Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the control of weeds and defines the standard required to: identify a range of weeds and beneficial organisms; plan and coordinate weed control activities; prepare and calibrate equipment; conduct a site hazard identification and risk control assessment for weed control; apply a range of weed control methods and maintain records; monitor, record and report the effectiveness of controls.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to workers in agriculture, horticulture or land management-based enterprises who are required to carry out the control of weed infestations using cultural, biological and chemical methods to provide effective, economical control of weeds while minimising damage to the environment.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Assess weed infestation

1.1. Identify the scope and size of the weed infestation that adversely impacts on the landscape.

1.2. Identify weeds and record details of the weeds and beneficial organisms.

1.3. Identify tolerable levels of infestation according to client, market, environmental and IPM requirements.

1.4. Determine if plant health or growth requirements are compromised by level of infestation.

1.5. Seek professional advice if required in the assessment of the weed infestation.

2. Plan control measures

2.1. Determine suitable control options according to Integrated Pest Management principles and industry practice.

2.2. Identify the hazards, assess and control risks to others and the environment.

2.3. Identify appropriate tools, equipment and machinery for the planned control measure.

2.4. Select appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in accordance with Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) requirements.

2.5. Prepare a control plan for the control measure/strategy.

3. Implement control measures

3.1. Implement control measures in accordance with IPM principles, industry practice and control plan.

3.2. Ensure that control measures minimise non-target damage.

3.3. Maintain records of the control measure/s applied.

4. Monitor control measures

4.1. Monitor control measures to identify signs of adverse impact on humans, animals, non-target plants or environment.

4.2. Assess effectiveness of control measures in accordance with IPM guidelines and/or available industry standards.

4.3. Record assessment of control measures and report to client or organisation.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• identify a range of weeds and beneficial organisms
• identify threshold level of weeds for treatment
• conduct a site hazard identification and risk control assessment
• prepare a control plan
• use appropriate cultural, biological or chemical controls
• minimise damage to non-target species
• complete records of control treatments
• use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning techniques, active listening, clarifying information and consulting with supervisors as required
• use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine workplace measures
• use interpersonal skills to work with and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge 

• economic, aesthetic and environmental threshold for a range of weeds
• IPM principles and strategies
• lifecycle and biology of weeds
• hazard identification and risk assessment methodologies
• types of control measures (cultural, biological, chemical) commonly used in industry/sector
• types of equipment including personal protective equipment appropriate to the control measure
• risk factors including human, animal health and environmental associated with a range of control measures/options
• OHS requirements pertaining to the use of cultural, biological, chemical agents.

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 a range of weeds and beneficial organisms
• plan and coordinate weed control activities
• prepare and calibrate equipment
• conduct a site hazard identification and risk control assessment for weed control
• apply a range of weed control methods and maintain records
• monitor, record and report the effectiveness of controls.

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.

Weeds may include:

• the range of significant and noxious weeds of agricultural and horticultural crops, pastures and native vegetation.

Unit sector 

Pest management

Co-requisite units 

Competency field