Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Refer to Evidence Guide

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 select and obtain appropriate pest management equipment and materials suitable for providing pest management services. 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.

Clear identification of the services to be provided from the business plan.

Compliance with company and legislative/regulatory requirements.

Correct assessment of performance characteristics of equipment and materials.

Knowledge of hierarchy of hazard control.

Selection of appropriate equipment and materials for the services being offered.

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.

Equipment and chemical types and functions.

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

Applicable regulations, codes of practice and industry advisory standards for providing pest management services.

Hazards and risks associated with different types of equipment and materials.

OHS legislation and procedures.

Emergency response procedures.

Injury, dangerous occurrence and incident reporting requirements.

Financing options.

Documentation requirements.

Company management structure and reporting procedures.

Enterprise maintenance and servicing procedures.

Sources of industry and product information.

Specific skills needed to achieve the performance criteria

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

assessing equipment against requirements

reading, interpreting and comprehending manufacturers' specifications, marketing materials, purchase documents and financing contracts

communicating equipment, chemical, purchase and financial requirements clearly and concisely

requesting advice or further information

sourcing relevant legislative, product and industry standards information.

Other units of competency that could be assessed with this unit

Competence in this unit may be assessed in conjunction with:

PRMPM17B Repair and maintain service equipment

PRMPM28B Organise and operate a pest management vehicle.

Resources required to assess this unit

The following resources should be available:

access to relevant databases and information sources, including product information

access to relevant company policies, procedures and records

assessment instruments, including personal planner and assessment record book.

Gaining evidence to assess this unit

For valid and reliable assessment of this unit this competency may be demonstrated by review of procurement processes used in normal industry operating conditions, or if this is not practicable, in a realistic simulated work environment.

Evidence of competency should include criteria dealing with the preparation and justification of the acquisition of equipment and materials over periods of time consistent with budgeting and business planning.

Supplementary evidence may be obtained from relevant written correspondence. 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.

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.

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.

Equipment may include:

broom

bunding material

camera

dishes or bowls

drills

dusters

electrical extension leads

elevated work platforms

equipment decontamination materials

flexible light

flushing agents

generators

hoses

injectors

knives

ladders

magnifying glass

measuring jug

mirrors

probes

safety harnesses

sand and other absorbent materials

screwdrivers

shovels and rakes

sounding, moisture and movement detectors

specimen bottles

spray equipment

torches

trays

waste disposal containers.

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.

Materials may include:

building components

chemicals

cleaning products

flammable products

pesticides

registered AGVET products

physical barriers

sealing components.

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

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.

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

Suitability criteria may include:

application rates

compliance with regulatory or legislative requirements

containment of chemicals

durability in normal working conditions

ease of cleaning

ease of use

maintenance costs

repair costs

safety.

Suppliers may include:

distributors

manufacturers

retail outlets.

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

Not Applicable