and monitor and adjust the delivery of fertilisers
shut down, clean equipment and dispose of waste
use personal protective equipment
identify adverse environmental impacts of fertigation activities and appropriate remedial action
implement enterprise, OHS and environmental policies and procedures.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard

Essential Assessment Information
There is essential information about

There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life, which are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies, although others may be added. The questions below highlight how these processes are applied in this competency standard. Following each question a number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency needs to be demonstrated where 0 = not required, 1 = perform the process, 2 = perform and administer the process and 3 = perform, administer and design the process.
Communicating ideas and information
Confirming materials and services are available and ready for operation. (2)

Communicating ideas and information
Confirming materials and services are available and ready for operation. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Interpreting directions for connection of injection equipment. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Interpreting directions for connection of injection equipment. (2)

Planning and organising activities
Preparing fertigation materials and equipment for operation. (2)

Planning and organising activities
Preparing fertigation materials and equipment for operation. (2)

Working with others and in teams
Reporting and recording fertigation activities. (2)

Working with others and in teams
Reporting and recording fertigation activities. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Calculating material concentration and calibrating equipment. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Calculating material concentration and calibrating equipment. (2)

Solving problems
Making corrections to the process and adjustments to equipment as necessary. (2)

Solving problems
Making corrections to the process and adjustments to equipment as necessary. (2)

Using technology
Using fertigation equipment. (2)

Using technology
Using fertigation equipment. (2)