Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to construct soil profiles for the establishment of high-performance sports and recreational turf surfaces.
It applies to the construction of turf playing surfaces in new projects and to the complete renovation of existing soil profiles in sporting, commercial and public recreational open spaces such as golf greens and tees, cricket pitches and other turfed sporting surfaces.
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. Plan for construction activities | 1.1 Identify the construction site and the construction method 1.2 Take representative samples for soil tests 1.3 Locate services and utilities, check depths against the site plan and report discrepancies to the supervisor 1.4 Consider the site history when planning construction details 1.5 Determine likely consequences of site aspect, features and run-off from adjacent sites and incorporated in construction plans 1.6 Identify work health and safety hazards, assess risks, implement controls 1.7 Select, use and maintain suitable safety equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) |
2. Survey and lay out the construction site | 2.1 Set up surveying equipment and establish and record existing levels and temporary benchmark 2.2 Set new levels and place pegs according to specifications 2.3 Determine the existing lay of the land and proposed contours 2.4 Shape new contours into the proposed site |
3. Prepare for construction work | 3.1 Obtain or develop plans for the new construction profile 3.2 Estimate and cost materials 3.3 Schedule work in a logical, timely and effective manner |
4. Set out site for construction | 4.1 Check and verify boundaries and features against the actual site and existing features 4.2 Check finishing levels, provision for drainage and irrigation to ensure nominated levels are workable 4.3 Check all measurements against the construction plan, peg out the construction area and account for variances |
5. Excavate the construction site | 5.1 Remove and stockpile excess soil in a designated area 5.2 Grade the base to the level and slope specified in the design 5.3 Consolidate the base of the profile to achieve uniform compaction over the entire site 5.4 Install sub-surface irrigation system components to the required depth and design specified in the plan |
6. Install drainage system | 6.1 Dig drainage trenches to the depth specified in the plan 6.2 Lay drainage material on the base of the trench, install pipes and cover trenches |
7. Install soil profile | 7.1 Calculate quantities of material to be spread over the area 7.2 Compact each profile layer to reflect the final contour 7.3 Ensure the interface between profile layers is uniform and unbroken 7.4 Mix soil amendments thoroughly and apply evenly over the area 7.5 Give the finished surface a final levelling and consolidate in readiness for planting |
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:
determine turf construction requirements from plans
implement a turf construction project
interpret existing site and construction plans and specifications
organise work and use tools and equipment for turf construction project
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
principles and practices for constructing turf playing surfaces
environmental implications associated with construction and excavation activity, drainage and irrigations systems, soil amendments and waste disposal procedures
materials, tools, equipment and machinery available to the enterprise for construction of soil profiles, including soil amendments and base construction materials
practical understanding of surveying principles and techniques
range of construction methods that may be used to construct soil profiles for high performance turf surfaces, and the association of construction methods with site limitations, environmental implications, and end use of the turf surface
soil testing techniques and the application of results to the construction process
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
Turf (TRF)