Elements and Performance Criteria

Authorities and agencies may include
certification and calibration agencies
chemical regulators
government departments and agencies
licensing bodies
local government.

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.

Equipment may include
broom
bunding material
camera
dishes or bowls
drills
dusters
electrical extension leads
elevated work platforms
equipment decontamination materials
flexible light
flushing agents
generators
hoses
injectors
knives
ladders
magnifying glass
measuring jug
mirrors
personal protective equipment
contaminated clothing bag
cradles
dust mask
face shield
hair nets
hard hats
impervious gloves
overalls
respirator
safety boots
safety harness
probes
sand and other absorbent materials
screwdrivers
shovels and rakes
sounding, moisture and movement detectors
specimen bottles
spray equipment
torches
trays
waste disposal containers.

Equipment maintenance plan may include
emergency procedures
maintenance schedules
replacement procedures
routine service procedures.

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
use of chemicals in accordance with MSDS
use of residual current devices
use, storage and maintenance of equipment in accordance with manufacturers' specifications and equipment operating manuals
withholding periods and spray drift.
* Also known as workplace health and safety

Regulatory and company documentation may include
accident and incident reports
certificates and notices
equipment records
invoices
job sheets
logbooks
maintenance reports
orders
receipts
service and maintenance records
warranties.

Critical aspects of competency
Accurate identification of the hazards and risks associated with pest management.
Compliance with company and legislative/regulatory requirements.
Conducting service equipment maintenance activities.
Implementation and maintenance of an equipment maintenance plan.
Knowledge of hierarchy of hazard control.
Planning of maintenance activities.
Selection of appropriate equipment and materials for the tasks.

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.
Plant and equipment functions.
Spare parts availability and supply.
Maintenance schedules.
Equipment types and functions.
Product knowledge including manufacturers' specifications for equipment and products being used.
OHS legislation and procedures.
Applicable regulations, codes of practice and industry advisory standards for securing, storing, using and disposing of chemicals.
Routes of entry and potential symptoms of exposure from chemicals.
Hazards and risks of storing, preparing, using and disposing of chemicals.
Emergency response procedures.
Injury, dangerous occurrence and incident reporting requirements.
Enterprise maintenance and servicing policies and procedures.
Documentation requirements.
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:

diagnostic skills
equipment operation
applying correct manual handling techniques
reading, interpreting and comprehending directions and safety instructions in equipment manuals, MSDS, safety warning signs and symbols, enterprise codes and on chemical labels
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 and scheduling
time management
sourcing, organising and recording information.

Other units of competency that could be assessed with this unit

Competence in this unit may be assessed in conjunction with:

PRMPM26B Select and obtain pest management equipment and materials
PRMPM28B Organise and operate a pest management vehicle.

Resources required to assess this unit

The following resources should be available:

access to a suitable work site or venue
access to equipment specifications and maintenance schedules
access to company procedures and policies for maintenance
access to personal protective equipment
access to plain English version of relevant statutes and procedures
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 and is best obtained by the actual service and maintenance of operating equipment under normal industry operating conditions, or if this is not practicable, in a simulated work environment.
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
Discuss equipment maintenance and the monitoring plan with management. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Gather and analyse information about equipment for routine maintenance purposes. (2)

Planning and organising activities
Plan and organise preventative equipment maintenance plan. (1)

Working with others and in teams
Discuss equipment operational or maintenance difficulties with team members to address common problems relating to equipment operation and maintenance. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Calculate the expected time intervals between required maintenance inspections and develop appropriate maintenance schedules. (1)

Solving problems
Involve management/clients/site managers, supervisors and team members in formal and informal processes to identify causes of recurring problems arising from equipment use and maintenance and suggest potential solutions. (1)

Using technology
Record information about equipment and manufacturers' specifications for future use. (1)