1. Identify and characterise raw materials.
   • Raw materials are visually identified and categorised against established enterprise criteria.
   • Raw material characteristics are entered into enterprise compost recipe calculator to achieve a balanced recipe.
   • Where raw material identity or characteristics are uncertain or unknown, designated personnel are requested to take representative samples of material for laboratory analysis.
   • Receival and handling requirements for raw materials are determined.
2. Establish production objectives.
   • Identified market requirements and priorities are translated into product specifications using product performance data and enterprise records.
   • Raw material combinations that can potentially meet market requirements are identified.
3. Calculate compost recipe.
   • Raw material characteristics are recorded in enterprise compost recipe.
   • Raw material proportions or ratios suitable for composting by the enterprise by a particular technology and method are specified by weight in resulting compost recipe.
   • Pre-processing requirements of raw materials, feasible volumes of compost upon formation, and compost production plan are determined.
   • Composting batch management procedures are reviewed and any required variations to standard management procedures are defined and documented as a new procedure.
   • Compost production schedule is estimated and documented.
   • Compatibility of resulting compost recipe and production schedule is confirmed against documented customer requirements and priorities.
   • Density of pre-processed raw materials is quantified, and weight-based recipe is translated into volume-based recipe for production.
   • Volumetric compost recipe and production procedures are recorded as operational batch or bucket recipe and procedure.
4. Validate compost recipe.
   • Raw materials are pre-prepared and mixed according to new compost recipe to form feedstock for composting.
   • Composting batch is managed according to revised enterprise procedure.
   • Composting process is monitored for efficiency in relation to estimated production schedule and enterprise requirements.
   • Environmental and occupational health and safety (OHS) aspects and impacts are monitored for compliance with enterprise plan and regulatory requirements.
   • Faults, variations or problems observed at any stage of process are identified and remedial action is carried out to maintain effective compost production.
   • Sampling and testing of material during composting is conducted to determine completion of production process.
   • End product quality is evaluated against established product specifications.
   • Compost recipe, production schedule and procedures are revised to improve process efficiency and reliability, and product compliance with defined specifications.

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

Required skills include

documenting procedures in writing

interpreting and applying written procedures and formulas

reading and interpreting laboratory results

reading and interpreting sampling and testing data

using a computer

Required knowledge includes

control of hazards in handling raw materials and composting materials

processing duration required for various raw materials

range of commercial compostbased products

raw materials and their characteristics

relationship between key compost recipe variables and compost production

systems technologies and methods in compost production

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

RTEA Prepare raw materials and compost the feedstocks

RTE3512A Prepare raw materials and compost the feedstocks

RTEA Prepare valueadded compostbased products

RTE3513A Prepare value-added compost-based products

RTEA Carry out workplace OHS procedures

RTE3713A Carry out workplace OHS procedures

RTEA Maintain and monitor environmental work practices

RTE3714A Maintain and monitor environmental work practices.

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

calculate a compost recipe that is consistent with the technology and method available from combinations of raw materials

produce a compost recipe that will achieve defined product specifications

document compost production plan consistent with plant capabilities and site constraints

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 should 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 should also have access to the following resources

a range of loadshifting equipment

hand tools and equipment such as temperature probe oxygen probe mulch fork gloves and shovel

personal protective equipment

raw materials for assessment recognition and preparation

drying oven for testing

electronic balance or scales

batch recording forms and compost recipe forms

water and irrigation system

compost recipe calculators either manual or electronic

Wilkinson K et al Guide to Best Practice Composting Green Organics second edition Department of Natural Resources Government of Victoria

Guidance information for assessment

To ensure consistency in ones 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.