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

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence that they can implement and monitor soil and water protection procedures

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

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements of this unit and include demonstration of:

following applicable federal, state or territory regulatory or local government ordinance requirements, codes of practice, OHS and environmental policies relevant to the protection of soil, water and water catchments

following organisational policies and procedures, relevant to the protection of soil, water and water catchments

applying effective communication and safe work practices

implementing effective erosion mitigation, sediment and pollutant control, surface and ground water protection measures

monitoring and maintaining erosion mitigation and sediment control processes and water catchment protection measures

identifying and reporting non-compliant work practices

completing relevant workplace documentation and reporting processes

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a realistically simulated workplace

Assessment is to occur under standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints

Assessment of required knowledge, other than confirmatory questions, will usually be conducted in an off-site context

Assessment is to follow relevant regulatory requirements and Australian standards

The following resources should be made available:

workplace location or simulated workplace

materials and equipment relevant to undertaking work applicable to this unit

specifications and work instructions

Method of assessment

Assessment methods must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the FPI11 Training Package

Assessment methods must confirm consistency and accuracy of performance (over time and in a range of workplace relevant contexts) together with application of required knowledge

Assessment must be by direct observation of tasks, with questioning on required knowledge and it must also reinforce the integration of employability skills

Assessment methods must confirm the ability to access, interpret and apply the required knowledge

Assessment may be applied under project-related conditions (real or simulated) and require evidence of process

Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competency is able not only to be satisfied under the particular circumstance, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances

Assessment may be in conjunction with assessment of other units of competency

The assessment environment should not disadvantage the candidate

Assessment practices should take into account any relevant language or cultural issues related to Aboriginality, gender or language backgrounds other than English

Where the participant has a disability, reasonable adjustment may be applied during assessment

Language and literacy demands of the assessment task should not be higher than those of the work role

Required skills:

Literacy skills to:

locate, read, interpret and convey information in written, diagrammatic and/or verbal form

complete and maintain workplace documentation and reports

Technical skills to use and maintain relevant tools, machinery and equipment

Communication skills and interpersonal techniques to interact appropriately with colleagues and others in the workplace

Numeracy skills to measure, calculate and estimate material quantities and time required to complete a task

Problem-solving skills to:

identify problems and equipment faults and demonstrate appropriate response procedures

review, identify and interpret work requirements

Required knowledge:

Applicable federal, state or territory legislation, regulations, standards, codes of practice and established safe practices relevant to the full range of processes for soil and water protection procedures

Environmental protection requirements, including the safe disposal of products and waste material

Organisational and site standards, requirements, policies and procedures relevant to environmental care

Environmental policies and practices, risks and hazard identification relevant to soil and water protection

Established communication channels and protocols

Problem identification and common fault-finding techniques

Types of tools and equipment and procedures for their safe use and maintenance

Mathematical procedures for measuring and estimating, including calculating quantities and time to complete tasks

Procedures for recording and reporting workplace information

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.

OHS requirements:

are to be in line with applicable federal, state or territory legislation and regulations, and organisational safety policies and procedures and may include:

safe work procedures

hazard and risk control

elimination of hazardous materials and substances

techniques for manual handling, including shifting, lifting and carrying

Legislative requirements:

are to be in line with applicable legislation from all levels of government that affect forest operations in relation to soil and water protection and may include:

federal, state or territory forestry and environmental legislation

regional forest agreements

relevant codes of practice

forest operational plans

Organisational requirements may include:

organisational procedural manuals

communication protocols

quality assurance

Various forest types may include:

coast and tableland native forests

inland native forests and woodlands

River Red Gum and river flood plain native forests

tropical forests

exotic plantations

native plantations

Erosion mitigation may include:

walk-over techniques

minimal disturbance techniques

crown and cross fall drainage

cross bank drainage

relief culverts on roads

mitre and table drains on roads

armouring/gravelling of roads

crossing and draining surfaces

batter stabilisation

contour banks and channels

gabions

sediment basins

riparian buffer zones

outlet protection structures

revegetation

Sediment control measures may include:

slash management

sediment traps, basins and filters

geotextile fabric fences

vegetated filter strips

Operational plans may include:

forest operational plan

plantation establishment plan

harvesting plan

operational inspection report

roading plan

sediment and erosion control plan

revegetation plan

chemical and fertiliser plan

Appropriate personnel may include:

colleagues

leading hands

supervisors

managers

safety officers

Soil may include:

dispersible soil

clay, silt, sand and gravel soil

loam soil

organic material

topsoil and subsoil

Environmental features:

are those sensitive features that can be adversely effected if soil erosion occurs, or if inundated with sediment or other pollutants, and may include:

drainage lines and drainage depressions

water course, creeks and rivers

lakes, swamps and wetlands

aquatic species

steep slopes

caves

historic and cultural heritage sites

road and water supply infrastructure

Other factors may include:

track and road maintenance

drainage structures

setting of contour lines

slope measurement techniques

boundaries and survey markers

site preparation techniques

site cultivation techniques

disposal of logging waste materials

windrowing placement and techniques

tree selection and felling techniques

log dump locations and techniques

log extraction and haulage techniques

clearing techniques

Other pollution control measures may include:

fuel containment barriers

chemical spillage barriers

containment and removal of waste, including rubbish litter and human waste

Changing conditions:

are those conditions that can alter or change and therefore require different work strategies or practices to maximise forest soil and water protection from an increased risk of pollution and may include:

land tenure

topography

machinery and operation type

forest type

soil type and erodibility

rainfall intensity

soil moisture

ground cover

quality of roads and tracks

Documentation and reporting may include:

specific organisational records, reports and forms

update of forest operational plan

operational inspection report

non-compliance report

road and crossing designs

drainage line and buffer zone specifications