Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the process of following enterprise site quarantine procedures that are designed to reduce the likelihood of pathogenic organisms entering the site, and defines the standard required to: read and/or interpret site quarantine procedures; follow enterprise quarantine procedures (including industry quality assurance procedures if applicable); report and respond to quarantine issues or breaches of procedures; communicate with visitors to the enterprise about site quarantine procedures.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to the routine part of ones own work and is applied to visitors to the site. Work is performed under supervision and according to strict procedures and policies.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Prepare to work in quarantine site

1.1. Ensure personal and/or work vehicles are decontaminated before entering the quarantine site.

1.2. Contact with potential contaminants is reported according to enterprise requirements.

1.3. Hands are washed before livestock, feed, plant stock or other products are handled.

1.4. Showering and changing into work clothes is carried out if required.

1.5. Appropriate clothing and footwear is put on before commencing work and street clothing is securely stored away from livestock, feed or other products.

1.6. Footbaths are used thoroughly and checked for disinfectant level before entering site and sheds if required.

2. Work in quarantine site

2.1. Chemicals and/or medications are handled and stored appropriately.

2.2. Different feed mixes, soils and/or growing media and/or other products are kept separate and appropriately marked according to enterprise procedures.

2.3. Any cases of disease or pest infestation are identified and reported to supervisor.

2.4. Any breaches of quarantine procedures are identified and reported to supervisor.

2.5. Any Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) hazards are identified and appropriate action is taken according to enterprise policy and OHS legislation and codes.

2.6. All waste products is disposed of according to enterprise procedures.

2.7. All deceased livestock, unwanted biological material or damaged/infected plant stock are disposed of according to enterprise procedures.

2.8. Information relating to work in quarantine site is recorded as required by the enterprise procedures.

3. Assist in maintaining site quarantine procedures

3.1. All visitors are informed of the quarantine procedures and are provided with appropriate clothing and footwear, if required by enterprise procedures.

3.2. Visitors are required to sign in, state their recent activities and exposures, and wash or shower if required by enterprise procedures.

3.3. Any observed breaches of quarantine procedures by visitors are noted and reported to supervisor.

3.4. Gates and doors are kept locked where required by enterprise procedures and supervisor instructions.

3.5. Where installed, security fencing is maintained according to supervisor's instructions.

3.6. Deliveries to site are checked to ensure that established procedures for vehicle decontamination, unloading and receipt and holding or storage of stock and/or supplies are followed.

4. Respond to site quarantine breach or problem

4.1. The specific problem and its location is identified and reported to supervisor.

4.2. Problems are secured according to enterprise procedures.

4.3. Quarantine site and location of breach is cleaned and disinfected as required according to the specific nature of the problem and enterprise procedures.

4.4. Livestock, plant stock suspected of being exposed to contaminants are isolated and monitored for evidence of contamination according to enterprise procedures.

4.5. All contaminated stock/materials are treated and/or disposed of according to enterprise procedures.

4.6. Information about the breach or problem is recorded according to enterprise procedures.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

• read and/or interpret site quarantine procedures
• follow biosecurity and hygiene procedures
• use literacy skills to follow sequenced written instructions and record information accurately and legibly
• use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification and seeking advice from supervisor
• use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures
• use interpersonal skills to relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge 

• enterprise site quarantine policy and procedures
• industry quality assurance requirements (where applicable) and documentation required to be kept
• reporting procedures for alleged breaches of site quarantine procedures
• consequences of breaching site quarantine procedures
• OHS, environmental and disease legislative and enterprise requirements.

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

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 

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:

• read and/or interpret site quarantine procedures
• follow enterprise quarantine procedures (including industry quality assurance procedures if applicable)
• report and respond to quarantine issues or breaches of procedures
• communicate with visitors to the enterprise about site quarantine procedures.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

For valid assessment, one must have opportunities to participate in exercises, case studies and other real and simulated practical and knowledge assessments that demonstrate the skills and knowledge required to carry out movement and security procedures.

The candidate must also have access to resources that establish movement and security controls.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.

Sites may include:

• quarantine site of the whole farm
• an apiary
• enterprise premises, or part of the premises or enterprise, such as

• an isolation area or sick bay.

• in some cases, the quarantine area may extend beyond the enterprise boundaries.

Unit sector 

Biosecurity

Co-requisite units 

Competency field