Elements and Performance Criteria

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

What may require decontamination?

Decontamination of items brought onto or being removed from the site may include vehicles, trolleys, cages, bedding, bottles, toys, animal feed, pens and other stationery.

Decontamination may be conducted by ultraviolet light, dunk tanks, vehicle dips, autoclave, downtime (isolation), chemicals, gases or heat.

What might be meant by a containment or exclusion site?
A containment site is the physical location where the organism is being controlled and confined.
An exclusion site is the physical location from which organisms are to be excluded and may include:
laboratories
research animal holding or breeding facilities
whole farms or parts of a farm
institution premises or parts of the premises
isolation areas or sick bays.

How might personal decontamination tests and procedures be carried out?

Personal decontamination tests and procedures may need to be carried out before and after entering the site and may include:

nasal swabs to test for viruses and micro-organisms

wet or air showers

washing hands

wearing shoe protection, gowns, caps and gloves

time restrictions on when personnel and / or goods can be removed from the containment or exclusion area.

What may potential contaminants include?

Potential contaminants may include pathogens entering the site on:

clothing, footwear, equipment, vehicles, new livestock, dust, dander, fur, food, food products, toys, cages, lids, pens, water and soil

foodstuffs, including food for animal or human consumption

vaccines and viruses or bacterial infections from humans and animals

pests and parasites

fungi.

What may be included in institutional requirements?
Institutional requirements may include:
the institution's standard operating procedures
the institution's quality assurance manual and policies and procedures, including OHS, bio-security, waste disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines
relevant state or territory legislation and regulations relating to the practice of veterinary science and animal welfare and research
the federal Gene Technology Act
requirements of the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator
AS/NZS 2243.3:2002: Safety in laboratories - Microbiological aspects and containment facilities
production schedules
material safety data sheets (MSDS)
work notes
product labels
manufacturers' specifications
operators' manuals
supervisor's oral or written instructions
work and routine maintenance plans.

Which PPE may be used?
Personal protective clothing and equipment may include caps, gowns, gloves, shoe covers, face masks, respirators and eyewear.

What type of pest infestations might occur?
Pest infestations that might occur include vertebrate and invertebrate pests, wild birds in sheds or housing, dogs, cats, feral animals, wildlife, vermin in food and bedding, flies and mosquitos.

Which waste products might need to be disposed of?
Waste products to be disposed of might include feed spills; unused or expired vaccines; biological matter including semen, embryos, tissue samples, plant cuttings, dead animals and manures; used bedding and nesting materials; and used PPE.

What supervision may be required in providing treatment?
Any prescription remedies must be administered under the guidance of a veterinarian.

What are the critical aspects of evidence required for this unit of competency as a whole?
The critical requirements that are valuable for this unit of competency as a whole are listed below.

Assessment must confirm one's ability to:

decontaminate items as required before entering a site
apply specific institutional procedures for containment and exclusion
report any breaches of containment and exclusion to supervisors
care for, monitor and maintain animals housed in containment and exclusion areas
maintain security of containment and exclusion areas
carry out cleaning and disinfection duties
isolate and monitor animals as required
assist in responding to containment and exclusion breaches and contaminations
maintain accurate records
communicate effectively with supervisors and visitors.

What specific knowledge is 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 of competency are listed below and include:

Quarantine Act
relevant state or territory legislation and regulations relating to the practice of veterinary science and animal welfare and research
an awareness of containment and exclusion requirements under the federal Gene Technology Act
AS/NZS 2243.3:2002: Safety in laboratories - Microbiological aspects and containment facilities
institutional containment and exclusion policies and procedures
relevant codes of practice, including the Australian Code of Practice for the Care and Use of Animals for Scientific Purposes
applicable industry quality assurance requirements and required documentation
reporting procedures for alleged breaches of containment and exclusion procedures
consequences of breaching containment and / or exclusion procedures
sterilising, cleaning, disinfecting and sanitising methods.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

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

read and interpret containment and exclusion procedures
follow decontamination procedures
implement sterilization techniques
communicate with visitors about containment and exclusion procedures
apply aseptic techniques
handle and store chemicals in accordance with OHS procedures, labels and MSDS data
select and apply appropriate cleaning and disinfection agents.

What are the specific resource implications for this unit of competency?
For valid assessment, one
an appropriate workplace or an environment that reproduces normal work conditions
equipment and / or resources normally used in the workplace
supervisors, animals, containment and / or exclusion areas
institutional policies, procedures and protocols
a range of items requiring decontamination treatment
personal protective clothing and equipment.

What considerations should there be for consistency in performance?
To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency should be demonstrated on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances, cases and responsibilities and, where possible, over a number of assessment activities.
The skills and knowledge required to

What considerations should there be for context of assessment?
Assessment for this unit of competency is to be largely practical in nature and will be most appropriately assessed in an animal technology institution or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions.
There must be access in either situation to the appropriate equipment and / or resources to enable one to demonstrate competency.

Are there other units of competency that could be assessed with this one?
This unit of competency
PMLTEST305A Perform aseptic techniques

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 unit of competency. 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
By discussing problems concerning the maintenance of containment and / or exclusion procedures. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
By keeping records of visitors to the institution and noting the requirements for exclusion periods from the containment and / or exclusion site. (1)

Planning and organising activities
By scheduling the locking of sheds, gates and storage areas. (1)

Working with others and in teams
By working as a team member to review and implement the required institutional procedures and to deal with breaches of containment and / or exclusion. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
By recording and calculating chemical application rates. (1)

Solving problems
By identifying and investigating pest infestation modes of entry. (1)

Using technology
By using alarms or other warning systems to notify of breaches of containment and / or exclusion. (1)