• PRMPM09B - Advise client on pest management options

PRMPM09B
Advise client on pest management options

This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to provide information about pest activity to clients and to advise on pest management options. The unit applies to pests and pest activity that impact on the health, safety or amenity of persons or environments and can be applied to domestic, commercial or industrial premises.The unit requires the ability to assess the nature and extent of the pest and pest activity, an understanding of client requirements and the application of company information in order to perform the task.

Application

Not Applicable


Prerequisites

Not Applicable


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1 Determine client's information requirements

1.1 Review work order in accordance with company requirements and clarify any issues with appropriate person(s)

1.2 Confirm specific information requirements with client in accordance with the work order and company requirements

1.3 Conduct assessment of work site for pests and pest condition in accordance with work order and environmental, legislative and occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements

1.4 Determine pestmanagement method options in accordance with work order and company requirements

2 Provide pest management information

2.1 Provide accurate information on pestmanagement method options based on established evidence of pest conditions or activity provided in accordance with company requirements

2.2 Demonstrate evidence of pest conditions or activity in accordance with company requirements

2.3 Provide practical information and advice to client about pest management method options using appropriate interpersonal skills and communications techniques in accordance with company requirements

2.4 Provide opportunities for client to confirm understanding and seek clarification about pest management method options in accordance with company requirements

2.5 Inform client of relevant service exclusions and limitations in accordance with legislative and company requirements

2.6 Document the evidence on pest activity or condition in accordance with legislative and company requirements

3 Assist client access additional information

3.1 Provide client with reliable documentation and publications on the pest(s), pest condition or pestmanagement method options suitable for ongoing reference in accordance with company requirements

3.2 Provide advice on additional sources of information

3.3 Provide information on company services in accordance with company requirements

Required Skills

Refer to Evidence Guide

Evidence Required

The evidence guide identifies the requirements to be demonstrated to confirm competence for this unit. Assessment must confirm sufficient ability to use appropriate skills and knowledge to provide advice on pest management options. Assessment of performance should be over a period of time covering all categories within the range statement that are applicable in the working environment.

Critical aspects of competency

Accurate clarification of the client's information requirements.

Accurate identification of the hazards and risks associated with pest management.

Accurate identification of the type of pest activity or condition.

Communicating information and advice on pest management method options.

Compliance with company and legislative/regulatory requirements.

Outcomes achieved in relation to work order.

Safe and appropriate pest management method options.

Knowledge needed to achieve the performance criteria

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this unit in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this unit are listed below.

Types of pests relevant to the area and their life cycles, habits and harbourages.

Pest ecology as related to pest management operations.

Building structures and methods.

Climate and geographic impact on pest activity.

Legal implications of providing advice.

Product knowledge including manufacturers' specifications for equipment and products being used.

OHS legislation and procedures.

Applicable regulations, codes of practice and industry advisory standards.

Sources of timber pest control information.

Available government services.

Routes of entry and potential symptoms of exposure from chemicals.

Emergency response procedures.

Injury, dangerous occurrence and incident reporting requirements.

Work order specifications.

Company management structure and reporting procedures.

Specific skills needed to achieve the performance criteria

To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These are:

interpersonal communication

customer service

communicating clearly and concisely using written and verbal modes

demonstrating, using and presenting information

requesting advice or further information

seeking and receiving feedback

assessing client capacities

hazard identification and risk control

problem solving

planning and organising work

sourcing, organising and recording information.

Other units of competency that could be assessed with this unit

Competence in this unit may be assessed in conjunction with:

PRMPM02B Assess pest management options

PRMPM05B Modify environment to manage pests

PRMPM06B Apply pesticide to manage pests

PRMPM07B Implement a pest management plan

PRMPM43A Prepare and present a pest management submission including quotation.

Resources required to assess this unit

The following resources should be available:

access to a suitable work site or other venue

access to suitable equipment

access to equipment operating manuals and MSDS

access to plain English version of relevant statutes and procedures

work order instructions, work plans and schedules, and policy documents

assessment instruments, including personal planner and assessment record book

access to relevant databases and information.

Gaining evidence to assess this unit

For valid and reliable assessment of this unit the competency should be demonstrated in the field by reviewing the outcome of at least one complete advisory role under normal industry operating conditions, or if this is not practicable, in a simulated work environment.

The competency should be demonstrated over a period of time and observed by the assessor.

The competency is to be demonstrated in a range of situations, which may include customer/workplace interruptions and involvement in related activities normally experienced in the workplace.

Supplementary evidence may be obtained from relevant written correspondence with existing and potential clients. This information must be relevant by showing evidence of the candidate's work performance.

Other forms of gaining evidence such as through oral questioning and hypothetical situations (scenarios) may be used to supplement (but not substitute for) the practical demonstration of competence.

Key competency levels

There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life which are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies, although others may be added.

Information below highlights how these processes are applied in this competency standard.

1

Perform the process

2

Perform and administer the process

3

Perform, administer and design the process

How can communication of ideas and information be applied?

2

Communicate information about pest activity or conditions and pest management methods to the client.

How can information be collected, analysed and organised?

2

Communicate with client to collect, analyse and organise all relevant information to ensure pest management method options are clarified.

How are activities planned and organised?

2

Plan and organise activities in accordance with management method and all relevant legislation and work order.

How can teamwork be applied?

1

Provide support and assistance to team members to complete work tasks within designated timelines and in accordance with company requirements.

How can the use of mathematical ideas and techniques be applied?

1

Calculate cost effectiveness of management method options.

How can problem-solving skills be applied?

2

Assess and analyse in conjunction with management and client possible problems which may arise.

How can the use of technology be applied?

2

Record data, such as incident/hazard reports or assessment documentation of client, for future quotation use.


Range Statement

The range statement links the required knowledge and organisational and technical requirements to the workplace context. It describes any contextual variables that will be used or encountered when applying the competency in work situations. It allows for different work practices and work and knowledge requirements as well as for differences between organisations and workplaces. The following variables are listed alphabetically and may be present for this particular unit.

Appropriate person(s) may include:

clients

colleagues

managers

person(s) in control of work site(s)

supervisors.

Assessment may include:

discussion with client

review of past pest management records

visual inspections.

Clients may include:

body corporate

building supervisor

company/organisation

environmental health officer

executive housekeeper

maintenance manager

owner

person in control of work processes

property agent/manager

tenant.

Company requirements may include:

access and equity policy, principles and practice

business and performance plans

client communication procedures

client confidentiality procedures

client service standards

communication channels and reporting procedures

company goals, objectives, plans, systems and processes

company issued identification badge/card/pass

company policy and procedures

defined resource parameters

dress and presentation requirements

duty of care, code of conduct, code of ethics

emergency response and evacuation procedures

employer and employee rights and responsibilities

establishing operator identity with client

maintenance procedures for equipment and PPE

OHS control procedures (e.g. health and safety plans, job plans, job safety analysis, risk assessments, safe operating practices/procedures, safe work instructions, work method statements, safe system of work statements)

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.

Environmental requirements may include:

company policies and guidelines

environmental protection agency and government departments (e.g. agriculture and national parks and wildlife) regulations and guidelines

local government regulations/bylaws.

Evidence means providing actual evidence of pest conditions or activity and may include:

chambers

droppings

evidence of feeding

holes

specimens

tracks.

Information may include:

conditions for infestation

control and maintenance methods

impacts on the environment and buildings of alternative pest management methods

legislation and controls covering use of chemicals

pest activity

sources of infestation.

Information requirements may include:

existence of pests

follow on from pest management plan or inspection

pre-construction advice.

Interpersonal skills and communication techniques may include:

active listening

language - accurate, articulate and concise

language, verbal or non-verbal

presentation of options and consequences

providing an opportunity for the client to confirm their request

questioning to clarify and confirm the client's understanding

seeking feedback from client to confirm understanding of needs

summarising and paraphrasing to check understanding of client's message

use of effective presentation aids (audiovisual slides, diagrams, photos and pictures)

using appropriate body language.

Legislative requirements may include:

Australian Standards, quality assurance and certification requirements

award and enterprise agreements

industry advisory standards and codes

relevant Commonwealth/state/territory legislation and local government regulations which affect company operation:

anti-discrimination and diversity

building codes

chemical controls

chemical registers/manifests

consumer protection legislation

dangerous goods Acts and regulations

dangerous goods code

declared pest (plant and animal) reporting

environmental protection issues

equal employment opportunity

freedom of information

industrial relations

motor and commercial vehicle(s) transportation

motor licence and endorsement regulations

OHS Acts and regulations

privacy

public health

trade practices

workplace consultative arrangements.

Occupational health and safety* (OHS) requirements may relate to:

allergic reactions (contact dermatitis, etc)

animal management/control procedures

communication devices for remote and isolated locations e.g. mobile phone, two-way radio, etc

dermatoxicological control and prevention measures

emergency procedures for eye and skin contact, inhalation and ingestion of toxic substances

hazard identification and risk assessment mechanisms

health surveillance and monitoring (e.g. regular blood testing)

hierarchy of hazard control procedures

industry advisory standards

information provided by national registration authority for chemical approval and state government authorities e.g. agriculture, environment protection, health and primary industry

injury and dangerous occurrence reporting

national and industry codes of practice

OHS control procedures (e.g. health and safety plans, job plans, job safety analysis, risk assessments, safe operating practices/procedures, safe work instructions, work method statements, safe system of work statements)

routes of entry and potential symptoms of exposure from chemicals

safe work practices for equipment, PPE and chemical storage including interpretation of MSDS and hazardous substance information e.g. long latency periods

safety training, induction and refresher training

selection and use of PPE and clothing appropriate to the hazard

up-to-date electrical test and tag compliance.

* Also known as workplace health and safety

Pest management method options may include:

biological controls

chemical and physical barrier treatments

cultural controls

environmental controls

management controls.

Pests may include any pest of commercial significance in an urban environment.

Sources of information may include:

company specialists or consultants

government agencies and departments e.g. agriculture, forestry, quarantine

industry groups and associations

Internet resources

publications e.g. company, government, industry.

Work order information may include:

access to work site including timing of access and access and egress points

budget allocations

completion times/dates

job requirements and tasks

legislative and local government requirements

OHS requirements and emergency response procedures

resource requirements - equipment and materials

specific client requirements e.g. noise control, sensitivity of occupants to pests and/or management, relationships with other customer activities, dress and presentation requirements

use of signage and barriers

work schedules

work site contact person(s)

working in isolated and remote locations.

Work sites may include:

building surroundings

buildings

domestic, commercial or industrial premises.


Sectors

Not Applicable


Employability Skills

Not Applicable


Licensing Information

Not Applicable