The evidence guide identifies the requirements to be demonstrated to confirm competence for this unit. Assessment must confirm sufficient ability to use appropriate skills and knowledge to repair and maintain service equipment. Assessment of performance should be over a period of time covering all categories within the range statement that are applicable in the working environment.

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.

Key competency levels

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.

Information below highlights how these processes are applied in this competency standard.

Refer to Evidence Guide

The range statement links the required knowledge and organisational and technical requirements to the workplace context. It describes any contextual variables that will be used or encountered when applying the competency in work situations. It allows for different work practices and work and knowledge requirements as well as for differences between organisations and workplaces. The following variables are listed alphabetically and may be present for this particular unit.

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.

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