Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to implement 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 implementing 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 Identify required pest control measures 

1.1 Stored grain is checked for live or dead pests in accordance with workplace procedures

1.2 Pest infestation information, including prevalence, type and location, is gleaned from observation

1.3 Actual and potential damage to stored grain is assessed and documented

1.4 Pests causing or likely to cause damage are identified

1.5 Appropriate form of protection and/or pest control is determined in accordance with workplace procedures

1.6 Pest control measures are arranged and/or implemented in accordance with workplace requirements

2 Plan and prepare for application of pest control measures 

2.1 Spray application and inert atmosphere/fumigation requirements and application procedures are confirmed in accordance with legislative, workplace and customer requirements

2.2 Quantity and form of gas/liquid required and exposure period is determined from silo and grain storage information and matched to manufacturers instructions

2.3 Method of application is determined based on the type of pest to be controlled and site arrangements

2.4 Exposure period is determined from pest(s) to be controlled and storage specifications

2.5 Written records of site are confirmed by site measurements and observations

2.6 Access and site specific safety requirements, including appropriate signage, are coordinated to meet legislation and workplace procedures

2.7 Equipment and personnel appropriate to the task are organised

2.8 Storage is sealed in accordance with manufacturers and workplace instructions and appropriately tested as required

3 Monitor application of pest control measures 

3.1 Application is undertaken in accordance with manufacturers instructions, workplace procedures and regulatory framework

3.2 Suitable emergency equipment and personnel are coordinated on site during fumigation in accordance with workplace instructions

3.3 Selected process is monitored for effectiveness in accordance with manufacturers and workplace instructions

3.4 Tests are made to determine leakage of gas, and corrective action taken where this exceeds workplace limits

4 Ventilate fumigated storages 

4.1 Where used, pressure equipment and/or generation equipment are shut down when requested in accordance with workplace procedures

4.2 Ventilation procedures appropriate for the storage type are implemented in accordance with workplace procedures

4.3 Tests to legislative and workplace instructions are made to ensure gas has been dispersed before personnel are allowed to enter the storage

4.4 Warning signs and emergency equipment are removed when gas has dispersed to safe levels

4.5 Stored grain is checked for evidence of live and dead pests in accordance with workplace requirements

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

5 Maintain records 

5.1 Records of pest control activities are made and stored in accordance with legislative and workplace requirements

5.2 Pest control operations and results are reported in accordance with workplace requirements

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS 

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

Required knowledge :

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

• Relevant OH&S and environmental protection procedures and guidelines

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

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

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

• Procedures and precautions when preparing grain protection agents

• Classification procedures

• 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 implementing grain protection procedures

• Read and interpret instructions, information and labels relevant to grain protection procedures

• Interpret and follow operational instructions and prioritise work

• Complete documentation related to work activities

• Operate electronic communication equipment to required protocol

• Work collaboratively with others when implementing grain protection procedures

• 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 arise when implementing grain protection procedures in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

• Implement contingency plans for unanticipated situations that may occur when implementing grain protection procedures

• Apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist during work activities

• 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

• Set-up and maintain grain protection equipment

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

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

• 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 and vehicular traffic

Work is carried out:

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

Pest control activities may include:

• spraying
• baiting
• use of controlled and generally available substances
• fumigation
• inert atmosphere operations

Fumigation inert gas may be:

• for the purposes of treating identified pests or for meeting grain quality standards. Application of fumigant inert gas includes the calculation of volumes and weight of stored grain

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