Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions.

1.

Access work site and confirm work requirements.

1.1.

Work site is accessed according to client and company requirements.

1.2.

Work order is reviewed, work site requirements are identified according to client and company requirements, and issues are clarified with appropriate persons .

1.3.

Authority of client requesting services is confirmed according to company and compliance requirements .

2.

Clarify nature of pest management problem.

2.1.

Information on client record is reviewed and client perception of pest  problem,  needs and expectations are clarified according to company requirements.

2.2.

Initial scan of work site  is conducted to confirm client’s perception of pest problem according to company and compliance requirements.

3.

Plan work site inspection.

3.1.

Cost effective, practical and safe inspection method  that minimises disruption to client and site activities is selected according to work site conditions, work order, manufacturer specifications, and company and compliance requirements.

3.2.

Hazards  associated with inspection method and site are identified, and risk control strategies are applied to planning according to company and compliance requirements.

3.3.

Client agreement to inspection method is obtained according to company requirements.

3.4.

Required inspection equipment  is identified and selected according to company and compliance requirements.

4.

Inspect work site.

4.1.

Type and condition of building and environment are determined according to work order and company and compliance requirements.

4.2.

Hazards are identified during inspection and risks controlled at work site according to company and compliance requirements.

4.3.

Suitable personal protective equipment  (PPE) is selected and used according to manufacturer specifications and company and compliance requirements.

4.4.

Work site is inspected using agreed method and safe operating practices according to manufacturer specifications and company and compliance requirements.

4.5.

Types of pests are identified, or identification is referred to relevant experts as required.

4.6.

Density of pests and level of pest activity are assessed from available evidence according to work order, agreed inspection method and company requirements.

4.7.

Pest harbourages are located according to work order, agreed inspection method and company requirements.

4.8.

Evidence  of pest activity or condition is documented according to company and compliance requirements.

5.

Assess and select options for pest management.

5.1.

Pest management methods  and integrated pest management solutions suitable for pest problem are identified according to manufacturer specifications and client, company and compliance requirements.

5.2.

Pest management options are assessed for suitability to work site conditions and usage patterns.

5.3.

Pest management methods are selected and reviewed to confirm compliance with client needs and cost-effectiveness according to work order and company requirements.

6.

Advise client on pest management.

6.1.

Evidence of pest conditions or activity is demonstrated to client according to company requirements.

6.2.

Accurate information  is provided on selection of pest management methods based on established evidence of pest conditions or activity and according to company requirements.

6.3.

Opportunities for client to confirm understanding and seek clarification about pest management options are provided according to company requirements.

6.4.

Client is informed of relevant service exclusions and limitations according to company and compliance requirements.

6.5.

Advice is provided on company services and additional sources of information according to company requirements.

7.

Prepare pest management plan and process documentation.

7.1.

Proposed pest management plan  is documented according to work order and company requirements.

7.2.

Client is provided with copy of inspection findings and pest management plan according to company requirements.

7.3.

Client records are updated according to company requirements.

This section describes the language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills essential to performance in this unit but not explicit in the performance criteria.

Skill 

Performance feature 

Learning skills to:

• draw on prior knowledge to identify the nature of pest problems and select suitable pest management methods in new situations
• develop sequenced plans for inspection tasks incorporating work health and safety requirements, and including prioritised steps and attention to timelines.

Numeracy skills to:

• calculate:

• areas of buildings and surrounds requiring treatment
• volumes of required pesticides for the areas calculated

• read and interpret mathematical information in workplace documents, including equipment manuals, pesticide labels and safety data sheets (SDS).

Oral communication skills to:

• apply observation and active listening to identify clients’ attitude to pest problems
• use questioning and summarising to clarify and confirm client’s needs and understanding of pest problems
• request advice and information on pest identification and control options from experts as required, using technical language specific to pest management.

Reading skills to:

• read and interpret technical information, including directions and safety instructions in workplace documents such as equipment manuals, pesticide labels and SDS.

Writing skills to:

• prepare a pest management plan for clients using technical language, as required, and providing explanatory notes in plain English where necessary.

This section specifies work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below.

Appropriate persons  must include one or more of the following:

• clients
• colleagues
• managers
• persons in control of work site
• supervisors.

Compliance requirements  must include:

• commonwealth, state and territory legislation and local government regulations relating to assessing complex or high risk premises and advising on pest management methods, including those relating to:

• consumer protection
• dangerous goods
• pesticide registers and manifests
• pesticide use
• privacy

• environmental requirements relating to assessing complex or high risk premises and advising on pest management methods, including:

• clean up, containment or isolation of hazards
• company environmental policies and guidelines
• emergency pesticide and other chemical spill control measures
• hazardous materials handling
• regulations, by-laws and guidelines of environmental protection agencies and government departments

• public health and safety requirements relating to assessing complex or high risk premises and advising on pest management methods, including:

• AS/NZS standards
• codes of practice
• licence endorsements and conditions or limitations
• occupant notifications
• record of site conditions
• regulatory requirements
• warning signs

• work health and safety requirements relating to assessing complex or high risk premises and advising on pest management methods, including:

• hazard identification and risk assessment mechanisms, including hierarchy of hazard control procedures
• health and safety control procedures
• incident and near miss reporting
• safe work practices for equipment, including PPE
• selection and use of PPE and clothing appropriate to hazard.

Pests  must include:

• rodents
• cockroaches
• and two or more of the following:

• ants
• bed bugs
• flying insects
• spiders.

Work sites  must include two or more of the following:

• aged care facility
• childcare facility
• construction project
• education facility
• food manufacturing premises
• general manufacturing premises
• health care facility
• hospital
• motel
• recreational club
• residential hotel.

Inspection method: 

• must involve:

• discussion with client
• review of past pest management records, if available
• visual inspection

• must be selected on the basis of:

• company and compliance requirements
• existing condition of premises
• manufacturer specifications
• work order instructions
• work site activities.

Hazards  to be checked for must include:

• animal bites and stings
• confined or restricted spaces
• electrical
• environmental contamination
• fire
• lighting
• manual handling
• moving vehicles and machinery
• noise
• pesticides and other chemicals
• remote locations
• respiratory
• slips and trips
• temperature
• ultraviolet (UV) radiation
• working at heights.

Inspection equipment  must include:

• camera
• ladder
• magnifying glass
• mirror
• portable lighting or torch
• probe
• specimen bottles.

Personal protective equipment  must include:

• appropriate eye, ear and respiratory protection
• first aid kit appropriate to the task and location
• site-specific PPE and clothing requirements
• soap and towel
• sun protection.

Evidence  must include one or more of the following:

• droppings
• evidence of feeding
• harbourage
• pest damage
• specimens
• tracks.

Pest management methods  must include two or more of the following:

• biological controls
• chemical controls
• cultural controls
• physical controls.

Information  must include:

• assessment of pest types and pest activity
• conditions for, and sources of, pest infestation
• impacts on the environment and buildings of different pest management methods
• legislation, codes of practice, Australian standards and advisory standards relevant to pest management methods
• pest management treatment and maintenance methods.

Pest management plan  must include:

• advice on health, safety, environmental and other legislative matters
• advice on pest prevention strategies
• details of pest and pest activity
• follow-up pest management advice, monitoring and call-back schedule
• mandatory notification requirements
• pest management options
• pesticide application methods, if applicable
• record keeping mandated by licensing or regulatory requirements
• types and quantities of chemicals to be used, if applicable.