Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions.

1.

Inspect work site and identify pests and pest activity.

1.1.

Work site is accessed according to client and company requirements.

1.2.

Work order is reviewed and client requests and issues are clarified with appropriate persons.

1.3.

Inspection method is determined and inspection equipment is selected and checked according to work order and client and company requirements.

1.4.

Hazards relating to inspection of work site are identified and risks are assessed and controlled according to relevant company and compliance requirements.

1.5.

Site buildings and environment are examined and source and type of pest, extent of pest activity, and potential for pest activity are identified according to work order and company requirements.

2.

Develop and discuss pest management plan with client.

2.1.

Pesticide application methods are selected to control pest according to type and extent of pest activity, potential pest activity, work order, manufacturer specifications, and company and compliance requirements.

2.2.

Pest management plan is developed according to client, company, and compliance requirements.

2.3.

Client is advised of proposed pest management plan according to work order and company requirements, and questions are invited and responses given.

2.4.

Client’s approval to proceed with implementation of pest management plan is confirmed according to company requirements.

3.

Prepare work site for pest management.

3.1.

Hazards relating to the application of pesticides at the work site are identified, risk assessment is conducted, and hazard control measures are determined according to manufacturer specifications and safety data sheets (SDS).

3.2.

Size and usage pattern of work site are determined to ensure safety of personnel and efficient use of application equipment and pesticides.

3.3.

Signage and barriers are installed according to legislation or industry best practice to maximise protection of public health and safety during treatment operations.

3.4.

Factors preventing completion of work order are identified and appropriate persons are promptly advised.

4.

Select and prepare equipment and pesticides required to implement pest management plan.

4.1.

Suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) is selected and used according to manufacturer specifications and SDS.

4.2.

Application equipment is selected, accessed and checked for operational effectiveness according to manufacturer specifications and company and compliance requirements.

4.3.

Equipment is adjusted to suit operator’s requirements according to manufacturer specifications.

4.4.

Pesticides are selected according to risk assessment, pest management plan and manufacturer specifications.

4.5.

Pesticide quantities required for work order are calculated according to manufacturer specifications and compliance requirements.

4.6.

Pesticides are mixed or prepared according to product label directions.

4.7.

Pump sprayer is calibrated and nozzles and flow rate are checked, according to manufacturer instructions for operator maintenance and requirements for surface being treated.

5.

Apply pesticides.

5.1.

Work site is treated internally and externally as required, using equipment and pesticides identified in pest management plan.

5.2.

Pesticides are applied using safe operating practices according to manufacturer specifications and company and compliance requirements.

5.3.

Emergency situations are responded to using emergency response procedures according to manufacturer specifications, and relevant company and compliance requirements.

6.

Finalise work and complete documentation.

6.1.

Equipment, pesticides and waste are collected and removed from work site according to work order and company and compliance requirements.

6.2.

Waste arising from accidental spillages or contamination is removed and disposed of according to company policy, manufacturer specifications and compliance requirements.

6.3.

Work site is restored according to work order, client requests, and company and compliance requirements.

6.4.

Hazards are eliminated prior to handover according to company and compliance requirements.

6.5.

Client is advised of residual hazards and site re-entry periods according to product labels and SDS.

6.6.

Signage and barriers are removed when work site is available for re-use, according to work order and company and compliance requirements.

6.7.

Appropriate persons are notified of further hazard reduction or necessary rectification measures according to company and compliance requirements.

6.8.

Regulatory and company documentation is completed and distributed according to legislative and company requirements.

7.

Clean, safety check and store equipment.

7.1.

Equipment and PPE are cleaned and decontaminated according to manufacturer specifications and company and compliance requirements.

7.2.

Equipment and PPE are safety checked and required maintenance is recorded according to manufacturer specifications and company and compliance requirements.

7.3.

Cleaned equipment and PPE are stored according to company requirements and to allow ready access and re-use.

7.4.

Pesticides are transported and stored according to manufacturer specifications and company and compliance requirements.

7.5.

Waste that was removed from site is disposed of according to work order and company policy, manufacturer specifications and relevant jurisdictional legislative requirements.

7.6.

Exposed skin is treated to remove any contamination according to manufacturer specifications and company and compliance requirements.

This section describes the language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills essential to performance in this unit but not explicit in the performance criteria.

Skill

Performance feature

Learning skills to:

draw on prior knowledge of pests and pest activity to determine the scope of inspections required at new sites and to select effective pest management methods for the types of pests identified.

Numeracy skills to:

read and interpret numerical data manufacturer labels and SDS for pesticides in order to dilute and mix pesticides in the correct ratio

calculate areas for pesticide application and estimate volumes of pesticide required.

Oral communication skills to:

confirm understanding of client’s pest problem and related requests and issues using strategies that include questioning and summarising

confirm clients’ understanding of chemical control aspects of pest management plan, including hazards associated with pesticide use and timeframes for site re-entry.

Reading skills to:

read and interpret directions and safety instructions, including:

pesticide labels

equipment manuals

work orders.

Writing skills to:

prepare client information, including invoices

record information on regulatory and workplace documentation, such as equipment maintenance records.

Planning and organising skills to:

plan and organise inspection and pest management activities, including identifying risks and accessing relevant resources, such as manufacturer specifications and SDS.

This section specifies work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below.

Work site must include either:

residential premises with different types of construction, or

commercial premises with different uses, or

a combination of the above.

Appropriate persons must include one or more of the following:

clients

colleagues

managers

persons in control of work site

supervisors.

Inspection equipment must include:

camera

ladder

magnifying glass

mirror

portable lighting or torch

probe

specimen bottles.

Hazards must include checking for the following:

animal bites and stings

chemical

confined or restricted spaces

electrical

environmental contamination

fire

lighting

manual handling

moving vehicles and machinery

noise

remote locations

respiratory

slips and trips

temperature

ultraviolet (UV) radiation

working at heights.

Compliance requirements must include:

Australian standards, quality assurance and certification requirements relating to the use of pesticides

industry guides, advisory standards and codes of practice relating to the use of pesticides

commonwealth, state and territory legislation and local government regulations relating to the use of pesticides, including:

consumer protection

dangerous goods

licensing requirements for pest management

pesticide registers and manifests

pesticide use

privacy

environmental requirements relating to the use of pesticides, including:

clean up, containment or isolation of hazards

company policies and guidelines

emergency chemical spill control measures

hazardous materials handling

regulations, by-laws and guidelines of environmental protection agencies and government departments

waste handling and disposal

public health and safety requirements relating to the use of pesticides, including:

licence endorsements and conditions or limitations

occupant notifications

record of site conditions

regulatory requirements

warning signs

work health and safety requirements relating to the use of pesticides, including:

injury, dangerous occurrence and incident reporting

manual handling

procedures for hazard identification, risk assessment and hazard control, including hierarchy of hazard control

requirements of national registration authority and state government authorities

site inductions and client safety requirements

use of safe work methods, including use of pesticides according to manufacturer labels.

Type of pest must include species identification of:

ants

cockroaches

rodents

spiders.

Extent of pest activity must include:

factors contributing to pest activity

scope and degree of activity or infestation.

Pesticide application methods must include:

applying pesticide liquids, powders, gels and granules

installing and securing baits

space treatments, including:

preparation

no-entry notification

ventilation

re-entry process.

Pest management plan must include:

advice on health, safety, environmental and other legislative matters

advice on pest prevention strategies

chemical application methods

details of pest and pest activity and potential for pest activity

follow-up pest management advice, monitoring and call-back schedule

mandatory notification requirements

pest management options

types and quantities of chemicals to be used.

Application equipment must include:

bait stations

electrical dust applicator

hand puffer

pump up sprayer.

Pesticides must include:

insecticides

rodenticides.

Signage and barriers must include one or more of the following:

physical barriers and restraints erected to restrict access to work site

signs complying with legislative requirements and/or Australian standards that warn of danger and/or adverse conditions.

Personal protective equipment must include:

appropriate eye, ear and respiratory protection

first aid kit appropriate to the task and location

site-specific PPE and clothing requirements

soap and towel

sun protection.

Emergency response procedures must include one of more of the following:

calling emergency numbers and poisons information centre

cleaning up

containing hazards

decontamination

evacuating work site or workplace, if required

isolating hazards

notifying authorities

using PPE.