Course Description
The aim of this course is to provide the skills and knowledge required to prepare, apply, transport and store chemicals. The course provides practical information to reduce exposure to hazards and risks associated with pesticides as well as teaching best practice methods for safe handling and application of chemicals.
The following competencies are covered in the course and meet state/territory licensing requirements for the application of agriculture chemicals:
- AHCCHM304 Transport and store chemicals
- AHCCHM307 Prepare and apply chemicals to control pest, weeds and diseases
Course Outcome
AHCCHM304 Transport and store chemicals
(Unit Release 3 – 19/12/2018)
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to safely handle, transport and store chemicals.
The unit applies to individuals who work under broad direction and take responsibility for their own work. They use discretion and judgement in the selection, allocation and use of available resources and for solving problems.
State or territory licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply in some jurisdictions.
AHCCHM307 Prepare and apply chemicals to control pest, weeds and diseases
(Unit Release 1 – 18/12/2018)
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to safely prepare and apply chemicals for the control of pests, weeds and diseases, using general application equipment.
The unit applies to individuals who work under broad direction and take responsibility for their own work. They use discretion and judgement in the selection, allocation and use of available resources and for solving problems.
State or territory licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply in some jurisdictions.
Licensing/Regulatory Information
Australian states and territories, and certain industry bodies, have stringent regulations regarding the use of agriculture chemicals. For more information on the legal requirements in your state, click on the appropriate link below.
QUEENSLAND – Commercial Operator’s Licence
NEW SOUTH WALES – Ground Applicator Licence
Website: https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/your-environment/pesticides
VICTORIA – Commercial Operator’s Licence
Entry Requirements
There are no pre-requisites for this course however students will need to meet the following entry requirements:
All entrants must meet the following requirements:
- AQF level II written and spoken English;
- Numeracy skills to meet the Foundation skills required for this unit of competency;
- Completion of a Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) assessment;
- Access to a computer (device) and internet to complete the correspondence training component.
Existing workers must meet the following additional entry requirements:
- Completed Workplace health and safety induction/training,
- Prior use of a Safety Data Sheets (SDS),
- Prior use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and
- Preparation and application of chemicals in a domestic and/or workplace setting.
Training Duration and Schedule
Students complete preliminary correspondence learning in their own time and location prior to attendance on-site. If you are already working in or have existing knowledge and skills in the use of chemicals, you only need to attend Day 2 from 8 am to 4 pm. New entrants need to attend on Day 1 and Day 2 from 8 am to 4 pm.
| DAY | SESSION | TRAINING ACTIVITY | DESCRIPTION |
| Day 1
New entrants only
|
Session 1 Morning | · Theory | · Transport handle and store chemicals |
| Session 2 Afternoon | · Practical
· Theory |
· Prepare and apply chemicals to control pest, weeds and diseases | |
| Day 2
New entrants and existing workers
|
Session 1 Morning | · Demonstration
· Practice |
· Transport handle and store chemicals |
| Session 2 Afternoon | · Demonstration
· Practice |
· Prepare and apply chemicals to control pest, weeds and diseases |
Training Venue and Delivery Mode
Students complete work-related training and assessment activities in an appropriate training facility, on-farm location or workplace using a face a face approach with their trainer.
The courses are delivered throughout regions of Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. Courses may take place at professional facilities or a workplace where the required facilities and equipment are in place and available. Additional programs are conducted on individual farms that meet the facility and equipment requirements for training.
Student candidates will be offered a place in the nearest course to their locality or in their preferred location. Confirmation of delivery location will be provided via email.
Assessment
To demonstrate competency in this unit, a student must successfully demonstrate;
(AHCCHM304)
- identified health and safety hazards, assessed risks and implemented controls
- ensured emergency services contact details are available
- ensured transport vehicle meets regulations and that chemicals were loaded, secured and protected according to regulations and procedures
- ensured emergency equipment and procedures were available
- handled, transported and stored chemicals safely
- carried out emergency procedures safely and according to procedures
- maintained a chemical storage manifest and safety data sheets (SDS) according to legislative and regulatory requirements
- complied with chemical label instructions and SDS for transporting and storage of chemicals and legislative and regulatory requirements
- maintained inventory and records according to workplace procedures and legislative and regulatory requirements
- monitored chemical expiration and disposed of chemicals and waste according to workplace procedures and legislative and regulatory requirements.
(AHCCHM307)
- determined and confirmed the need for chemical application by assessing the infestation, off target risk, and environmental risks
- developed an application plan for chemical application
- identified health and safety hazards, risk and implemented control procedures according to chemical label
- notified stakeholders of planned chemical application
- used personal protective equipment (PPE) according to workplace procedures
- interpreted chemical labels and applied chemical according to safety data sheets (SDS) and application plan
- identified and selected the chemical required for the target and calculated the amount and rates required according to chemical label
- identified and selected application equipment and suitable location, and determined the set up parameters according to application plan and operator instructions
- monitored and assessed weather conditions and equipment performance to ensure effective chemical application
- selected, conducted pre-operational checks according to operator and maintenance manual
- completed at least one calibration activity for application equipment
- prepared and loaded chemicals and returned unused chemicals to store in accordance with label, application plan and workplace procedures
- applied chemicals safely according to chemical labels, regulations and workplace procedures
- complied with chemical labels, SDS, regulations, maintenance manual, environmental procedures, operator instructions and application plan
- cleaned equipment and spills, and disposed of waste according to workplace and environmental procedures
- maintained records and reported incidents according to workplace procedures and regulatory requirements.
Training Cost
The total cost for new entrants is $620 per person.
The total cost for existing workers is $490 per person.
Fees will be invoiced in advance and must be paid by the agreed party prior to the commencement of the course. Please refer to the Orion Student Handbook for further information about payment terms, refunds, and complaints and appeals policies.
Course Materials and Equipment
To complete the preliminary correspondence activities, Students will need access to a computer and reliable internet. On-site training incorporates a comprehensive theoretical component. Orion will provide Students with learning and assessment materials to complete the theory and the written final assessment requirements.
Practical training and practice are completed using equipment provided by Orion or in some cases equipment provided by the farm. Orion will provide or source all necessary training facilities and equipment to undertake the mandatory practical training and assessment activities.
Student Handbook
