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 particular training and assessment requirements may depend on the work situations available.

What tasks may be included under horticultural crop work?
Assistance with all activities associated with horticultural production such as land preparation, seeding/planting, maintaining, loading and unloading, harvesting/picking, sorting, and packing.
Assisting with routine maintenance or cleaning of sheds and other buildings, fences, fixtures and fitting.

What instructions may be relevant to this standard?
Instructions may include Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), enterprise policy and procedures, specifications, work notes, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs), manufacturers instructions, or verbal directions from manager or supervisor.

What tools and equipment may be required for horticultural production work?
Tools and equipment may include knives, secateurs, spades, forks, ladders, hoes, packing equipment, boxes, bins and buckets, hoses and hose fittings.

What workplace information might be required for this standard?
Workplace information may include procedures for disposing of waste materials, work instructions or verbal instructions from the supervisor.

What OHS hazards may be associated with horticultural production work?
Hazards may include, solar radiation, dust, noise, air- and soil-borne micro-organisms, chemicals and hazardous substances, sharp hand tools and equipment, manual handling, holes, and slippery and uneven surfaces.

What are the personal protective clothing and equipment requirements associated with horticultural work?
Personal protective clothing and equipment may include steel capped boots/shoes, overalls, gloves, sun hat, sunscreen lotion, safety goggles, face mask and ear protectors.

What waste materials may apply to this standard?
Plant debris, litter and broken components, plastic, metal, paper-based materials. These may be recycled, re-used, returned to the manufacturer or disposed of according to enterprise work procedures.

What tasks may be included under horticultural crop work?
Assistance with all activities associated with horticultural production such as land preparation, seeding/planting, maintaining, loading and unloading, harvesting/picking, sorting, and packing.
Assisting with routine maintenance or cleaning of sheds and other buildings, fences, fixtures and fitting.

What instructions may be relevant to this standard?
Instructions may include Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), enterprise policy and procedures, specifications, work notes, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs), manufacturers instructions, or verbal directions from manager or supervisor.

What tools and equipment may be required for horticultural production work?
Tools and equipment may include knives, secateurs, spades, forks, ladders, hoes, packing equipment, boxes, bins and buckets, hoses and hose fittings.

What workplace information might be required for this standard?
Workplace information may include procedures for disposing of waste materials, work instructions or verbal instructions from the supervisor.

What OHS hazards may be associated with horticultural production work?
Hazards may include, solar radiation, dust, noise, air- and soil-borne micro-organisms, chemicals and hazardous substances, sharp hand tools and equipment, manual handling, holes, and slippery and uneven surfaces.

What are the personal protective clothing and equipment requirements associated with horticultural work?
Personal protective clothing and equipment may include steel capped boots/shoes, overalls, gloves, sun hat, sunscreen lotion, safety goggles, face mask and ear protectors.

What waste materials may apply to this standard?
Plant debris, litter and broken components, plastic, metal, paper-based materials. These may be recycled, re-used, returned to the manufacturer or disposed of according to enterprise work procedures.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in supporting horticultural production work requires evidence that activities have been carried out according to instructions and within the required timelines. The skills and knowledge that are required to support horticultural production work must be transferable to different work environments. For example, this could include different tasks, crops and types of orchards/plantations/farms.
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:

safe work practices
planting, picking, packing, loading and transporting techniques appropriate to this level
use of horticultural tools and equipment.

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:

prepare materials, tools and equipment for work
undertake work as directed
handle materials and equipment
clean up on completion of work.

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:

safe work practices
planting, picking, packing, loading and transporting techniques appropriate to this level
use of horticultural tools and equipment.

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:

prepare materials, tools and equipment for work
undertake work as directed
handle materials and equipment
clean up on completion of work.

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
Ideas and information about the job, tasks and problems should be discussed with other members in the work team and the supervisor. (1)

Communicating ideas and information
Ideas and information about the job, tasks and problems should be discussed with other members in the work team and the supervisor. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Workplace and supervisors instructions should be located, interpreted and applied with further clarification sought as necessary. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Workplace and supervisors instructions should be located, interpreted and applied with further clarification sought as necessary. (1)

Planning and organising activities
Discussions with the supervisor and other team members may be required in order to complete tasks efficiently, in a logical sequence, and in a timely manner. (1)

Planning and organising activities
Discussions with the supervisor and other team members may be required in order to complete tasks efficiently, in a logical sequence, and in a timely manner. (1)

Working with others and in teams
Good communication and co-operation with other staff in completing tasks. (1)

Working with others and in teams
Good communication and co-operation with other staff in completing tasks. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Skills in counting, tallying and estimation are required when handling materials, tools and equipment. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Skills in counting, tallying and estimation are required when handling materials, tools and equipment. (1)

Solving problems
Problems will require corrective action or consultation with supervisor. (1)

Solving problems
Problems will require corrective action or consultation with supervisor. (1)

Using technology
Technology may be applied in the use of tools and equipment. (1)

Using technology
Technology may be applied in the use of tools and equipment. (1)