Overview of assessment
This unit of competency 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
RTE2507A Recognise raw materials, production processes and products on a composting site
RTE2608A Set up, operate and maintain water delivery systems
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:
prepare raw materials for composting according to enterprise product requirements
prepare batches for composting according to defined compost recipes
operate equipment in a safe and efficient manner
conduct all work in a safe and efficient manner
conduct basic field tests according to specified procedures
interpret basic field test results to confirm effective processing and define intervention required to rectify composting processes
establish and maintain appropriate compost batch 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:
access to a commercial-scale composting facility
access to a range of load-shifting equipment and a qualified operator if required
PPE
raw materials for recognition and preparation
forms (batch recording forms)
water or irrigation system
copies of relevant product quality standards
compost recipe calculators and procedures
compost management procedures
batch documentation systems.
Guidance information for assessment
To ensure consistency in performance, competency should preferably be demonstrated on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances and operational contexts, 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. For example, this could include work within commercial-scale composting operations of varying scale; range of different raw materials; range of different composts and value-added products manufactured 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.