Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range of Variables explains the range of contexts within which the performance and knowledge requirements of this standard may be assessed. The scope of variables chosen in training and assessment may depend on the work situations available.

What types of vertebrate pests may be identified for control?
Vertebrate pests are those animal species listed in specific regions by governments or councils as pest animals and may include animal species such as wild birds, rats and mice, feral casts, feral pigs, foxes. Vertebrate pests to be controlled may also be identified in biosecurity codes of practice.

What range of control agents may be used?
Agents may include herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, mechanical means including shooting, trapping or electric devices, vaccines, antibiotics, medicines, poisons, baits, vector release, biologically active agents, growth regulators and ripping warrens.

What application methods may be used?
Methods may include by air or ground, by injection, ripping warrens, drench, spray or fumigation.
It may also include integrated pest management which includes one or more methods in combination:
cultivation or mechanical means
biological control
species selection
chemical application.

What information may be included in a control program?
Information may include the identity of vertebrate pest and severity of infestation, allocated equipment and materials, type of control agent to be used and method of application, timeframe for completion, health and safety measures, procedures for the disposal of carcasses and other waste, and reporting requirements.

What enterprise requirements may apply to this standard?
SOP, industry standards, Total Quality Management standards, enterprise quality manual, product labels, manufacturers specifications, MSDS, operators manuals, enterprise policies and procedures (including waste disposal, recycling and re-use) and reporting requirements.

What personal protective equipment may be relevant to this standard?
This may include boots, hat/hard hat, overalls, gloves, protective eyewear, hearing protection, respirator or face mask, and sun protection.

What OHS requirements may be relevant to this standard?
Safe systems and procedures for:
safe manual handling
outdoor work including protection from solar radiation
the handling and storage of firearms
the handling of explosives
the handling of hazardous substances including vaccines, poisons and baits
the use of personal protective equipment.

What legislative requirements may be applicable to this standard?
This may include relevant State/Territory Acts, Regulations, Australian Standards and Codes of Practice with regard to:
pest control
use, control and storage of chemicals
atmospheric contamination
labelling of hazardous substances
MSDS information guidance
transportation of dangerous goods.

What safe working practices may be observed?
This may include identifying hazards, mixing and applying chemicals, appropriate signage, manual handling and the use of personal protective equipment.

What considerations of integrated health management may be relevant to this standard?
Considerations may include hygiene, husbandry, quarantine, chemical and biological controls.

What environmental impacts may be relevant to this standard?
Negative environmental impacts may result from the unsafe use and disposal of chemicals and any consequent residual chemicals.

What relevant information might be recorded and reported?
This may include details of control agents used and methods of application, location and severity of infestation, carcass numbers and disposal procedures, implementation problems and solutions, any incidents, and evaluated outcomes in terms of meeting enterprise objectives.

What types of vertebrate pests may be identified for control?
Vertebrate pests are those animal species listed in specific regions by governments or councils as pest animals and may include animal species such as wild birds, rats and mice, feral casts, feral pigs, foxes. Vertebrate pests to be controlled may also be identified in biosecurity codes of practice.

What range of control agents may be used?
Agents may include herbicides, fungicides, insecticides, mechanical means including shooting, trapping or electric devices, vaccines, antibiotics, medicines, poisons, baits, vector release, biologically active agents, growth regulators and ripping warrens.

What application methods may be used?
Methods may include by air or ground, by injection, ripping warrens, drench, spray or fumigation.
It may also include integrated pest management which includes one or more methods in combination:
cultivation or mechanical means
biological control
species selection
chemical application.

What information may be included in a control program?
Information may include the identity of vertebrate pest and severity of infestation, allocated equipment and materials, type of control agent to be used and method of application, timeframe for completion, health and safety measures, procedures for the disposal of carcasses and other waste, and reporting requirements.

What enterprise requirements may apply to this standard?
SOP, industry standards, Total Quality Management standards, enterprise quality manual, product labels, manufacturers specifications, MSDS, operators manuals, enterprise policies and procedures (including waste disposal, recycling and re-use) and reporting requirements.

What personal protective equipment may be relevant to this standard?
This may include boots, hat/hard hat, overalls, gloves, protective eyewear, hearing protection, respirator or face mask, and sun protection.

What OHS requirements may be relevant to this standard?
Safe systems and procedures for:
safe manual handling
outdoor work including protection from solar radiation
the handling and storage of firearms
the handling of explosives
the handling of hazardous substances including vaccines, poisons and baits
the use of personal protective equipment.

What legislative requirements may be applicable to this standard?
This may include relevant State/Territory Acts, Regulations, Australian Standards and Codes of Practice with regard to:
pest control
use, control and storage of chemicals
atmospheric contamination
labelling of hazardous substances
MSDS information guidance
transportation of dangerous goods.

What safe working practices may be observed?
This may include identifying hazards, mixing and applying chemicals, appropriate signage, manual handling and the use of personal protective equipment.

What considerations of integrated health management may be relevant to this standard?
Considerations may include hygiene, husbandry, quarantine, chemical and biological controls.

What environmental impacts may be relevant to this standard?
Negative environmental impacts may result from the unsafe use and disposal of chemicals and any consequent residual chemicals.

What relevant information might be recorded and reported?
This may include details of control agents used and methods of application, location and severity of infestation, carcass numbers and disposal procedures, implementation problems and solutions, any incidents, and evaluated outcomes in terms of meeting enterprise objectives.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in this standard requires evidence of the ability to safely use control agents and apply appropriate methods to control vertebrate pests. It requires the ability to safely use and handle hazardous substances, carry out inspections to assess infestations, identify species and nature of vertebrate pest, determine control methods with due care and humane treatment, and dispose of carcasses according to established industry standards.
The skills and knowledge required must be transferable to another environment. For example, this could include different pests, control treatments, enterprises and workplaces.
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:

Legislative and industry requirements for the disposal of vertebrate pests and control agents
Types of vertebrate pests
Control methods and techniques
Safety signage
Sustainable livestock management
Relevant provisions of Native Vegetation Acts with particular attention to potential soil degradation and destruction of flora and fauna
Relevant provisions of OHS legislation and regulations.

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:

Use a first aid kit
Select and use agricultural chemicals safely
Communicate effectively in verbal and written form with enterprise personnel and suppliers
Read and interpret chemical labels, MSDS and safety signage or decals
Calculate vertebrate pest numbers and estimate resources and materials appropriate to implement control program.

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:

Legislative and industry requirements for the disposal of vertebrate pests and control agents
Types of vertebrate pests
Control methods and techniques
Safety signage
Sustainable livestock management
Relevant provisions of Native Vegetation Acts with particular attention to potential soil degradation and destruction of flora and fauna
Relevant provisions of OHS legislation and regulations.

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:

Use a first aid kit
Select and use agricultural chemicals safely
Communicate effectively in verbal and written form with enterprise personnel and suppliers
Read and interpret chemical labels, MSDS and safety signage or decals
Calculate vertebrate pest numbers and estimate resources and materials appropriate to implement control program.

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
Information with regard to implementation of the control program and authorisation requirements may be obtained from regulatory authorities and property managers. (2)

Communicating ideas and information
Information with regard to implementation of the control program and authorisation requirements may be obtained from regulatory authorities and property managers. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Information with regard to the identity of vertebrate pests, location and severity of infestation may be collected and organised by reports for future analysis. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Information with regard to the identity of vertebrate pests, location and severity of infestation may be collected and organised by reports for future analysis. (2)

Planning and organising activities
Assessment and monitoring processes of vertebrate pest problem may be planned and co-ordinated with control program or sequenced as required. (2)

Planning and organising activities
Assessment and monitoring processes of vertebrate pest problem may be planned and co-ordinated with control program or sequenced as required. (2)

Working with others and in teams
In the application of effective methods and procedures to implement the control plan and achieve enterprise objectives within specified timeframes. (2)

Working with others and in teams
In the application of effective methods and procedures to implement the control plan and achieve enterprise objectives within specified timeframes. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematical techniques may be used to calculate dosage and levels of infestation. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematical techniques may be used to calculate dosage and levels of infestation. (2)

Solving problems
Problems of diverse pest infestations may be resolved by additional personnel to assist with implementation of program. (2)

Solving problems
Problems of diverse pest infestations may be resolved by additional personnel to assist with implementation of program. (2)

Using technology
Technology may be used to communicate and record data with regard to control program. (2)

Using technology
Technology may be used to communicate and record data with regard to control program. (2)