Elements and Performance Criteria

Chemicals may include
cleaning agents
flammable products
pesticides
registered AGVET products.

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.

Emergency response procedures include
clean-up
containment
decontamination
documented emergency response procedures
First Aid
isolation
notification of authorities
use of appropriate fire fighting appliances
use of appropriate personal protective equipment
work site/workplace evacuation.

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
cages
camera
cherry pickers
dishes
drills
dusters
extension cords
flexible light
flushing agents
generators
guns/rifles
hoses
injectors
knives
ladders
magnifying glass
measuring jug
mirrors
nets
probes
sand and other absorbers
screwdrivers
sounding, moisture and movement detectors
specimen bottle
spray equipment
torch
trays
waste disposal containers.

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.

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
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)
health surveillance and monitoring (e.g. regular blood testing)
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.

Regulatory and company documentation may include
accident and incident reports
certificates and notices
customer files and databases
invoices
job sheets
logbooks
OHS control procedures, forms and documentation
receipts
risk assessments
work diaries.

Safety information may include
chemical co-location, separation and segregation requirements
chemical manifests
chemical registers
colour codes
company policies and procedures
container and package storage arrangements
emergency management plan
manufacturers' instructions
manufacturers' specifications
material safety data sheets
OHS information
operation manuals
safety data check sheets
statutory storage limits
waste disposal information.

Safety warnings may include
charts and posters
instructions
labels
signs and placards
symbols.

Storage area may include
chemical cupboard
equipment storage bays
pest control vehicle
room or depot.

Waste may include
chemicals past the expiry date
materials used in cleaning up spillages
packaging materials
used containers
used or unused chemicals
used/contaminated personal protective equipment.

Critical aspects of competency
Accurate identification of the hazards and risks associated with pest management.
Compliance with company and legislative/regulatory requirements.
Good storage and housekeeping practices, particularly those relating to the labelling and security of chemicals.
Knowledge of emergency response procedures.
Knowledge of hierarchy of hazard control.
Maintenance of a secure and accessible storage area.
Systematic use of stock control records and chemical register/manifest.

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.
Legislation, regulations, codes of practice and industry advisory standards applicable for securing, storing, using and disposing of chemicals.
Equipment types and functions.
Product knowledge including manufacturers' specifications for equipment and chemicals being used.
OHS legislation and procedures.
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.
Work order specifications.
Documentation requirements.
Company management structure and reporting channels.

Specific skills needed to achieve the performance criteria

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

safe handling, management and disposal of chemicals
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
sourcing, organising and recording information
applying manual handling techniques.

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
PRMPM05B Modify environment to manage pests
PRMPM06B Apply pesticide to manage pests
PRMPM07B Implement a pest management plan
PRMPM09B Advise client on pest management options
PRMPM11B Conduct fumigation
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 personal protective equipment
access to equipment operating manuals and MSDS
access to suitable equipment and chemicals
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 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
Communicate with management about storage and maintenance requirements for equipment and chemicals in line with company and legislative requirements. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Collect and analyse information about storage of equipment and chemicals in accordance with legislative and company requirements. (2)

Planning and organising activities
Plan and organise all work tasks in accordance with regulatory, legislative and company policy. (2)

Working with others and in teams
Communicate to team members safe work practices, inventory and labelling and other legislative and company requirements. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Calculate chemical and equipment usage rates to allow timely re-ordering. (2)

Solving problems
Communicate with management and team members to identify hazards and control risks. (2)

Using technology
Record data such as incident/accident reports, labelling, and inventory of stock for future use. (2)