Elements and Performance Criteria

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.

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.

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
probes
safety harnesses
sand and other absorbent materials
screwdrivers
shovels and rakes
sounding, moisture and movement detectors
specimen bottles
spray equipment
torches
trays
waste disposal containers.

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.

Materials may include
building components
chemicals
cleaning products
flammable products
pesticides
registered AGVET products
physical barriers
sealing components.

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

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.

Pests may include
any pest of commercial significance in an urban environment.

Suitability criteria may include
application rates
compliance with regulatory or legislative requirements
containment of chemicals
durability in normal working conditions
ease of cleaning
ease of use
maintenance costs
repair costs
safety.

Suppliers may include
distributors
manufacturers
retail outlets.

Critical aspects of competency
Accurate identification of the hazards and risks associated with pest management.
Clear identification of the services to be provided from the business plan.
Compliance with company and legislative/regulatory requirements.
Correct assessment of performance characteristics of equipment and materials.
Knowledge of hierarchy of hazard control.
Selection of appropriate equipment and materials for the services being offered.

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 pests relevant to the area and their life cycles, habits and harbourages.
Equipment and chemical types and functions.
Product knowledge including manufacturers' specifications for equipment and products being used.
Applicable regulations, codes of practice and industry advisory standards for providing pest management services.
Hazards and risks associated with different types of equipment and materials.
OHS legislation and procedures.
Emergency response procedures.
Injury, dangerous occurrence and incident reporting requirements.
Financing options.
Documentation requirements.
Company management structure and reporting procedures.
Enterprise maintenance and servicing procedures.
Sources of industry and product information.

Specific skills needed to achieve the performance criteria

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

assessing equipment against requirements
reading, interpreting and comprehending manufacturers' specifications, marketing materials, purchase documents and financing contracts
communicating equipment, chemical, purchase and financial requirements clearly and concisely
requesting advice or further information
sourcing relevant legislative, product and industry standards information.

Other units of competency that could be assessed with this unit

Competence in this unit may be assessed in conjunction with:

PRMPM17B Repair and maintain service equipment
PRMPM28B Organise and operate a pest management vehicle.

Resources required to assess this unit

The following resources should be available:

access to relevant databases and information sources, including product information
access to relevant company policies, procedures and records
assessment instruments, including personal planner and assessment record book.

Gaining evidence to assess this unit
For valid and reliable assessment of this unit this competency may be demonstrated by review of procurement processes used in normal industry operating conditions, or if this is not practicable, in a realistic simulated work environment.
Evidence of competency should include criteria dealing with the preparation and justification of the acquisition of equipment and materials over periods of time consistent with budgeting and business planning.
Supplementary evidence may be obtained from relevant written correspondence. 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 the advantages and disadvantages of various types of equipment and materials as part of making purchasing decisions. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Gather information from manufacturers, suppliers and retailers on equipment and materials, and analyse the information as part of the selection and purchasing process. (2)

Planning and organising activities
Plan equipment selection and acquisition after discussion with supervisor and/or colleagues. (2)

Working with others and in teams
Work cooperatively with colleagues and share information. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Compare manufacturers' specifications for various equipment items. (1)

Solving problems
Respond safely to issues arising from the lack of availability of equipment and materials. (2)

Using technology
Use technology to search, record, organise and access information sources on new pest management equipment and materials. (2)