Elements and Performance Criteria

RANGE STATEMENT
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.
Relevant government regulations, licensing and other compliance requirements may include:
business or workplace operations, policies and practices:
commercial law, including fair trading and trade practices
consumer law
corporate law, including registration, licensing and financial reporting
disability policies and practices
equal opportunity, anti-discrimination and sexual harassment
industrial relations and awards, individual employment contracts and, share of catch agreements
jurisdictional variations
superannuation
taxation
trade practices
warnings and dismissals
worker's compensation
ESD principles, environmental hazard identification, risk assessment and control
fisheries or aquaculture regulations, permits, licences, quotas, catch restrictions and other compliance requirements, including:
Australian Exclusive Economic Zone
international treaties and agreements
food safety, Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP), hygiene and temperature control along chain of custody
imports quarantine and inspection, and importing approved arrangements for Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS), Australian Customs Service (ACS) and Biosecurity Australia (BA)
Indigenous native title, land claims and cultural activities, including fishing by traditional methods
maritime and occupational diving operations:
foreign and Australian legislation applying to quarantine and customs
International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS)
International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW 1978)
Marine Emergency Response Search and Rescue (MERSAR)
National Standards for Commercial Vessels
pollution prevention - International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL 73/78)
Uniform Shipping Laws (USL) Code
use of vessels, right of way and other marine orders, bunkering and refuelling
land, buildings and vehicles:
buildings and structures design and appearance, constructions and additions
poaching, trespass and theft
road laws for use of motor vehicles, bikes, trucks and other transport equipment
soil and water management
use of chemicals and biological agents
use of firearms and powerheads
use of utilities, including water, natural gas, electricity and sewage
water or land lease, tenure or ownership and use
OHS hazard identification, risk assessment and control
product quality assurance:
correct naming and labelling (e.g. country of origin, Australian Fish Names Standard and eco-labelling)
correct quantities, sizes and other customer requirements
third-party certification (e.g. Australian Grown and ISO 14001:2004 Environmental management systems).
OHS guidelines may include:
appropriate workplace provision of first aid kits and fire extinguishers
clean, uncluttered, hygienic workplace
codes of practice, regulations and/or guidance notes which may apply in a jurisdiction or industry sector
enterprise-specific OHS procedures, policies or standards
hazard and risk assessment of workplace, maintenance activities and control measures
induction or training of staff, contractors and visitors in relevant OHS procedures and/or requirements to allow them to carry out their duties in a safe manner
OHS training register
safe lifting, carrying and handling techniques, including manual handling, and the handling and storage of hazardous substances
safe systems and procedures for outdoor work, including protection from solar radiation, fall protection, confined space entry and the protection of people in the workplace
systems and procedures for the safe maintenance of property, machinery and equipment, including hydraulics and exposed moving parts
the appropriate use, maintenance and storage of PPE.
Food safety and hygiene regulations and procedures may include:
Australian Shellfish Sanitation program
display, packaging and sale of food, including seafood and aquatic products
equipment design, use, cleaning and maintenance
exporting requirements, including AQIS Export Control (Fish) orders
handling and disposal of condemned or recalled seafood products
HACCP, food safety program, and other risk minimisation and quality assurance systems
location, construction and servicing of seafood premises
people, product and place hygiene and sanitation requirements
Primary Products Standard and the Australian Seafood Standard (voluntary)
processing, further processing and preparation of food, including seafood and aquatic products
product labelling, tracing and recall
receipt, storage and transportation of food, including seafood and aquatic products
requirements set out in Australian and New Zealand Food Authority (ANZFA) Food Standards Code and state and territory' food regulations
temperature and contamination control along chain of custody.
ESD principles may include:
controlling use and recycling of water, and managing water quality and quantity
increasing use of renewable, recyclable and recoverable resources
managing environmental hazard identification, risk assessment and control
managing imported products quarantine and inspection, facility biosecurity, translocation of livestock and genetic material, health certification
managing stock health and welfare, especially for handling, holding, transport and slaughter
managing sustainable fisheries or broodstock/seedstock collection requirements, such as size limits, quotas, season restrictions, population dynamics, fishing impacts, reducing by-catch, fisheries management strategies and maintaining biodiversity
managing, controlling and treating effluents, chemical residues, contaminants, wastes and pollution
minimising noise, dust, light or odour emissions
planning environmental and resource efficiency improvements
preventing genetically modified and live cultured or held organisms from escaping into environment
protecting native and protected flora and fauna, marine or land parks or areas, adhering to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES), the Ramsar Convention, World Heritage and other international treaties for which Australia is a signatory
reducing emissions of greenhouse gases
reducing use of non-renewable resources
reducing disturbances to soils, erosion and surface water flows from machinery use and other activities
reducing energy use and introducing alternative energy sources.
PPE may include:
buoyancy vest or personal floatation device (PFD)
gloves, mitts or gauntlets, and protective hand and arm covering
hard hat or protective head covering
hearing protection (e.g. ear plugs and ear muffs)
insulated protective clothing for freezers or chillers and refrigeration units
non-slip and waterproof boots (gumboots) or other safety footwear
personal locator beacon or Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB)
protective eyewear, glasses and face mask
protective hair, beard and boot covers
protective outdoor clothing for tropical conditions
respirator or face mask
safety harness
sun protection (e.g. sun hat, sunscreen and sunglasses)
uniforms, overalls or protective clothing (e.g. mesh and waterproof aprons)
waterproof clothing (e.g. wet weather gear and waders).
High technology water treatment components may include:
aeration or oxygenation equipment, such as aerators, aspirators, airlifts and fans
components that regulate environmental and climate control factors, such as temperature, photoperiod and light intensity
degassing systems for removing carbon dioxide and ozone, including the use of specialised air filters
facilities and processes designed for health management, such as quarantine area, sterilising using ultraviolet (UV) light and ozone, and pasteurising using heat or steam
mechanical/physical/solid, chemical and biological filtration devices (or a combination of two or more different types):
biological filter:
is part of an RAS where dissolved metabolic by-products are converted to less toxic forms by microbial action from a range of different bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms
the most important function is the oxidation of ammonia to nitrite, and nitrite to nitrate (often called nitrification)
chemical filter:
examples include activated carbon, zeolites and other ion-exchange mediums
is where a variety of chemical substances are used to treat water passing through them
ozone and chemical, such as pH and alkalinity, adjustments are also made, sometimes in a separate area to the chemical filter
mechanical/physical/solid filter:
includes swirl separators, hydrocones, protein skimmers or foam fractionators, drum filters, belt filters, bead and other suspended media filters and screen filters
is important to ensure organic loads going into biofilters are as low as possible to prevent the more competitive heterotrophic bacteria from taking over and reducing nitrification capacity
is part of an RAS that removes solid organic matter and other wastes
reduces the biological oxygen demand (BOD) for the system
some degassing or carbon dioxide stripping can also take place
ventilation systems, fans, blowers and humidifiers/ dehumidifiers
water treatment devices, such as those that maintain pH (acid/alkaline) balance.
A recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) is:
a system in which at least some of the water is recycled one or more times back into the system after some form of treatment
also called a closed system (which is the opposite to a flow-through or open system where there is little residence time for the culture water)
where generally some form of water treatment with equipment or structures, particularly aeration or oxygenation and processing of nitrogenous wastes, is undertaken
where a water exchange (replacement) rate of 5-10% per day is used to assist in maintaining water quality (particularly nitrate control).
Maintenance may be required due to:
acts of nature
corrosion
design problems
equipment modifications
incorrect use and accidents
wear.
Design or upgrade specifications may include:
budget
compliance with the standard specification and legislation and regulations of the relevant state or territory construction and power authorities
construction materials
construction method
designated component or system
environmental constraints
equipment and resources
location
number
owner preferences
permits and licences
product availability
production requirement, including number, tonnage, timing and production characteristics
quoting procedures
schedule of licensed labour required
security factors
shape, colour and appearance
size, volume and footprint area.
Culture or holding system or facility may include:
tanks, raceways and RAS
live holding systems
purging or depurating system
display tanks, aquaria and aquascapes (ornamental industry)
grow out facilities, hatcheries and nurseries
water supply and disposal systems for closed and semi-closed systems
pest, predator and disease control structures
harvested stock holding structures, tanks, bins and cages.
Work plans or schedules may include information on:
contingencies for responding to partial or full system shutdown, stock stress or mortalities
contingency plan to address staffing and equipment supply problems
costs and budget details
date and time tasks are to be undertaken
designated jobs tasks, directions or designs
environmental impact control measures
expected time required to complete activities
hazard identification, risk assessment and risk control measures
local, state, territory and federal government regulations
location
maintenance schedule for particular items of equipment
manufacturer guidelines or instructions
materials, supplies, tools, equipment or other resources required
monitoring and reporting requirements and procedures, including logs or checklists
non-conformance or incident/fault reporting procedures
OHS procedures, including PPE requirements
order of activities
other members of work team and their roles, responsibilities and skills
pre- and post-operational and safety checks
preferred supplier list and resources required by external workers and tradespeople
routine maintenance procedures
specific structures or components
standard for completed activities
the person in charge.
Worksite may include:
depots
hatchery, nursery, grow out and holding facilities
laboratories
post-harvest or processing facilities
staff amenities
stock and quarantine treatment facilities
storage areas
workshops.
Risks may include those associated with:
environment
infrastructure, plant and equipment
OHS for staff, contractors and visitors
product quality and food safety
stock.
Environmental parameters may include:
activity of pests, competitors and predators
light
turbidity
water flow
water level or depth.
Water quality parameters may include:
alkalinity
BOD
chlorine or chloramines
dissolved carbon dioxide
dissolved oxygen
general water hardness
level of nitrogenous wastes, such as ammonia, nitrite and nitrate, and contaminants and pollutants
pH (acid/alkaline balance)
phosphates
redox potential
salinity or conductivity
temperature
total dissolved solids.
Contingency plans to address:
adverse weather conditions and acts of nature, such as flood or fire
breakdown of components
bypass of components
compromised water source
disease outbreaks
emergency procedures
non-standard water quality parameters
risks to culture stock during emergency shutdowns or breakdowns
risks to environment
risks to infrastructure and equipment
risks to product quality and food safety.
Resource and supply provisions may include:
machinery, equipment and materials, including welders (e.g. arc, gas and metal inert gas [MIG]), lathes, bench presses, multimeters and ohm meters, inspection pits, lifting and support equipment (e.g. jacks, overhead gantry and blocks), power tools (e.g. grinders and drills), and hand tools (e.g. spanners, hammers and screwdrivers)
workshop storage requirements, including racks for commonly used steel angle, rods, tube metal and wire, or boards for orderly placement of tools.
Records or reports may include:
associated equipment and infrastructure
checklists, data sheets, inventory and stocktakes
culture or holding stock species
dates, times and progress against timelines of activities or events
details related to culture or holding structures or systems
electronic or hard copy
Gantt chart
graphs, charts and tables
KPIs
operation and maintenance details and other outcomes achieved
personnel and subcontractor performance data
problems experienced and strategies to overcome them.

EVIDENCE GUIDE
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 evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit
Assessment must confirm ability to
plan and implement an operations, maintenance or upgrade program for a system or facility using high technology water treatment components.

Assessment must confirm knowledge of:
approaches to coordinating operations, maintenance or upgrade of a system or facility
approaches to interpretation of design plans and specifications
approaches to establishing protocols and procedures for carrying out maintenance and upgrade tasks.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment is to be conducted at the workplace or in a simulated work environment. It should use of a RAS typically used in aquaculture, holding or ornamental facilities in the region.

Resources may include:
documentation relevant to the operations, maintenance or upgrade program, including design specifications for the components, system or facility to be maintained or upgraded
staff that can be supervised in the operations, maintenance or upgrade of a system or facility
personnel who have a role and responsibility in implementing and/or monitoring the effectiveness of the operations, maintenance or upgrade program.
Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are suggested:
project (work or scenario based)
portfolio of supporting documentation that demonstrates, for example:
the efficient operation of a system or facility using high technology water treatment components
an improvement or implementation of an operations, upgrade or maintenance program
an improvement or implementation of work procedure
work diary, photographs or videos
demonstration of required skill.
Guidance information for assessment
This unit may be assessed holistically with other units within a qualification.