Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

RTE3513A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Prepare value-added compost-based products

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency RTE3513A - Prepare value-added compost-based products
Description This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to prepare and/or blend finished compost with other materials or products to produce various value-added compost-based products.The unit involves the application of well-developed skills with some discretion and judgement and limited supervision.
Employability Skills The required outcomes described in this unit of competency contain applicable facets of Employability Skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application Composting is used here as a general expression for the processing of organic materials; with this unit being relevant for aerobic and anaerobic composting as well as vermiculture systems.This unit of competency applies to people working at a commercial-scale composting facility that produces value-added products. It will require taking responsibility for work output with checking related to overall progress, and taking limited responsibility for the work output of others for example as a loader operator or team leader.Where work requires the use of load-shifting or other equipment, appropriate training/certification must be provided according to state and territory safety and licensing requirements.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites Not applicable.
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: 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.
       
Element: 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.
       
Element: 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.
       


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

Overview of assessment

It is preferred that this unit of competency be assessed in a commercial-scale 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:

RTC2210A Maintain properties and structures

RTC2701A Follow OHS procedures

RTC2702A Observe environmental work practices

RTC2706A Apply chemicals under supervision

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

RTE2608A Set up, operate and maintain a water delivery system

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 one's ability to:

interpret batch sheets and follow enterprise production procedures

recognise, quantify and handle products according to enterprise requirements and procedures

recognise value-added products and their characteristics

prepare batches of value-added 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 commercial-scale composting facility or in a situation that reproduces and/or 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 commercial-scale value-added compost-based product facility

a range of load-shifting 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 value-added 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.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

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 value-added products

relevant Australian standards for products

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

value-added product types and characteristics.

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.

Value-added products:

are defined as a basic compost output with the addition of certain materials to form a new product

are produced using defined batch recipes to meet documented product specifications

may include:

composted and pasteurised mulches for various applications

composted and pasteurised soil conditioners for various applications

effluent, stormwater or emission treatment products

general and special purpose landscaping soils

soft fall or loose fill materials for playground surfacing or other applications

mushroom substrate

ornamental mulches

products for agricultural disease suppression

products for erosion control or site remediation

sports turf substrates

standard and specialised potting mixes

other products for specialised applications

Job sheet or work order may include:

batch number

compost (batch) recipe

job number

product batch order and packaging requirements

raw materials or product quantity and quality requirements

raw materials preparation (pre-processing) requirements.

Measuring equipment used may include:

automatic volume measuring equipment

containers for measuring volume

scales or balances for measuring weight.

OHS hazards:

may include:

dust

ergonomic hazards associated with posture and vibration

exposure to loud noise and fumes

extreme weather conditions

hazardous substances such as:

fertiliser

fuel

oils

machinery, including hydraulics

mechanical malfunctions and exposed moving parts

obstacles

oil and grease spills

pests

solar radiation

the presence of bystanders

varying gradients, potholes, ditches and embankments

may be addressed by systems and procedures for:

appropriate use, maintenance and storage of PPE

hazard identification, assessment and reporting

outdoor work, including protection from solar radiation

pedestrian safety

protection from hazardous noise, mechanical vibration and organic and other dusts

protection of people in the workplace

safe lifting, carrying and handling

safe operation and maintenance of machinery and equipment, including hydraulics

guarding of moving parts.

Environmental implications associated with operation of plant and machinery may include:

negative environmental impacts resulting from:

aerosol particulates

excessive noise and exhaust emissions

incorrect use and disposal of hazardous substances such as:

fuel

fertiliser

incorrect use and disposal of maintenance debris such as:

oil containers

chemical residues

organic dusts

impacts such as:

dust problems from high speed and frequent traffic

run-off flows of water and cleaning agents from servicing, maintenance and cleaning activities

soil disturbance.

Compost and product additives may include:

finished compost of varying maturity and characteristics

product additives such as:

biological inoculants

bulking agents or other products that alter the visual, physical, chemical or biological characteristics of finished product

colouring agents

inorganic or organic fertiliser

liming agents

wetting agents

raw materials (compostable organic materials).

PPE and clothing may include:

apparel such as:

appropriate footwear

gloves

hard hats

high visibility clothing

overalls

emergency equipment and procedures such as:

emergency procedure guides

eye wash kit

fire extinguisher

first aid kit

MSDS

eye and hearing protection

face shields and masks

respirators.

Preparation methods may include:

load-shifting

measuring quantities

mixing and blending materials

particle size screening

size reduction.

Safe and controlled operation of machinery and equipment may include:

appropriate selection and use of machinery and equipment

effective communication between work team members

maintaining working loads within specifications

using operational techniques for specific weather conditions.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
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. 
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. 
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. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

RTE3513A - Prepare value-added compost-based products
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

RTE3513A - Prepare value-added compost-based products

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: