Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to test grains and seeds on receival.
All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, work health and safety and biosecurity legislation and codes.
This unit applies to individuals who work under broad direction and take responsibility for own work including limited responsibility for the work of others. They use discretion and judgement in the selection and use of available resources and complete routine activities.
No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.
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 sampling and testing equipment for use | 1.1 Clean, maintain, test and calibrate testing and sampling instruments appropriately 1.2 Identify and report repairs and maintenance of sampling and testing equipment 1.3 Identify work health and safety hazards in grain testing and assess risks |
2 Identify grains on receival | 2.1 Inspect load to confirm commodity type and determine presence of contaminants 2.2 Record supplier information |
3. Collect grains samples for testing | 3.1 Follow sampling protocols and conduct appropriate sampling 3.2 Apply appropriate processes to prevent mixing or contamination of samples 3.3 Prepare samples for testing 3.4 Collect and maintain appropriate sample information records |
4 Perform initial tests on samples | 4.1 Follow handling procedures to prevent mixing or contamination of samples 4.2 Operate testing equipment to perform required tests in accordance with manufacturer's instructions, enterprise and industry practice 4.3 Record results of initial testing appropriately 4.4 Use visual recognition and industry reference material to determine the level of defects and contaminants 4.5 Compare test results with specifications to determine the grade or reject the sample 4.6 Observe appropriate policies and procedures with regard to rejection of product |
5 Despatch samples to testing facilities | 5.1 Pack and label samples appropriately 5.2 Prepare appropriate records of testing requirements 5.3 Despatch samples to testing facility |
6. Prepare for storage of grains and seed | 6.1 Conduct appropriate segregation arrangements of grain and seed 6.2 Complete required site transfer arrangements 6.3 Inspect conveying equipment and identify and report items requiring maintenance or repair 6.4 Apply enterprise biosecurity policies as required |
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 that they can:
identify work health and safety hazards and implement safe operating procedures
identify grain and seed types
take consistent samples
identify defects such as split grains and seeds, undersize, chaff, weed seeds, damage
read and interpret commodity standards
store and dispatch grains and seeds samples and maintain hygiene
conduct sampling and initial testing
operate electronic and non-electronic testing equipment
record samples for further testing
communicate with customers and maintain records
follow enterprise work health and safety policies in the context of own work
follow enterprise biosecurity policies in the context of own work.
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
safe operating procedures for handling and storing grain
grain/seed testing processes
industry standards and codes of practice
testing parameters for grains such as protein, weight, oil content, moisture, defects, sprouts etc
testing parameters for seed such as genetic purity, cultivar, dead, abnormal and hard seed, germination potential, foreign matter
analysis and consequence of test result
segregation strategies/methods, traceability and hygiene
impact of residues including chemical
industry practice, standards and quality assurance requirements in relation to grains sampling and testing
workplace health and safety, company, industry and regulatory requirements
sampling and testing protocols
enterprise biosecurity policies.
Assessment Conditions
Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or simulated environment that accurately reflects performance in a real workplace setting.
Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs.
Foundation Skills
Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
Sectors
Broad acre cropping (BAC)