FDFWGG2007A
Tend containerised nursery plants

This specialised unit has been developed for wine grape nurseries. It covers the skills and knowledge required to tend containerised nursery plants under supervision.

Application

This unit applies to the tending of containerised plants in wine grape nurseries. Tending includes maintaining of nursery facilities and equipment, carrying out specified treatment on plants, and sterilisation of specified equipment. All work is carried out according to instructions.


Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

Maintain nursery facilities

Work instructions on tending nursery plants are confirmed and understood

Irrigation system is maintained according to instructions

Temperature controls are checked according to workplace procedures

Potential and existing hazards are identified, rectified and/or reported according to workplace procedures

Nursery hygiene requirements are followed to minimise risk of contamination

Treat plants to maintain growth

Common problems are recognised and reported according to instructions

Equipment and tools are selected and used according to workplace procedures

Materials are confirmed as available and ready to meet requirements

Treatments are applied according to instructions

Water is applied according to instructions

Safe work practices are followed to minimise potential and existing hazards

Carry out post-treatment operations

Waste is collected and disposed of according to workplace procedures

Equipment is shut down, cleaned and stored according to workplace procedures

Facilities are cleaned and sterilised according to workplace procedures

Work is conducted in accordance with workplace environmental guidelines

Record information

Workplace information is recorded in the appropriate format

Required Skills

Required skills

Note: The following required skills should be applied as appropriate to the equipment and processes that are used in the particular winery or workplace.

Ability to:

Access workplace information to identify plant tending requirements

Confirm supply of necessary materials

Liaise with other work areas and customers

Select, fit and use appropriate personal protective clothing and/or equipment

Identify, rectify and/or report environmental non-compliance

Select, operate, maintain and store required equipment according to instructions

Maintain work area and equipment to meet workplace housekeeping standards

Maintain work area and equipment to meet workplace hygiene standards. This may include:

removing weeds

removing dead or diseased plant materials

washing work area on transfer of plants

disinfecting tools, equipment and work areas

using foot baths on entry to different work areas

Use appropriate cleaning techniques

Recognise problems and anomalies and correct and/or report them as instructed

Maintain workplace records

Maintain irrigation system. This may include:

fixing blockages

servicing irrigation system components

identifying and reporting faulty components in an irrigation system

fixing leaking heads and hoses

Recognise under-performance of the irrigation system. This may include identifying:

dry spots

water dumping

abnormal water flow

Prepare and use equipment. This may include:

calibrating equipment

carrying out pre-operational checks

cleaning equipment

applying particular settings

Prepare chemical treatments to required concentration and ensure a homogeneous mix

Shut down equipment as instructed

Interpret chemical labels

Interpret Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) information

Collect and dispose of waste as instructed

Use oral communication skills/language to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification and seeking advice from supervisor

Work cooperatively within a culturally diverse workforce

Required knowledge

Note: The following required knowledge should be applied as appropriate to the equipment and processes that are used in the particular winery or workplace.

Knowledge of:

Occupational health and safety (OHS) hazards and controls

Environmental issues and controls

Purpose and application of personal protective clothing and/or equipment

Correct operating procedures for equipment

Safe and effective handling procedures for equipment

Cleaning requirements and procedures for work area and equipment

Reporting and recording requirements and procedures

Procedures and responsibilities for reporting problems and anomalies

Waste disposal requirements and procedures

Safe preparation and handling of chemicals

Principles of nursery hygiene

Workplace hygiene requirements

Common problems that may occur with potted plants in a controlled environment

Treatment practices and techniques for common problems

Principles and operations of a range of irrigation systems used in nurseries

Environmental requirements of plants growing in a nursery setting

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

Assessment must be carried out in a manner that recognises the cultural and literacy requirements of the assessee and is appropriate to the work performed. Competence in this unit must be achieved in accordance with food safety standards and regulations.

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

Evidence of ability to:

use personal protective equipment, MSDS and follow other specified OHS procedures

follow hygiene procedures

select, mix and apply chemical treatments according to instructions

correctly sterilise equipment

monitor irrigation system and correct or report faults

water and monitor plants to instructions.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must occur in a real or simulated workplace where the assessee has access to:

personal protective clothing and equipment as required

work procedures, including advice on company practices, safe work practices, food safety, quality and environmental requirements

instructions, information, specifications and schedules as required

equipment, services and corresponding information as required

products and materials as required

internal and external customers and suppliers as required

cleaning procedures, materials and equipment as required

documentation and recording requirements and procedures.

Method of assessment

This unit should be assessed together with other units of competency relevant to the function or work role.

Guidance information for assessment

To ensure consistency in one's performance, competence should be demonstrated on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances, cases and responsibilities, and where possible, over a number of assessment activities.


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.

Policies and procedures

Work is carried out in accordance with workplace procedures, licensing requirements and legislative requirements

Workplace information

Workplace information can include:

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

specifications

production schedules

instructions

routine maintenance schedules

work notes

MSDS

manufacturer instructions

product labels

Integrated Pest Management programs

verbal directions from manager, supervisor, or senior operator

Wine grape facilities

Wine grape nursery facilities may include:

glasshouses

shade houses

hardening-off areas

Equipment

Equipment may include:

secateurs

water spray containers

dibblers

rubbish bins,

tractors,

knapsack sprayers

spray carts

forklift

Materials

Materials may include:

fertilisers

fungicides

insecticides

pallets

Waste

Waste may include:

diseased or damaged plant material

potting mix

pots

unused chemicals and chemical containers

Work hazards

Work hazards may include:

use of chemicals and disinfectants

sharp tools

obstacles

sun exposure

operating spray equipment

Irrigation system components

Irrigation system components may include:

pump

sprinkler

sprinkler heads

solenoids

filters

controllers

sprayers and drippers

Irrigation systems

Irrigation systems may include:

ebb and flow

sprinklers

capillary beds

sprayers and drippers

Problems and anomalies

Common problems and anomalies may include:

dehydration

pests

diseases

nutrient deficiencies

deformed plants

inefficient irrigation system

environmental parameters outside acceptable range

equipment breakdown

Treatments

Treatments may include:

pesticides

fungicides

fertilisers

removing weeds

canopy management

altering environmental parameters

Records

Records will include:

date

environmental parameters

treatments applied

rate of treatments

name of operator


Sectors

Unit sector

Wine operations


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.