• AHCCHM401A - Minimise risks in the use of chemicals

AHCCHM401A
Minimise risks in the use of chemicals

This unit covers minimising risks in the use of chemicals and defines the standard required to: implement, monitor and evaluate a chemical risk control strategy; identify potential hazards and assess risks; develop risk control procedures; and monitor and evaluate the risk control strategy.

Application

This unit applies to those whose job role include the assessment and mitigation of risks associated with the use of chemicals across a range of industry sectors. 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

1. Identify hazards and risks

1.1. Guidelines, legislation, regulations and industry requirements relating to chemical use are identified and sourced.

1.2. Hazards involved in chemical handling and application are identified.

2. Assess risks and develop control procedures

2.1. Risks associated with chemicals used are assessed.

2.2. Risk control measures and emergency action plans are developed.

2.3. Control procedures are developed for transport, handling, storage, application, decontamination and disposal.

2.4. A continuous improvement strategy is developed to minimise risk.

3. Implement and monitor adherence to chemical risk procedures

3.1. Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is provided for people in the workplace using chemicals.

3.2. Select application equipment is selected according to procedures.

3.3. Restrictions on chemical use, application, decontamination and disposal are followed according to procedures.

3.4. Risk control procedures are followed in the workplace.

4. Evaluate risk control measures and maintain record

4.1. Procedures for evaluating the effectiveness of risk control measures are developed.

4.2. Shortfalls identified during evaluation are addressed and rectified.

4.3. Risk assessment records are maintained according to industry, label, legislative and regulatory requirements.

Required Skills

Required skills

develop procedures

evaluate implementation

identify hazards, assess risks, and implement and monitor risk control procedures

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

use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification, negotiating solutions and responding to a range of views

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

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

Required knowledge

sources of information relating to chemical use, including:

guidelines

legislation and regulations

industry requirements

hazard identification and risk assessment strategies

risk factors, including human and animal health, product integrity, weather, spray drift, spillage and environmental

principles of transport, handling and storage for chemicals

requirements for disposal of excess chemicals, clearing spillages and equipment clean up

chemical application equipment capabilities and limitations.

Evidence Required

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

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

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:

implement, monitor and evaluate a chemical risk control strategy

identify potential hazards and assess risks

develop risk control procedures

monitor and evaluate the risk control strategy.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.


Range Statement

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

Agricultural chemicals include:

insecticides

fungicides

herbicides

bactericides

algaecides

biologicals

nematacides

rodenticides

antimicrobial agents

anthelmintics

fumigants

hormone growth promotants

a range of veterinary chemicals used to treat animals for disease.


Sectors

Unit sector

Chemicals


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Not Applicable