Range of Variables 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 availabl |
What soils may be surveyed? | Soils may include field soil sites and specialist growing media. |
What surveying activity may be involved? | Surveying activities may include collecting, preparing, packaging and labelling soil samples for off-site testing and/or on-site testing and analysis. |
What contractors may be identified? | Contractors may include off-site testing agencies such as government, commercial or private consultants, and contractors engaged for the mechanical extraction of soil samples by the use of machinery such as an auger or backhoe. |
What enterprise work procedures may apply to this standard? | Work procedures will be based on sound horticultural principles and practices and may include supervisors oral or written instructions, soil surveying program, enterprise standard operating procedures (SOP), specifications, routine maintenance schedules, work notes; product labels and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS); manufacturers service specifications and operators manuals; waste disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines; and OHS procedures. |
What tools, equipment and machinery may be required to perform a soil survey? | Tools, equipment and machinery may include a hand or powered auger, backhoe, pH test kit or electronic pH testing device, hand held salinity or EC meter, tape measure, sample bags, plastic overlays, aerial photographs, charts and tables of soil characteristics and plant soil parameters. |
What services may need to be located? | Services may include water supply, gas, power (electricity), telecommunications, irrigation, stormwater and drainage. |
What OHS hazards may be associated with performing a soil survey? | Hazards may include disturbance or interruption of services, solar radiation, dust, noise, soil- and water-borne micro-organisms, chemicals and hazardous substances, sharp hand tools and equipment, manual handling, moving machinery and machinery parts, falling objects and uneven surfaces. |
What safety equipment may be required? | Safety equipment may include signage and barriers. |
What PPE may be required to perform a soil survey? | PPE may include hat, boots, overalls, gloves, goggles, respirator or face mask, face guard, hearing protection, sunscreen lotion and hard hat. |
How may a clean and safe work area be maintained? | Tasks may include disabling unused tools, equipment and machinery and storing neatly out of the way of surveying activities; safely storing materials on site; using signage and safety barriers during and removing after surveying activities are completed; backfilling soil survey holes and pits; and swiftly and efficiently removing and processing debris and waste from the work area. |
What OHS requirements may be relevant to this standard? | OHS requirements may include identifying hazards; assessing risks and implementing controls; cleaning, maintaining and storing tools, equipment and machinery; appropriate use of PPE including sun protection; safe operation of tools, equipment and machinery; safe handling, use and storage of chemicals and hazardous substances; correct manual handling; basic first aid; personal hygiene and reporting problems to supervisors. |
What environmental implications may be associated with surveying soil characteristics? | Soil surveying activities may have beneficial environmental impacts where the analysis is applied to improve the soil structure and reduce excess water, nutrient and chemical flow into the external environment, including natural waterways, through better targetting of plants water needs and reduction of water applied, thus minimising the draw on water resources. Beneficial impacts may also result from the construction of a soil profile with more efficient water and nutrient utilisation than the original soil profile of the site. Detrimental environmental impacts may arise where mechanised sampling activities produce excess noise, dust or water run-off. |
What physical characteristics of soil may be determined? | Physical characteristics may include colour, texture, structure, depth of root zone and depth of water table. |
What chemical characteristics of soil may be determined? | Chemical characteristics may include pH, salinity, nutrient content such as N, K, P and carbonate content. |
What residues may affect sampling and analytical accuracy? | Plant and soil-based residues, and any detergents or other cleaning chemicals may pollute the soil samples taken for analysis. |
For more information on contexts, environmental implications and variables for training and assessment, refer to the Sector Booklet. |
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