1. Organise for value-added product preparation.
   • Job sheet or work order is reviewed to clearly identify all product requirements.
   • Equipment required for safe, effective and efficient product preparation is identified and organised.
   • Occupational health and safety (OHS) hazards in workplace are identified, and risk is assessed and managed according to enterprise procedures.
   • Environmental implications associated with product preparation are identified, assessed and reported to supervisor.
2. Prepare value-added products.
   • Compost and product additives are clearly identified and confirmed against job sheet and enterprise procedures.
   • Suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) and clothing are selected, used, maintained and stored according to OHS requirements.
   • Required quantities of compost and product additives are measured and transported to product preparation area.
   • Compost and product additives are regularly monitored and checked against value-added product specifications and variations or non-conformances are identified and reported, and remedial action is taken according to enterprise procedures and product specifications.
   • Preparation method and machinery to be used are confirmed as appropriate for product and as meeting enterprise product requirements.
   • Plant and machinery are operated in a safe and controlled manner, and monitored for performance and efficiency.
   • Compost, materials and other product additives are blended and processed according to product requirements.
   • Products are monitored and adjustments to machinery operations are made to meet job sheet specifications.
   • Batch numbers of compost materials and other additives are combined or reassigned.
   • Blending, processing machinery and site are cleared and cleaned as required to avoid contamination between batches according to enterprise procedures.
3. Conduct quality inspection and readiness for sale.
   • Value-added product is inspected and checked for compliance with job sheet and product requirements.
   • Product details are documented accurately and promptly according to enterprise procedures.
   • Value-added product is transported to holding bay and quantity of product is confirmed.
   • Value-added product is clearly labelled according to regulatory and customer requirements.
   • Value-added product is released for dispatch according to enterprise procedures.
   • Work outcomes are reported to supervisor, feedback on performance is sought and any required improvements are noted for future action.

This section describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit

Required skills include

communicating with work team and supervisor

demonstrating safe and environmentally responsible workplace practices

following material safety data sheets MSDS

identifying and handling raw materials products additives and contaminants

interpreting and applying instructions

measuring and calculating volumes and consumption requirements

reading and interpreting job sheets

recording and reporting equipment faults workplace hazards and accidents

using emergency and personal protective equipment

Required knowledge includes

common product contaminants

enterprise product specifications and standards

environmental licence requirements aspects and management measures associated with operation of machinery and equipment

hazards in handling materials and additives and appropriate risk control measures

identification of contaminants

legislation regulations and codes of practice with regard to workplace OHS and use and control of hazardous substances

operating principles and methods for plant and machinery

procedures for cleaning securing and storing machinery equipment and materials

potential risks and hazards associated with operation of machinery and equipment

product types and characteristics

raw materials compost and additives commonly used to manufacture valueadded products

relevant Australian standards for products

relevant state and territory legislation regulations and codes of practice with regard to licensing roads and traffic requirements

valueadded product types and characteristics

Overview of assessment

It is preferred that this unit of competency be assessed in a commercialscale composting facility

The unit could be assessed on its own or in combination with other units of competency relevant to the job function such as after

RTCA Maintain properties and structures

RTC2210A Maintain properties and structures

RTCA Follow OHS procedures

RTC2701A Follow OHS procedures

RTCA Observe environmental work practices

RTC2702A Observe environmental work practices

RTCA Apply chemicals under supervision

RTC2706A Apply chemicals under supervision

RTEA Recognise raw materials production processes and products on a composting site

RTE2507A Recognise raw materials, production processes and products on a composting site

RTEA Set up operate and maintain a water delivery system

RTE2608A Set up, operate and maintain a water delivery system

RTEA Recognise and respond to fire emergencies on a composting site

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 ones ability to

interpret batch sheets and follow enterprise production procedures

recognise quantify and handle products according to enterprise requirements and procedures

recognise valueadded products and their characteristics

prepare batches of valueadded product according to defined batch recipes and methods

conduct work in a safe and efficient manner

establish and maintain appropriate 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 commercialscale composting facility or in a situation that reproduces andor 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

a commercialscale valueadded compostbased product facility

a range of loadshifting machinery and measuring equipment

PPE

finished compost

additives

job sheets or work orders

Guidance information for assessment

To ensure consistency in performance competency should be demonstrated on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances cases and responsibilities 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 including the ability to deal with unplanned events For example this could include work within composting operations of varying scale processing a range of different raw materials producing a range of different composts and valueadded products 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

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording in the performance criteria is detailed below. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.