This unit applies to personnel who have been appointed or engaged to undertake a role within an emergency disease or plant pest incursion response.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare for emergency disease or plant pest control activities

1.1. Work instructions received from IP site supervisor are clarified in preparation for carrying out control procedures.

1.2. Appropriate equipment and materials are selected and prepared to undertake control activities in line with IP site supervisor work instructions and associated safety requirements.

1.3. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is selected and prepared according to Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) requirements.

2. Implement emergency disease or plant pest control activities

2.1. Control activities are implemented in line with work instructions, OHS requirements and standards and protocols.

2.2. Log of activities carried out on the IP is maintained according to instructions from IP site supervisor.

2.3. PPE is used as instructed by IP site supervisor and according to OHS requirements and manufacturer instructions.

2.4. Within own area of responsibility, work instructions are given and received.

3. Check and adjust emergency disease or plant pest control activities

3.1. Control activities within own area of responsibility are regularly checked to ensure compliance with work instructions, OHS requirements, and standards and protocols.

3.2. Reports are provided to IP site supervisor as required.

3.3. Any variations from work instructions, and standards and protocols, or failure to achieve objectives are reported to IP site supervisor and remedial action is undertaken within one's scope of authority.

3.4. Any recommendations for adjusting work instructions are communicated to IP site supervisor.

Required skills

adhering to security procedures in line with specific emergency disease or plant pest control strategies

coordinating a team, if team leader

correctly preparing and using equipment and materials for control procedures

correctly preparing and using PPE

ensuring animal welfare when working with animals

following guidelines and protocols for control procedures in an emergency disease or plant pest response

keeping records

making written and oral reports

use literacy skills to read, interpret and follow organisational policies and procedures, follow sequenced written instructions, record accurately and legible information collected and select and apply procedures for a range of tasks

use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning techniques, active listening, clarifying information and consulting with supervisors as required

use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures

use interpersonal skills to work with and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge

OHS requirements for working in an emergency disease or plant pest control situation, including safe use of equipment and material

PPE requirements

record-keeping requirements

relevant provisions of the control strategy for particular emergency disease or plant pest being controlled

reporting requirements.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

This unit of competency could be assessed on its own or in combination with other units of competency relevant to the job function.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The critical requirements for this unit of competency as a whole are listed below. Assessment must confirm one's ability to:

follow instructions

comply with OHS requirements

monitor own performance

observe and report variations from work instructions or standards and protocols.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment for this unit of competency is to be largely practical in nature and will most appropriately be assessed in an emergency disease or plant pest response simulation or in responses to emergency disease outbreak or plant pest incursion.

The candidate must also have access to the following resources:

actual or simulated IP

PPE.

Method of assessment

For valid assessment, one must have opportunities to participate in exercises, case studies and other real and simulated practical and knowledge assessments that demonstrate the skills and knowledge required to carry out emergency disease or plant pest control procedures at an IP.

Guidance information for assessment

To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency should be demonstrated on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances, cases and responsibilities, and where possible, over a number of assessment activities.

The skills and knowledge required to carry out emergency disease or plant pest control procedures at an IP must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts, including the ability to deal with unplanned events.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.

Emergency diseases or plant pests may include:

diseases that may affect animals, fish and other marine animals including:

diseases that are exotic to Australia

serious infectious diseases of or uncertain cause

severe outbreaks of known endemic diseases that are considered to be of national significance with serious social or trade implications

variants of endemic diseases

species, biotypes or strains of invertebrate pests or pathogens which are injurious to plants or plant health.

Information covered in work instructions may involve:

stipulations relating to standards, protocols and specific IP site requirements, and may cover:

administration

collection of biological samples

decontamination

destruction of livestock or crop

disposal of carcasses and infectious material

gate control

inventory and valuation

mapping of location of affected plants or crops

pest control

team leader duties

wild animal control.

Control procedures may include:

containment of livestock or crop and other materials

decontamination and disinfection of premises, equipment and staff leaving premises

destruction and slaughter

disposal of livestock or crop and other materials

gate control

pest control

sample collection

use of chemicals

vaccination and treatment

wild animal control.

OHS requirements may include:

administration of treatments and vaccinations

animal handling and use of approved restraints where required

correct techniques for manual handling

policies relating to livestock or crop destruction and disposal

procedures for dealing with risks associated with working in areas where there may be an accumulation of airborne dusts or gases, such as ammonia, methane and carbon dioxide

procedures for dealing with risks that may arise when working in buildings or yards that have been damaged in the course of implementation of control procedures

processes for avoiding needle stick injuries and safe use of biohazard containers for disposal of sharps

safe operation of machinery and equipment, including consideration of layout, buildings, terrain, location and prevailing weather conditions

safe use and handling of chemicals

use of firearms for livestock destruction

use of PPE and clothing.

Relevant standards and protocols may include:

approved standard operating procedures

Australian Veterinary Emergency Plan (AUSVETPLAN) or Australian Emergency Plant Pest Response Plan (PLANTPLAN) or similar protocols

damage minimisation policies

environmental policies

OHS legislation

relevant commonwealth, state and territory legislation.

Unit sector

Biosecurity

This unit contains employability skills.