Elements and Performance Criteria
- Prepare to establish a planted area
- The planting site , planting methods and turf plant species and cultivars are identified according to the site plan and enterprise work procedures.
- Materials, tools, equipment and machinery are selected according to planted area design requirements and enterprise work procedures.
- Pre-operational and safety checks are carried out on tools, equipment and machinery according to manufacturers specifications and enterprise work procedures.
- The environmental implications of the turf establishment program are identified and the likely outcomes assessed and reported to the supervisor.
- Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) hazards are identified, risks assessed and reported to the supervisor.
- Suitable safety and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is selected, used and maintained.
- Prepare the planting area
- Layout of services is recognised, depths checked against the site plan and discrepancies are reported to the supervisor.
- Earthworks are undertaken according to OHS requirements.
- All competing plants are treated according to enterprise work procedures.
- Soil is assessed for moisture, tilth, compactness, depth and decaying plant material according to enterprise work procedures.
- Soil additives are selected and applied according to enterprise work procedures.
- The entire surface is raked out evenly to achieve a consistent texture and the area is uniformly levelled to defined contour requirements according to enterprise work procedures.
- The planting site is watered according to the planting method and enterprise work procedures.
- Debris and pollutants are removed from the site and disposed of in an environmentally aware and safe manner according to enterprise work procedures.
- Plant turf
- All turf plant material is inspected prior to being planted and material with major defects is discarded according to enterprise work procedures.
- Hygiene practices with use of tools and equipment are clarified with supervisor and observed in establishment work.
- Turf plant material with minor defects is trimmed or treated to maintain health and vigour according to enterprise work procedures.
- Seed spread by hand and mechanically is evenly distributed over the whole planting area with no overlap and no areas missed according to enterprise work procedures.
- The entire sown surface is evenly raked and thoroughly watered according to enterprise work procedures.
- Sods are correctly oriented, rolled evenly onto a moist surface and interlocked in the pattern and area according to enterprise work procedures.
- Newly laid turf is watered thoroughly to encourage establishment according to enterprise work procedures.
- Provide post-planting care
- The planted site is protected from animals, pedestrian and vehicular traffic according to enterprise work procedures.
- The planted site is rolled to a work pattern planned to cover the area evenly and efficiently and rolling is even, flat and uniform with no disturbance according to enterprise work procedures.
- Turf is mown according to a pattern and height specified in enterprise work procedures.
- Top dressing is applied evenly to the required depth over the whole area and is worked or rubbed into the surface according to enterprise work procedures.
- New turf is watered according to irrigation system manufacturer's specifications and enterprise work procedures.
- Water is applied by hand to dry or under-watered plants according to the requirements of the turf species and cultivar, and according to enterprise work procedures.
- Watering patterns are checked for dry spots and blockages and faults are rectified according to manufacturer's specifications and reported to the supervisor.
- Monitor turf health
- Turf structure is observed for quality according to published data, enterprise work procedures and industry standards.
- Damaged turf is identified according to published data, supplier's specifications, historical data and enterprise work procedures.
- Plants incorrectly planted or situations that will prevent plants from reaching their full potential are identified, recorded and reported to the supervisor according to enterprise work procedures.
- Complete establishment of the planted are
- Waste material is removed from the planting site and disposed of in an environmentally aware and safe manner according to enterprise work procedures.
- Tools, equipment and machinery are cleaned, maintained and stored according to enterprise work procedures.
- A clean and safe work area is maintained throughout and on completion of work.
- Work outcomes are recorded or reported to the supervisor according to enterprise work procedures.