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Elements and Performance Criteria

Required Skills

Evidence Required

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole

Competence in implementing a maintenance program for an irrigation system requires evidence that a person can interpret the maintenance program and implement it to industry and enterprise standards

The skills and knowledge required to implement a maintenance program for an irrigation system must be transferable to a different work environment For example this could include different irrigation systems enterprises locations soil types and environmental considerations

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

soilplantwater relationships

environmental impacts of irrigation

irrigation system components

common operational and maintenance problems

enterprise OHS and environmental policies and procedures

environmentally safe disposal procedures for chemical containers and residues oilsgrease and used parts

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria

To achieve the performance criteria as per template complementary skills are required These include the ability to

interpret an irrigation maintenance program

inspect irrigation system

record and report maintenance activities

read and interpret design and layout plans

test irrigation equipment

record all test results clearly and concisely with attention to detail

undertake minor repairs of equipment

dispose of unused or waste materials from site in an environmentally safe and sensitive manner

What processes should be applied to this competency standard

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 not required perform the process perform and administer the process and perform administer and design the process

How can communication of ideas and information be applied

Through reporting of maintenance activities

How can information be collected analysed and organised

Information may need to be collected analysed and organised when testing systems and recording results

How are activities planned and organised

Activities may need to be planned and organised according to enterprise guidelines

How can team work be applied

Team work may need to be applied when testing and adjusting environmental parameters

How can the use of mathematical ideas and techniques be applied

Mathematical ideas and techniques may need to be applied when testing irrigation equipment

How can problemsolving skills be applied

Problemsolving skills may need to be applied in troubleshooting problems with the system

How can the use of technology be applied

The use of technology may be applied when using tools to check or repair the system

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one

This competency standard could be assessed on its own or in combination with other competencies relevant to the job function

There is essential information about assessing this competency standard for consistent performance and where and how it may be assessed in the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package All users of these competency standards must have access to the Assessment Guidelines Further advice may also be sought from the relevant sector booklet

Range Statement

Range of Variables The Range of Variables explains the range of contexts within which the performance and knowledge requirements of this standard may be assessed. The scope of variables chosen in training and assessment may depend on the work context

What is likely to be included in the scope of maintenance works?	Irrigation maintenance work on pressurised systems may range from manual operation and monitoring to fully automated with computer control and monitoring. They may include micro-irrigation systems and spray irrigation systems. Micro-irrigation systems may be mains pressure, low pressure, below or above -ground, sprays systems, drip emitter trickle, t-tape, mini-sprinklers, and capillary. Spray irrigation systems may be travelling irrigators (soft hose, hard hose boom type), centre pivot, linear move, powered side roll hand shift permanent (installed), and bike shift/easy shift. Irrigation maintenance work on gravity-fed systems may range from manual operation and monitoring to fully automated with computer control and monitoring. 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.

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 environmental considerations relate to this standard?	Environmental considerations may include efficient operation of the system to conserve water by identifying and repairing leaks, avoidance of over watering, and even distribution of water to targeted areas with minimal wastage and run-off.
What might servicing of mechanical equipment include?	Periodical maintenance for pumping unit may include changing engine oil, replacing the oil filter, replacing the air cleaner, checking battery water level, pre-cleaner, gear box oil, cooling system/water, fuel, battery charge and fuel tank, greasing the pump jack shaft and bearings, and flushing (de-silting) the pump. Centre control tower maintenance may include greasing head of pivot and all gearboxes, checking tyre pressure, and cleaning electrical controls of authorised components. There may be environmental considerations relating to the servicing of mechanical equipment such as disposal of oils/grease and used parts.
For more information on contexts, environment and variables for training and assessment, refer to the Sector Booklet.