Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to operate specialised liquid and granular chemical application machinery and equipment.
All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, work health and safety requirements manufacturer’s specifications and sustainability practices.
This unit applies to individuals who work under broad direction and take responsibility for their own work and use discretion and judgement in the selection and use of available resources.
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. Prepare machinery for use | 1.1 Select and use appropriate personal protective equipment 1.2 Conduct routine pre-operational checks and housekeeping tasks 1.3 Replace and report damaged or worn components 1.4 Identify and report potential work health and safety hazards 1.5 Identify and report potential environmental impacts 1.6 Set up and calibrate equipment in accordance with spray application plan 1.7 Attach ancillary equipment and check for correct operation 1.8 Undertake and record pre-operational checks |
2. Operate machinery and equipment | 2.1 Operate machinery and equipment in a safe, efficient and controlled manner 2.2 Operate machinery in accordance with task requirements, conditions and manufacturers operating guidelines 2.3 Monitor machinery performance and efficiency and make adjustments as required 2.4 Assess and minimise potential risks to self, others, product integrity and the environment 2.5 Assess and minimise spray drift risk 2.6 Monitor meteorological conditions before and during application and respond to changes in conditions 2.7 Wear appropriate personal protective equipment during operation and clean up |
3. Complete work | 3.1 Follow shut down procedures 3.2 Flush and clean components in accordance with manufacturer's specifications and chemical label requirements 3.3 Complete operational records in accordance with legislative and regulatory requirements 3.4 Undertake routine operator servicing 3.5 Identify and report malfunctions, faults, irregular performance or damage |
Evidence of Performance
The candidate must be observed calibrating, operating and cleaning specialised liquid and granular chemical application machinery and equipment.
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:
identify hazards and implement safe work procedures
conduct pre and post operational checks
calibrate and set up application components
operate machinery in a safe, efficient and controlled manner
perform operator maintenance tasks and fault finding
attach and uncouple associated equipment
assess and minimise spray drift risk
record work activities
follow enterprise work health and safety policies
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
manufacturers specifications and workplace requirements for:
pre-operational checks
machinery operation techniques
operator level servicing
shutdown emergency procedures
features and functions of application equipment components including:
liquid spray - nozzles, tanks, agitation systems, pumps, filters, pressure regulation valves
granular applicators/dusters - hoppers, flow control valves
effects of meteorological conditions on chemical application
equipment characteristics, technical capabilities and limitations
basic diagnostic techniques
equipment characteristics, technical capabilities and limitations
components and controls features and functions of equipment
environmental impacts including spray drift
Assessment Conditions
Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or simulated environment that accurately reflects performance in a real workplace setting.
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
Machinery operation and maintenance (MOM)