AHCCHM402
Plan and implement a chemical use program


Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to plan and implement a program for the use of chemicals as well as assess and mitigate risks associated with the use of chemicals across a range of industry sectors.

All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, work health and safety and pesticide legislation and codes, and sustainability practices.

This unit applies to individuals who take responsibility for their own work and may provide direction to others. They provide and communicate solutions to a range of predictable and sometimes unpredictable problems. Work is carried out to industry standards.

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. Identify requirements for chemical use

1.1 Assess the need for chemical use as an option within an Integrated Pest Management or animal health strategy or both

1.2 Identify and interpret Codes of Practice, legislation and regulations and industry requirements relating to chemical use

1.3 Confirm that personnel are adequately trained in chemical use

2. Assess risks and develop control procedures

2.1 Identify hazards, assess risks and develop control measures and emergency action plans for transport, handling, storage, application, decontamination and disposal of chemicals

2.2 Assess meteorological conditions and forecasts prior to application to determine the need to control the risk of spray drift and other off-target movement

2.3 Assess the risk to sensitive areas and environmentally sensitive organisms according to label restraints and protection statements

2.4 Assess the risk to human and animal health according to label safety directions, Safety Data Sheet SDS by hazard statements and exposure controls

2.5 Document preferred control procedures as management component of application or spray plan

3. Develop an operational and maintenance program for chemical use

3.1 Determine correct chemicals to be used after accessing the Integrated Pest Management Strategy or Animal Health Strategy

3.2 Define and calculate mixing rates for chemicals, including mixing order if more than one chemical is to be mixed in the tank, adjuvants and water quality

3.3 Specify pre-operational checks that must be carried out and calibration requirements

3.4 Develop and implement a maintenance strategy for application equipment and personal protective equipment

3.5 Document all procedures as operational and maintenance component of application or spray plan

4. Implement and monitor application or spray plan

4.1 Provide appropriate personal protective equipment for employees using chemicals

4.2 Monitor the implementation of safe practice in the workplace including preparation and application of chemicals

4.3 Monitor implementation of procedures for transport, handling, storage, decontamination and disposal

4.4 Monitor implementation of maintenance procedures

4.5 Monitor implementation of procedures to mitigate residues in produce and the environment

5. Finalise work activities in accordance with application or spray plan

5.1 Check that excess chemicals are disposed of appropriately

5.2 Check all required records including incident reports are completed

6. Evaluate application or spray plan and records for continuous improvement

6.1 Develop procedures for evaluating the effectiveness of the application or spray plan including risk control measures to achieve continuous improvement

6.2 Develop a continuous improvement strategy to minimise risk Identify shortfalls during evaluation and subsequently rectify

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:

evaluate implementation of procedures

identify hazards, assessment of risks and implementation and monitoring of control measures

develop a continuous improvement strategy to minimise risk

communicate critical chemical information to staff and ensuring understanding

direct staff to perform tasks

keep records

implement enterprise work health and safety policies and procedures


Evidence of Knowledge

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:

where to source legislation, Codes of Practice and industry requirements relating to chemical use

hazard identification and risk assessment strategies

risk factors including human and animal health, product integrity, weather prior, during and after application, spillage and environmental

principles of transport, handling and storing chemicals

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

chemical application equipment capabilities and limitations

life cycle of a variety of pests and the target stages

implications of pest resistance to chemicals

maximum residue limits

how to calibrate equipment

first aid and emergency procedures that may be required

signs of pest damage and signs of beneficial organisms


Assessment Conditions

Competency is to be assessed in the workplace OR simulated environment that accurately reflects performance in a real workplace setting.

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)