Elements and Performance Criteria

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.

Information to be
confirmation that customer has seen a copy of entire label and, if relevant, the material safety data sheet (MSDS)
customer's order
customer's verification that technical specification of product is acceptable for job
details and signature if possible of agronomist or adviser who has recommended product.

Criteria addressed by
key requirements relating to fertilisers and soil ameliorants, including:
product knowledge
spreading
storage
transport.

Procedures for identifying
inspecting site with customer
obtaining at least three independent descriptors of site from customer
supplying AFSA area markers, which customer can locate at approach to spreading area
using maps of a scale appropriate to target area.

dryland pasture in relation to ground cover and slope to minimise run-off
watercourses (including wetlands) that are permanently or intermittently connected to public waters such as:
areas of free water
dry watercourses
irrigation channels.

Action to be taken where
advising customer if job would result in exceeding operational safety limits
ceasing operations where hazards can not be effectively managed.

cross winds that might result in drift of product onto adjacent land, water or property
rain that may result in rutting, compaction and soil tracking off the area.

customer orders and instructions
inspection checklists
maps
truck-mounted or trailed product bin and spreading mechanism.

Machinery and equipment may be
calibrating fertiliser spreaders to achieve industry standard coefficients of variation for proposed product and bout width
carrying out other checks recommended by manufacturer
carrying out routine checks included in relevant industry codes of practice
checking load to ensure that correct product is supplied in correct quantity
checking spreader bin to ensure serviceability, cleanliness, safety and correct operation
checking vehicle to ensure serviceability and safety
confirming that all electrical, structural, safety and mechanical contents are correctly serviced, in good working order and set up for correct operation.

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

This unit of competency could be assessed on its own or in combination with other units of competency relevant to the job function such as:

RTC3310A
RTC3311A
RTD2313A
RTE3506A
RTE3818A

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The critical requirements for this unit of competency as a whole are listed below.

Assessment must confirm one's ability to:

assess environmental and physical hazards that may be encountered when ground spreading and take appropriate action to minimise these risks
maintain and operate spreading equipment to meet industry standards for uniformity of application
maintain and operate spreading equipment to meet health and safety requirements
apply fertiliser or soil ameliorants at rate agreed by customer to specified land area.

Context and specific resources for assessment
Assessment for this unit of competency is to be largely practical in nature and will most appropriately be assessed in a ground-spreading operation or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions.
For valid assessment, one must have opportunities to participate in a range of exercises, case studies and other real and simulated practical and knowledge assessments that demonstrate the skills and knowledge required to ground spread fertiliser and soil ameliorants.

The candidate must also have access to the following resources:

typical ground-spreading equipment
a range of products that would normally be applied
examples of maps and instructions regarding location and area to be treated, products and rate of application, hazards and environmentally sensitive features
examples of checklists for inspection and maintenance of equipment
typical PPE.

Guidance information for assessment
To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency should be demonstrated on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances, cases and responsibilities, and where possible, over a number of assessment activities.
The skills and knowledge required to ground spread fertiliser and soil ameliorants must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts, including the ability to deal with unplanned events. For example, this could include work within various farming industries, ranging from extensive pasture to permanent tree crops, and with a range of spreading machinery.