Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range of Variables explains the contexts within which the performance and knowledge requirements of this standard may be assessed. The scope of variables chosen in training and assessment requirements may depend on the work situations available.

What gravity fed irrigation systems are relevant to this standard?
These may include border check, contour irrigation, furrow irrigation, hillside flooding, basin irrigation, ebb and flow, and flood systems. Border check systems may be either permanent or temporary earth, plastic or concrete devices for insertion in a drain for reticulating water, contour banks used to collect and distribute water along the perimeter of an irrigation plot, contour banks within a plot to collect/distribute water, or larger scale systems to stop water exiting one area to another.
Irrigation systems may range from manual operation and monitoring to fully automated with computer control and monitoring.

What might irrigation equipment consist of?
This may be siphons.

What might the OHS requirements be for carrying out irrigation activities?
These may include safe systems and procedures for the operation and maintenance of machinery and equipment, for outdoor work (including protection from solar radiation, dust and noise), manual handling, prevention of electrical injury, handling, transportation, protection against chemical residues, including that in/on foliage, water, soil and other items, and the use and maintenance of relevant personal protective clothing and equipment.

What environmental considerations relate to sufficient water flow?
Ensuring sufficient water flow to crops must include measures to prevent over watering.

How might equipment be transported?
Transport may include flat bed trucks and pipe trailers.

What gravity fed irrigation systems are relevant to this standard?
These may include border check, contour irrigation, furrow irrigation, hillside flooding, basin irrigation, ebb and flow, and flood systems. Border check systems may be either permanent or temporary earth, plastic or concrete devices for insertion in a drain for reticulating water, contour banks used to collect and distribute water along the perimeter of an irrigation plot, contour banks within a plot to collect/distribute water, or larger scale systems to stop water exiting one area to another.
Irrigation systems may range from manual operation and monitoring to fully automated with computer control and monitoring.

What might irrigation equipment consist of?
This may be siphons.

What might the OHS requirements be for carrying out irrigation activities?
These may include safe systems and procedures for the operation and maintenance of machinery and equipment, for outdoor work (including protection from solar radiation, dust and noise), manual handling, prevention of electrical injury, handling, transportation, protection against chemical residues, including that in/on foliage, water, soil and other items, and the use and maintenance of relevant personal protective clothing and equipment.

What environmental considerations relate to sufficient water flow?
Ensuring sufficient water flow to crops must include measures to prevent over watering.

How might equipment be transported?
Transport may include flat bed trucks and pipe trailers.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in assisting with the operation of gravity fed irrigation systems requires evidence that a person can set up fields for irrigation, operate, check, clean and store irrigation equipment, and carry out all basic activities involved in irrigating field crops under routine supervision.
The skills and knowledge required to assist with the operation of gravity fed irrigation systems must be transferable to a different work environment. For example, if irrigation duties are carried out on a property for one field crop, it should be evident that irrigation duties could be performed on another property with different field crops using gravity fed irrigation systems.
What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this competency standard are listed below:

basic operation of gravity fed irrigation system
irrigation times for enterprise fields to deliver sufficient volume without over watering
components of a gravity fed irrigation system including cleaning and storage requirements
manual handling procedures
required head and water levels in head ditch
OHS procedures relating to general activities involved in irrigating field crops using gravity fed irrigation.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, appropriate literacy and numeracy levels as well as some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

start up and close down the system
monitor progress of water flow
handle and shift loads
clean and store system components
follow enterprise policy and procedures relating to irrigation duties
estimate water levels and volumes/flow
follow OHS procedures relating to general activities involved in irrigating field crops using gravity fed irrigation systems.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard

Essential Assessment Information
There is essential information about

What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this competency standard are listed below:

basic operation of gravity fed irrigation system
irrigation times for enterprise fields to deliver sufficient volume without over watering
components of a gravity fed irrigation system including cleaning and storage requirements
manual handling procedures
required head and water levels in head ditch
OHS procedures relating to general activities involved in irrigating field crops using gravity fed irrigation.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, appropriate literacy and numeracy levels as well as some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

start up and close down the system
monitor progress of water flow
handle and shift loads
clean and store system components
follow enterprise policy and procedures relating to irrigation duties
estimate water levels and volumes/flow
follow OHS procedures relating to general activities involved in irrigating field crops using gravity fed irrigation systems.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard

Essential Assessment Information
There is essential information about

There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life, which are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies, although others may be added. The questions below highlight how these processes are applied in this competency standard. Following each question a number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency needs to be demonstrated where 0 = not required, 1 = perform the process, 2 = perform and administer the process and 3 = perform, administer and design the process.
Communicating ideas and information
Marking irrigation changes. (1)

Communicating ideas and information
Marking irrigation changes. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
By checking set up information for equipment. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
By checking set up information for equipment. (1)

Planning and organising activities
By organising irrigation activities to occur simultaneously. (1)

Planning and organising activities
By organising irrigation activities to occur simultaneously. (1)

Working with others and in teams
Co-ordinating irrigation activities with others. (1)

Working with others and in teams
Co-ordinating irrigation activities with others. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Estimating time and water levels for sufficient water flow. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Estimating time and water levels for sufficient water flow. (1)

Solving problems
In determining required action once set up information has been checked. (1)

Solving problems
In determining required action once set up information has been checked. (1)

Using technology
Using computerised irrigation systems. (1)

Using technology
Using computerised irrigation systems. (1)