Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to apply grain protection procedures within grain storage facilities in accordance with workplace procedures including identifying required pest control measures, preparing for application of pest control measures, monitoring application of pest control measures, ventilating fumigated storages, and maintaining records in accordance with workplace requirements. Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements are applicable to this unit.

Application of the Unit 

Work must be carried out in accordance with regulations and workplace requirements relevant to grain storage operations.

Work is performed under some supervision, generally within a team/group environment. It involves the application of regulatory requirements and workplace procedures when applying grain protection measures as part of grain storage operations in the transport, warehousing, distribution and/or storage industries.

Employability Skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1 Prepare for application of pest control measures 

1.1 Legal and workplace requirements for fumigation are followed in accordance with work order

1.2 Fumigation/spray application requirements are followed using silo and grain storage information in accordance with manufacturers instructions

1.3 Written records are confirmed by site measurements and observations

1.4 Access and site specific safety requirements to meet legislation and workplace instructions are determined

1.5 Equipment is checked for conformance to workplace requirements and manufacturers specifications

1.6 Where applicable, storage is checked for gas-proofing in accordance with manufacturers and workplace instructions prior to fumigation

2 Apply pest control measures 

2.1 Personal protective equipment and engineering controls are used as instructed

2.2 Fumigant and spray applications are applied in accordance with manufacturers and workplace instructions

2.3 Warning signs are placed in accordance with legislative and workplace requirements

2.4 Application is monitored to ensure effectiveness of operation

2.5 Empty fumigant containers are returned to the manufacturer, retailer or disposed of in accordance with legislative and workplace requirements

2.6 Baits are prepared in accordance with legislation and manufacturers instructions

2.7 Baits are placed in accordance with site requirements and manufacturers instructions

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS 

This describes the essential knowledge and skills and their level required for this unit.

Required knowledge :

• Regulations relevant to the application of grain protection measures in grain storage facilities

• Relevant OH&S and environmental protection procedures and guidelines

• Workplace procedures and policies for the application of grain protection measures

• Problems that may occur when applying grain protection measures and appropriate action that can be taken to resolve the problems

• Equipment applications, capacities, configurations, safety hazards and control mechanisms

• Characteristics of commodity types, varieties and grades, and their identification

• Emergency response procedures

• Storage and safe handling procedures for fumigants, chemicals and other grain protection materials

• Procedures for environmental control and disposal activities

• Site layout and obstacles

Required skills :

• Communicate effectively with others when applying grain protection measures

• Read and interpret instructions, procedures information and labels relevant to the application of grain protection measures

• Interpret and follow operational instructions and prioritise work

• Complete documentation related to the application of grain protection measures

• Operate electronic communication equipment to required protocol

• Work collaboratively with others when applying grain protection measures

• Adapt appropriately to cultural differences in the workplace, including modes of behaviour and interactions with others

• Promptly report and/or rectify any identified problems, faults or malfunctions that may occur when applying grain protection measures in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

• Implement contingency plans for unanticipated situations that may arise when applying grain protection measures

• Apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist during the application of grain protection measures

• Plan own work including predicting consequences and identifying improvements

• Monitor work activities in terms of planned schedule

• Modify activities depending on differing operational contingencies, risk situations and environments

• Work systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self or others, or damage to goods or equipment

• Operate and adapt to differences in equipment in accordance with standard operating procedures

• Set up and maintain grain protection equipment

• Identify, select and efficiently and effectively use equipment needed when applying grain protection measures

• Identify pests that infest grain in grain storage facilities

• Select and use required personal protective equipment conforming to industry and OH&S standards

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required knowledge and skills, the range statement and the assessment guidelines for this Training Package.

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 and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria of this unit and include demonstration of applying:

• the underpinning knowledge and skills
• relevant legislation and workplace procedures
• other relevant aspects of the range statement

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

• Performance is demonstrated consistently over a period of time and in a suitable range of contexts
• Resources for assessment include:

• a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or other simulated practical and knowledge assessment, and/or
• access to an appropriate range of relevant operational situations in the workplace

• In both real and simulated environments, access is required to:

• relevant and appropriate materials and equipment, and
• applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals

Method of assessment 

• Assessment of this unit must be undertaken by a registered training organisation
• As a minimum, assessment of knowledge must be conducted through appropriate written/oral tests
• Practical assessment must occur:

• through activities in an appropriately simulated environment at the registered training organisation, and/or
• in an appropriate range of situations in the workplace

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance.

Work may be conducted:

• in a range of work environments
• by day or night

Customers may be:

• internal or external

Workplaces may comprise:

• large, medium or small worksites

Workplace environment may include movement of:

• equipment
• goods
• products
• materials
• vehicular traffic

Work is carried out in accordance with:

• required OH&S procedures
• hazard control strategies, including the use of personal protective equipment
• manufacturers instructions and labels for the use of fumigants and pest control chemicals

Pest control activities may include:

• spraying
• baiting
• use of controlled fumigants

Fumigation inert gas may be for the purposes of:

• treating identified pests
• for meeting grain quality standards

Pest control agents:

• must be used in accordance with relevant Commonwealth, state or territory legislation

Hazards in the work area may include exposure to:

• chemicals and pesticides
• dangerous or hazardous substances
• stationary and moving equipment, parts and materials
• noise, light, energy sources
• electrical equipment
• humidity, air temperature, radiant heat
• debris on floor
• faulty equipment

Personal protective equipment may include:

• gloves
• safety headwear and footwear
• safety glasses
• two-way radios
• protective clothing
• respirators and fume/dust masks
• high visibility clothing

Requirements for work may include:

• site restrictions and procedures
• licensing requirements
• use of safety and personal protective equipment
• communications/recording equipment
• authorities and permits
• emergency procedures

Communication in the work area may include:

• phone
• fax
• email/internet
• electronic data interchange (EDI)
• RF systems
• oral, aural or signed communications

Consultative processes may involve:

• workplace personnel
• supervisors and managers
• existing and potential customers/clients
• manufacturers of pesticides
• suppliers and contractors
• union representatives
• industrial relations and OH&S specialists
• maintenance, professional or technical staff

Depending on the type of organisation concerned and the local terminology used, workplace procedures may include:

• company procedures
• workplace procedures
• organisational procedures
• established or standard procedures

Information/documents may include:

• operations manuals, job specifications and procedures
• induction documentation
• competency standards and training materials
• manufacturers specifications, labels and instructions for fumigants, chemicals and equipment
• material safety data sheets
• workplace operating procedures and policies
• supplier and/or client instructions
• Australian and international standards, criteria and certification requirements
• codes of practice including the National Standards for Manual Handling and the Industry Safety Code
• relevant regulations including the ADG Code
• award, workplace bargaining agreement, other industrial arrangements
• OH&S procedures
• quality assurance procedures
• emergency procedures

Applicable regulations and legislation may include:

• relevant codes and regulations pertaining to grain storage
• legislation regarding the use of fumigants/poisons
• ADG Code and regulations pertaining to the storage and handling of dangerous and hazardous goods
• relevant state/territory OH&S legislation
• relevant state/territory environmental protection legislation
• relevant Australian and international standards and certification requirements
• workplace relations regulations including equal opportunity, equal employment opportunity and affirmative action legislation
• workers compensation regulations

Competency Field 

J - Quality