Elements and Performance Criteria

Appropriate person(s) may include
clients
colleagues
managers
person(s) in control of work site(s)
supervisors.

Assessment documentation may include
company activity records
detailed quotation
photographs
written reports.

Assessment methods may include
discussion with client
review of past pest management records
visual inspections.

Clients may include
body corporate
building supervisor
company/organisation
environmental health officer
executive housekeeper
maintenance manager
owner
person in control of work processes
property agent/manager
tenant.

Client records may be a computer or manual file and include
contact details
customer files and databases
details of previous assessments
details of previous quotations
details of previous service provision
logbooks
pest management plan
reports
specific details about the work site, nature of the pest problem, etc
use of contractors.

Company requirements may include
access and equity policy, principles and practice
business and performance plans
client communication procedures
client confidentiality procedures
client service standards
communication channels and reporting procedures
company goals, objectives, plans, systems and processes
company issued identification badge/card/pass
company policy and procedures
defined resource parameters
dress and presentation requirements
duty of care, code of conduct, code of ethics
emergency response and evacuation procedures
employer and employee rights and responsibilities
establishing operator identity with client
maintenance procedures for equipment and PPE
OHS control procedures (e.g. health and safety plans, job plans, job safety analysis, risk assessments, safe operating practices/procedures, safe work instructions, work method statements, safe system of work statements)
OHS policies and procedures
personnel practices and guidelines
policies and procedures relating to own role, responsibility and delegation
quality and continuous improvement processes and standards
records and information systems and processes
training (induction and refresher) materials
work site access security clearance procedures

Cost effective means a balance that
achieves an effective pest management solution
is affordable for the client
provides profit opportunities for the operator.

Environmental requirements may include
clean-up, containment and/or isolation
company policies and guidelines
emergency chemical spill control measures
environmental protection agency and government departments (e.g. agriculture, emergency services and national parks and wildlife) regulations and guidelines
hazardous materials handling
local government regulations/bylaws.

Equipment may include
bunding material
camera
dishes or bowls
drills
dusters
electrical extension leads
elevated work platforms
equipment decontamination materials
flexible light
flushing agents
generators
hoses
injectors
knives
ladders
magnifying glass
measuring jug
mirrors
probes
safety harnesses
sand and other absorbent materials
screwdrivers
shovels and rakes
sounding, moisture and movement detectors
specimen bottles
spray equipment
torches
trays
waste disposal containers.

Hazards may include
allergic reactions to chemicals, pests and/or equipment, including latex allergies
biological and animal waste
bites and stings
blood and blood-stained products
confined/restricted spaces
contaminated clothing, materials and/or equipment
damaged or inappropriate equipment
dust and fibres
electrical hazards arising from cables, electrical fittings (switches and lights) and untested electrical equipment
environmental impact
fatigue
fire
gas
heights
inadequate lighting and ventilation
infectious and zoonotic diseases e.g. scabies/Q fever
manual handling techniques including awkward and repetitive postures
mobile/vehicle hazards around plant and vehicles
moving and/or unguarded parts
noise
occupational violence and bullying
poor personal hygiene practices
spill, splash and spray
underfoot conditions e.g. slippery, uneven and rough surfaces
work environment temperature extremes
work in isolated/remote environments.

Information may include
conditions for infestation
control and maintenance methods
hazardous substance legislation, codes of practice, Australian Standards and advisory standards covering use of chemicals
impacts on the environment and buildings of alternative pest management methods
pest activity
sources of infestation.

Interpersonal skills and communication techniques may include
active listening
language - accurate, articulate and concise
language, verbal or non-verbal
presentation of options and consequences
providing an opportunity for the client to confirm their request
questioning to clarify and confirm the client's understanding
seeking feedback from client to confirm understanding of needs
summarising and paraphrasing to check understanding of client's message
use of effective presentation aids (audiovisual slides, diagrams, photos, pictures)
using appropriate body language.

Legislative requirements may include
Australian Standards, quality assurance and certification requirements
award and enterprise agreements
industry advisory standards and codes
relevant Commonwealth/state/territory legislation and local government regulations which affect company operation:
anti-discrimination and diversity
building codes
chemical controls
chemical registers/manifests
consumer protection legislation
dangerous goods Acts and regulations
dangerous goods code
declared pest (plant and animal) reporting
environmental protection issues
equal employment opportunity
freedom of information
industrial relations
motor and commercial vehicle(s) transportation
motor licence and endorsement regulations
OHS Acts and regulations
privacy
public health
trade practices
workplace consultative arrangements.

Manufacturers' specifications may include
emergency response resources
equipment operational manuals
government publications
instructional guides
material safety data sheets (MSDS)
other resources supplied by the manufacturer (such as laminated cards, notices and wall posters) in work sites or vehicles
product labels
safety instructions pre-printed on equipment.

Occupational health and safety* (OHS) requirements may relate to
allergic reactions (contact dermatitis, etc)
animal management/control procedures
communication devices for remote and isolated locations e.g. mobile phone, two-way radio, etc
dermatoxicological control and prevention measures
emergency procedures for eye and skin contact, inhalation and ingestion of toxic substances
hazard identification and risk assessment mechanisms
hierarchy of hazard control procedures
industry advisory standards
information provided by national registration authority for chemical approval and state government authorities e.g. agriculture, environment protection, health and primary industry
injury and dangerous occurrence reporting
national and industry codes of practice
OHS control procedures (e.g. health and safety plans, job plans, job safety analysis, risk assessments, safe operating practices/procedures, safe work instructions, work method statements, safe system of work statements)
health surveillance and monitoring (e.g. regular blood testing)
routes of entry and potential symptoms of exposure from chemicals
safe work practices for equipment, PPE and chemical storage including interpretation of MSDS and hazardous substance information e.g. long latency periods
safety training, induction and refresher training
selection and use of PPE and clothing appropriate to the hazard
up-to-date electrical test and tag compliance
use of chemicals in accordance with MSDS
use of residual current devices
use, storage and maintenance of equipment in accordance with manufacturers' specifications and equipment operating manuals
withholding periods and spray drift.
* Also known as workplace health and safety

Personal protective equipment (PPE) may include
air-line and self-contained respirators
breathing respirator - full-face and half-face
chemical impervious gloves
chemical resistant aprons
communication equipment
contaminated clothing bag
cradles
drinking fluids
dust masks
eye protection e.g. safety glasses, goggles
eyewashes and showers
face shield (splash-proof)
First Aid kit appropriate to the task and location
hair nets
hard hats
high-visibility vests/clothing
long pants
noise protection
non-slip safety shoes/boots
overalls, coveralls or other chemical protective clothing
prodding/probing sticks and rods
safety harness
sharps containers
soap and towel
sunscreen
tongs
torch
washable sun hats
wet-work protective clothing.

Pest management method options may include
biological controls
chemical and physical barrier treatments
cultural controls
environmental controls
management controls.

Pest management plan may include
advice of health, safety, environmental and other legislative matters
advice on pest prevention strategies
chemical application methods
details of pest and pest activity
follow up pest management advice, monitoring and call-back schedule
pest management method options
types and quantities of chemicals to be used.

Pests may include
any pest of commercial significance in an urban environment.

Sources of information may include
company specialists or consultants
government agencies and departments e.g. agriculture, forestry, quarantine
industry groups and associations
Internet resources
publications e.g. company, government and industry.

Work order information may include
access to work site including timing of access and access and egress points
budget allocations
completion times/dates
job requirements and tasks
legislative and local government requirements
OHS requirements and emergency response procedures
resource requirements - equipment and materials
specific client requirements e.g. noise control, sensitivity of occupants to pests and/or management, relationships with other customer activities, dress and presentation requirements
use of signage and barriers
work schedules
work site contact person(s)
working in isolated and remote locations.

Work site requirements may include
access and egress points
lighting
noise control
presentation
relationships with other customer activities
security
sensitivity of occupants to pests
ventilation.

Work sites may include
building surroundings
buildings
domestic, commercial or industrial premises.

Critical aspects of competency
Accurate clarification of the client's pest problem.
Accurate identification of the hazards and risks associated with pest management.
Accurate identification of the type of pest(s) and pest activity.
Communicating information and advice on pest management method options.
Compliance with company and legislative/regulatory requirements.
Knowledge of hierarchy of hazard control.
Outcomes achieved in relation to work order.
Safe and appropriate pest management method options.

Knowledge needed to achieve the performance criteria
Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this unit in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this unit are listed below.
Types of pests relevant to the area and their life cycles, habits and harbourages.
Pest ecology as related to pest management operations.
Pesticidal and physical controls associated with managing pests in a range of environments.
Product knowledge including manufacturers' specifications for equipment and products being used.
OHS legislation and procedures.
Applicable regulations, codes of practice and industry advisory standards.
Safe work practices with equipment and PPE.
Emergency response procedures.
Injury, dangerous occurrence and incident reporting.
Work order specifications.
Company management structure and reporting procedures.

Specific skills needed to achieve the performance criteria

To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These are:

interpersonal skills
hazard identification and risk control
applying correct manual handling techniques
handling and disposal of chemicals safely
reading, interpreting and comprehending directions and safety instructions in equipment manuals and on chemical labels and MSDS
performing the mathematical calculations required for measuring areas and volumes
working safely at heights and in confined spaces
communicating clearly and concisely using written and verbal modes
requesting advice or further information
seeking and receiving feedback
working on an individual basis and within a team
planning and organising work
sourcing, organising and recording information
customer service.

Other units of competency that could be assessed with this unit

Competence in this unit may be assessed in conjunction with:

PRMPM05B Modify environment to manage pests
PRMPM06B Apply pesticide to manage pests
PRMPM07B Implement a pest management plan
PRMPM09B Advise client on pest management options
PRMPM43A Prepare and present a pest management submission including quotation.

Resources required to assess this unit

The following resources should be available:

access to a suitable work site or other venue
access to plain English version of relevant statutes and procedures
work order instructions, work plans and schedules, and policy documents
access to relevant databases and information
assessment instruments, including personal planner and assessment record book.

Gaining evidence to assess this unit
For valid and reliable assessment of this unit the competency should be demonstrated in the field by reviewing the outcome of at least one complete assessment role under normal industry operating conditions, or if this is not practicable, in a simulated work environment.
The competency should be demonstrated over a period of time and observed by the assessor.
The competency is to be demonstrated in a range of situations, which may include customer/workplace interruptions and involvement in related activities normally experienced in the workplace.
Supplementary evidence may be obtained from relevant written correspondence with existing and potential clients. This information must be relevant by showing evidence of the candidate's work performance.
Other forms of gaining evidence such as through oral questioning and hypothetical situations (scenarios) may be used to supplement (but not substitute for) the practical demonstration of competence.

Communicating ideas and information
Confirm own role and responsibilities with colleagues and supervisors to ensure compliance with work order, legislation and company requirements. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Collect, analyse and organise all information from management and client to determine outcome for relevant activity. (2)

Planning and organising activities
Plan and organise outcome of activity as determined by client brief. (2)

Working with others and in teams
Provide support and assistance to team members to complete work tasks within designated timelines and in accordance with company requirements. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Calculate work site area and cost effective methods to undertake work order. (1)

Solving problems
Assess and analyse in conjunction with management and client possible problems which may arise. (2)

Using technology
Record data, such as incident/hazard reports or assessment documentation of client, for future quotation use. (2)