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

What instructions may be given for basic canopy maintenance?
Instructions may include Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), specifications, work notes, or verbal directions from manager, supervisor or senior operator.

What tools and equipment may be relevant to this standard?
Tools and equipment may include hand secateurs, knives, hand saws, pneumatic secateurs, and saws, whipper snippers, brush cutters, mowers and tractor-mounted pruners.

What OHS hazards may be associated with basic canopy maintenance?
Hazards may include sharp hand tools and equipment, falling tree limbs, strain on the back and neck, wood dust and shavings falling into the eyes, cuts and bruises, exposure to sunlight, spike injuries, insect attacks (e.g. wasps, bees and ants), spider or snake bites, ladders, or repetitive strain injury (RSI).

How might OHS hazards be dealt with?
OHS hazards may be dealt with by actions such as cleaning, maintaining and storing tools and equipment; appropriate use of PPE including sun protection, drinking to avoid dehydration; safe operation of tools and equipment; correct manual handling; basic first aid; personal hygiene, and identifying and reporting hazards to supervisors.

What PPE may be required to pick a crop?
PPE may include boots, overalls, gloves, facemask, goggles, sun hat and sunscreen lotion.

What types of unwanted growth may have to be removed to maximise crop production?
Unwanted growth may include non-fruiting wood such as suckers and water shoots; damaged limbs or those that have died back; congested shoots, excessive fruit, flowers, or leaves.

What post-pruning treatments may apply to the canopy?
Post pruning treatments may include treating pruning cuts with fungicides or paint to prevent diseases entering the pruned surface.

How might the canopy be correctly positioned?
Correct positioning of the canopy may include removing branches or leaves, and manipulating shoots along a plant support system.

What types of control measures may be used?
Control measures may include leaf removal, branch removal, applying or removing shade cloth, bird or hail netting, lifting and lowering of trellises, and positioning canes and branches.

What enterprise housekeeping and hygiene standards may apply?
Enterprise housekeeping and hygiene standards may include returning tools and equipment to appropriate storage areas, correctly disposing of pruned material, disinfecting pruning tools and equipment, treating pruning wounds or cuts, personal hygiene, and site quarantine procedures.

How will enterprise environmental procedures affect the disposal of pruning materials?
Enterprise environmental procedures may include location of disposal site, methods of disposal such as burning or mulching, and procedures to minimise cross contamination by infected and diseased plant material.

What sorts of problems and anomalies may need to be identified?
Problems and anomalies may include presence of insects, diseases, mechanical damage, and irrigation problems.

What instructions may be given for basic canopy maintenance?
Instructions may include Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), specifications, work notes, or verbal directions from manager, supervisor or senior operator.

What tools and equipment may be relevant to this standard?
Tools and equipment may include hand secateurs, knives, hand saws, pneumatic secateurs, and saws, whipper snippers, brush cutters, mowers and tractor-mounted pruners.

What OHS hazards may be associated with basic canopy maintenance?
Hazards may include sharp hand tools and equipment, falling tree limbs, strain on the back and neck, wood dust and shavings falling into the eyes, cuts and bruises, exposure to sunlight, spike injuries, insect attacks (e.g. wasps, bees and ants), spider or snake bites, ladders, or repetitive strain injury (RSI).

How might OHS hazards be dealt with?
OHS hazards may be dealt with by actions such as cleaning, maintaining and storing tools and equipment; appropriate use of PPE including sun protection, drinking to avoid dehydration; safe operation of tools and equipment; correct manual handling; basic first aid; personal hygiene, and identifying and reporting hazards to supervisors.

What PPE may be required to pick a crop?
PPE may include boots, overalls, gloves, facemask, goggles, sun hat and sunscreen lotion.

What types of unwanted growth may have to be removed to maximise crop production?
Unwanted growth may include non-fruiting wood such as suckers and water shoots; damaged limbs or those that have died back; congested shoots, excessive fruit, flowers, or leaves.

What post-pruning treatments may apply to the canopy?
Post pruning treatments may include treating pruning cuts with fungicides or paint to prevent diseases entering the pruned surface.

How might the canopy be correctly positioned?
Correct positioning of the canopy may include removing branches or leaves, and manipulating shoots along a plant support system.

What types of control measures may be used?
Control measures may include leaf removal, branch removal, applying or removing shade cloth, bird or hail netting, lifting and lowering of trellises, and positioning canes and branches.

What enterprise housekeeping and hygiene standards may apply?
Enterprise housekeeping and hygiene standards may include returning tools and equipment to appropriate storage areas, correctly disposing of pruned material, disinfecting pruning tools and equipment, treating pruning wounds or cuts, personal hygiene, and site quarantine procedures.

How will enterprise environmental procedures affect the disposal of pruning materials?
Enterprise environmental procedures may include location of disposal site, methods of disposal such as burning or mulching, and procedures to minimise cross contamination by infected and diseased plant material.

What sorts of problems and anomalies may need to be identified?
Problems and anomalies may include presence of insects, diseases, mechanical damage, and irrigation problems.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in carrying out basic canopy maintenance requires evidence that a person can identify and remove unwanted growth according to enterprise standards, apply measures to control exposure of the crop from sunlight and protect it from damage, and maintain enterprise hygiene standards.
The skills and knowledge required to carry out basic canopy maintenance must be transferable to a different work environment. For example, if the skills and techniques are used to perform basic canopy maintenance tasks for stone fruit trees, it must be evident that they could also be used for citrus trees or grapevines, following induction to the new workplace. In addition, OHS standards must be observed at all times.
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:

basic canopy maintenance techniques and their importance in relation to the desired quality of fruit the enterprise is aiming to produce
difference between fruiting and non-fruiting wood
the effect of different climatic conditions on canopy maintenance requirements
the importance of hygiene and quality control when performing basic canopy maintenance activities
OHS responsibilities of employees when maintaining a canopy.

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:

use and maintain basic hand and power tools and equipment
interpret instructions and communicate with team members and supervisor, and calculate hours and personal production rate
participate in teams and contribute to team objectives
dispose of pruning waste in an environmentally aware and sensitive manner, e.g. sort waste for mulching and minimise risk of cross contamination from infected/infested material.

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:

basic canopy maintenance techniques and their importance in relation to the desired quality of fruit the enterprise is aiming to produce
difference between fruiting and non-fruiting wood
the effect of different climatic conditions on canopy maintenance requirements
the importance of hygiene and quality control when performing basic canopy maintenance activities
OHS responsibilities of employees when maintaining a canopy.

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:

use and maintain basic hand and power tools and equipment
interpret instructions and communicate with team members and supervisor, and calculate hours and personal production rate
participate in teams and contribute to team objectives
dispose of pruning waste in an environmentally aware and sensitive manner, e.g. sort waste for mulching and minimise risk of cross contamination from infected/infested material.

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
Information about the job, tasks and problems may need to be discussed with other members in the work team and the supervisor. Supervisors directions must be interpreted and applied, and further clarification sought where necessary. (1)

Communicating ideas and information
Information about the job, tasks and problems may need to be discussed with other members in the work team and the supervisor. Supervisors directions must be interpreted and applied, and further clarification sought where necessary. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Performing basic canopy maintenance according to enterprise guidelines will require information about techniques, equipment and plant requirements to be gathered as directed. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Performing basic canopy maintenance according to enterprise guidelines will require information about techniques, equipment and plant requirements to be gathered as directed. (1)

Planning and organising activities
Performing daily canopy maintenance work involves observing safety precautions and enterprise guidelines to complete daily work routines in a systematic and efficient manner. (1)

Planning and organising activities
Performing daily canopy maintenance work involves observing safety precautions and enterprise guidelines to complete daily work routines in a systematic and efficient manner. (1)

Working with others and in teams
Canopy maintenance usually involves working with other members of a team to co-ordinate specified tasks and maximise production schedules. (1)

Working with others and in teams
Canopy maintenance usually involves working with other members of a team to co-ordinate specified tasks and maximise production schedules. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematical concepts may apply when calculating tallies and working hours. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematical concepts may apply when calculating tallies and working hours. (1)

Solving problems
Problems relating to insects, diseases, mechanical damage, irrigation problems, frost, wind, workplace safety and other team members may arise during canopy maintenance activities. (1)

Solving problems
Problems relating to insects, diseases, mechanical damage, irrigation problems, frost, wind, workplace safety and other team members may arise during canopy maintenance activities. (1)

Using technology
Technology may be applied in the preparation, use and maintenance of tools and equipment. (1)

Using technology
Technology may be applied in the preparation, use and maintenance of tools and equipment. (1)