Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers minimising risks in the use of chemicals and defines the standard required to: implement, monitor and evaluate a chemical risk control strategy; identify potential hazards and assess risks; develop risk control procedures; and monitor and evaluate the risk control strategy.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to those whose job role include the assessment and mitigation of risks associated with the use of chemicals across a range of industry sectors. This unit may be deemed to have a time limit when used as part of an accreditation or licence process.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Identify hazards and risks

1.1. Guidelines, legislation, regulations and industry requirements relating to chemical use are identified and sourced.

1.2. Hazards involved in chemical handling and application are identified.

2. Assess risks and develop control procedures

2.1. Risks associated with chemicals used are assessed.

2.2. Risk control measures and emergency action plans are developed.

2.3. Control procedures are developed for transport, handling, storage, application, decontamination and disposal.

2.4. A continuous improvement strategy is developed to minimise risk.

3. Implement and monitor adherence to chemical risk procedures

3.1. Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is provided for people in the workplace using chemicals.

3.2. Select application equipment is selected according to procedures.

3.3. Restrictions on chemical use, application, decontamination and disposal are followed according to procedures.

3.4. Risk control procedures are followed in the workplace.

4. Evaluate risk control measures and maintain record

4.1. Procedures for evaluating the effectiveness of risk control measures are developed.

4.2. Shortfalls identified during evaluation are addressed and rectified.

4.3. Risk assessment records are maintained according to industry, label, legislative and regulatory requirements.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• develop procedures
• evaluate implementation
• identify hazards, assess risks, and implement and monitor risk control procedures
• use literacy skills to read, interpret and follow organisational policies and procedures, develop sequenced written instructions, record information collected accurately and legibly, and select and apply procedures to a range of tasks
• use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification, negotiating solutions and responding to a range of views
• use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine and more complex workplace measures and data
• use interpersonal skills to work with others and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge 

• sources of information relating to chemical use, including:

• guidelines
• legislation and regulations
• industry requirements

• hazard identification and risk assessment strategies
• risk factors, including human and animal health, product integrity, weather, spray drift, spillage and environmental
• principles of transport, handling and storage for chemicals
• requirements for disposal of excess chemicals, clearing spillages and equipment clean up
• chemical application equipment capabilities and limitations.

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:

• implement, monitor and evaluate a chemical risk control strategy
• identify potential hazards and assess risks
• develop risk control procedures
• monitor and evaluate the risk control strategy.

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.

Agricultural chemicals include:

• insecticides
• fungicides
• herbicides
• bactericides
• algaecides
• biologicals
• nematacides
• rodenticides
• antimicrobial agents
• anthelmintics
• fumigants
• hormone growth promotants
• a range of veterinary chemicals used to treat animals for disease.

Unit sector 

Chemicals

Co-requisite units 

Competency field