Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to remove and facilitate reuse of effluent and manure from an intensive livestock production system.
All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, work health and safety, animal welfare and biosecurity legislation and codes or practice and sustainability practices.
This unit applies to individuals who work under broad direction and take responsibility for their own work. They complete routine activities and work in a range of known contexts.
The production enterprise may be required to comply with local council, State or Commonwealth licensing requirements for operations involving effluent and manure.
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 to work with effluent disposal equipment | 1.1 Interpret work to be undertaken from work program where necessary, and confirm with management 1.2 Hold discussions with other workers who may be affected by the maintenance activities to ensure continued smooth operation of the production process 1.3 Identify work health and safety hazards, assess risks and implement suitable controls 1.4 Select, use and maintain suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) 1.5 Select, check and maintain tools and equipment suitable for the work to be undertaken |
2. Maintain and operate effluent storage and disposal system | 2.1 Observe and follow regulatory and industry requirements and standards for effluent operations 2.2 Service and maintain effluent removal and disposal equipment 2.3 Use effluent disposal systems according to system design in compliance with approval granted by local government and state environment protection authority 2.4 Carry out techniques for irrigation compliance with relevant regulatory and industry standards when using liquid effluent storages 2.5 Flush and drain in-shed effluent pits as required 2.6 Turn composted effluent in compliance with relevant regulatory and industry standards |
3. Monitor effluent disposal system | 3.1 Check flow rates, pit levels, compost temperatures and equipment regularly to maintain effective operation of the system 3.2 Carry out cleaning procedures and hygiene practices 3.3 Identify environmental impacts of effluent disposal and reuse, assess likely outcomes and if necessary, take responsive action |
4. Conduct hygiene and administration activities | 4.1 Clean equipment according to manufacturer specifications 4.2 Clean and store attachments and other ancillary equipment according to manufacturer specifications 4.3 Dispose of all containers, leftover fluids, waste and debris from the operations safely and appropriately 4.4 Complete all required records and documentation accurately and promptly |
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, assess risks and implement suitable controls
make preparations to work with effluent disposal equipment
maintain and operate effluent storage and disposal system in compliance with approval granted by local government and state environment protection authority
monitor effluent disposal system
conduct cleaning and hygiene practices associated with effluent operations
implement relevant environmental practices
complete organisational records
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
an enterprise work program and program requirements for effluent operations
relevant work health and safety requirements
tools, equipment and systems used for effluent operations (effluent handling, removal and disposal) and their functions, cleaning, maintenance, servicing and storage of such tools, equipment and systems
relevant local government, State and Commonwealth regulations and industry requirements for effluent operations
environmental impacts of effluent operations and liquid effluent irrigation, and strategies to mitigate such impacts
irrigation techniques for liquid effluent
functions, maintenance and service of effluent pits
methods and maintenance of effluent composting
methods for safe and appropriate disposal of containers, leftover fluids, waste and debris from effluent operations
documentation and type of records that need to be completed for effluent operations
relevant biosecurity requirements
Assessment Conditions
Competency is to be assessed in the workplace and/or simulated environment that accurately reflects performance in a real workplace setting.
Assessors must satisfy current conditions for RTOs.
Foundation Skills
Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
Sectors
Livestock (LSK)