PRMPM18B - Maintain an equipment and chemical storage area

PRMPM18B
Maintain an equipment and chemical storage area

This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required for the maintenance of a dedicated storage area and the movement and control of equipment and chemicals used in the provision of pest management services.The unit requires the ability to maintain and operate a safe and efficient pest management storage area within a strict legislative context. Maintaining the storage area requires the ability to follow established procedures, understand the issues associated with the storage and usage of chemicals and to adhere to legislative and public health and safety requirements. These work functions would be carried out within company guidelines.

Application

Not Applicable

Prerequisites

Not Applicable

Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT		PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
1 Maintain storage area	1.1 Secure storage area from unauthorised access in accordance with legislative, occupational health and safety (OHS) and company requirements 1.2 Ensure storage area complies with relevant environmental, legislative, OHS and company requirements 1.3 Identify existing hazards and control risks in the storage area in accordance with legislative, OHS and company requirements 1.4 Display safety warnings prominently and ensure safety information is accessible in accordance with legislative, OHS and company requirements 1.5 Store, maintain and safety-check equipment to enable ready access and re-use in accordance with manufacturers' specifications and legislative, OHS and company requirements 1.6 Store chemicals in accordance with manufacturers' specifications and legislative, OHS and company requirements
	1.7 Clean, safety-check, record maintenance requirements and store personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with manufacturers' specifications and OHS and company requirements 1.8 Ensure storage area is accessible and free from obstacles in accordance with OHS and company requirements
	1.9 Collect and dispose of all waste in accordance with manufacturers' specifications and environmental, legislative, OHS and company requirements

2 Control and maintain stocks of equipment and chemicals

2.1 Maintain and operate an inventory system of all equipment and chemicals with maximum and minimum holding levels in accordance with legislative and companyrequirements

2.2 Monitor equipment and chemicals usage patterns and reorder to maintain required levels in accordance with legislative and companyrequirements

2.3 Maintain accurate labelling system of all containers in accordance with manufacturers' specifications and legislative, OHS and company requirements

2.4 Issue chemicals on a first-in first-out basis in accordance with company requirements

2.5 Dispose of all obsolete equipment and chemicals in accordance with manufacturers' specifications and environmental, OHS and company requirements

3 Respond to emergency situations

3.1 Respond to accidental spillages and emergency situations using emergency response procedures in accordance with environmental, legislative, OHS and company requirements

3.2 Prepare regulatory and company documentation in accordance with environmental, legislative, OHS and 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 maintain a pest management storage area within regulatory and company requirements. 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 identification of the hazards and risks associated with pest management.

Compliance with company and legislative/regulatory requirements.

Good storage and housekeeping practices, particularly those relating to the labelling and security of chemicals.

Knowledge of emergency response procedures.

Knowledge of hierarchy of hazard control.

Maintenance of a secure and accessible storage area.

Systematic use of stock control records and chemical register/manifest.

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.

Legislation, regulations, codes of practice and industry advisory standards applicable for securing, storing, using and disposing of chemicals.

Equipment types and functions.

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

OHS legislation and procedures.

Routes of entry and potential symptoms of exposure from chemicals.

Hazards and risks of storing, preparing, using and disposing of chemicals.

Emergency response procedures.

Injury, dangerous occurrence and incident reporting requirements.

Work order specifications.

Documentation requirements.

Company management structure and reporting channels.

Specific skills needed to achieve the performance criteria

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

safe handling, management and disposal of chemicals

reading, interpreting and comprehending directions and safety instructions in equipment manuals, MSDS, safety warning signs and symbols, enterprise codes and on chemical labels

communicating clearly and concisely using written and verbal modes

requesting advice or further information

seeking and receiving feedback

working on an individual basis and within a team

planning and organising work

sourcing, organising and recording information

applying manual handling techniques.

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

PRMPM09B Advise client on pest management options

PRMPM11B Conduct fumigation

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 venue

access to personal protective equipment

access to equipment operating manuals and MSDS

access to suitable equipment and chemicals

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.

Gaining evidence to assess this unit

For valid and reliable assessment of this unit the competency should be demonstrated in the field 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 with management about storage and maintenance requirements for equipment and chemicals in line with company and legislative requirements.
How can information be collected, analysed and organised?			2	Collect and analyse information about storage of equipment and chemicals in accordance with legislative and company requirements.
How are activities planned and organised?			2	Plan and organise all work tasks in accordance with regulatory, legislative and company policy.
How can teamwork be applied?			2	Communicate to team members safe work practices, inventory and labelling and other legislative and company requirements.
How can the use of mathematical ideas and techniques be applied?			2	Calculate chemical and equipment usage rates to allow timely re-ordering.
How can problem-solving skills be applied?			2	Communicate with management and team members to identify hazards and control risks.
How can the use of technology be applied?			2	Record data such as incident/accident reports, labelling, and inventory of stock for future 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.

Chemicals may include:

cleaning agents

flammable products

pesticides

registered AGVET products.

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.

Emergency response procedures include:

clean-up

containment

decontamination

documented emergency response procedures

First Aid

isolation

notification of authorities

use of appropriate fire fighting appliances

use of appropriate personal protective equipment

work site/workplace evacuation.

Environmental requirements may include:

clean-up, containment and/or isolation

company policies and guidelines

emergency chemical spill control measures

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

hazardous materials handling

local government regulations/bylaws.

Equipment may include:

cages

camera

cherry pickers

dishes

drills

dusters

extension cords

flexible light

flushing agents

generators

guns/rifles

hoses

injectors

knives

ladders

magnifying glass

measuring jug

mirrors

nets

probes

sand and other absorbers

screwdrivers

sounding, moisture and movement detectors

specimen bottle

spray equipment

torch

trays

waste disposal containers.

Hazards may include:

allergic reactions to chemicals, pests and/or equipment, including latex allergies

biological and animal waste

bites and stings

blood and blood-stained products

confined/restricted spaces

contaminated clothing, materials and/or equipment

damaged or inappropriate equipment

dust and fibres

electrical hazards arising from cables, electrical fittings (switches and lights) and untested electrical equipment

environmental impact

extremes of heat and temperature

fatigue

fire

gas

heights

inadequate lighting and ventilation

infectious and zoonotic diseases e.g. scabies/Q fever

leaks, spill, splash and spray

manual handling techniques including awkward and repetitive postures

mobile/vehicle hazards around plant and vehicles

moving and/or unguarded parts

noise

occupational violence and bullying

poor personal hygiene practices

underfoot conditions e.g. slippery, uneven and rough surfaces

work in isolated/remote environments.

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.

Manufacturers' specifications may include:

emergency response resources

equipment operational manuals

government publications

instructional guides

material safety data sheets (MSDS)

other resources supplied by the manufacturer (such as laminated cards, notices and wall posters) in work sites or vehicles

product labels

safety instructions pre-printed on equipment.

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

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

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

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

use of chemicals in accordance with MSDS

use of residual current devices

use, storage and maintenance of equipment in accordance with manufacturers' specifications and equipment operating manuals

withholding periods and spray drift.

* Also known as workplace health and safety

Personal protective equipment (PPE) may include:

air-line and self-contained respirators

breathing respirator - full-face and half-face

chemical impervious gloves

chemical resistant aprons

communication equipment

contaminated clothing bag

cradles

drinking fluids

dust masks

eye protection e.g. safety glasses, goggles

eyewashes and showers

face shield (splash-proof)

First Aid kit appropriate to the task and location

hair nets

hard hats

high-visibility vests/clothing

long pants

noise protection

non-slip safety shoes/boots

overalls, coveralls or other chemical protective clothing

prodding/probing sticks and rods

safety harness

sharps containers

soap and towel

sunscreen

tongs

torch

washable sun hats

wet-work protective clothing.

Regulatory and company documentation may include:

accident and incident reports

certificates and notices

customer files and databases

invoices

job sheets

logbooks

OHS control procedures, forms and documentation

receipts

risk assessments

work diaries.

Safety information may include:

chemical co-location, separation and segregation requirements

chemical manifests

chemical registers

colour codes

company policies and procedures

container and package storage arrangements

emergency management plan

manufacturers' instructions

manufacturers' specifications

material safety data sheets

OHS information

operation manuals

safety data check sheets

statutory storage limits

waste disposal information.

Safety warnings may include:

charts and posters

instructions

labels

signs and placards

symbols.

Storage area may include:

chemical cupboard

equipment storage bays

pest control vehicle

room or depot.

Waste may include:

chemicals past the expiry date

materials used in cleaning up spillages

packaging materials

used containers

used or unused chemicals

used/contaminated personal protective equipment.

Sectors

Not Applicable

Employability Skills

Not Applicable

Licensing Information

Not Applicable