Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to prepare and mix raw materials into a suitable feedstock mixture for commercial-scale composting and compost feedstock mixtures to manufacture compost products.
It applies to individuals who take responsibility for their own work and for the quality of the work of others. They use discretion and judgement in the selection, allocation and use of available resources. All work is carried out to comply with workplace procedures.
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. Organise for processing | 1.1 Review job sheet to identify all processing requirements 1.2 Check machinery, equipment and materials for serviceability and safe operation 1.3 Identify and assess workplace hazards and take action to minimise risk to self and others |
2. Prepare raw materials and compost the feedstock mixture | 2.1 Identify, collect and check raw materials and additives for physical contamination 2.2 Confirm composting technology and methods to be used as appropriate to raw material types and enterprise product requirements 2.3 Pre-process raw materials into suitable forms for composting 2.4 Mix pre-processed raw materials into suitable feedstock mixtures for composting 2.5 Handle feedstock mixtures for composting according to technology, appropriate method and industry best practice 2.6 Assign batch numbers or codes and create batch documentation to enable tracking of batch |
3. Monitor composting process | 3.1 Monitor composting batch by observing and using field testing equipment 3.2 Maintain processing and operations records for process control and to track batch through the compost production cycle 3.3 Report to supervisor faults or variations observed at any stage of the process and take remedial action to maintain effective and consistent compost production |
4. Conduct quality control inspection | 4.1 Inspect and assess finished compost for compliance with enterprise product requirements 4.2 Report faults or variations 4.3 Reprocess non-compliant product with necessary adjustments 4.4 Confirm compliance of compost batch with product requirements 4.5 Complete batch documentation for compliant compost product 4.6 Inform sales and operational staff members that product is suitable for sale and/or preparation of value-added products |
5. Clean up area | 5.1 Clean loading-shifting machinery and other processing equipment 5.2 Clear away raw materials and finished compost products to designated areas and clean processing site |
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:
conduct and interpret basic field test results to confirm effective processing and define intervention required to rectify composting processes
establish and maintain appropriate compost batch documentation accurately and promptly
prepare batches for composting according to defined compost recipes
prepare raw materials for composting according to enterprise product requirements
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
principles and practices for preparing composting raw materials
Australian composting standards
batch documentation techniques
characteristics of a range of raw materials
compost production cycle
compost quality standards
fundamental characteristics of compost quality
key process control stages critical to consistent compost production
overview of systems and technologies used in compost production
principles of commercial compost production
range and characteristics of categories of compost product
steps in pre-processing compost materials
Assessment Conditions
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
Production horticulture (PHT)