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 OHS requirements may be relevant to this standard?
Safe systems and procedures for:
handling livestock including zoonoses control
operating equipment
hazard and risk control
manual handling
safe operation and maintenance of machinery and equipment, including hydraulics and guarding of exposed moving parts, and including pumps, impellers and aeration equipment
handling, transport and storage of hazardous substances, including flammable and toxic gases which may accumulate in pipes and sumps
outdoor work including protection from solar radiation, dust and noise
the appropriate use and maintenance of personal protective equipment
working in or around confined spaces.

What personal protective equipment may be relevant to this standard?
This may include boots, helmet, overalls, gloves, protective eyewear, hearing protection, respirator or face mask, and sun protection (sun hat, sunscreen).

What types of effluent disposal systems may be used?
Disposal systems will be machine spreading, spray or flood irrigation, effluent ponds, and collection for manufacture of commercial fertilisers and fuels.

What is meant by an environmental duty of care?
Environmental duty of care may include an awareness of legislative and regulative requirements, codes of practice, established guidelines, organisations environmental plan including any State based environmental and local government regulations for effluent storage and disposal.

What relevant information might be recorded and reported, and what form might it take?
Dates, times and periods of operation and maintenance, chemicals and other substances used including quantities and methods, and readings from temperature and flow-rate gauges. Record keeping systems used may be either paper-based or digital, and information will be recorded into logbooks or other records.

What OHS requirements may be relevant to this standard?
Safe systems and procedures for:
handling livestock including zoonoses control
operating equipment
hazard and risk control
manual handling
safe operation and maintenance of machinery and equipment, including hydraulics and guarding of exposed moving parts, and including pumps, impellers and aeration equipment
handling, transport and storage of hazardous substances, including flammable and toxic gases which may accumulate in pipes and sumps
outdoor work including protection from solar radiation, dust and noise
the appropriate use and maintenance of personal protective equipment
working in or around confined spaces.

What personal protective equipment may be relevant to this standard?
This may include boots, helmet, overalls, gloves, protective eyewear, hearing protection, respirator or face mask, and sun protection (sun hat, sunscreen).

What types of effluent disposal systems may be used?
Disposal systems will be machine spreading, spray or flood irrigation, effluent ponds, and collection for manufacture of commercial fertilisers and fuels.

What is meant by an environmental duty of care?
Environmental duty of care may include an awareness of legislative and regulative requirements, codes of practice, established guidelines, organisations environmental plan including any State based environmental and local government regulations for effluent storage and disposal.

What relevant information might be recorded and reported, and what form might it take?
Dates, times and periods of operation and maintenance, chemicals and other substances used including quantities and methods, and readings from temperature and flow-rate gauges. Record keeping systems used may be either paper-based or digital, and information will be recorded into logbooks or other records.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in disposing of effluent from intensive production systems requires evidence that effluent is disposed of cleanly and efficiently resulting in minimal impacts on the surrounding environment.
The skills and knowledge required to dispose of effluent from intensive production systems must be transferable to a different work environment. For example, across the range of shed types and disposal systems in place in the organisation.
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:

effluent handling systems
factors affecting effluent degradation
environmental codes of practice, and local and State government regulations
environmental controls and codes of practice applicable to the enterprise
the organisations livestock production and management plans - sound management practices and processes to minimise noise, odours and debris from the livestock operations
relevant legislation and regulations relating to waste and environment management, animal health and welfare, and employment of staff and contractors
relevant OHS legislation, regulations and codes of practice.

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:

maintain production shed environment and system through an efficient effluent handling program
read and interpret cost sheets, production information, target statistics, quantities of feed and other inputs, job performance audits, and MSDS
prepare and present production and other information in a manner that is readily accessible for both management and operators
maintain and monitor gauges and instruments that control the effluent disposal system
observe, identify and react appropriately to environmental implications and OHS hazards.

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:

effluent handling systems
factors affecting effluent degradation
environmental codes of practice, and local and State government regulations
environmental controls and codes of practice applicable to the enterprise
the organisations livestock production and management plans - sound management practices and processes to minimise noise, odours and debris from the livestock operations
relevant legislation and regulations relating to waste and environment management, animal health and welfare, and employment of staff and contractors
relevant OHS legislation, regulations and codes of practice.

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:

maintain production shed environment and system through an efficient effluent handling program
read and interpret cost sheets, production information, target statistics, quantities of feed and other inputs, job performance audits, and MSDS
prepare and present production and other information in a manner that is readily accessible for both management and operators
maintain and monitor gauges and instruments that control the effluent disposal system
observe, identify and react appropriately to environmental implications and OHS hazards.

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
With licensing authorities, farm management and other employees. (2)

Communicating ideas and information
With licensing authorities, farm management and other employees. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
To ensure environmentally responsible effluent handling. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
To ensure environmentally responsible effluent handling. (2)

Planning and organising activities
In undertaking the preparation activities for maintaining and monitoring the system. (2)

Planning and organising activities
In undertaking the preparation activities for maintaining and monitoring the system. (2)

Working with others and in teams
To safely remove effluent from the unit and manage disposal. (2)

Working with others and in teams
To safely remove effluent from the unit and manage disposal. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
To calculate N.P.K loadings for disposal. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
To calculate N.P.K loadings for disposal. (2)

Solving problems
In ensuring that any hazards that present are dealt with effectively and promptly. (2)

Solving problems
In ensuring that any hazards that present are dealt with effectively and promptly. (2)

Using technology
To maximise long-term environmental sustainability of the system. (2)

Using technology
To maximise long-term environmental sustainability of the system. (2)