NZQA registered unit standard
23308 version 2
Page 1 of 3
Title
Prepare, maintain, and monitor composting windrows at a
composting facility
Level
3
Purpose
Credits
10
This unit standard is for people working in the composting
sector of the resource recovery industry.
People credited with this unit standard are able to prepare,
monitor, and maintain composting windrows at a composting
facility.
Classification
Resource Recovery > Composting
Available grade
Achieved
Explanatory notes
1
All work practices must comply with:
Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992;
Resource Management Act 1991;
Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996;
NZS 4454:2005 Composts, soil conditioners and mulches;
The New Zealand Waste Strategy: Reducing Harm, Improving Efficiency 2010
Ministry for the Environment, available at http://www.mfe.govt.nz;
Approved Code of Practice for the Management of Substances Hazardous to Health
in the Place of Work, Occupational Safety and Health Service, available at
http://www.business.govt.nz/worksafe/ (WorkSafe NZ).
2
Personal protective equipment (PPE) must be used throughout operations in
accordance with company procedures. PPE includes but is not limited to – gloves,
eye protection, footwear, overalls, hearing protection, respirator or facemask, highvisibility clothing, fire extinguisher, first aid kit, eye wash kit, face shield/mask; hard
hat.
3
Definitions
Company procedures mean the documented methods for performing work activities
and include health and safety, environmental, and quality management requirements.
They may refer to manuals, codes of practice, or policy statements.
Feedstock is a mixture of raw materials that form a composting recipe.
Raw materials (compostable organic materials) may include but are not limited to –
plant materials, food waste, wood and timber, sawdust, wood shavings, crop
residuals, forestry residuals, manures, biosolids, sewage grit and screenings, fats
and oils, organic sludges, paper-based materials, paper mill wastes.
Organic in the resource recovery industry refers to materials that are putrescible or
are of animal or vegetable origin.
NZ Motor Industry Training Organisation
(Incorporated) (MITO)
SSB Code 101542
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
23308 version 2
Page 2 of 3
Windrows may include but are not limited to – rows, piles, heaps.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Prepare composting windrows at a composting facility.
Evidence requirements
1.1
Preparation ensures that designated unloading areas are clearly identified and
visible.
1.2
Feedstock mixtures for composting are formed into windrows in accordance
with company procedures.
1.3
Orientation of windrows in relation to the site’s drainage and/or slope ensures
water is drained off the composting area in accordance with company
procedures.
1.4
Pile shape ensures that the amount of water retained is in accordance with the
compost recipe.
Range
1.5
evidence of two pile shapes is required.
Windrows are labelled in accordance with company procedures.
Outcome 2
Monitor and maintain composting windrows at a composting facility.
Evidence requirements
2.1
Windrows are turned to aerate, mix, and blend compost in accordance with
company procedures.
2.2
Moisture levels are monitored and optimum levels maintained in accordance
with company procedures.
Range
test may include but are not limited to – squeeze test, water
content test.
2.3
Leachate is monitored and maintained in accordance with company procedures.
2.4
Temperature levels are monitored and optimum levels maintained in
accordance with company procedures.
2.5
Odour is monitored and minimum levels are maintained in accordance with
company procedures.
NZ Motor Industry Training Organisation
(Incorporated) (MITO)
SSB Code 101542
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
2.6
The balance of ingredients is monitored and maintained in accordance with the
product type and company procedures.
Range
2.7
23308 version 2
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carbon to nitrogen ratios, moisture content.
Observations related to moisture levels, leachate, temperature, odour, and
balance of ingredients are documented and reported in accordance with
company procedures.
Planned review date
31 December 2019
Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process
Version Date
Last Date for Assessment
Registration
1
23 April 2007
31 December 2017
Review
2
16 April 2015
N/A
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference
0114
This CMR can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA,
before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses
of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by
NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and
which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that
applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies
to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR). The
CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing
to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors
and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact the NZ Motor Industry Training Organisation (Incorporated) (MITO)
info@mito.org.nz if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
NZ Motor Industry Training Organisation
(Incorporated) (MITO)
SSB Code 101542
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016