Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to develop and manage a chemical use strategy, including assessment of the risk of chemical transport, storage and handling.
All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures, work health and safety and pesticide legislation and codes of practice.
This unit applies to individuals who take personal responsibility and exercise autonomy in undertaking complex work. They demonstrate deep knowledge in a specific technical area.
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.
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 and evaluate need for chemical use | 1.1 Interpret the Integrated Pest Management (IPM), the Integrated Resistance Management (IRM) strategies and the organisational chemical requirements 1.2 Identify external requirements for chemical use and obtain and interpret relevant information 1.3 Document requirements for chemical use 1.4 Identify chemicals available to meet requirements and review information concerning their application |
2. Develop a chemical use risk management strategy | 2.1 Identify and assess hazards in the transportation, storage and handling of chemicals 2.2 Identify and document risk factors associated with the use of chemicals 2.3 Identify risk control measures and develop in accordance with regulatory requirements 2.4 Develop a risk management strategy for chemical use in accordance with legislation and IPM, IRM, and Integrated Animal Health Management principles 2.5 Research and document appropriate insurance policies covering intended chemical use according to workplace guidelines |
3. Develop and implement procedures for chemical management and use | 3.1 Develop procedures for management and use of chemicals in accordance with directions and standards 3.2 Document required precautions and risk control measures 3.3 Develop procedures for communicating and negotiating with the community 3.4 Distribute information on procedures and precautions in the management and use of chemicals to relevant staff |
4. Identify training and supervision needs and solutions for chemical use in the workplace | 4.1 Develop an appropriate strategy for the training, assessment and supervision of staff involved in chemical use including correct use and fit of personal protective equipment 4.2 Organise and provide suitable internal on-the-job training and monitoring of performance in the implementation of the chemical use strategy 4.3 Organise appropriate external training and assessment in the management and use of chemicals |
5. Monitor and evaluate the implementation of a chemical use strategy | 5.1 Monitor the implementation of the established chemical use strategy in terms of regulatory requirements and established criteria 5.2 Evaluate the effectiveness of the established chemical use strategy 5.3 Initiate appropriate action where there are identified problems or where required procedures and precautions are not being correctly followed |
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:
incorporate into enterprise procedures relevant legislation, codes of practice and industry requirements covering work health and safety, hazardous substances, environment and food safety requirements related to the use of chemicals
convey the role of chemical labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS) in determining chemical transport, storage, handling, application and disposal procedures and practices to all staff
ensure all staff have access to SDS for all agricultural chemicals used in the workplace
put procedures in place to assess the risk to human health, environment, fauna and flora and market acceptability of produce from chemical transport, storage, handling, application and disposal
develop a communication strategy to:
remind relevant staff of their responsibilities in chemical use
inform all staff exposed to agricultural chemicals of the need to minimise exposure and how to act in an emergency
inform neighbours when chemical spraying is planned to take place as appropriate
make agencies aware when a chemical spill has occurred
develop an induction program that covers the work health and safety requirements and the responsibilities of all staff within that system
record the training needs and completion of the training for all staff members
monitor the health of all staff exposed to chemicals according to regulatory requirements
ensure the need for chemical application and selection of chemicals for a purpose is in line with the enterprises documented IPM and IRM strategies
select application techniques based on spray drift management principles, accurate placement of chemicals and the correct use of personal protective equipment
make an application to authorities in the case of off label use and ensuring all conditions and requirements on permits have been implemented
ensure chemical application is carried out by trained staff as required by trained staff
ensure all withholding periods and requirements to limit access to sprayed areas have been met and can be supported by the workplace’s recording system
ensure chemical storage systems meet industry and legislative requirements and access to storage areas is covered by workplace procedures
document and display chemical emergency procedures and conveying information to staff
ensure all requirements for chemical signage have been met for the transport and storage of chemicals and for areas affected by chemical application
monitor chemical persistence in vegetation, soil and water in managing environmental risk
develop and maintain recording procedures that cover all aspects of the transport, storage, handling, application and disposal of chemicals in the workplace
conduct periodical reviews of chemical procedures based on workplace records and where issues have emerged, necessary changes made and communicated to staff
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of:
hazards to human health, agricultural produce, and all aspects of the environment and non-target species of flora and fauna associated with the transport, storage, handling, application and disposal of chemicals
factors that contribute to spray drift, measures to assess the potential for spray drift and prevent or control its occurrence, and the elements of a spray drift management strategy
calibration of a range of application equipment
routes of entry of chemicals into the body and the implications of this on chemical use management strategies
safety procedures including the maintenance, use, fit and decontamination of personal protective clothing and equipment
influence of meteorological factors (temperature, humidity, rain) on quality of chemical application, drift potential, effectiveness and efficacy of use
precautions and risk control measures that may be used to minimise risks and hazards associated with the use of chemicals
principles of IPM, IRM, IAM and their benefits in terms of chemical use risk management
emergency procedures for safety incidents involving chemicals
requirements and options for the keeping of records on chemical use and equipment maintenance and repair
principles of residue effects and their management including persistence in soil and water, accumulation in agricultural produce, rate of breakdown of residues in produce and in the environment, withholding periods, and ways in which residues can occur
movement of and persistence and degradation of different types of chemicals in various areas of the environment such as soil, air and water
industry waste agreements, including drum MUSTER, and ChemClear
relevant work health and safety legislative requirements and Codes of Practice
relevant Federal/State and Territory pesticide legislation
appropriate insurances covering chemical use, transportation and storage
use of chemicals as part of a comprehensive Quality Assurance (QA) system, Industry QA programs and performance standards
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)