This unit describes a key workplace skill for those working in the floristry industry. It underpins effective performance for the design, construction and maintenance of a diverse range of floristry products and applies to the full range of industry sectors and environments. The floristry business could be a retail, studio or online floristry business.

This unit applies to florists who operate with some level of autonomy or under limited supervision from others. It is undertaken by a diverse range of people such as retail and studio florists, florists employed by online floristry businesses floral designers, florists involved in corporate or special events and owner-operators of small floristry businesses.

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ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Clean tools and equipment.

1.1. Maintain the cleanliness of tools andequipment used when preparing for, constructing and maintaining floristry products.

1.2. Remove residual flower and plant materials from tools and equipment using appropriate cleaning agents.

1.3. Sterilise or disinfect tools to avoid spoilage of flower and plant materials.

1.4. Use energy, water and other resources efficiently when cleaning, to reduce negative environmental impacts.

2. Identify maintenance requirements for tools and equipment.

2.1. Regularly check cutting tools for bluntness.

2.2. Regularly check all electrical equipment for loose wires.

2.3. Recognise and report on any unsafe or faulty equipment or rectify according the level of individual responsibility.

2.4. Write and attach labels to faulty equipment in accordance with organisational procedures.

2.5. Identify and comprehend scheduled maintenance requirements for tools and equipment.

3. Maintain tools.

3.1. Periodically undertake work to restore equipment to optimum working condition

3.2. Complete minor and non-specialist repairs to tools and equipment in accordance with manufacturer's instructions.

3.3. Regularly check tools and equipment and replace consumable items.

3.4. Use the safety guards on any equipment and wear appropriate personal protective equipment when maintaining tools and equipment.

3.5. Refer complex maintenance activities to technical specialists in consultation with relevant personnel.

3.6. Organise technical specialists to complete scheduled maintenance of tools.

3.7. Complete maintenance documentation according to organisational procedures and provide copies to the relevant personnel

4. Store tools and equipment.

4.1. Choose and prepare correct conditions for the storage of tools and equipment.

4.2. Store in the appropriate location promptly, safely and according to the correct conditions.

4.3. Use safe manual handling techniques when moving and storing tools and equipment to avoid any injury.

Required skills

safe manual handling techniques

correct use of personal protective equipment

safe handling of tools and equipment

cleaning and basic non-specialist maintenance techniques for an extensive range of floristry tools used for the preparation, construction and maintenance of floristry products

organisational skills to conduct maintenance activities as part of a logical and time-efficient work flow

literacy skills to read and comprehend records of scheduled and completed maintenance, manufacturer's instructions, and organisational procedures

writing skills to complete basic documents such as fault tags and reports, maintenance records and repair and maintenance requests or orders

communication skills to make accurate verbal reports onfaulty tools and equipment and to discuss maintenance requirements and problems.

numeracy skills to calculate the dilution requirements for cleaning products and to identify tension measurements of tools.

Required knowledge

the visual recognition and general maintenance and repair requirements for an extensive range of floristry tools used for the preparation, construction and maintenance of floristry products

applications of different types of cleaning products

correct environmental conditions for the storage of various types of tools and equipment

different systems used by the floristry industry and in the organisation in particular for organising storage of tools and equipment

security systems and procedures

types of maintenance documentation and scheduling systems that are used by the floristry industry and the organisation in particular

manufacturer's instructions for cleaning and repairing of, and scheduling regular maintenance for, tools and equipment

the essential features of, and safe practices for using and storing, common hazardous substances used by the floristry industry and in particular substances used by the organisation e.g. cleaning and oiling products

the environmental impacts of cleaning tools and equipment and minimal impact practices to reduce these especially those that relate to resource, water and energy use

correct and environmentally sound disposal methods for all types of waste and in particular for hazardous substances.

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

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

Evidence of the following is essential:

ability to safely handle, move and store floristry tools and equipment and hazardous substances

visual recognition and knowledge of the general maintenance requirements for an extensive range of floristry tools and equipment

ability to efficiently and safely maintain and repair multiple and diverse tools and equipment used for the preparation, construction and maintenance of floristry products. To ensure consistency of performance and ability to respond to different requirements, this must occur over a period of time and cover the repair and maintenance of tools and equipment of varying sizes and complexities using diverse repair and maintenance techniques

completion of maintenance and storage activities within commercial time constraints.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

the maintenance of floristry tools and equipment within a floristry design, preparation and product construction environment

storage facilities for tools and equipment

a diverse, comprehensive and commercial range of tools and equipment used for the preparation, construction and maintenance of floristry products

access to cleaning and conditioning agents for tools and equipment

access to manufacturer's cleaning, repair and maintenance instructions

access to software programs or manual documentation systems currently used in the floristry industry to assist with the repair and maintenance function

access to maintenance, storage and OHS procedures that relate to the maintenance of tool and equipment.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

direct observation of the candidate repairing and maintaining tools and equipment

evaluation of integrated project or work activities completed by the candidate, including preparing and caring for floristry stock and constructing floristry products

written and oral questioning or interview to test knowledge of the maintenance and storage requirements of various tools and applications of various cleaning products

review of workplace reports and records, prepared by the candidate, related to maintenance activities

review of portfolios of evidence and third-party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate.

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

SFLDEC304A Construct hand tied floristry products

SFLDEC305A Construct wired floristry products

SFLDEC306A Construct floristry products with a base medium

SIRXOHS001A Apply safe working practices

SIRXRSK001A Minimise theft.

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.

Maintaining the cleanliness of tools may involve:

cleaning, sterilising or disinfecting all construction tools before and after use to avoid cross-contamination of flower and plant materials

cleaning and conditioning of all equipment to avoid corrosion and deterioration.

Tools and equipment may include:

ladders

scaffolding

cutting tools including:

knives

scissors

rose de-thorner

secateurs

saws

guillotines

wire cutters

bus saws

tanin saws

hammers

pliers

power tools

twisting and wiring tools

staple gun and staples

glue gun and glue

measuring tapes

brushes

dyeing facilities

spray-guns

containers to mix cleaning agents

storage containers.

Spoilage of flower and plant materials may relate to:

contamination with cleaning agents

cross-contamination of diseased or pest affected flowers and plant materials with healthy plants.

Minor and non-specialist repairs to tools and equipment may include

sharpening of cutting tools

adjusting tension

removing rust

oiling equipment

replacing faulty or expended globes, blades, nozzles.

Relevant personnel may include:

other florists

supervisor

manager

floral designer

studio designer

a more experienced florist

owner-operator of a small floristry business

production manager.

Maintenance documentation may include:

tags to identify faulty equipment

fault reports

accident reports

maintenance reports

cleaning and repair reports

repair and maintenance requests or orders

maintenance schedules

testing and tagging reports.

Conditions for the storage of tools and equipment may include:

clean dry storage areas

mid to lower shelves for heavy equipment

laying flat

stored upright.

The appropriate location for storage of tools and equipment may include:

tool box

storage room or shed

a secured area

work benches

shelves

tool hooks.

Unit sector

Floristry

Floristry Design and Construction

This unit contains Employability Skills.