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.

Inspect work site and identify pests and pest activity.

1.1.

Work site  is accessed according to client and company requirements.

1.2.

Work order is reviewed and client requests and issues are clarified with appropriate persons .

1.3.

Inspection method is determined and inspection equipment  is selected and checked according to work order and client and company requirements.

1.4.

Hazards  relating to inspection of work site are identified and risks are assessed and controlled according to relevant company and compliance requirements. 

1.5.

Site buildings and environment are examined and source and type of pest, extent of pest activity , and potential for pest activity are identified according to work order and company requirements.

2.

Develop and discuss pest management plan with client.

2.1.

Pesticide application methods  are selected to control pest according to type and extent of pest activity, potential pest activity, work order, manufacturer specifications, and company and compliance requirements.

2.2.

Pest management plan  is developed according to client, company, and compliance requirements.

2.3.

Client is advised of proposed pest management plan according to work order and company requirements, and questions are invited and responses given.

2.4.

Client’s approval to proceed with implementation of pest management plan is confirmed according to company requirements.

3.

Prepare work site for pest management.

3.1.

Hazards relating to the application of pesticides at the work site are identified, risk assessment is conducted, and hazard control measures are determined according to manufacturer specifications and safety data sheets (SDS).

3.2.

Size and usage pattern of work site are determined to ensure safety of personnel and efficient use of application equipment  and pesticides. 

3.3.

Signage and barriers  are installed according to legislation or industry best practice to maximise protection of public health and safety during treatment operations.

3.4.

Factors preventing completion of work order are identified and appropriate persons are promptly advised.

4.

Select and prepare equipment and pesticides required to implement pest management plan.

4.1.

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

4.2.

Application equipment is selected, accessed and checked for operational effectiveness according to manufacturer specifications and company and compliance requirements.

4.3.

Equipment is adjusted to suit operator’s requirements according to manufacturer specifications.

4.4.

Pesticides are selected according to risk assessment, pest management plan and manufacturer specifications.

4.5.

Pesticide quantities required for work order are calculated according to manufacturer specifications and compliance requirements.

4.6.

Pesticides are mixed or prepared according to product label directions.

4.7.

Pump sprayer is calibrated and nozzles and flow rate are checked, according to manufacturer instructions for operator maintenance and requirements for surface being treated.

5.

Apply pesticides.

5.1.

Work site is treated internally and externally as required, using equipment and pesticides identified in pest management plan.

5.2.

Pesticides are applied using safe operating practices according to manufacturer specifications and company and compliance requirements.

5.3.

Emergency situations are responded to using emergency response procedures  according to manufacturer specifications, and relevant company and compliance requirements.

6.

Finalise work and complete documentation.

6.1.

Equipment, pesticides and waste are collected and removed from work site according to work order and company and compliance requirements.

6.2.

Waste arising from accidental spillages or contamination is removed and disposed of according to company policy, manufacturer specifications and compliance requirements.

6.3.

Work site is restored according to work order, client requests, and company and compliance requirements.

6.4.

Hazards are eliminated prior to handover according to company and compliance requirements.

6.5.

Client is advised of residual hazards and site re-entry periods according to product labels and SDS.

6.6.

Signage and barriers are removed when work site is available for re-use, according to work order and company and compliance requirements.

6.7.

Appropriate persons are notified of further hazard reduction or necessary rectification measures according to company and compliance requirements.

6.8.

Regulatory and company documentation is completed and distributed according to legislative and company requirements.

7.

Clean, safety check and store equipment.

7.1.

Equipment and PPE are cleaned and decontaminated according to manufacturer specifications and company and compliance requirements.

7.2.

Equipment and PPE are safety checked and required maintenance is recorded according to manufacturer specifications and company and compliance requirements.

7.3.

Cleaned equipment and PPE are stored according to company requirements and to allow ready access and re-use.

7.4.

Pesticides are transported and stored according to manufacturer specifications and company and compliance requirements.

7.5.

Waste that was removed from site is disposed of according to work order and company policy, manufacturer specifications and relevant jurisdictional legislative requirements.

7.6.

Exposed skin is treated to remove any contamination according to manufacturer specifications and company and compliance 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 of pests and pest activity to determine the scope of inspections required at new sites and to select effective pest management methods for the types of pests identified.

Numeracy skills to:

• read and interpret numerical data manufacturer labels and SDS for pesticides in order to dilute and mix pesticides in the correct ratio
• calculate areas for pesticide application and estimate volumes of pesticide required.

Oral communication skills to:

• confirm understanding of client’s pest problem and related requests and issues using strategies that include questioning and summarising
• confirm clients’ understanding of chemical control aspects of pest management plan, including hazards associated with pesticide use and timeframes for site re-entry.

Reading skills to:

• read and interpret directions and safety instructions, including:

• pesticide labels
• equipment manuals
• work orders.

Writing skills to:

• prepare client information, including invoices
• record information on regulatory and workplace documentation, such as equipment maintenance records.

Planning and organising skills to:

• plan and organise inspection and pest management activities, including identifying risks and accessing relevant resources, such as manufacturer specifications and SDS.

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.

Work site  must include either:

• residential premises with different types of construction, or
• commercial premises with different uses, or
• a combination of the above.

Appropriate persons  must include one or more of the following:

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

Inspection equipment  must include:

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

Hazards  must include checking for the following:

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

Compliance requirements  must include:

• Australian standards, quality assurance and certification requirements relating to the use of pesticides
• industry guides, advisory standards and codes of practice relating to the use of pesticides
• commonwealth, state and territory legislation and local government regulations relating to the use of pesticides, including:

• consumer protection
• dangerous goods
• licensing requirements for pest management
• pesticide registers and manifests
• pesticide use
• privacy

• environmental requirements relating to the use of pesticides, including:

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

• public health and safety requirements relating to the use of pesticides, including:

• licence endorsements and conditions or limitations
• occupant notifications
• record of site conditions
• regulatory requirements
• warning signs

• work health and safety requirements relating to the use of pesticides, including:

• injury, dangerous occurrence and incident reporting
• manual handling
• procedures for hazard identification, risk assessment and hazard control, including hierarchy of hazard control
• requirements of national registration authority and state government authorities
• site inductions and client safety requirements
• use of safe work methods, including use of pesticides according to manufacturer labels.

Type of pest  must include species identification of:

• ants
• cockroaches
• rodents
• spiders.

Extent of pest activity  must include:

• factors contributing to pest activity
• scope and degree of activity or infestation.

Pesticide application methods  must include:

• applying pesticide liquids, powders, gels and granules
• installing and securing baits
• space treatments, including:

• preparation
• no-entry notification
• application
• ventilation
• re-entry process.

Pest management plan  must include:

• advice on health, safety, environmental and other legislative matters
• advice on pest prevention strategies
• chemical application methods
• details of pest and pest activity and potential for pest activity
• follow-up pest management advice, monitoring and call-back schedule
• mandatory notification requirements
• pest management options
• types and quantities of chemicals to be used.

Application equipment  must include:

• bait stations
• electrical dust applicator
• hand puffer
• pump up sprayer.

Pesticides  must include:

• insecticides
• rodenticides.

Signage and barriers  must include one or more of the following:

• physical barriers and restraints erected to restrict access to work site
• signs complying with legislative requirements and/or Australian standards that warn of danger and/or adverse conditions.

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.

Emergency response procedures  must include one of more of the following:

• calling emergency numbers and poisons information centre
• cleaning up
• containing hazards
• decontamination
• evacuating work site or workplace, if required
• isolating hazards
• notifying authorities
• using PPE.