Horticultural Plant Assessments in Northern Ireland

Horticultural Machinery Assessment

Certificate in the Safe Use of Hedge Trimmers

NPTC Level 2 Certificate in the Safe Use of Pedestrian Controlled Power Driven Cultivators

NPTC Level 2 Award in Tractor Driving and Related Operations

Certificate in the Safe Use of Turf Maintenance Equipment
This qualification covers a range of tasks associated with basic maintenance of agricultural or horticultural machinery, including engine maintenance, hydraulic systems, tyre safety, battery maintenance, transmission, belt and chain maintenance and cutting mechanisms and tine maintenance. The assessment majors on operator safety and reference to manufacturer’s instructions for effective maintenance.

The qualification is assessed in the context of Horticultural Machinery.

Key Points
It is suitable for candidates:-

who wish to develop skills in basic maintenance
who wish to add new skills to their portfolio
who wish to be identified as competent operators
who wish to promote a professional image

.Benefits of the Qualification
A certificate of competence demonstrates that the successful candidate has practical skills, technical knowledge and ability which have been independently and reliably assessed.

Assessment
The assessment requires a practical demonstration of the candidate’s competence for the unit being taken.

Underpinning knowledge and understanding will be assessed by oral questions.
Appropriate PPE must be worn at all times.

The operator’s/manufacturer’s handbook must be available to the candidate and assessor. Reference should be made to this for appropriate maintenance.

Any breach of safety regulations will result in the assessment being terminated.
Units of the Qualification

The qualification is divided into 6 units

Unit 1 Engine maintenance for land-based machines
Unit 2 Lubrication and hydraulic maintenance for land-based machines
Unit 3 Tyre safety and maintenance for land-based machines.
Unit 4 Battery maintenance for land-based machines
Unit 5 Transmission, belt and chain maintenance for land-based machines
Unit 6 Cutting mechanism and tine maintenance for land-based machines

The qualification is endorsed as Horticultural Machinery

Learning Outcomes

Apply key aspects of a risk assessment which apply to maintaining and running Agricultural and Horticultural Machines
Carry out routine maintenance on an engine
Carry out an oil change
Inflate a tyre to a specified pressure
Carry out adjustments of belt/chain
Clearly identify battery terminals for correct connections
Understand battery maintenance
Dismantle and reset either a clutch, a breakaway device or shear bolt mechanism appropriate machine context
Remove, sharpen and adjust a cutting system

Horticultural Plant Assessment

Include:-

Certificate of Competence in the Safe Operation of Dumper Trucks

Certificate of Competence in the Safe Use and Operation of Mobile Elevated Work Platforms.

Certificate in the Safe Use of Plant Machinery

About the Qualifications
This is a practical assessment in the use of landscaping machinery. It includes pre-use preparation and maintenance, identification of controls and instruments, safe maneuvering and operation. The certificate is endorsed in the context of the type(s) of plant machinery used:
180° excavator, 360° excavator or loader.

This qualification will prove useful to local authorities, public utility companies and other employers who need to demonstrate safe and competent usage of machines.

Key Points
It is suitable for candidates:-

who wish to develop skills in plant machinery
who wish to add new skills to their portfolio
who wish to be identified as competent operators
who wish to promote a professional image

Benefits of the Qualification
A certificate of competence demonstrates that the successful candidate has practical experience, technical knowledge and ability which have been independently and reliably assessed.

Assessment
The assessment requires a practical demonstration of the candidate’s competence for the unit being taken.

Underpinning knowledge and understanding will be assessed orally.

Candidates will be expected to provide the machinery and personal protective equipment (PPE). They must

Ensure that it complies with all legal requirements and is safe for use for each of the skills listed.
The operator’s/manufacturer’s handbook must be available to the candidate and assessor.
Any breach of safety regulations will result in the assessment being terminated.

Units of the Qualification

The assessment is divided into three units

Unit 1 Pre-use safety – plant machinery (compulsory)
Unit 2 Operate a 180° or 360° excavator (optional)
Or
Unit 3 Operate a loader (optional)

Qualification Endorsement

The qualification will be endorsed either:

a) Plant machine – 180° excavator and/or
b) Plant machine – 360° excavator and/or
c) Plant machine - loader

Learning Outcomes
The candidate will be able to:

Identify aspects of legislation which apply to the safe preparation and operation of plant machinery
Prepare the machine for work safely without risk to themselves, other people or the environment Undertake a verbal hazard and risk assessment on the site and machine
Carry out daily and routine maintenance on plant machinery
State the identified knowledge that underpins understanding of driving plant machinery
Maneuver a plant machine and operate it safely without risks to themselves, other people and the environment
State procedures to be observed when cleaning and inspecting the machine and reporting defects.

All schedules for NPTC - City & Guilds Land Based Services are part of the City & Guilds Group. Can be found at the link below…

www.nptc.org.uk/assessment-schedules