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 gravity fed irrigation systems may be relevant to this standard?
Flood irrigation systems may include border check, contour irrigation, furrow irrigation, hillside flooding, and basin irrigation. Border check systems may be either permanent or temporary earth, plastic or concrete devices for insertion in a drain for reticulating water, contour banks used to collect and distribute water along the perimeter of an irrigation plot, contour banks within a plot to collect/distribute water, or larger scale systems to stop water exiting one area to another. Gravity fed systems may range from manual operation and monitoring to fully automated with computer control and monitoring.

What outlets may be used in the system?
Outlets may include siphons, cups and fluming, pipes and gates/slides/doors.

What OHS requirements are relevant to this standard?
These may include systems and procedures for the safe operation of irrigation equipment, and to ensure protection against injury when working with pumps, outlets and other system equipment, the prevention of electrical type injury, manual handling and procedures for working outdoors, including protection from solar radiation, dust and noise.

What may need to be inspected?
This may include water flow, water quality at delivery points, watercourses for leaks and blocks, and drainage flow.

What does the even distribution of water depend on?
Even distribution of water depends on channel levels (if applicable), time, number and position of siphons running (if applicable), time, number and position of outlets running, water pressure, no leaks/blocks in system, wind (weather conditions), flow rates and times.

What reuse systems may be relevant to this standard?
These may include disinfestation and filtering equipment.

How may weeds be controlled?
Weeds may be controlled by mechanical methods or chemical methods (refer to regulatory bodies).

What irrigation indicators might be relevant to this standard?
These may include soil moisture, weather reports and information, and plant/crop condition.

What gravity fed irrigation systems may be relevant to this standard?
Flood irrigation systems may include border check, contour irrigation, furrow irrigation, hillside flooding, and basin irrigation. Border check systems may be either permanent or temporary earth, plastic or concrete devices for insertion in a drain for reticulating water, contour banks used to collect and distribute water along the perimeter of an irrigation plot, contour banks within a plot to collect/distribute water, or larger scale systems to stop water exiting one area to another. Gravity fed systems may range from manual operation and monitoring to fully automated with computer control and monitoring.

What outlets may be used in the system?
Outlets may include siphons, cups and fluming, pipes and gates/slides/doors.

What OHS requirements are relevant to this standard?
These may include systems and procedures for the safe operation of irrigation equipment, and to ensure protection against injury when working with pumps, outlets and other system equipment, the prevention of electrical type injury, manual handling and procedures for working outdoors, including protection from solar radiation, dust and noise.

What may need to be inspected?
This may include water flow, water quality at delivery points, watercourses for leaks and blocks, and drainage flow.

What does the even distribution of water depend on?
Even distribution of water depends on channel levels (if applicable), time, number and position of siphons running (if applicable), time, number and position of outlets running, water pressure, no leaks/blocks in system, wind (weather conditions), flow rates and times.

What reuse systems may be relevant to this standard?
These may include disinfestation and filtering equipment.

How may weeds be controlled?
Weeds may be controlled by mechanical methods or chemical methods (refer to regulatory bodies).

What irrigation indicators might be relevant to this standard?
These may include soil moisture, weather reports and information, and plant/crop condition.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in operating gravity fed irrigation systems requires evidence that a person can perform pre-start checks, start, operate and inspect the system, and shut down in response to irrigation indicators.
The skills and knowledge required to operate gravity fed irrigation systems must be transferable to a different work environment. For example, this could include different crops, flood irrigation systems, environmental parameters 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:

general irrigation methods for gravity fed irrigation systems
main components of gravity fed irrigation systems
pump types used in gravity fed irrigation systems and their operation
environmental impacts of irrigation, using water from any ground or underground source
inspection procedures
soil/plant/water relationships
water requirements of plants/crops consistent with sound environmental management
shutdown sequence
OHS, environmental and enterprise policies and procedures relating to the operation of gravity fed irrigation systems.

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:

read and follow operations manual and irrigation schedules
check pressure at the headworks and control valves
carry out running repairs on irrigation delivery and drainage systems
identify adverse environmental impacts of irrigation activities and appropriate remedial action
implement and follow relevant OHS and environmental policies and procedures relating to the operation of gravity fed irrigation systems.

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:

general irrigation methods for gravity fed irrigation systems
main components of gravity fed irrigation systems
pump types used in gravity fed irrigation systems and their operation
environmental impacts of irrigation, using water from any ground or underground source
inspection procedures
soil/plant/water relationships
water requirements of plants/crops consistent with sound environmental management
shutdown sequence
OHS, environmental and enterprise policies and procedures relating to the operation of gravity fed irrigation systems.

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:

read and follow operations manual and irrigation schedules
check pressure at the headworks and control valves
carry out running repairs on irrigation delivery and drainage systems
identify adverse environmental impacts of irrigation activities and appropriate remedial action
implement and follow relevant OHS and environmental policies and procedures relating to the operation of gravity fed irrigation systems.

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
Reporting irrigation activities. (1)

Communicating ideas and information
Reporting irrigation activities. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Checking pressure and flow rates, and recording irrigation activities. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Checking pressure and flow rates, and recording irrigation activities. (2)

Planning and organising activities
Performing shut down sequence. (2)

Planning and organising activities
Performing shut down sequence. (2)

Working with others and in teams
Reporting malfunctions, leaks, damage to water courses and blockages. (2)

Working with others and in teams
Reporting malfunctions, leaks, damage to water courses and blockages. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Measuring and interpreting pressure and flow rates. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Measuring and interpreting pressure and flow rates. (2)

Solving problems
Identifying and correcting malfunctions, leaks and blockages. (2)

Solving problems
Identifying and correcting malfunctions, leaks and blockages. (2)

Using technology
Using computerised equipment. (2)

Using technology
Using computerised equipment. (2)