RTC4702A Minimise risks in the use of chemicals

Release: 1

RTC4702A Minimise risks in the use of chemicals

Modification History

Not applicable.

Unit Descriptor

This competency standard covers the process of developing, implementing and monitoring a risk control strategy in a workplace where chemicals are being handled and used. It requires knowledge of legislation and regulations surrounding chemical use, the ability to develop and implement procedures to ensure minimum risk to users, the environment and the produce, and the ability to carry out a risk assessment.

NB: This competency standard may be deemed to have a time limit when used as part of an accreditation or licence to purchase or use chemicals.

This competency standard covers the process of developing, implementing and monitoring a risk control strategy in a workplace where chemicals are being handled and used. It requires knowledge of legislation and regulations surrounding chemical use, the ability to develop and implement procedures to ensure minimum risk to users, the environment and the produce, and the ability to carry out a risk assessment.

NB: This competency standard may be deemed to have a time limit when used as part of an accreditation or licence to purchase or use chemicals.

Application of the Unit

Not applicable.

Licensing/Regulatory Information

Not applicable.

Pre-Requisites

Not applicable.

Employability Skills Information

Not applicable.

Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content

Not applicable.

Elements and Performance Criteria

Elements and Performance Criteria
Element	Performance Criteria
1	Identify hazards involved in chemical use	1.1	External guidelines and legislation concerning chemical use are identified and sourced from relevant authorities.
1.2	Hazards involved in handling and application of chemicals are identified.
2	Assess risk and develop control procedures	2.1	Risks associated with chemical use are assessed.
2.2	Risk control measures including Emergency action plans are developed and implemented.
2.3	Industry requirements for chemicals are identified.
2.4	Withholding periods are identified and observed.
2.5	Control procedures for transport, storage and handling of chemicals are developed.
2.6	Continuous improvement strategy is implemented to minimise risk.
3	Implement and monitor procedures to ensure correct and safe use and application of chemicals	3.1	Appropriate personal protective equipment is provided for people in the workplace handling chemicals.
3.2	Procedures are implemented to ensure suitable application equipment is selected and used.
3.3	Restrictions on use of chemicals due to weather or unsuitable workplace activities are implemented.
3.4	Procedures covering chemical application rates are implemented and monitored.
3.5	Procedures for decontamination and disposal of chemicals and their containers are implemented and monitored.
3.6	Adherence to risk control procedures by people in the workplace is monitored.
4	Record risk assessments	4.1	Record keeping system is developed as required by labels, industry, legislation and authorities.
5	Evaluate risk control measures	5.1	Procedures for evaluating the effectiveness of risk control measures are developed.
5.2	Shortcomings in existing risk control measures are identified and rectified.

Required Skills and Knowledge

Not applicable.

Evidence Guide

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole? Overall competence in this standard requires evidence that a person can act to minimise risks associated with chemical spills, ensuring that damage to environment and others is minimal, that safety precautions and regulations are followed at all times, and that the area is cleaned according to prescribed requirements. These skills must be transferable to other work contexts.
What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?	Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this competency standard are listed below: Sources of information on chemicals, including labels, regulations, and MSDS. Relevant industry standards, Codes of Practice, State and Territory legislation and regulations governing application, transport, handling and storage of chemicals. OHS legislative requirements and Codes of Practice. Insurances required for chemical use, transportation and storage. Correct wearing/fit of personal protective equipment.
What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?	To achieve the performance criteria, appropriate literacy and numeracy levels as well as some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to: Read and interpret all appropriate relevant chemical related documents. Communicate procedures to others. Manage chemical use to comply with industry standards.
What processes should be applied to this competency standard? There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life, which are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies, although others may be added. The questions below highlight how these processes are applied in this competency standard. Following each question a number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency needs to be demonstrated where 0 = not required, 1 = perform the process, 2 = perform and administer the process and 3 = perform, administer and design the process.
1. How can communication of ideas and information (3) be applied?	Information from a range of sources concerning chemical use will be communicated to others.
2. How can information be collected, analysed and organised (2)?	Information on risks involved with chemical use will be collected and analysed to develop risk control measures.
3. How are activities planned and organised (3)?	Procedures developed to handle and use chemicals will have to incorporate workplace activities and their planning.
4. How can team work (3) be applied?	Team work may be involved in implementing and monitoring procedures.
5. How can the use of mathematical ideas and techniques (2) be applied?	Interpreting Maximum Residue Limits will involve mathematical techniques.
6. How can problem-solving skills (3) be applied?	Assessing comparative risks associated with a variety of chemicals will involve problem solving.
7. How can the use of technology (2) be applied?	Technology may be involved in developing and implementing procedures and monitoring outcomes.
What are the special assessment conditions for this competency standard? Where this competency standard is being used as part of an accreditation or licence for purchase or use of chemicals, the assessor must meet the requirements of the issuing body. This may include: 1. Accreditation with that issuing body. 2. Maintenance of current competency in this competency standard. 3. Involvement in professional development programs comprising technical and legislative updates on an annual basis.
Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one? This competency standard could be assessed on its own or in combination with other competencies relevant to the job function.
There is essential information about assessing this competency standard for consistent performance and where and how it may be assessed, in the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package. All users of these competency standards must have access to both the Assessment Guidelines and the relevant Sector Booklet.

Range Statement

Range of Variables The Range of Variables explains the contexts within which the performance and knowledge requirements of this standard may be assessed. The scope of variables chosen in training and assessment requirements may depend on the work situations available
What external guidelines and legislation may be relevant to this standard?	Guidelines may include Quality Assurance systems or Codes of Practice. Legislation may include Pesticide Acts, Occupational Health and Safety Acts regarding hazardous substances and application equipment, Dangerous Goods Act, Poisons Act or Protection of the Environment Acts.
What chemicals may be involved?	Chemicals may include insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, bactericides, algaecides, biologicals, nematacides, rodenticides, antimicrobial agents, anthelmintics, fumigants, hormone growth promotants or a range of veterinary chemicals used to treat animals for disease.
What hazards may be relevant to this standard?	Hazards will be listed on labels and the Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for the chemical concerned and may include flammability, toxicity, health hazards, damage to non-target organisms, environmental damage or residues in foods.
What risks may be relevant to this standard?	Risks to environment may include pollution of ground or surface waters, damage to habitats, damage to off-target organisms, or damage to community amenity due to spray drift. Risks associated with the produce include chemical residue in plant produce, livestock or water. Risks associated with OHS include exposure to chemicals during handling and application, and public health risks. Other risks include lack of appropriate insurance coverage.
What emergencies may be relevant to this standard?	Emergencies may include spills, fire, explosion or poisoning.
What withholding periods may be relevant to this standard?	May include export slaughter interval or withholding period.
What risk control procedures may be relevant to this standard?	May include provision of adequate personal protective equipment, storage facilities that are suitable to the chemical, implementing buffer zones and other sensitive site strategies, erecting bunding, and sufficient training in transporting, handling and storing chemicals.
What personal protective equipment may be relevant to this standard?	May include chemical resistant gloves, boots, overalls, breathing apparatus, goggles, face shields or hats.
What application equipment may be relevant to this standard?	Include knapsacks or hand held pneumatic sprayers, drench guns, spot on applicators, CDA and air assisted units, self-propelled sprayers, controllers or power operated equipment like boomsprays, pressure wands, jetting race, shower/plunge dips, hand jetting or air blast sprayer.
What procedures for evaluating are relevant to this standard?	May include analysing records to evaluate effectiveness of risk control measures.
For more information on contexts, environment and variables for training and assessment, refer to the Sector Booklet.

Unit Sector(s)

Not applicable.