Application
This unit of competency supports pest management technicians responsible for chemical treatment of non-timber pests and pest activity that impact on the health, safety or amenity of persons or environments in domestic, commercial or industrial premises.
The unit does not apply to non-chemical pest management where the environment is modified to manage pests.
Prerequisites
Revised unit
Unit updated and equivalent to PRMPM06B Apply pesticide to manage pests
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 | Access work site and assess work requirements. | 1.1 | Work site is accessed according to company requirements. |
1.2 | Work order is reviewed according to company requirements and issues are clarified with appropriate persons. | ||
1.3 | Assessment method is determined according to work order and company requirements. |
2 | Inspect site for pests and develop a pest management plan. | 2.1 | Hazards are identified and risks controlled at work site according to company, legislative, occupational health and safety (OHS) and public health and safetyrequirements. |
2.2 | Suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) is selected and used according to manufacturer specifications and OHS and company requirements. | ||
2.3 | Type and extent of pest and pest activity are identified according to work order and company requirements. | ||
2.4 | Pesticide application methods are selected to manage pest according to work order, manufacturer specifications and legislative, OHS, company and environmental requirements. | ||
2.5 | Client is advised of proposed pest management plan according to work order and company requirements. | ||
2.6 | Client’s willingness to proceed with implementation of pest management plan is confirmed according to company requirements. |
3 | Prepare site for treatment. | 3.1 | Hazards are identified and risks controlled at work site according to work order, manufacturer specifications and environmental, legislative, OHS and company requirements. |
3.2 | Size and usage pattern of work site are determined to ensure safety of personnel and efficient use of equipment and pesticides. | ||
3.3 | Signage and barriers are installed as required to maximise protection of public health and safety during treatment operation. | ||
3.4 | Factors preventing completion of work order are identified and appropriate persons are promptly advised. |
4 | Select and prepare equipment and pesticides. | 4.1 | Suitable PPE is selected and used according to manufacturer specifications and legislative, OHS and company requirements. |
4.2 | Equipment is selected for completion of pest management plan. | ||
4.3 | Application equipment is accessed and operational effectiveness checked according to manufacturer specifications and legislative, OHS and company requirements. | ||
4.4 | Equipment is adjusted to suit operator’s requirements according to manufacturer specifications. | ||
4.5 | Pesticides are selected according to manufacturer specifications and legislative, OHS and company requirements. | ||
4.6 | Pesticide quantities required for work order are calculated accurately according to manufacturer specifications and legislative and OHS requirements. | ||
4.7 | Pesticide(s) are mixed or prepared according to product label directions, manufacturer specifications and environmental, legislative, OHS and company requirements. |
5 | Apply pesticides. | 5.1 | Work site is treated using equipment and pesticides as identified in pest management plan. |
5.2 | Work is conducted using safe operating practices according to manufacturer specifications and environmental, legislative, OHS and company requirements. | ||
5.3 | Emergency response procedures are implemented when necessary according to manufacturer specifications and environmental, legislative, OHS and company requirements. |
6 | Restore work site and complete documentation. | 6.1 | Equipment, pesticides and waste are collected and removed according to work order and environmental, legislative, OHS and company requirements. |
6.2 | Waste arising from accidental spillages or contamination are removed and disposed of according to manufacturer specifications and environmental, legislative, OHS and company requirements. | ||
6.3 | Work site is restored according to work order, client requests and environmental and company requirements. | ||
6.4 | Hazards are eliminated prior to handover according to environmental, legislative, OHS and company requirements. | ||
6.5 | Signage and barriers are removed when work site is available for re-use, according to work order and OHS and company requirements. | ||
6.6 | Appropriate persons are notified of further hazard reduction or necessary rectification measures according to environmental, legislative, OHS and company requirements. | ||
6.7 | Regulatory and company documentation is completed and distributed according to legislative and company requirements. |
7 | Clean, safety-check and store equipment and pesticides. | 7.1 | Equipment and PPE are cleaned and decontaminated according to manufacturer specifications and environmental, OHS and company requirements. |
7.2 | Equipment and PPE are safety-checked and required maintenance is recorded according to manufacturer specifications and OHS and company requirements. | ||
7.3 | Cleaned equipment and PPE are stored to allow ready access and re-use according to company requirements. | ||
7.4 | Pesticides are transported and stored according to manufacturer specifications and OHS and company requirements. | ||
7.5 | Collected waste is disposed of according to work order and manufacturer specifications and environmental, legislative, OHS and company requirements. | ||
7.6 | Exposed skin is treated to remove any contamination according to manufacturer specifications and OHS and company requirements. |
Required Skills
Required skills |
skills to work safely when: applying pesticides handling and disposing of chemicals identifying hazards and controlling risks, specifically for: public health and safety environmental safety manual handling working at heights and in confined spaces customer service skills to: establish rapport with clients gain clients’ trust perceive and respond to clients’ attitudes to pest problems inspecting and observing skills for: assessing work site identifying pests and pest activity Identifying risks language, literacy and numeracy skills for: communicating clearly and concisely verbally and in writing reading and interpreting directions and safety instructions, including: equipment manuals chemical labels material safety data sheets (MSDS) performing mathematical calculations required to: measure area and volume dilute and mix pesticides as specified on product labels requesting advice or further information seeking and receiving feedback sourcing, organising and recording information planning and organising work self-management skills to work alone and in a team |
Required knowledge |
company management structure and procedures, including: reporting procedures enterprise maintenance and servicing procedures injury, dangerous occurrence and incident reporting OHS procedures, including hierarchy of hazard control manual-handling techniques environment protection procedures, including safe, effective and environmentally responsible pesticide application techniques safe work practices for using equipment, including PPE legislation, regulations, codes of practice and industry advisory standards that apply to the application of pesticides, including: licensing requirements for pest management control OHS legislation pest assessment, including: pest ecology in relation to pest management operations significant, common types of pests and non-target groups relevant to a particular geography, including: relevant pest biology, including life cycles, habits and harbourages pest management methods, including: pesticidal controls associated with managing pests in a range of environments and conditions product knowledge, including manufacturer specifications for equipment and products being used risks of effect of pesticides on public health and environment routes of entry and potential symptoms of exposure to chemicals types of pesticides and relevant handling information, including: group formulation application method hazard controls work order specifications |
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 | This unit of competency could be assessed by observing practical demonstration in the workplace or simulated work environment of the application of pesticides to manage at least two different vertebrate pests and two different invertebrate pests, not including timber pests. |
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit | A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of the required skills and knowledge specified in this unit. In particular the person should demonstrate the ability to: achieve outcomes as specified in work orders apply pesticides to manage vertebrate and invertebrate pests, but not timber pests apply knowledge of emergency response procedures comply with company, legislative and regulatory requirements confirm species of organism and its associated key behavioural characteristics identify hazards and risks associated with pest management and apply knowledge of hierarchy of hazard control select safe, effective and environmentally responsible pesticide application methods select equipment and pesticides. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge may be conducted in an off-site context. It is to comply with relevant regulatory or Australian standards’ requirements. Resource implications for assessment include access to: suitable work site or other venue suitable equipment and pesticides PPE equipment operating manuals and MSDS plain English version of relevant statutes and procedures work order instructions, work plans and schedules, and policy documents relevant databases and information assessment instruments, including personal planner and assessment record book. |
Method of assessment | Assessment methods must: satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Property Services Training Package include direct observation of tasks in real or simulated work conditions, with questioning to confirm the ability to consistently identify and correctly interpret the essential underpinning knowledge required for practical application reinforce the integration of employability skills with workplace tasks and job roles confirm that competency is verified and able to be transferred to other circumstances and environments. |
Guidance information for assessment | Reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities must be made to assessment processes where required. This could include access to modified equipment and other physical resources, and the provision of appropriate assessment support. Assessment processes and techniques should as far as is practical take into account the language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate in relation to the competency being assessed. This unit could be assessed on its own or in combination with other units relevant to the job function, for example: CPPPMT3002A Assess pest management options CPPPMT3005A Modify environment to manage pests CPPPMT3007A Implement pest management plans CPPPMT3009A Advise clients on pest management options CPPPMT3043A Prepare and present pest management proposals. |
Range Statement
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included. | |
Work sites may include: | building surroundings buildings domestic, commercial or industrial premises. |
Company requirements may include: | access and equity policy, principles and practice business and performance plans client communication procedures client confidentiality procedures client service standards company goals, objectives, plans, systems and processes company issued identification badge, card or pass company policies and procedures defined resource parameters dress and presentation requirements duty of care, code of conduct and code of ethics emergency response and evacuation procedures employer and employee rights and responsibilities environmental control procedures establishing operator identity with client internal communication channels and reporting procedures maintenance procedures for equipment and PPE OHS policies and procedures personnel practices and guidelines policies and procedures relating to own role, responsibility and delegation quality and continuous improvement processes and standards records and information systems and processes training (induction and refresher) materials work site access security clearance procedures. |
Work order information may include: | access to work site, including: timing of access access and egress points budget allocations completion times and dates dress and presentation requirements job requirements and tasks legislative and local government requirements OHS requirements and emergency response procedures resource requirements – equipment and materials specific client requirements, such as: noise control sensitivity of occupants to pests or pest management relationships with other customer activities use of signage and barriers work schedules work site contact persons working in isolated or remote locations. |
Appropriate persons may include: | clients colleagues managers persons in control of work site supervisors. |
Hazards may include: | allergic reactions to chemicals, pests or equipment, including latex allergies biological and animal waste bites and stings blood and blood-stained products confined or restricted spaces contaminated clothing, materials or equipment damaged or inappropriate equipment dust and fibres electrical hazards arising from: cables electrical fittings: switches lights untested electrical equipment extremes of heat and temperature fatigue fire gas heights inadequate lighting and ventilation infectious and zoonotic diseases, such as: scabies Q fever leaks, spills, splashes and sprays misunderstanding label information and instructions mobile or vehicle hazards around plant and vehicles moving or unguarded parts noise occupational violence and bullying over-familiarity with routine procedures causing lack of attention to detail of manufacturer’s label instructions poor personal hygiene practices release of substances with negative environmental impact unclear or ambiguous work order information unsafe manual-handling techniques, including awkward and repetitive postures unsafe underfoot conditions, such as slippery, uneven and rough surfaces work in unfamiliar isolated or remote environments. |
Risks may include: | public health environmental concerns. |
Legislative requirements may include: | Australian standards, quality assurance and certification requirements award and enterprise agreements industry advisory standards and codes, such as: building codes dangerous goods codes relevant commonwealth, state and territory legislation and local government regulations that affect company operation, such as: anti-discrimination and diversity chemical controls chemical registers and manifests consumer protection legislation dangerous goods Acts and regulations declared pest (plant and animal) reporting environmental protection issues equal employment opportunity freedom of information industrial relations motor and commercial vehicle transportation motor licence and endorsement regulations OHS Acts and regulations privacy public health trade practices workplace consultative arrangements. |
Occupational health and safety (also known as workplace health and safety) requirements may relate to: | allergic reactions, such as contact dermatitis animal management or control procedures communication devices for isolated or remote locations, such as: mobile phone two-way radio dermatoxicological control and prevention measures emergency procedures for contact with toxic substances, such as: splashes in eye or on skin inhalation ingestion hazard identification and risk assessment mechanisms hierarchy of hazard control procedures industry advisory standards information provided by national registration authority for chemical approval and state government authorities, such as: agriculture environment protection health primary industry injury and dangerous occurrence reporting national and industry codes of practice OHS control procedures, such as: health and safety plans job plans job safety analyses risk assessments safe operating practices or procedures safe work instructions safe work method statements health surveillance and monitoring, such as regular blood testing routes of entry and potential symptoms of exposure to chemicals safe work practices for equipment, PPE and chemical storage, including interpretation of: MSDS hazardous substance information, such as long latency periods safety, induction and refresher training selection and use of PPE and clothing appropriate to hazard up-to-date electrical test and tag compliance use of chemicals according to MSDS use of residual current devices use, storage and maintenance of equipment according to manufacturer specifications and equipment operating manuals withholding periods and spray drift. |
Public health and safety may affect: | animals client’s staff colleagues customers distributors facility users general public, including neighbours and bystanders inspectors retailers suppliers trade and service providers. |
Personal protective equipment may include: | air-line and self-contained respirators breathing respirators: full-face half-face chemical-impervious gloves chemical-resistant aprons communication equipment contaminated clothing bags cradles drinking fluids dust masks eye protection, such as: safety glasses goggles eyewashes and showers face shields (splash-proof) first aid kits appropriate to tasks and locations hair nets hard hats high-visibility vests or clothing long pants noise protection non-slip safety shoes or boots overalls, coveralls or other chemical protective clothing prodding or probing sticks and rods safety harnesses soap and towels sunscreen tongs torches washable sun hats wet-work protective clothing. |
Manufacturer specifications may include: | emergency response resources equipment operating manuals government publications instructional guides MSDS other resources supplied by manufacturer, such as: laminated cards notices wall posters product labels safety instructions pre-printed on equipment. |
Pests may include: | any pest of commercial significance in an urban environment, excluding timber pests, such as: borers carpenter ants termites wood decay fungi. |
Pesticide application methods may include: | placements, such as: baits liquids powders space treatments. |
Environmental requirements may include: | clean up, containment or isolation company policies and guidelines emergency chemical spill control measures hazardous materials handling regulations, by-laws and guidelines of environmental protection agencies and government departments, such as: agriculture emergency services national parks and wildlife. |
Clients may include: | bodies corporate building supervisors companies or organisations environmental health officers executive housekeepers maintenance managers owners persons in control of work processes property agents or managers tenants. |
Pest management plan may include: | advice on health, safety, environmental and other legislative matters advice on pest prevention strategies chemical application methods details of pest and pest activity follow-up pest management advice, monitoring and call-back schedule pest management options types and quantities of chemicals to be used. |
Personnel may include: | client’s staff colleagues persons who handle and wash technician’s contaminated work clothes site visitors, including neighbours and bystanders venue, facility, building or shopping centre staff and management. |
Equipment may include: | brooms bunding materials cameras dishes or bowls drills dusters electrical extension leads elevated work platforms equipment decontamination materials flexible lights flushing agents generators hoses injectors knives ladders magnifying glasses measuring jugs mirrors probes safety harnesses sand and other absorbent materials screwdrivers sharps containers shovels and rakes sound, moisture and movement detectors specimen bottles spray equipment torches trays waste disposal containers. |
Pesticides may include: | avicides biological treatments that include insect growth regulators and natural pathogens fungicides herbicides insecticides rodenticides. |
Signage and barriers may include: | physical barriers and restraints erected to restrict access to work site signs complying with legislative requirements or Australian standards that warn of danger or adverse conditions. |
Emergency response procedures include: | clean up containment decontamination first aid isolation notification of authorities use of firefighting appliances use of PPE work site or workplace evacuation. |
Waste may be solid or liquid and include: | contaminated or hazardous biological waste used containers used or contaminated PPE, such as disposable gloves. |
Regulatory and company documentation may include: | accident and incident reports certificates and notices customer files and databases invoices job sheets logbooks OHS control procedures and forms receipts risk assessments work diaries. |
Sectors
Pest management
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills.
Licensing Information
This unit is one of the essential requirements for a pest management licence. The full requirements for different licences may vary in different states and territories.