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

Competence in installing an irrigation system requires evidence that a person is able to prepare for installation, set out the installation works, install and test the irrigation system, and clean up the site.

The skills and knowledge required to install an irrigation system must be transferable to a different work environment. For example, this could include different types of irrigation systems and components, water supplies, soil types and enterprises.

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:

methods and techniques of irrigation

components of an irrigation system

characteristics and operation of joints, valves and sprinkler components

operation of pumps and water flow rates

behaviour of water on varying terrain and soil types

soil water retention testing techniques

water quality and water filtration techniques

calculations for installing irrigation systems

soil characteristics

enterprise OHS procedures.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, appropriate literacy and numeracy levels as well as some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

organise resources for installation work

set-out and prepare site

install irrigation components

complete installation work

commission irrigation system

communicate with work team members, supervisors, contractors and consultants

implement and follow relevant enterprise OHS and environmental policies and procedures.

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 0 = not required, 1 = perform the process, 2 = perform and administer the process and 3 = perform, administer and design the process.

1. How can communication of ideas and information (1) be applied?

Written, oral and telecommunication of ideas and information with the work group, supervisor, contractors or consultants relating to installation activities and problems.

2. How can information be collected, analysed and organised (1)?

Enterprise work procedures and site and irrigation system plans should be consulted, interpreted and applied to co-ordinate installation activities with further clarification sought from the supervisor when necessary.

3. How are activities planned and organised (1)?

Co-ordinating work activities for the work group, contractors and self, prior to and during the installation program.

4. How can team work (1) be applied?

Facilitating and leading work group members to complete the installation to specification.

5. How can the use of mathematical ideas and techniques (1) be applied?

Measuring materials and interpreting specifications for the irrigation installation.

6. How can problem-solving skills (1) be applied?

Dealing with problems imposed by site characteristics or when system operation doesn't meet specifications.

7. How can the use of technology (1) be applied?

Applying design specifications, communicating and keeping records.

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 of Variables

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

What materials may be required to install a drainage system?

Materials may include irrigation system components, glues, welds, and construction and backfill materials.

What tools, equipment and machinery may be required?

Tools, equipment and machinery may include surveying and levelling equipment such as automatic level, laser level, dumpy level, Cowley level, staff, boning rods, pegs, notebook, pencil and calculator; hand tools such as rakes, shovels, spades, rollers, wheelbarrows, hoses and hose fittings; machinery such as bobcats, ditch witches, backhoes, front-end loaders, graders, mechanical rollers, trucks, hydraulic trailers, and tractors and 3-point linkage equipment, pumps and pump fittings, and fitting and welding tools appropriate to the irrigation system.

What irrigation systems may apply to this standard?

Irrigation systems may include mains pressure, low pressure, below ground, above ground, spray systems, dripper, and capillary systems.

What enterprise work procedures may apply to this standard?

Work procedures may include supervisors oral or written instructions, installation program, enterprise standard operating procedures (SOPs), specifications, routine maintenance schedules, work notes, product labels and Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS), manufacturers service specifications and operators manuals, waste disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines, and OHS procedures.

What irrigation equipment may apply to this standard?

Irrigation equipment may include pumps, motors, delivery equipment, sprays, system controllers, injectors, tensiometers, probe tubes, flow meter, pressure gauge, computer and/or other scheduling devices, recycling equipment, and spray equipment.

What OHS hazards may be associated with the installation of drainage systems?

Hazards may include disturbance or interruption of services, solar radiation, dust, noise, soil and waterborne micro-organisms, chemicals and hazardous substances, manual handling, moving vehicles, machinery and machinery parts, uneven surfaces and flying and falling objects.

What safety equipment may be required?

Safety equipment may include signage and barriers.

What PPE may be required to install drainage systems?

PPE may include hat, boots, overalls, gloves, goggles, respirator or face mask, face guard, hearing protection, sunscreen lotion and hard hat.

What types of water supplies are covered by this standard?

Water supplies may be underground, mains or surface storage including fixtures such as dams, bores, windmills, tanks, and channels.

What OHS requirements may be relevant to this standard?

OHS requirements may include identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing controls, cleaning, maintaining and storing tools, equipment and machinery; appropriate use of PPE including sun protection, safe operation of tools, equipment and machinery, safe handling, use and storage of chemicals and hazardous substances, correct manual handling, basic first aid, personal hygiene and reporting problems to supervisors.

How may a clean and safe work area be maintained?

Tasks may include disabling unused tools, equipment and machinery and storing neatly out of the way of installation activities, safely storing materials on site, using signage and safety barriers during and removing after construction activities are completed, and swiftly and efficiently removing and processing debris and waste from the work area.

What waste material may be relevant to this standard?

Waste material may include unused construction and excavated materials, and plant debris, litter and broken components.

Plant-based material may be mulched or composted, plastic, metal, paper-based materials may be recycled, re-used, returned to the manufacturer or disposed of according to enterprise work procedures.

Waste may be removed to designated areas for recycling, reuse, return to the manufacturer or disposal.

What testing equipment may be relevant to this standard?

Testing equipment may include pressure gauges and flow meters.

For more information on contexts, environmental implications and variables for training and assessment, refer to the Sector Booklet.