Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the process of treating plant pests, diseases and disorders and defines the standard required to: identify significant plant pests, diseases and disorders for the enterprise; apply a range of control or treatment options; recognise and control risks to environment (including spray drift and chemical spillage); clean and store equipment correctly; observe the treatment site and record plant treatments.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to supervised workers in plant or pasture-based industries and is carried out following strict work instructions and under supervision.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Prepare to treat plant pests, diseases and disorders

1.1. Plant pests, diseases and disorders are recognised by common name.

1.2. Details of the plant pest, disease and disorder occurrence are recorded and reported to the supervisor.

1.3. Treatment methods are selected in consultation with the supervisor.

1.4. Equipment is selected and prepared for use according to enterprise guidelines and manufacturer's specifications.

1.5. Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) hazards are identified and safety concerns reported to the supervisor.

2. Apply treatments to plant pests, diseases and disorders

2.1. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is used and maintained according to procedures.

2.2. Treatments are prepared according to supervisor's instructions and manufacturers guidelines.

2.3. Treatments are applied in such a way that non-target damage is minimised.

2.4. Treatments are applied according to OHS and regulatory requirements.

3. Carry out post treatment operation

3.1. Equipment is shut down and cleaned with full consideration of environmental impacts.

3.2. Treatment waste is disposed of causing minimal environmental damage.

3.3. Records are maintained according to enterprise guidelines.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• read and interpret chemical labels, Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs), manufacturer's specifications for setting up equipment
• recognise a range of plant pests, diseases and disorders
• monitor and record the severity of the plant pest or disease problem
• prepare to treat plant pests and diseases
• apply plant pest, disease and disorder treatments
• carry out post treatment operations
• use and maintain PPE appropriate to task
• maintain spray and other treatment records
• 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 

• recognition of common plant pests, diseases and disorders for a particular enterprise/situation
• different types of control measures and their principles
• modes of action of different chemicals
• legislation relation to the use of chemicals for plant pest, disease and disorder control
• OHS legislative and enterprise requirements and Codes of Practice
• correct use and maintenance of PPE.

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:

• identify significant plant pests, diseases and disorders for the enterprise
• apply a range of control or treatment options
• recognise and control risks to environment (including spray drift and chemical spillage)
• clean and store equipment correctly
• observe the treatment site
• record plant treatments.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.

RANGE STATEMENT 

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

Plant pests, diseases and disorders may include:

• those which impact on commercial crops, pastures, amenity areas, gardens and turf, and natural areas.

Plant pests may include:

• chewing, sucking and boring invertebrates
• nematodes
• fungi
• viruses
• bacteria.

Plant disorders may include:

• toxic soil, air and water.

Plant pests, diseases and disorders does not include:

• vertebrate pests
• nutrient deficiencies
• extreme environmental conditions.

Unit sector 

Pest management

Co-requisite units 

Competency field