CPPPMT3010
Control timber pests


Application

This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to implement a management plan to control timber pests. The unit covers reviewing existing reports relating to pest activity at the premises and designing, implementing and monitoring a management plan to control timber pests. The selection of appropriate equipment, chemicals, materials and methods is essential for performing the task effectively.

The unit supports pest management technicians responsible for controlling timber pests and timber pest activity that impact on the health, safety or amenity of persons or environments in domestic, commercial or industrial premises.

Timber pests may occur in internal and external surfaces of buildings, landscaping, recreational equipment, timber fences, furniture, railing, bridges and stairs. Types of timber pests vary in different geographic regions and this unit applies to those timber pests found in the geographic area.

Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to pest management in some States. Relevant state and territory regulatory authorities should be consulted to confirm those requirements.


Elements and Performance Criteria

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.

Design timber pest management plan.

1.1.

Work order and inspection report are reviewed to confirm task according to client and company requirements.

1.2.

Hazards are identified and risks controlled at work site according to company and compliance requirements.

1.3.

Suitable timber pest managementmethods are selected for control of timber pests based on inspection report and work site environment and according to client, company and compliance requirements.

1.4.

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

1.5.

Access and inspection equipment and application and installation equipment required for managing timber pests is identified according to manufacturer specifications and company and compliance requirements.

1.6.

Materials required to manage timber pests are identified and requirements are calculated according to manufacturer specifications and company and compliance requirements.

1.7.

Timber pest management plan for work site is documented and processed according to company requirements.

2.

Prepare to implement timber pest management plan.

2.1.

Timber pest management plan is reviewed to identify factors affecting completion of work order, and issues are clarified with appropriate persons according to company requirements.

2.2.

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

2.3.

Suitable personal protective equipment (PPE) is selected and fitted according to manufacturer specifications and company and compliance requirements.

2.4.

Equipment is selected and operational effectiveness checked according to manufacturer specifications and company and compliance requirements.

2.5.

Materials are prepared according to manufacturer specifications and company and compliance requirements.

2.6.

Signage and barriers are installed as required to protect public health and safety during the treatment operation.

3.

Implement pest management plan.

3.1.

Hazards are identified and risks controlled at work site according to company and compliance requirements.

3.2.

Materials identified in timber pest management plan are applied or installed according to manufacturer specifications and company and compliance requirements.

3.3.

Pest management plan is implemented using safe operating practices according to manufacturer specifications and company and compliance requirements.

3.4.

Implementation is reviewed to check effectiveness of timber pest management plan and remedial action is implemented as required.

3.5.

Emergency response procedures are implemented when necessary according to manufacturer specifications and company and compliance requirements.

4.

Restore work site.

4.1.

Work site is restored to condition agreed with client and requirements of timber pest management plan according to company and compliance requirements.

4.2.

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

4.3.

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

4.4.

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

5.

Clean, safety check and store equipment.

5.1.

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

5.2.

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

5.3.

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

5.4.

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

5.5.

Collected waste is disposed of according to work order, manufacturer specifications and company and compliance requirements.

5.6.

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

6.

Complete documentation.

6.1.

Required certificates and notices are prepared and issued according to compliance requirements.

6.2.

Company documentation is completed and distributed according to company and compliance requirements.

7.

Monitor effectiveness of timber pest management plan.

7.1.

Periodic contact schedule is established with client according to company requirements.

7.2.

Regular liaison is maintained with client to monitor effectiveness of plan according to company requirements.

Foundation Skills

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:

identify and use reliable sources of information relating to control of timber pests.

Numeracy skills to:

interpret and apply information on product labels to mix chemicals as specified

measure site dimensions and calculate areas and volumes.

Oral communication skills to:

interact effectively with clients to exchange ongoing information on effectiveness of timber pest management strategies, expressing technical information in appropriate language for the client.

Reading skills to:

read and interpret work directions and safety instructions in, equipment manuals, house plans, product labels and safety data sheets (SDS).

Writing skills to:

record information accurately and legibly on certificates, company documentation and notices.

Planning and organising skills to:

plan and organise the implementation of timber pest management, including scheduling tasks efficiently to meet timeframes.


Range Statement

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.

Hazards to be checked for must include:

asbestos

animal bites and stings

chemical

confined or restricted spaces

electrical

environmental contamination

fire

lighting

manual handling

moving vehicles and machinery

noise

probable location of underground services

remote locations

respiratory

slips and trips

temperature

ultraviolet (UV) radiation

working at heights.

Work sites must include either:

residential premises with different types of construction, or

commercial premises with different uses, or

a combination of the above.

Compliance requirements must include:

Australian standards, quality assurance and certification requirements, including AS 3660.2 Termite management - In and around existing buildings and structures

commonwealth, state and territory legislation and local government regulations relating to controlling timber pests, including:

consumer protection

environmental protection

pesticide registers and manifests

pesticide use

privacy

public health and safety

environmental requirements relating to controlling timber pests, 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

licensing requirements for timber pest management

national and industry codes of practice and advisory standards relating to controlling timber pests

work health and safety requirements relating to controlling timber pests, including:

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.

Timber pest management methods must include one or more of the following:

biological controls

cultural controls

chemical controls

physical controls.

Control must include one of the following:

eradication

exclusion.

Timber pests must include three or more of the following:

borers

damp wood termites

dry wood termites

subterranean termites

wood decay fungi.

Work site environment must include consideration of:

age of structure

associated building or land use

dark and humid areas

drainage

geographic location

known pressure pest areas

level of moisture

previous treatments

soil type

timber type

ventilation.

Access and inspection equipment must include:

camera

hand lens

ladder

measuring tape or ruler

mirror

moisture meter

pliers

probes or knife

sounding tools

specimen bottle

torch.

Application and installation equipment must include five or more of the following:

bait box or station

concrete drill

dust applicator

foaming applicator

liquid injection nozzle

monitoring station

slab injector

soil injector

soil spray nozzle.

Materials must include one or more of the following:

physical barriers and controls

sealing components

termiticides.

Calculations must include those for one or more of the following:

flow rates and pressures of termiticide application equipment

recalibration of equipment

surface areas

volumes of termiticide.

Timber pest management plan must include:

advice on health, safety, legislative and environmental matters

advice on pest prevention strategies

chemical application methods

details of timber pest and timber pest activity

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

mandatory notification requirements

record keeping mandated by licensing or regulatory requirements

timber pest management methods

types and quantities of chemicals to be used.

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.

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 or Australian standards that warn of danger or adverse conditions.

Public health and safety must include checking for impacts on:

general public and bystanders

non-target animals

occupants.

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

calling emergency numbers and poisons information centre

cleaning up

containing hazards

decontaminating

evacuating work site or workplace

isolating hazards

notifying authorities

using PPE.


Sectors

Pest management