Elements and Performance Criteria

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

What documents would be examined in preparation for the control operations?
The documents that outline the organisations policy in regard to weed, pest and/or disease infestations and their control, those that outline the policies and procedures in relation to chemical handling and OHS, as well as the way in which potential environmental impacts should be approached.

What approvals might be required, and from where might they be obtained?
The approvals may be those that are required by the Environment Protection Act, environmental agencies regulations, duty of care, isolation procedures, OHS legislation, site regulations and procedures, Australian Standards, manufacturers specifications and recommendations, statutory requirements, or traditional land owners requirements. Such approvals may be obtained from the various authorities that implement the associated regulations, or agencies that operate on their behalf.

What types of weed and pest might be targeted in the long-term control strategy?
Such pests as insects, weeds, pathogens, vertebrates, nematodes and molluscs; weeds may be those which are annual, perennial, broad leaf, narrow leaf, or grasses.
Invertebrate pests may be thrips, mites, nematodes, locusts or caterpillars, whereas vertebrate pests might include rabbits, rats, mice, macropods and birds.

What are the diseases that may be at issue?
They may be foliar pathogens, e.g. rusts, chocolate spot, Ascochyta, mildew, septaria, seferotina, soil borne pathogens (for example, take-all, cereal cyst nematodes), rhizoctonia, pythium, fusarium, or phytophthora.

What observations would be made during the assessment?
Such things as visible symptoms, colour of the crop, and the extent of the infestation.

What are the potential negative environmental impacts of controlling weed, pest and/or disease infestations?
Any inappropriate disposal of containers or chemicals can contaminate soils, crops and water bodies.

What might be covered by control strategies?
Control strategies may include the use of herbicides. Herbicides used may be pre- or post-emergence and may be root/foliar absorbed. They may be used selectively or non-selectively, or combinations of these.
Physical or alternative control measures such as rotations (for example, wheat, other grains, lupins, pulses, pasture and fallow), hay making and grazing may be used. They may also include changing the rotations.

What are the impacts that might be considered when determining long-term strategies?
The impacts may be those that cause financial, environmental, labour, OHS, and opportunity costs to the organisation.

What are the methods that might be used in controlling weeds and vertebrate and invertebrate pests?
Amongst the invertebrate pest control methods that may be used are insecticides, biological agents, crop rotation and fallowing. Vertebrate pest control methods may include physical barriers, baiting methods, shooting, fumigation of burrows, trapping, netting, and biological control.
In the instance of weed infestations, the selection of herbicides might involve the collection of information, evaluation of alternatives, purchasing arrangements, safe storage, degree of risk to user and environment, proper application and disposal of residues, manufacturers recommendations, legislative, and end user requirements.

What might affect the scheduling of treatments?
Timing of treatments is planned to suit seasonal influences, irrigation timing, weather and weather forecasts, as well as the local geography and the organisations resourcing situation.

How might records be stored in the organisation?
Records may be created and stored either manually or electronically. They may also be in the form of samples of weeds or pests, photographs or sketches.

What are the OHS issues that impact on managing weed, pest and/or disease control?
They include safe systems and procedures for storage, handling and transportation of hazardous substances, chemicals selected taking into account toxicity levels and environmental effects; systems and procedures for the safe operation and maintenance of machinery and equipment, including hydraulics and guarding of exposed moving parts; safe manual handling systems and procedures; safe systems and procedures for outdoor work, including protection from solar radiation; selection, use and maintenance of relevant personal protective clothing and equipment; and fire risks.

Which key aspects of the assessment and control operation would be included in a report?
In compiling a report on the implementation of the weed, pest and/or disease control plan, maps or plans produced or amended through the process would be included, along with the data recorded, any difficulties or issues faced, any recommendations for future operations, the results, and the costs of the operation.

What documents would be examined in preparation for the control operations?
The documents that outline the organisations policy in regard to weed, pest and/or disease infestations and their control, those that outline the policies and procedures in relation to chemical handling and OHS, as well as the way in which potential environmental impacts should be approached.

What approvals might be required, and from where might they be obtained?
The approvals may be those that are required by the Environment Protection Act, environmental agencies regulations, duty of care, isolation procedures, OHS legislation, site regulations and procedures, Australian Standards, manufacturers specifications and recommendations, statutory requirements, or traditional land owners requirements. Such approvals may be obtained from the various authorities that implement the associated regulations, or agencies that operate on their behalf.

What types of weed and pest might be targeted in the long-term control strategy?
Such pests as insects, weeds, pathogens, vertebrates, nematodes and molluscs; weeds may be those which are annual, perennial, broad leaf, narrow leaf, or grasses.
Invertebrate pests may be thrips, mites, nematodes, locusts or caterpillars, whereas vertebrate pests might include rabbits, rats, mice, macropods and birds.

What are the diseases that may be at issue?
They may be foliar pathogens, e.g. rusts, chocolate spot, Ascochyta, mildew, septaria, seferotina, soil borne pathogens (for example, take-all, cereal cyst nematodes), rhizoctonia, pythium, fusarium, or phytophthora.

What observations would be made during the assessment?
Such things as visible symptoms, colour of the crop, and the extent of the infestation.

What are the potential negative environmental impacts of controlling weed, pest and/or disease infestations?
Any inappropriate disposal of containers or chemicals can contaminate soils, crops and water bodies.

What might be covered by control strategies?
Control strategies may include the use of herbicides. Herbicides used may be pre- or post-emergence and may be root/foliar absorbed. They may be used selectively or non-selectively, or combinations of these.
Physical or alternative control measures such as rotations (for example, wheat, other grains, lupins, pulses, pasture and fallow), hay making and grazing may be used. They may also include changing the rotations.

What are the impacts that might be considered when determining long-term strategies?
The impacts may be those that cause financial, environmental, labour, OHS, and opportunity costs to the organisation.

What are the methods that might be used in controlling weeds and vertebrate and invertebrate pests?
Amongst the invertebrate pest control methods that may be used are insecticides, biological agents, crop rotation and fallowing. Vertebrate pest control methods may include physical barriers, baiting methods, shooting, fumigation of burrows, trapping, netting, and biological control.
In the instance of weed infestations, the selection of herbicides might involve the collection of information, evaluation of alternatives, purchasing arrangements, safe storage, degree of risk to user and environment, proper application and disposal of residues, manufacturers recommendations, legislative, and end user requirements.

What might affect the scheduling of treatments?
Timing of treatments is planned to suit seasonal influences, irrigation timing, weather and weather forecasts, as well as the local geography and the organisations resourcing situation.

How might records be stored in the organisation?
Records may be created and stored either manually or electronically. They may also be in the form of samples of weeds or pests, photographs or sketches.

What are the OHS issues that impact on managing weed, pest and/or disease control?
They include safe systems and procedures for storage, handling and transportation of hazardous substances, chemicals selected taking into account toxicity levels and environmental effects; systems and procedures for the safe operation and maintenance of machinery and equipment, including hydraulics and guarding of exposed moving parts; safe manual handling systems and procedures; safe systems and procedures for outdoor work, including protection from solar radiation; selection, use and maintenance of relevant personal protective clothing and equipment; and fire risks.

Which key aspects of the assessment and control operation would be included in a report?
In compiling a report on the implementation of the weed, pest and/or disease control plan, maps or plans produced or amended through the process would be included, along with the data recorded, any difficulties or issues faced, any recommendations for future operations, the results, and the costs of the operation.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in controlling weeds, pests and/or diseases requires evidence that weed, pest and/or disease treatments are applied effectively, safely, and with clear precautions taken to ensure that negative environmental impacts are minimised.
The skills and knowledge required to control weeds, pests and/or diseases must be transferable to a different work environment. For example, across a range of crop types and in both agricultural and horticultural environments.
What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this competency standard are listed below:

pest and weed species, including their life cycles and reproduction/multiplication capability
integrated pest and weed management techniques
the effects on crops of weeds, pests and/or diseases, including competitive effects on crop yield; threshold levels; and the effects of alternative methods of control
environmental controls and codes of practice applicable to the enterprise
relevant legislation and regulations relating to OHS, contractor engagement, chemical use and application, and vehicle and plant use
environmental controls and codes of practice applicable to the business and to the weed, pest and/or disease control operations
sound management practices and processes to minimise noise, odours, and debris from weed, pest and/or disease control operations.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, appropriate literacy and numeracy levels as well as some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

interpret monitored information on pest and weed numbers, density and control
plan and schedule weed, pest and/or disease control including amending plans during the operations
calculate resource requirements from the long-term plan
prepare written plans and procedures for implementation by others
explain, and deliver instructions about, the plans and scheduling of the weed, pest and/or disease control operations to both staff and contractors
recognise poor growth and lack of vigour caused by nutrient deficiency
observe, identify and react appropriately to environmental implications and OHS hazards
prepare a written report on the conduct and results of the operation.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard

Essential Assessment Information
There is essential information about

What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this competency standard are listed below:

pest and weed species, including their life cycles and reproduction/multiplication capability
integrated pest and weed management techniques
the effects on crops of weeds, pests and/or diseases, including competitive effects on crop yield; threshold levels; and the effects of alternative methods of control
environmental controls and codes of practice applicable to the enterprise
relevant legislation and regulations relating to OHS, contractor engagement, chemical use and application, and vehicle and plant use
environmental controls and codes of practice applicable to the business and to the weed, pest and/or disease control operations
sound management practices and processes to minimise noise, odours, and debris from weed, pest and/or disease control operations.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, appropriate literacy and numeracy levels as well as some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

interpret monitored information on pest and weed numbers, density and control
plan and schedule weed, pest and/or disease control including amending plans during the operations
calculate resource requirements from the long-term plan
prepare written plans and procedures for implementation by others
explain, and deliver instructions about, the plans and scheduling of the weed, pest and/or disease control operations to both staff and contractors
recognise poor growth and lack of vigour caused by nutrient deficiency
observe, identify and react appropriately to environmental implications and OHS hazards
prepare a written report on the conduct and results of the operation.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard

Essential Assessment Information
There is essential information about

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 competency standard. 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 clearly explaining to staff, and/or contractors, the purpose, requirements and processes to be used during the operation. (3)

Communicating ideas and information
By clearly explaining to staff, and/or contractors, the purpose, requirements and processes to be used during the operation. (3)

Collecting analysing and organising information
In gathering and analysing the organisations long-term plans for weed, pest and/or disease control as input to the implementation plan. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
In gathering and analysing the organisations long-term plans for weed, pest and/or disease control as input to the implementation plan. (2)

Planning and organising activities
By scheduling for the people, materials and equipment to be in the right place at the right time. (3)

Planning and organising activities
By scheduling for the people, materials and equipment to be in the right place at the right time. (3)

Working with others and in teams
In co-ordinating and supervising the operation. (3)

Working with others and in teams
In co-ordinating and supervising the operation. (3)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
In calculating the resource requirements for the control operations from the plan. (3)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
In calculating the resource requirements for the control operations from the plan. (3)

Solving problems
In recognising where and when amendment is required to the plans. (2)

Solving problems
In recognising where and when amendment is required to the plans. (2)

Using technology
In operating any necessary equipment prior to, and during the control operations - communication technology, calculating equipment, measuring equipment, and word processing/spreadsheeting software. (2)

Using technology
In operating any necessary equipment prior to, and during the control operations - communication technology, calculating equipment, measuring equipment, and word processing/spreadsheeting software. (2)