Assessor Resource

AHCPMG301
Control weeds

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to plan and coordinate weed control activities.

This unit applies to workers in agriculture, horticulture or land management-based enterprises who are required to carry out the control of weed infestations using cultural, biological and chemical methods to provide effective, economical control of weeds while minimising damage to the environment.

The unit applies to workers who demonstrate autonomy and judgement and take limited responsibility in known contexts.

Individuals operating in this field who use chemicals for weed control are required to hold current chemical handling certification. Other licensing conditions may also apply to this unit. Specific determination should be sought through the relevant State or Territory.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

Element

Performance criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Assess weed infestation

1.1 Record details of weeds and potential for weeds in target area

1.2 Identify the scope, stage and size of the weed infestation that adversely impacts on the landscape or production

1.3 Determine if plant health or growth or production requirements are compromised by level of infestation

1.4 Identify tolerable levels of infestation according to client, legislation, market, environmental and Integrated Pest Management requirements

1.5 Seek professional advice or conduct research on possible approaches to control of the weed infestation

1.6 Identify non-target plant and animal species present in the area

1.7 Assess the site for access, suitability of control measures, work health and safety and environmental risk

2. Plan control measures

2.1 Determine suitable control options according to Integrated Pest Management principles, legislative requirements and industry practice

2.2 Identify, assess, and control risks to all stakeholders and the environment, including risks to self, the public, non-target plant and animal species

2.3 Identify appropriate tools, equipment machinery and resources for the planned control measure

2.4 Select appropriate personal protective equipment in accordance with work health and safety requirements

2.5 Prepare or select an integrated plan for the control measures or strategies according to Integrated Pest Management principles and environmental sustainability practices

2.6 Prepare documentation for control measures, including work health and safety, safety data sheets, and chemical use according to workplace and legislative requirements

3. Implement weed control

3.1 Assess if conditions are appropriate for control plan to proceed and make any necessary adjustments to the plan

3.2 Implement control measures in accordance with Integrated Pest Management plan and standard industry practice

3.3 Ensure that control measures minimise non-target species and environmental damage

3.4 Maintain records and documentation of the control measures applied

4. Monitor control measures

4.1 Monitor control measures to identify signs of adverse impact on humans, animals, non-target plants or environment

4.2 Assess effectiveness of control measures in accordance with Integrated Pest Management guidelines and available industry standards

4.3 Report assessment of control measures to client or organisation

The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.

The candidate must provide evidence that they can:

identify range or weeds and beneficial organisms in the work area

plan and coordinate weed control activities

identify threshold levels or tolerance of weeds

identify target weeds at different growth stages

conduct a site hazard identification and risk control assessment for weed control

prepare, maintain and calibrate equipment

select and apply weed management methods appropriate to the context

maintain records of weed management activities

monitor, record and report the effectiveness of methods

minimise damage to non-target species and the environment

apply work health and safety practices in the context of own work

apply appropriate sustainability practices in the context of own work

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

suitable weed control measures and timing of weed control activities based on:

the lifecycle and ecology of a range of relevant weeds in the area

the cyclical nature of weeds and control programs

how weeds grow and spread and methods of weed dispersal

weed characteristics

beneficial organisms in the area

new and emerging weed species present in the area

how plant health or growth requirements can be compromised by infestation levels

economic, aesthetic, health, fire hazard and environmental thresholds for a range of weeds, common to the area

weed control methods and when they should be selected, including prevention strategies

non-target plants common to the area, especially plants with morphological features similar to the target pest plant

key concepts of Integrated Pest Management

risk factors including human, animal health and environmental associated with control measures

factors that affect the efficacy of weed management

how to conduct activities in a manner that avoids or minimises disturbance to other plant or animal species

signs of adverse impact on humans, animals, non-target plants and the environment due to implemented control measures and ways of minimising these adverse effects

a range of site-monitoring techniques that may be used to implement the weed control plan

hazard identification and risk assessment methodologies

types of equipment including personal protective equipment appropriate to the control measure

work health and safety requirements pertaining to the use of cultural, biological and chemical agents

relevant parts of the organisation's pest management plan and survey strategy

legislative requirements relevant to weed control

Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs.


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Element

Performance criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Assess weed infestation

1.1 Record details of weeds and potential for weeds in target area

1.2 Identify the scope, stage and size of the weed infestation that adversely impacts on the landscape or production

1.3 Determine if plant health or growth or production requirements are compromised by level of infestation

1.4 Identify tolerable levels of infestation according to client, legislation, market, environmental and Integrated Pest Management requirements

1.5 Seek professional advice or conduct research on possible approaches to control of the weed infestation

1.6 Identify non-target plant and animal species present in the area

1.7 Assess the site for access, suitability of control measures, work health and safety and environmental risk

2. Plan control measures

2.1 Determine suitable control options according to Integrated Pest Management principles, legislative requirements and industry practice

2.2 Identify, assess, and control risks to all stakeholders and the environment, including risks to self, the public, non-target plant and animal species

2.3 Identify appropriate tools, equipment machinery and resources for the planned control measure

2.4 Select appropriate personal protective equipment in accordance with work health and safety requirements

2.5 Prepare or select an integrated plan for the control measures or strategies according to Integrated Pest Management principles and environmental sustainability practices

2.6 Prepare documentation for control measures, including work health and safety, safety data sheets, and chemical use according to workplace and legislative requirements

3. Implement weed control

3.1 Assess if conditions are appropriate for control plan to proceed and make any necessary adjustments to the plan

3.2 Implement control measures in accordance with Integrated Pest Management plan and standard industry practice

3.3 Ensure that control measures minimise non-target species and environmental damage

3.4 Maintain records and documentation of the control measures applied

4. Monitor control measures

4.1 Monitor control measures to identify signs of adverse impact on humans, animals, non-target plants or environment

4.2 Assess effectiveness of control measures in accordance with Integrated Pest Management guidelines and available industry standards

4.3 Report assessment of control measures to client or organisation

The candidate must be assessed on their ability to integrate and apply the performance requirements of this unit in a workplace setting. Performance must be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.

The candidate must provide evidence that they can:

identify range or weeds and beneficial organisms in the work area

plan and coordinate weed control activities

identify threshold levels or tolerance of weeds

identify target weeds at different growth stages

conduct a site hazard identification and risk control assessment for weed control

prepare, maintain and calibrate equipment

select and apply weed management methods appropriate to the context

maintain records of weed management activities

monitor, record and report the effectiveness of methods

minimise damage to non-target species and the environment

apply work health and safety practices in the context of own work

apply appropriate sustainability practices in the context of own work

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

suitable weed control measures and timing of weed control activities based on:

the lifecycle and ecology of a range of relevant weeds in the area

the cyclical nature of weeds and control programs

how weeds grow and spread and methods of weed dispersal

weed characteristics

beneficial organisms in the area

new and emerging weed species present in the area

how plant health or growth requirements can be compromised by infestation levels

economic, aesthetic, health, fire hazard and environmental thresholds for a range of weeds, common to the area

weed control methods and when they should be selected, including prevention strategies

non-target plants common to the area, especially plants with morphological features similar to the target pest plant

key concepts of Integrated Pest Management

risk factors including human, animal health and environmental associated with control measures

factors that affect the efficacy of weed management

how to conduct activities in a manner that avoids or minimises disturbance to other plant or animal species

signs of adverse impact on humans, animals, non-target plants and the environment due to implemented control measures and ways of minimising these adverse effects

a range of site-monitoring techniques that may be used to implement the weed control plan

hazard identification and risk assessment methodologies

types of equipment including personal protective equipment appropriate to the control measure

work health and safety requirements pertaining to the use of cultural, biological and chemical agents

relevant parts of the organisation's pest management plan and survey strategy

legislative requirements relevant to weed control

Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Record details of weeds and potential for weeds in target area 
Identify the scope, stage and size of the weed infestation that adversely impacts on the landscape or production 
Determine if plant health or growth or production requirements are compromised by level of infestation 
Identify tolerable levels of infestation according to client, legislation, market, environmental and Integrated Pest Management requirements 
Seek professional advice or conduct research on possible approaches to control of the weed infestation 
Identify non-target plant and animal species present in the area 
Assess the site for access, suitability of control measures, work health and safety and environmental risk 
Determine suitable control options according to Integrated Pest Management principles, legislative requirements and industry practice 
Identify, assess, and control risks to all stakeholders and the environment, including risks to self, the public, non-target plant and animal species 
Identify appropriate tools, equipment machinery and resources for the planned control measure 
Select appropriate personal protective equipment in accordance with work health and safety requirements 
Prepare or select an integrated plan for the control measures or strategies according to Integrated Pest Management principles and environmental sustainability practices 
Prepare documentation for control measures, including work health and safety, safety data sheets, and chemical use according to workplace and legislative requirements 
Assess if conditions are appropriate for control plan to proceed and make any necessary adjustments to the plan 
Implement control measures in accordance with Integrated Pest Management plan and standard industry practice 
Ensure that control measures minimise non-target species and environmental damage 
Maintain records and documentation of the control measures applied 
Monitor control measures to identify signs of adverse impact on humans, animals, non-target plants or environment 
Assess effectiveness of control measures in accordance with Integrated Pest Management guidelines and available industry standards 
Report assessment of control measures to client or organisation 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCPMG301 - Control weeds
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:


Assessment Record Sheet

AHCPMG301 - Control weeds

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: