This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to implement a tree maintenance program. It also describes the skills and knowledge required to apply a range of tree maintenance techniques; and monitor and review the maintenance program over the course of a year.

The work requires application of extensive arboricultural knowledge and a broad range of arboricultural skills. This unit applies to individuals who have a range of skills to select and apply a specialised range of methods, tools, equipment and information to complete routine activities and provide and transmit solutions to predictable and sometimes unpredictable 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.

The candidate must be observed applying physical and chemical treatments to a range of trees in accordance with a full one-year treatment program. 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:

determining location of above-and-below-ground services

undertaking a site-specific risk assessment by identifying work health and safety hazards and assessing risk

performing a site assessment to identify conditions which may impact upon the health of trees on site

recognising stress inducing factors in accordance with characteristics of species

recognising a wide range of common diseases, pests and nutritional deficiencies in trees

assessing abiotic issues affecting health of trees, or impact on growth

researching species characteristics on tree health

collecting specimens of stressed material

recording and report results of site assessment and tests

accessing and read treatment program and confirm activities with management

selecting, using and maintaining suitable personal protective equipment

selecting appropriate treatment methods and equipment

identifying environmental implications of undertaking treatment program,

assessing likely outcomes of treatment programs and taking appropriate action

determining annual maintenance requirements for trees

contributing to preparation of a comprehensive full-year maintenance program

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

preparing and using equipment

applying physical or chemical treatments with due regard for environmental implications

maintaining growing environment in accordance with species needs

monitoring and reviewing maintenance program over season of one year

disposing of infected plant material and chemical waste appropriately

sterilising equipment

following up physical or chemical treatments to ensure effectiveness

determining timetables for follow up treatments and communicating to work team

maintaining records and documenting a report for that year

use of appropriate treatment methods and equipment

communicating within the work team

complying with relevant Australian Standards

use of industry standard terminology to describe arboriculture and work environment

applying work health and safety requirements in the context of own work.

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

site-specific risk assessment methods

treatments and treatment methods commonly used on trees

comprehensive full-year maintenance programs

recognition of a wide range of common diseases, pests and nutritional deficiencies in trees

the abiotic issues that could affect the health of tree species

methods of recording, storing and processing data

how to interpret a treatment program

the appropriate personal protective equipment

methods of collecting and storing specimens for identification

methods of testing collected specimens of stressed material

worksite traffic control

stress inducing factors for a variety of tree species

methods for treating tree pests and diseases

methods of analysing nutritional status of trees

health characteristics of tree species.

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:

sprayers/application equipment

measuring and weighing equipment

spill kit

personal protective equipment (PPE)

first aid and emergency kit

traffic management kit

signage - chemical use

signage - work zone

trees

materials:

tree inspection form

tree maintenance form

site assessment form

hazard identification and risk control form

equipment and PPE check form

emergency preparation form

chemical and treatment application 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 essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Arboriculture (ARB)