Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 3:39 PM AWST

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Develop and manage a chemical use strategy

Develop and manage a chemical use strategy

Unit of competency
National Code
AHCCHM501A
State Code
D6765
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
10/06/2011
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
03/09/2013
Field of Education
080501 - Sales
Original Release Date
03/09/2013
Nominal Hours
50
Description
This unit covers the development and management of a chemical use strategy and defines the standard required to: implement procedures to assess the risk of chemical transport, storage, handling, application and disposal; develop an induction program that covers the enterprise Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) system and roles and responsibilities of all workers within that system; base application techniques on spray drift management principles, accurate placement of chemical and the correct use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE); make application to authorities in the case of off label use; meet all withholding periods and requirements to limit access to sprayed areas; meet chemical storage systems industry and legislative requirements; document chemical emergency procedures and all requirements for chemical signage and review chemical procedures based on enterprise records.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Identify and evaluate need for chemical use
  • 1.1. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Integrated Resistance Management (IRM) strategies are interpreted and the organisational chemical requirements are identified.
  • 1.2. External requirements for chemical use are identified and relevant information obtained and interpreted.
  • 1.3. Requirements for chemical use are documented.
  • 1.4. Chemicals available to meet requirements are identified and information concerning their application is reviewed.
2. Develop a chemical use risk management strategy
  • 2.1. Hazards in the transportation, storage and handling of chemicals are identified and assessed.
  • 2.2. Risk factors associated with the use of chemicals are identified and documented.
  • 2.3. Risk control measures are identified and developed in accordance with regulatory requirements.
  • 2.4. A risk management strategy for chemical use is developed in accordance with legislation and IPM, IRM, and Integrated Animal Health Management principles.
  • 2.5. Appropriate insurance policies covering intended chemical use are researched and documented according to enterprise guidelines.
3. Develop and implement procedures for chemical management and use
  • 3.1. Procedures for management and use of chemicals are developed in accordance with directions and standards.
  • 3.2. Required precautions and risk control measures are documented.
  • 3.3. Procedures for communicating and negotiating with the community are developed.
  • 3.4. Information on procedures and precautions in the management and use of chemicals is distributed to relevant staff.
4. Identify training and supervision needs and solutions for chemical use in the workplace
  • 4.1. An appropriate strategy is developed for the training, assessment and supervision of staff involved in chemical use including correct use/fit of personal protective equipment.
  • 4.2. Suitable internal on-the-job training and monitoring of performance in the implementation of the chemical use strategy is organised and provided.
  • 4.3. Appropriate external training and assessment in the management and use of chemicals is organised.
5. Monitor and evaluate the implementation of a chemical use strategy
  • 5.1. The implementation of the established chemical use strategy is monitored in terms of regulatory requirements and established criteria.
  • 5.2. The effectiveness of the established chemical use strategy is evaluated.
  • 5.3. Appropriate action is initiated where there are identified problems or where required procedures/precautions are not being correctly followed.
RANGE STATEMENT
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.
Chemicals may include:
insecticides
fungicides
herbicides
bactericides
algaecides
biologicals
nematacides
rodenticides
fumigants
antimicrobial agents
anthelmintics
hormone growth promotants
the range of veterinary chemicals used to treat animals for disease.
EVIDENCE GUIDE
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:
legislation, Codes of practice and industry requirements covering OHS, hazardous substances, environment and food safety/market access requirements related to the use of chemicals use have been incorporated into enterprise procedures
the role of chemical labels and MSDSs has been conveyed to staff and the information on them used in determining chemical transport, storage, handling, application, and disposal procedures and practices in the workplace. MSDSs are held for all agricultural chemicals transported, stored or used in the workplace and relevant staff have been given access
procedures have been put in place to assess the risk of chemical transport, storage, handling, application and disposal to human health, environment, fauna and flora, and market acceptability of produce.
label and MSDSs for each chemical have been developed and distributed to all affected staff a communication strategy has been put in place to remind relevant staff of their responsibilities in chemical use, to inform all staff exposed to agricultural chemicals of the need to minimise exposure and how to act in a chemical emergency, to inform neighbours when chemical spraying is planned to take place, and to make agencies aware when a chemical spill has occurred.
an induction program has been developed that covers the enterprise OHS system and roles and responsibilities of all workers within that system
the roles and responsibilities of all staff handling or applying farm chemicals has been documented and training needs and completions have been recorded for each staff member
health monitoring of staff exposed to chemicals has been carried out according to regulatory requirements
the need for chemical application and selection of chemicals for a purpose is in line with the enterprises documented IPM ad IRM strategies
application techniques selected are based on spray drift management principles, accurate placement of chemical, and the correct use of PPE
application to authorities has been made in the case of off label use and all conditions and requirements on permits have been implemented
chemical application is carried out by trained staff as required by legislation
all withholding periods and requirements to limit access to sprayed areas have been met and can be supported by the organisations recording system
chemical storage systems meet industry and legislative requirements and access to storage areas is covered by enterprise procedures
chemical emergency procedures have been documented, displayed and conveyed to staff
all requirements for chemical signage have been met for the transport and storage of chemicals and for areas affected by chemical application
chemical persistence in vegetation, soil and water has been accounted for in managing environmental risk
recording procedures have been developed and maintained covering all aspects of the transport, storage, handling, application and disposal of chemicals in the workplace
reviews of chemical procedures based on enterprise records have been conducted periodically and, where issues have emerged, necessary changes made and communicated to staff.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances. Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
S2775 RTC5702A Develop and manage a chemical use strategy Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
BAQ77 AHCCHM501 Develop and manage a chemical use strategy Unit of competency