Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to prepare and apply chemicals for the control of pests across a range of industry sectors.
This unit covers the use of general application equipment used across a variety of industries including; boom sprays, orchard air-blast sprayers, handheld spray equipment, wipers, dry chemical applicators, dips, pour-on, spot-on, vaccination and drenching equipment.
All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, work hand safety and pesticide legislation and codes.
All work must be carried out to comply with chemical label instructions, Safety Data Sheets (SDS’s), the organisation’s application plan and relevant legislation.
This unit applies to individuals who work under broad direction and take responsibility for their own work and use discretion and judgement in the selection and use of available resources.
Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may apply to this unit. Candidates should confirm the regulatory requirements that apply in their relevant State or Territory before undertaking this unit.
This unit may be deemed to have a time limit when used as part of an accreditation or licence process.
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. Determine the need for chemical use and prepare a application plan | 1.1 Identify the nature and level of the pest, weed infestation or disease, assess the need for control 1.2 Assess the requirement for chemical use as an option within an integrated pest management strategy 1.3 Undertake a hazard and risk analysis of different chemical options 1.4 Confirm requirement for chemical application 1.5 Assess the spray drift risk of various application options 1.6 Assess the risk to sensitive areas and environmentally sensitive organisms 1.7 Prepare application/spray plan where required |
2. Prepare chemical mixes | 2.1 Access the workplace application or spray plan to determine chemical and target, application rate or dose, type of application equipment, set-up requirements and amount to be applied as per the label instructions 2.2 Identify potential hazards, assess risks and implement control measures 2.3 Interpret and apply requirements from chemical labels 2.4 Select appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for each stage of work and ensure correct fit 2.5 Select appropriate mixing equipment and a suitable location for mixing and loading 2.6 Mix chemicals in accordance with registered use and clean equipment when finished task 2.7 Follow label instructions in the event of a spill 2.8 Confirm that neighbours have been notified of chemical application as appropriate |
3. Calibrate application equipment | 3.1 Select application equipment to be used to minimise spray drift risk and maximise efficacy 3.2 Carry out pre-operational checks of application equipment 3.3 Calibrate equipment in accordance with manufacturers’ specifications and application/spray plan. 3.4 Safely load chemical mix wearing appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and controlling risks to human health and the environment |
4. Apply chemicals | 4.1 Monitor meteorological conditions and forecasts prior to and during application to minimise spray drift and other off target movement of chemicals 4.2 Select and use appropriate PPE in accordance with chemical label and SDS’s 4.3 Apply chemical in accordance with the label and application/spray plan 4.4 Assess and minimise risks to others, product integrity and the environment 4.5 Follow chemical spill or accident procedures in the event of a spill |
5. Clean up equipment and complete records | 5.1 Dispose of excess chemicals and containers as per label and SDS instructions 5.2 Clean and decontaminate application equipment in appropriate location 5.3 Clean and store personal protective equipment in appropriate location 5.4 Report incidents 5.5 Complete all records |
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:
determine the need for chemical application
develop a application/spray plan
identify hazards and implement risk control procedures to ensure a safe workplace
interpret and apply chemical label requirements included in the application or spray plan
identify weather conditions that impact on spray drift risk and implement control measures
conduct pre-operational checks of application equipment
calibrate handheld and/or powered application equipment relevant to the industry sector
mix and load chemicals in accordance with label requirements
measure and record weather conditions before and during and after application
apply chemicals safely in compliance with labels, legislation and codes of practice
dispose of surplus chemicals and empty containers
record relevant information including amount of chemical applied
use appropriate personal protective equipment
follow emergency procedures during an accident or spillage
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
options for pest control based on the Integrated Pest and Resistance Management Plan
pest and/or disease resistance management
various chemical labels and SDS formats
impact of meteorological factors on the safe and effective application of chemicals
factors that determine spray drift risk including droplet size, wind speed, temperature and temperature inversions and approaches to controlling spray drift risk
risk factors including human and animal health, weather prior to, during and after application, spillage, residues in plants and animals consumed as food and environmental
how to mix chemicals including mixing order, adjuvants and water quality
requirements for disposal of excess chemicals, clearing spillages and equipment clean up
how to select, operate and use a variety of application equipment including boom sprays
features, functions and calibration techniques for a range of powered and hand held application equipment relevant to the industry sector
spray nozzle identification, selection, operation and use
pests , weeds and/or diseases relevant to the industry sector
legislation, regulations and licensing requirements in relation to chemical use
APVMA policy on spray drift management
Assessment Conditions
Competency is to be assessed in the workplace OR simulated environment that accurately reflects performance in a real workplace setting.
The candidate must be assessed at least once calibrating application equipment.
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
Chemicals (CHM)