AHCNRM401 Plan and implement a biosecurity program

Release: 1

AHCNRM401 Plan and implement a biosecurity program

Modification History

Release	TP Version	Comment
1	AHCv1.0	Initial release

Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to plan and implement a biosecurity program.

This unit applies to individuals who take responsibility for their own work and for the quality of the work of others within known parameters. They provide and communicate solutions to a range of predictable and sometimes unpredictable problems.

No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication, however, where animals are involved in training and assessment, the AHC Training Package has the requirements for animals to be handled humanely to minimise stress and discomfort.

Pre-requisite Unit

Nil.

Unit Sector

Natural Resource Management (NRM)

Elements and Performance Criteria

Element	Performance criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes.	Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.
1. Maintain a biosecure area to prevent disease transmission through the use of physical barriers and hygiene practices	1.1 Maintain a controlled access perimeter to funnel authorised traffic through control points 1.2 Establish and implement procedures for all staff and equipment to cross the controlled access perimeter into the controlled access zone 1.3 Restrict entry of workers and equipment into the controlled access zone by transferring inputs, waste and products through access points on the controlled access perimeter 1.4 Maintain restricted access perimeters and restricted zones 1.5 Prioritise access to restricted zones on the risks and potential impacts of infection being carried into the zone
2. Implement biosecurity procedures to manage visitors	2.1 Define the risk level of visitors by gathering information before the visit and during sign in 2.2 Establish procedures for higher risk visitors 2.3 Maintain clear signage to direct traffic and discourage unauthorised visitors 2.4 Communicate the requirements for entry to visitors before they arrive on site 2.5 Keep visitor parking separate to prevent staff vehicle or traffic way contamination 2.6 Develop a questionnaire to be completed and signed by visitors to establish their risk levels 2.7 Develop and post criteria for banning visitors including those who fail to make pre-arrangements 2.8 Maintain visitor log books to allow traceability of any subsequent disease issues
3. Apply sanitation practices and personnel movements to reduce the risk of disease	3.1 Monitor and adjust drainage to ensure water doesn’t collect and stand 3.2 Implement and monitor hygiene and clothing procedures for entry to the site 3.3 Establish and maintain well-defined transition zones for entering restricted zones 3.4 Select disinfectants that are appropriate for surfaces and water quality 3.5 Develop and implement standard operating procedures for cleaning and sanitising facilities, tools and equipment 3.6 Ensure staff movements and animal exposures are from most susceptible animals to least susceptible 3.7 Ensure boot dips are used correctly and recharged frequently
4. Implement an integrated strategy for pests to reduce the risk of disease	4.1 Maintain facilities to eliminate potential points of entry for pests 4.2 Screen all inputs such as feed, fertiliser and animals to reduce the likelihood of pests being introduced 4.3 Monitor pest numbers through the use of counts or other indicators 4.4 Use good sanitation and hygiene to break pest cycles and eliminate pest habitat 4.5 Control or exclude pests from output storage areas 4.6 Reduce pest numbers by use of an integrated approach using a combination of biological, chemical, behavioural and mechanical controls 4.7 Rotate pesticides periodically to overcome resistance in pest populations 4.8 Document and evaluate pest control measures in response to effectiveness over time
5. Manage outputs to reduce the risk of disease	5.1 Remove and store outputs such as garbage for later removal or disposal 5.2 Locate storage areas for outputs in low-traffic areas and managed to prevent cross-contamination and comply with environmental legislation 5.3 Implement a mortality management strategy using alternatives such as burial, composting, rendering or incineration
6. Review the implementation of biosecurity measures	6.1 Use record keeping of biosecurity procedures to reduce risk of disease 6.2 Monitor effectiveness and progress of control activities and compare with planned objectives 6.3 Ensure standards and protocols for the monitoring of sheds and facilities are adhered to as part of work duties 6.4 Address issues and concerns with biosecurity and amend procedures where required 6.5 Revise control activities as required to address relevant protocols, maintain cost-effectiveness including appropriate resource allocation and contain wider impacts 6.6 Review staff training and induction records to ensure they are able to implement all biosecurity requirements appropriate to their position

Foundation Skills

Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Range of Conditions

Unit Mapping Information

New unit - No equivalent.

Links

Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=c6399549-9c62-4a5e-bf1a-524b2322cf72