Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to follow the organisation’s procedures that reduce the likelihood of pathogenic organisms entering a quarantine site.
It applies to any personnel entering and leaving the quarantine area.
This unit applies to individuals who work under general supervision and exercise limited autonomy. They undertake defined activities and work in a structured context.
Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may apply to this unit in some states and territories in relation to use of farm chemicals in quarantine situations, national vendor declarations, and movement of livestock and plant material. Therefore, it will be necessary to check with the relevant state or territory regulators for current licensing, legislative or regulatory requirements before undertaking this unit.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Element | Performance criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Prepare to work in quarantine site | 1.1 Check with supervisor on quarantine procedures and biosecurity protocols relevant to the site 1.2 Check all vehicles are decontaminated before entering the quarantine site, and if required leaving the site 1.3 Report contact with potential contaminants either within the site, or externally 1.4 Shower and change into work clothes if required 1.5 Select and apply appropriate personal protective equipment including footwear before commencing work 1.6 Store street clothing securely away from livestock, feed or other products 1.7 Wash hands before and after livestock, feed, plant stock or other products are handled 1.8 Check disinfectant levels in footbaths and use rigorously before entering quarantine site and before exiting site 1.9 Follow site exit procedures for decontaminating self, work clothing and personal protective equipment |
2. Work in quarantine site | 2.1 Handle and store chemicals and medications in accordance with site procedures 2.2 Store different feed mixes, soils, growing media and other products separately and mark appropriately 2.3 Identify cases of disease or pest infestation and report to supervisor 2.4 Identify breaches of quarantine procedures and report to supervisor 2.5 Identify work health and safety hazards and report to supervisor 2.6 Dispose of all waste products appropriately 2.7 Dispose of all deceased livestock, unwanted biological material or damaged or infected plant stock as instructed by supervisor 2.8 Record information relating to work in quarantine site |
3. Assist in maintaining site quarantine procedures | 3.1 Inform all visitors of the quarantine procedures and provide them with appropriate clothing and footwear if required 3.2 Check that visitors are signed in, have stated their recent activities and exposures and have washed or showered if required 3.3 Check that visitors sign out and follow site exit procedures 3.4 Note and report any observed breaches of quarantine procedures by visitors to supervisor 3.5 Keep gates and doors locked where required 3.6 Maintain security fencing according to supervisor's instructions 3.7 Check deliveries to site to ensure that established procedures for vehicle decontamination, unloading and receipt and holding or storage of stock and supplies are followed |
4. Respond to site quarantine breach or problem | 4.1 Identify and report a site quarantine breach or problem and report the location to supervisor 4.2 Secure any site quarantine breaches or problems 4.3 Clean and disinfect any quarantine breach sites as required according to the specific nature of the breach 4.4 Isolate livestock, plant stock or other items suspected of being exposed to contaminants and monitor for evidence of contamination 4.5 Treat or dispose of all contaminated stock and materials 4.6 Record information about the breach or problem |
Evidence of Performance
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:
meet site security and entry/exit requirements for vehicles, apparel and personal hygiene and safety
follow procedures and biosecurity protocols for handling and storing chemicals, medications, feed mixes, soils, growing media and other products
report disease/pest infestation, breaches of quarantine procedures and work health and safety hazards to supervisor
dispose of waste products, deceased livestock, unwanted biological material, damaged or infected plant stock, contaminated stock and contaminated material as instructed
record information related to work in quarantine area, including any breach or problem
maintain security of quarantine site, any site identified as a quarantine breach and any site considered a problem area
direct visitors in their obligations to follow quarantine procedures
control site deliveries to ensure quarantine procedures are followed
follow quarantine procedure and biosecurity protocols in responding to a site quarantine breach or problem
clean and disinfect any quarantine breach sites
isolate and monitor livestock, plant stock or other items suspected of being exposed to contaminants.
Evidence of Knowledge
The participant must demonstrate knowledge of:
site quarantine procedures and biosecurity protocols for:
disposal of waste products, diseased livestock, unwanted biological material, damaged or infected plant stock, contaminated stock or contaminated material
directing visitors at the quarantine site
reporting diseases and pest infestations problem, work health and safety hazards
handling and storing chemicals, medications, feed mixes, soil, growing media
controlling entry of deliveries to a quarantine site
isolating livestock and monitoring livestock
cleaning and disinfecting quarantine area
maintaining security for the quarantine site
recording information about own work and any quarantine breaches
personal protective equipment appropriate to site quarantine procedures and biosecurity protocols
work health and safety hazards
methods for cleaning and disinfecting quarantine site or area of quarantine breach
biosecurity protocols and how they apply to the work site, industry and in the context of a work role.
Assessment Conditions
Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs.
Foundation Skills
Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
Sectors
Biosecurity (BIO)