Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the planning and implementation of a chemical use program and defines the standard required to: plan and implement a program for chemical use; supervise others in chemical use; apply and monitor risk control procedures; select and manage chemical application equipment and processes.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies those whose job role includes the development and implementation a chemical use program for pesticides use. 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. Develop and document an application/spray plan

1.1. Assess risks associated with proposed control strategy.

1.2. Select preferred control procedures.

1.3. Document preferred control procedures as application/spray plan.

2. Identify requirements for chemical use

2.1. Identify and interpret guidelines, legislation and regulations and industry requirements relating to chemical use.

2.2. Assess the need for chemical use as an option within an integrated pest management and/or animal health strategy.

2.3. Ensure that personnel are adequately trained in chemical use.

3. Ensure that risk control measures are followed

3.1. Provide appropriate Personal Protective Equipment for people in the workplace using chemicals.

3.2. Monitor the implementation of safe practice in the workplace including preparation and application of chemicals.

3.3. Monitor implementation of procedures for transport, handling, storage, decontamination and disposal.

3.4. Monitor implementation of procedures to mitigate residues in produce and the environment.

4. Plan and implement a maintenance program for chemical use equipment

4.1. Develop and implement a maintenance strategy for application equipment and personal protective equipment.

4.2. Monitor implementation of maintenance procedures.

4.3. Ensure that faulty or damaged equipment is repaired or replaced.

5. Ensure the correct selection and application of chemicals

5.1. Ensure that the correct chemicals and equipment is selected in accordance with the application/spray plan.

5.2. Ensure that pre-operational checks of application equipment are carried out.

5.3. Check to ensure that calibration conforms to the requirement of the application/spray plan.

5.4. Ensure that meteorological conditions are monitored and assessed during application where relevant.

5.5. Monitor the application procedures in the event of a chemical spill.

6. Ensure work activities are finalised in accordance with procedure

6.1. Ensure that excess chemical are disposed of in accordance with label and Material Safety Data Sheet requirements.

6.2. Ensure incident reports are completed as required in accordance with legislative and/or regulatory requirements.

6.3. Ensure all required records are completed.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• develop strategies to monitor the implementation of procedures
• evaluate conformance with procedures
• identify hazards and oversee the safety of the working environment
• develop and document an application/spray plan
• use literacy skills to read, interpret and follow organisational policies and procedures, develop sequenced written instructions, record accurately and legibly information collected 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
• methodologies for the development of procedures
• risk factors including human and animal health, weather, spray drift, spillage, residue, product integrity and environmental
• transport, handling and storage for chemicals
• requirements for disposal of excess chemicals, clearing spillages and equipment clean up
• OHS, environmental and pesticides legislation, codes of practice and enterprise procedures.
• 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:

• plan and implement a program for chemical use
• supervise others in chemical use
• apply and monitor risk control procedures
• select and manage chemical application equipment and processes.

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.

It does not cover the development of general chemical use procedures.

Unit sector 

Chemicals

Co-requisite units 

Competency field