AHCARB201
Apply a range of treatments to trees


Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to remedy common tree problems by applying treatments including alleviating tree stress and improving soil condition. Treating trees also requires consideration of the environmental implications of treatment methods, techniques and procedures.

This unit applies to individuals who undertake defined activities, work in a structured context, apply knowledge and skills to demonstrate autonomy and limited judgement, and provide solutions to a limited range of predictable problems. Work is implemented with low risk work procedures and to comply with Safe Work Method Statement documentation.

Licensing, legislative, regulatory, or certification requirements apply to this unit in some states and territories at the time of publication, and may differ according to jurisdiction. Specific determination should be sought through the relevant State or Territory. Works involving this unit of competency may be subject to local tree protection and preservation laws, and the relevant content of applicable Australian Standards.


Elements and Performance Criteria

Element

Performance criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Prepare to apply tree treatments

1.1 Locate trees on streets using maps

1.2 Recognise trees requiring treatment

1.3 Identify site hazards, assess risks and report to supervisor

1.4 Confirm work zone with work crew and monitor site

1.5 Select and use personal protective equipment

1.6 Select, prepare, and carry out pre-operational and safety checks, on tools and equipment

1.7 Confirm first aid and emergency personnel, equipment and procedures

1.8 Communicate with work team during operations using voice, hand and whistle signals

1.9 Read packaging labels to maintain awareness of work hazards

1.10 Clean or sterilise tools and equipment to avoid disease transfer and biosecurity issues

1.11 Record and implement work health, safety, site, environmental and traffic control measures

2. Modify environment to maintain health and vigour of tree

2.1 Remove competing plants to ensure maintenance of adequate space, light, water and nutrient requirements of tree

2.2 Apply nutrient additives at specified rates and locations

2.3 Ameliorate soil structure in relation to aeration and drainage

2.4 Ameliorate soil condition with plant-based mulch application

2.5 Determine benefit and limits of decompaction methods

3. Apply chemical treatment

3.1 Calibrate application equipment

3.2 Apply treatment with due regard for environmental implications

3.3 Apply chemicals under supervision

4. Complete treatment operations

4.1 Maintain awareness of effect on environment of own work practices

4.2 Clean and store personal protective equipment

4.3 Clear and clean site

4.4 Report applications and treatments and update work records

Evidence of Performance

The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.

The candidate must provide evidence for and demonstrate:

locating trees on streets using maps

recognising trees requiring treatment

identifying site hazards, assessing risks and reporting to supervisor

confirming work zone with work crew and monitoring site

selecting and use personal protective equipment

selecting, preparing, and carrying out pre-operational and safety checks, on tools, equipment and machinery

confirming first aid personnel, equipment and procedures applicable to tree work

communicating with work team during operations

reading packaging labels to maintain awareness of work hazards

cleaning or sterilising tools and equipment

avoiding disease transfer and biosecurity issues

recording and implementing work health, safety, site, environmental and traffic control measures

removing competing plants to ensure maintenance of adequate space, light, water and nutrient requirements of tree

applying nutrient additives at specified rates and locations

amelioration of soil structure in relation to aeration and drainage

amelioration of soil condition with plant-based mulch application

determining benefit and limits of decompaction methods

calibrating application equipment

applying treatment with due regard for environmental implications

applying chemicals under supervision

maintaining awareness of effect on environment of own work practices

cleaning and storing personal protective equipment

clearing and cleaning sites

awareness of work health and safety in the context of own work.


Evidence of Knowledge

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

methods of locating trees on streets and maps

tree recognition

methods of identifying site hazards, assessing risks and reporting to supervisors

risk assessment systems

confirmation of work zones

how trees react to stress

personal protective equipment

pre-operational and safety checks, on tools, equipment and machinery

first aid

first aid personnel, equipment, and first aid plan procedures

communication systems using voice, hand and whistle signals

application of packaging instructions

methods of cleaning and sterilising tools and equipment

methods of disease transfer

biosecurity principles and practices

work health, safety, site, environmental and traffic control measures

plant removal methods

soil nutrition

rates of nutrient application

soil amelioration techniques

soil structure, aeration and drainage

mulch

compaction and decompaction

correct preparation prior to applying treatment to trees

calibration techniques of application equipment

chemical application techniques, usage restrictions and risk controls

environmental implications of chemical use in own work practices.


Assessment Conditions

Assessment must be demonstrated consistently over time in a suitable range of contexts and have a productivity-based outcome. No single assessment event or report is sufficient to achieve competency in this unit.

Assessment may be conducted in a simulated or real work environment, however determination of competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions.

The mandatory equipment and materials used to gather evidence for assessment include:

equipment:

spray application equipment

spill kit

measuring and weighing equipment

signage - chemical use

personal protective equipment (PPE)

first aid and emergency kit

traffic management kit

signage - work zone

trees

materials:

tree recognition form

hazard identification and risk control form

equipment and PPE check form

emergency preparation form

work communications form

chemical and treatment application form

tree maintenance form

soil assessment form

work site operations form

work records form

Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs in the assessment of arboriculture units of competency.

Assessment must be conducted only by persons who have:

arboriculture vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed

current arboriculture industry skills directly relevant to the unit of competency being assessed


Foundation Skills

Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.


Range Statement


Sectors

Arboriculture (ARB)