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 irrigation systems might be relevant to this standard?
These may be pressurised irrigation systems such as micro-irrigation systems and spray irrigation systems, or gravity fed irrigation systems.
Micro-irrigation systems include mains pressure, low pressure, below or above ground, sprays systems, drip emitter trickle, t-tape, mini-sprinklers, capillary, ebb and flow, and flood systems.
Spray irrigation systems include travelling irrigators (soft hose, hard hose boom type), centre pivot, linear move, powered side roll hand shift permanent (installed), and bike shift/easy shift.
Gravity fed irrigation systems include border check, contour irrigation, furrow irrigation, hillside flooding, and basin irrigation. 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.

Risks are explained for which irrigation practices?
These may include implementation of irrigation schedules and shifts, and routine and seasonal maintenance activities.

Risks are explained for which irrigation related activities?
Irrigation related activities may include installation and construction of irrigation systems and components.

What environmental pollution events may be relevant to this standard?
Pollution events may include backflow from the irrigation system into potable water supply, contamination of waterways by tailwater drainage, breakout of contaminated water from drainage system overload, system overload from storm water, contamination of stormwater run off with waste water, and aerial drift of chemical sprays.

What OHS requirements may be relevant to this standard?
OHS requirements may include safe systems and procedures for handling, transporting and storing hazardous substances; selection, use and maintenance of personal protective clothing and equipment; protection against chemical residues, including that in/on foliage, water, soil and other items; and safe systems and procedures for outdoor work, including protection from solar radiation, dust and noise.

What might stormwater control include?
Stormwater control may include pumping systems and gravity drainage systems.

What irrigation systems might be relevant to this standard?
These may be pressurised irrigation systems such as micro-irrigation systems and spray irrigation systems, or gravity fed irrigation systems.
Micro-irrigation systems include mains pressure, low pressure, below or above ground, sprays systems, drip emitter trickle, t-tape, mini-sprinklers, capillary, ebb and flow, and flood systems.
Spray irrigation systems include travelling irrigators (soft hose, hard hose boom type), centre pivot, linear move, powered side roll hand shift permanent (installed), and bike shift/easy shift.
Gravity fed irrigation systems include border check, contour irrigation, furrow irrigation, hillside flooding, and basin irrigation. 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.

Risks are explained for which irrigation practices?
These may include implementation of irrigation schedules and shifts, and routine and seasonal maintenance activities.

Risks are explained for which irrigation related activities?
Irrigation related activities may include installation and construction of irrigation systems and components.

What environmental pollution events may be relevant to this standard?
Pollution events may include backflow from the irrigation system into potable water supply, contamination of waterways by tailwater drainage, breakout of contaminated water from drainage system overload, system overload from storm water, contamination of stormwater run off with waste water, and aerial drift of chemical sprays.

What OHS requirements may be relevant to this standard?
OHS requirements may include safe systems and procedures for handling, transporting and storing hazardous substances; selection, use and maintenance of personal protective clothing and equipment; protection against chemical residues, including that in/on foliage, water, soil and other items; and safe systems and procedures for outdoor work, including protection from solar radiation, dust and noise.

What might stormwater control include?
Stormwater control may include pumping systems and gravity drainage systems.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in implementing an irrigation-related environmental protection program requires evidence that a person can implement procedures to reduce the impacts of irrigation and drainage systems on the environment, and respond to potential and actual environmental pollution events.
The skills and knowledge required to implement an irrigation-related environmental protection program must be transferable to a different work environment. For example, this could include different irrigation systems, environmental parameters and issues, and enterprise procedures.
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:

environmental legislation, regulations and guidelines
environmental impacts of irrigation, using water from any ground or underground source
OHS procedures relating to investigation of irrigation-related hazards and implementation of an environmental protection program.

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:

identify adverse environmental impacts of irrigation activities and appropriate remedial action
apply and comply with environmental requirements
provide and explain information on the irrigation and drainage environmental plan
explain and demonstrate enterprise environmental record systems and procedures
calculate stormwater control requirements
follow relevant enterprise OHS and environmental procedures.

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:

environmental legislation, regulations and guidelines
environmental impacts of irrigation, using water from any ground or underground source
OHS procedures relating to investigation of irrigation-related hazards and implementation of an environmental protection program.

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:

identify adverse environmental impacts of irrigation activities and appropriate remedial action
apply and comply with environmental requirements
provide and explain information on the irrigation and drainage environmental plan
explain and demonstrate enterprise environmental record systems and procedures
calculate stormwater control requirements
follow relevant enterprise OHS and environmental procedures.

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
Disseminating and explaining policies and procedures with personnel. (3)

Communicating ideas and information
Disseminating and explaining policies and procedures with personnel. (3)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Monitoring the environment and the impacts of irrigation practices. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Monitoring the environment and the impacts of irrigation practices. (2)

Planning and organising activities
Co-ordinating responses to potential and actual pollution events. (3)

Planning and organising activities
Co-ordinating responses to potential and actual pollution events. (3)

Working with others and in teams
Collaborating with personnel when implementing procedures. (2)

Working with others and in teams
Collaborating with personnel when implementing procedures. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Quantifying environmental risks and calculating stormwater requirements. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Quantifying environmental risks and calculating stormwater requirements. (2)

Solving problems
Identifying and assessing environmental risks. (2)

Solving problems
Identifying and assessing environmental risks. (2)

Using technology
Recording and documenting environmental information. (2)

Using technology
Recording and documenting environmental information. (2)