• NWP227B - Control vegetation on a site

NWP227B
Control vegetation on a site

This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to control vegetation on a site by inspecting, identifying and treating weeds, plants and shrubs. The ability to plan and undertake work safely, including the safe handling of chemicals and equipment, is essential to performance.

Application

This unit supports the attainment of skills and knowledge required for field and operational staff involved in plant control but it does not reflect the requirements for undertaking plant control on the properties of third parties where further training and licensing requirements may apply.


Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Plan and prepare work.

1.1 Plan work according to work specifications, relevant legislation and organisational procedures.

1.2 Perform site check according to organisational requirements to prevent damage to other utilities and environment.

1.3 Select and check equipment and personal protective equipment and material safety data sheets to meet safety requirements of task and site.

1.4 Identify noxious weeds, plants and shrubs.

2Treat vegetation.

2.1 Conduct monitoring programs to determine spread, growth rate and extent of problem caused by weeds.

2.2 Store, handle, transport and mix chemicals and other control mechanisms according to relevant legislation and organisational procedures.

2.3 Use processes to treat vegetation in a manner safe to all stakeholders and according to appropriate standards and organisational operational procedures.

2.4 Implement controls according to organisational requirements to minimise environmental damage and deal with emergencies and spillage.

3Check work and restore work site.

3.1 Clean equipment after use and prepare for safe storage or re-use.

3.2 Identify potential hazards and dispose of waste according to organisational requirements.

4Complete records and reports.

4.1 Record use of chemicals and control mechanisms according to legislative and organisational requirements.

4.2 Complete work reports and documentation as required.

Required Skills

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required skills:

identify and report operational problems

produce reports and logs

use personal protective equipment

use tools and machinery

use chemicals and other treatments

follow plans, charts and instructions

perform work-related calculations

interpret material safety data sheets (MSDS)

apply procedures and standards

communicate with employees and customers

work effectively as part of a team

use communication equipment

use literacy skills in regard to verbal and written communication in the workplace

give and receive instructions

Required knowledge:

environmental aspects of controlling vegetation

relevant utilities and service bodies

communication systems

use, storage, handling and transport of hazardous substances

landscape and ground structure of work area

risk factors and potential hazards of vegetation control processes

equipment operation, capacity and limitations

effects of weather and conditions on use of chemical treatment, site or plant

control systems

materials handling

landscape and ground structure of work area

Evidence Required

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

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

The candidate should demonstrate the ability to control vegetation on a site by inspecting, identifying and treating weeds, plants and shrubs including:

interpreting work requirements from given documentation

identifying noxious weeds and appropriate control methods

planning and preparing equipment and materials required for work

treating vegetation according to legislative and organisational procedures

identifying risks and implement controls

restoring work site according to environmental and organisational requirements

completing relevant documentation.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Access to the workplace and resources including:

documentation that should normally be available in a water industry organisation

relevant codes, standards and government regulations.

Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and assessment support when required.

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

Validity and sufficiency of evidence requires that:

competency will need to be demonstrated over a period of time reflecting the scope of the role and the practical requirements of the workplace

where the assessment is part of a structured learning experience the evidence collected must relate to a number of performances assessed at different points in time and separated by further learning and practice

a decision of competence only taken at the point when the assessor has complete confidence in the person's competence over time and in various contexts

all assessment that is part of a structured learning experience must include a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary evidence

where assessment is for the purpose of recognition (RCC/RPL), the evidence provided will need to be authenticated and show that it represents competency demonstrated over a period of time

assessment can be through simulated project-based activity and must include evidence relating to each of the elements in this unit.

In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge. Questioning will be undertaken in a manner appropriate to the skill levels of the operator and cultural issues that may affect responses to the questions, and will reflect the requirements of the competency and the work being performed.


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. Add any 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.

Relevant legislation and organisational procedures include:

relevant federal and state or territory legislation and regulations

codes of practice, associated standards and guidance material

documented organisational policies, manuals and induction programs

relevant community planning and development agreements, such as land care agreements

Equipment and personal protective equipment may include:

hand and power tools

on- and off-road vehicles

lifting and winching equipment

mechanical excavation equipment

chemicals and mixers

chemical spraying apparatus

mixing equipment and storage areas

communication equipment

gas detection equipment

rescue equipment

breathing apparatus

other appropriate personal protective equipment, including goggles and gloves

Processes used to treat and control vegetation include:

application of chemicals

manual extraction

use of genetic plant modification

companion planting

other environmental controls, including use of insects


Sectors

Not applicable.


Competency Field

Common.


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not applicable.