AHCIRG326A
Operate irrigation injection equipment

This Unit covers the process of operating injection equipment as part of an irrigation system and defines the standard required to: carry out pre-start checks; identify OHS and environmental hazards; operate and monitor the injection system; shut down the injection system; and keep records.

Application

This Unit applies to skilled workers in the food and fibre production and amenity horticulture industries, and is likely to be carried out under routine supervision within enterprise guidelines.


Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1 Prepare equipment for injection operation

1.1 Materials and services are confirmed as available and ready for operation

1.2 Materials are prepared to meet injection requirements

1.3 Equipment is checked to confirm readiness for use

1.4 Equipment is set to meet injection requirements

2 Operate the injection process

2.1 Safety procedures are put in place including the use of PPE

2.2 The injection process is started up according to workplace procedures

2.3 Control points are monitored to confirm performance is maintained within specification

2.4 Out-of-specification equipment performance is identified, rectified and/or reported

2.5 Injection requirements are delivered according to instructions

2.6 Equipment is maintained in good working order

2.7 Emergency procedures are put in place for spillage or chemical accidents

3 Shut down injection equipment

3.1 Injection equipment is shut down according to workplace procedures

3.2 Injection equipment is cleaned according to workplace procedures

3.3 Waste generated by both the process and cleaning procedures is collected, treated, disposed of or recycled according to workplace procedures

4 Monitor plant response and environmental impacts of injection

4.1 Plant response to injection is monitored

4.2 Environmental hazards of injection are recorded and reported

4.3 Withholding periods for chemical application on food crops are maintained

4.4 Access is restricted to areas where chemicals have been applied through injection if required

5 Record information

5.1 Workplace information is recorded in the appropriate format

5.2 Chemical application and storage details are recorded as per legislative requirements

Required Skills

Required skills include:

Ability to:

access workplace information to identify injection requirements

select, fit and use personal protective clothing and/or equipment

select and prepare injection materials as required

complete relevant calculations such as dilution rates

monitor usage and dilution rates

take corrective action in response to out-of-specification results or non- compliance

report and/or record corrective action as required

shut down equipment in response to an emergency situation

shut down equipment in response to routine shutdown requirements

demonstrate safe handling of hazardous chemicals

implement routine maintenance and minor repairs of the system

implement routine system cleaning requirements

implement and follow relevant enterprise OHS and environmental policies and procedures

use literacy skills to read, interpret and follow organisational policies and procedures, follow sequenced written instructions, record information collected accurately and legibly, and select and apply procedures for a range of tasks

use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning techniques, active listening, clarifying information and consulting with supervisors as required

use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures

use interpersonal skills to work with and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge includes:

Knowledge of:

chemicals, cleaning agents and fertilisers used for injection and their purpose

label and MSDS information for substances to be injected

purpose and operation of equipment and instrumentation components

basic operating principles and process control systems where relevant

services required

control points and significance and methods of monitoring

common causes of variation and corrective action required

process specifications, procedures and operating parameters

correct chemical handling techniques

backflow prevention

OHS hazards and controls

lock-out and tag-out procedures

environmental issues and controls

procedures for prevention of backflow

cleaning requirements of system

maintenance requirements of system

shutdown sequence

recording requirements and procedures

cleaning procedures.

Evidence Required

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this Unit

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this Unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:

carry out pre-start checks

identify OHS and environmental hazards

operate and monitor the system

shut down the injection system

keep records.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.


Range Statement

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, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. 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) may also be included.

Injection operations may include:

fertilisers

chlorine

acids

cleaning agents.


Sectors

Irrigation


Employability Skills

This Unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Workers are required by legislation to have completed training in chemical handling and use before using agricultural chemicals.