Elements and Performance Criteria

Appropriate person(s) may include
clients
colleagues
managers
person(s) in control of work site(s)
supervisors.

Clients may include
body corporate
building supervisor
company/organisation
environmental health officer
executive housekeeper
maintenance manager
owner
person in control of work processes
property agent/manager
tenant.

Client records may be a computer or manual file and include
contact details
customer files and databases
details of previous assessments
details of previous quotations
details of previous service provision
logbooks
pest management plan
reports
specific details about the work site, nature of the pest problem, etc
use of contractors.

Company requirements may include
access and equity policy, principles and practice
business and performance plans
client communication procedures
client confidentiality procedures
client service standards
communication channels and reporting procedures
company goals, objectives, plans, systems and processes
company issued identification badge/card/pass
company policy and procedures
defined resource parameters
dress and presentation requirements
duty of care, code of conduct, code of ethics
emergency response and evacuation procedures
employer and employee rights and responsibilities
establishing operator identity with client
maintenance procedures for equipment and PPE
OHS control procedures (e.g. health and safety plans, job plans, job safety analysis, risk assessments, safe operating practices/procedures, safe work instructions, work method statements, safe system of work statements)
OHS policies and procedures
personnel practices and guidelines
policies and procedures relating to own role, responsibility and delegation
quality and continuous improvement processes and standards
records and information systems and processes
training (induction and refresher) materials
work site access security clearance procedures.

Environmental requirements may include
clean-up, containment and/or isolation
company policies and guidelines
emergency chemical spill control measures
environmental protection agency and government departments (e.g. agriculture, emergency services and national parks and wildlife) regulations and guidelines
hazardous materials handling
local government regulations/bylaws.

Evidence may include
chambers
droppings
evidence of feeding
holes
nests and nest materials
soils and soil samples
specimens
timber, timber shavings and sawdust
tracks.

Hazards may include
allergic reactions to chemicals, pests and/or equipment, including latex allergies
biological and animal waste
bites and stings
blood and blood-stained products
confined/restricted spaces
contaminated clothing, materials and/or equipment
damaged or inappropriate equipment
dust and fibres
electrical hazards arising from cables, electrical fittings (switches and lights) and untested electrical equipment
environmental impact
extremes of heat and temperature
fatigue
fire
gas
heights
inadequate lighting and ventilation
infectious and zoonotic diseases e.g. scabies/Q fever
leaks, spill, splash and spray
manual handling techniques including awkward and repetitive postures
mobile/vehicle hazards around plant and vehicles
moving and/or unguarded parts
noise
occupational violence and bullying
poor personal hygiene practices
underfoot conditions e.g. slippery, uneven and rough surfaces
work in isolated/remote environments.

Inspection and treatment records may include
building approvals
invoices
previous inspection reports
previous written reports
treatment notices and certificates on buildings
warranties.

Inspection areas may include
external surfaces
floor areas
furniture and fittings
internal surfaces
other timber areas such as wall cavities, trims and mouldings
poorly ventilated areas
roof voids.

Legislative requirements may include
Australian Standards, quality assurance and certification requirements
award and enterprise agreements
industry advisory standards and codes
relevant Commonwealth/state/territory legislation and local government regulations which affect company operation:
anti-discrimination and diversity
building codes
chemical controls
chemical registers/manifests
consumer protection legislation
dangerous goods Acts and regulations
dangerous goods code
declared pest (plant and animal) reporting
environmental protection issues
equal employment opportunity
freedom of information
industrial relations
motor and commercial vehicle(s) transportation
motor licence and endorsement regulations
OHS Acts and regulations
privacy
public health
trade practices
workplace consultative arrangements.

Manufacturers' specifications may include
emergency response resources
equipment operational manuals
government publications
instructional guides
material safety data sheets (MSDS)
other resources supplied by the manufacturer (such as laminated cards, notices and wall posters) in work sites or vehicles
product labels
safety instructions pre-printed on equipment.

Occupational health and safety* (OHS) requirements may relate to
allergic reactions (contact dermatitis, etc)
animal management/control procedures
communication devices for remote and isolated locations e.g. mobile phone, two-way radio, etc
dermatoxicological control and prevention measures
emergency procedures for eye and skin contact, inhalation and ingestion of toxic substances
hazard identification and risk assessment mechanisms
health surveillance and monitoring (e.g. regular blood testing)
hierarchy of hazard control procedures
industry advisory standards
information provided by national registration authority for chemical approval and state government authorities e.g. agriculture, environment protection, health and primary industry
injury and dangerous occurrence reporting
national and industry codes of practice
OHS control procedures (e.g. health and safety plans, job plans, job safety analysis, risk assessments, safe operating practices/procedures, safe work instructions, work method statements, safe system of work statements)
routes of entry and potential symptoms of exposure from chemicals
safe work practices for equipment, PPE and chemical storage including interpretation of MSDS and hazardous substance information e.g. long latency periods
safety training, induction and refresher training
selection and use of PPE and clothing appropriate to the hazard
up-to-date electrical test and tag compliance.
* Also known as workplace health and safety

Personal protective equipment (PPE) may include
air-line and self-contained respirators
breathing respirator - full-face and half-face
chemical impervious gloves
chemical resistant aprons
communication equipment
contaminated clothing bag
cradles
drinking fluids
dust masks
eye protection e.g. safety glasses, goggles
eyewashes and showers
face shield (splash-proof)
First Aid kit appropriate to the task and location
hair nets
hard hats
high-visibility vests/clothing
long pants
noise protection
non-slip safety shoes/boots
overalls, coveralls or other chemical protective clothing
prodding/probing sticks and rods
safety harness
sharps containers
soap and towel
sunscreen
tongs
torch
washable sun hats
wet-work protective clothing.

Recognised pest pressure areas may be defined by
government authorities
industry and industry advisory groups
other commercial/business interests
research groups.

Timber pest management plan may include
advice of health, safety, environmental and other legislative matters
advice on pest prevention strategies
chemical application methods
details of timber pest and timber pest activity
follow up pest management advice, monitoring and call-back schedule
pest management method options
types and quantities of chemicals to be used.

Timber pests may include
borers
carpenter ants
termites
wood decay fungi.

Work order information may include
access to work site including timing of access and access and egress points
budget allocations
completion times/dates
job requirements and tasks
legislative and local government requirements
OHS requirements and emergency response procedures
resource requirements - equipment and materials
specific client requirements e.g. noise control, sensitivity of occupants to pests and/or management, relationships with other customer activities, dress and presentation requirements
use of signage and barriers
work schedules
work site contact person(s)
working in isolated and remote locations.

Work site environment may include
age of timber structure
associated building or land uses
dark and humid areas
drainage
geographic location
known pressure pest areas
level of moisture
previous treatments
soil type
timber type
ventilation.

Work site requirements may include
access and egress points
lighting
noise control
presentation
relationships with other customer activities
security
sensitivity of occupants to pests
ventilation.

Work sites may include
building surroundings
buildings
domestic, commercial or industrial premises.

Critical aspects of competency
Accurate identification of the client's timber pest problem.
Accurate identification of the hazards and risks associated with timber pest management.
Accurate identification of the type of timber pest and timber pest activity.
Compliance with company and legislative/regulatory requirements.
Knowledge of hierarchy of hazard control.
Outcomes achieved in relation to work order.
Safe and appropriate timber pest management methods.
Selection of appropriate equipment and materials.

Knowledge needed to achieve the performance criteria
Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this unit in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this unit are listed below.
Types of timber pests relevant to the area and their life cycles, habits and harbourages.
Timber pest ecology as related to timber pest management operations.
Types of timber and relationships to timber pests.
Building structures and construction methods.
Soil types.
Climatic and geographic impact on timber pest activities.
Inspection methods and procedures.
Legal implications.
Pesticidal and physical controls associated with managing timber pests in a range of environments and conditions.
Product knowledge including manufacturers' specifications for equipment and products being used.
OHS legislation and procedures.
Applicable regulations, codes of practice and industry advisory standards.
Routes of entry and potential symptoms of exposure from chemicals.
Knowledge of injury, dangerous occurrence and incident reporting.
Emergency response procedures.
Licensing requirements for timber pest management.
Work order specifications.
Company management structure and reporting procedures.

Specific skills needed to achieve the performance criteria

To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These are:

observation
hazard identification and risk control
applying correct manual handling techniques
reading, interpreting and comprehending directions and safety instructions in equipment manuals and MSDS
performing the mathematical calculations required for measuring areas and volumes, the mixing of chemicals and handling of materials as specified on product labels
working safely at heights and in confined spaces
communicating clearly and concisely using written and verbal modes
requesting advice or further information
seeking and receiving feedback
working on an individual basis and within a team
planning and organising work
sourcing, organising and recording information
customer service.

Other units of competency that could be assessed with this unit

Competence in this unit may be assessed in conjunction with:

PRMPM02B Assess pest management options
PRMPM06B Apply pesticide to manage pests
PRMPM10B Control timber pests
PRMPM43A Prepare and present a pest management submission including quotation.

Resources required to assess this unit

The following resources should be available:

access to a suitable work site or venue
access to suitable equipment and materials
access to personal protective equipment
access to plain English version of relevant statutes and procedures
work order instructions, work plans and schedules, and policy documents
assessment instruments, including personal planner and assessment record book.

Gaining evidence to assess this unit
For valid and reliable assessment of this unit the competency should be demonstrated in the field by reviewing the outcome of at least one complete inspection under normal industry operating conditions, or if this is not practicable, in a simulated work environment.
The assessment needs to establish competency in chemical and non-chemical management methods.
The competency should be demonstrated over a period of time and observed by the assessor.
The competency is to be demonstrated in a range of situations, which may include customer/workplace interruptions and involvement in related activities normally experienced in the workplace.
Supplementary evidence may be obtained from relevant written correspondence with existing and potential clients. This information must be relevant by showing evidence of the candidate's work performance.
Other forms of gaining evidence such as through oral questioning and hypothetical situations (scenarios) may be used to supplement (but not substitute for) the practical demonstration of competence.

Communicating ideas and information
Communicate with management and client to ensure all information gathered is appropriate to work order outcomes. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Collect previous data and inspect, analyse and report in accordance with all legislation and company requirements. (2)

Planning and organising activities
Plan and organise activities in accordance with company requirements, all relevant legislation and work order. (2)

Working with others and in teams
Communicate work order to team members in accordance with OHS, legislative and regulatory requirements and company policy. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Calculate area, equipment and material requirements to meet work order requirements. (2)

Solving problems
Assess and analyse in conjunction with management and client possible problems which may arise. (2)

Using technology
Record data, such as incident/hazard reports or other data to meet regulatory requirements. (2)