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 select and operate a pest management vehicle. 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.

Accurate identification of vehicle capacities against intended usage.

Selection of appropriate equipment and materials in relation to the vehicle and the services to be delivered.

Safe operation of the vehicle.

Compliance with company and legislative/regulatory requirements.

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.

Chemical transport and storage legislation and standards.

Vehicle types and specifications suitable to pest management operations.

Road laws and conditions.

Prohibited areas for pest management vehicles.

Types and availability of vehicle equipment.

Suitable cleaning locations.

Product knowledge including manufacturers' specifications for products being stored and transported.

OHS legislation and procedures.

Applicable regulations, codes of practice and industry advisory standards.

Routes of entry and potential symptoms of exposure from chemicals.

Emergency response procedures.

Injury, dangerous occurrence and incident reporting procedures.

Dangerous goods in use.

Licensing requirements for pest management.

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:

driving a commercial vehicle

vehicle mounted equipment operation

finding and using information

handling and disposing of chemicals safely

hazard identification and risk control

reading, interpreting and comprehending directions and safety instructions in equipment manuals and on chemical labels and MSDS

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

customer service.

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

PRMPM26B Select and obtain pest management equipment and materials.

Resources required to assess this unit

The following resources should be available:

access to suitable equipment and chemicals

access to personal protective equipment

access to equipment operating manuals and MSDS

access to plain English version of relevant statutes and procedures

work order instructions, work plans and schedules, and policy documents

access to relevant databases and information

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 work environment by reviewing the processes followed to organise and operate a pest management vehicle under normal industry operating conditions, or if this is not practicable, in a simulated work environment.

Assessment may be supported through an assignment or specific project.

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.

Authorised personnel may include:

company staff

licensed pest management technicians

suitably licensed drivers.

Chemicals may include:

cleaning products

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:

bulk liquid tanks, pumps, hoses and fixtures

drills

First Aid kit

ladder racks

lockable chemical and equipment storage

personal protective clothing and equipment

waste disposal containers

water supply access facilities fitted with suitable backflow prevention devices.

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

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.

Signage may include:

company name

pest management licence details

required labels on chemical containers (type and concentration strength).

Vehicles may be either two or four-wheel drive and include:

all terrain vehicles

equipment trailers

light trucks and vans

panel vans

tray utilities.

Waste may include:

absorbent material, rags or other contaminated cleaning materials

used containers

used or contaminated personal protective equipment

used or unused chemicals

vehicle wash run-off.

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