Ag Chemical Handling Project

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"Chemical application and management” was identified as a priority skill area in the 2017 Agriculture, Horticulture, Conservation and Land Management IRC Skills Forecast (see page 52). Skills Impact and the Agriculture and Production Horticulture Industry Reference Committee (IRC) will take this project through a process that adheres to the 2012 Standards for Training Package Development.Download the IRC Skills Forecast (see page 52)

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Project Scope
This project will review and update units of competency and skill sets for chemical handling, to reflect current industry skills standards and practices, so that all job functions are accurately described.Scroll down to view the list of units and skill sets that will be reviewed in this project, and the various skilled activities they cover.The importance of skills in safe chemical application and handling will be considered in light of new practices, technology and industry standards, including the Globally Harmonised System (GHS) for classifying and labelling of chemicals and techniques for spray drift mitigation. 

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Relevant Occupations
Those people responsible for planning and risk management associated with the spray application of chemicals in primary production and individuals responsible for applying agricultural chemicals. 
Key deliverables
  • Review and improvement of 12 units
  • Review and improvement of 2 Skills Sets
  • Development of up to 5 new units and/or skill sets, as identified during review
 
Timeline
August 2017 Initial scopingSeptember, October 2017 Review process commencementNovember, December 2017 Industry consultation of draft materialsFebruary 2018 Industry validation of final draftsMarch 2018 Finalisation of Training Package componentsApril, May 2018 Independent Quality Assurance, and Edit and Equity review of Training Package componentsJune 2018 IRC consideration for sign-off and submission for endorsement 
Project Team
Sam PapasideroIndustry Facilitation Manager, Skills Impact [email protected]
Wayne JonesIndustry Skills Standards Manager, Skills Impact [email protected]
Ron BarrowSkills Development Specialist, Nestor Consulting
 
Subject Matter Experts
Subject Matter Experts will be drawn on throughout this project to help review and draft the revised units and qualification.If you are interested in applying to be a subject matter expert and are able to volunteer your time to this project, please email details of your expertise to [email protected]
Opportunities for stakeholder input:
Below is a list of the current and existing skill sets and units of competency that will be reviewed as part of this project. To view a specific skill set or unit, please click on the title.We are seeking your feedback on how the skill sets and units could be reviewed or improved to address skills relating to the Globally Harmonised System (GHS) of classification and labelling of chemicals, spray application and drift, and new technology and management strategies used to reduce drift and increase spray efficiencies.Your feedback will help us in drafting the revised skill sets and units.To provide feedback, please email Wayne Jones [email protected] 

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Subject Matter Experts are currently being consulted to draft revised units of competency and skill sets for chemical handling. Feedback from industry on the existing documents is also being considered as part of this process. Broad industry consultation is scheduled to commence in November, when drafts will be made available for comment on this webpage. Face-to-face consultation workshops will also take place in November across states and territories, with a webinar planned for those unable to attend in person. Please feel free to register for a workshop near you or a webinar by clicking the corresponding link.
Face-to-Face Consultation Workshops
9 Nov 17, 13:00 - 15:00 – Adelaide, SA – register here14 Nov 17, 15:30 - 17:30 – Perth, WA – register here16 Nov 17, 15:30 - 17:00 – Darwin, NT – register here22 Nov 17, 16:00 - 18:00 – Brisbane, QLD – register here23 Nov 17, 16:00 - 18:00 – Orange, NSW – register here29 Nov 17, 15:00 - 17:00 – Launceston, TAS – register here30 Nov 17, 15:00 - 17:00 – Bendigo, VIC – register here
Consultation Webinar
27 Nov 17, 12:45 – 13:30 AEST – Webinar – register here
 

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Subscribe to the Skills Impact newsletter to keep informed about project updates. Make sure to select ‘Agriculture, Horticulture, Conservation & Land Management’ as your industry of interest on the subscription form.
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Thank you to all those who provided feedback on the draft units of competency and skill sets. The drafts were made available on the Skills Impact website from 9 November – 10 December 2017. A series of face-to-face consultation workshops and a webinar also took place throughout November.The units and skill sets were revised in light of new practices, technology and industry standards, including the Globally Harmonised System (GHS) for classifying and labelling of chemicals and techniques for spray drift mitigation. Feedback was sought on whether the draft units and skill sets reflect the current skills and knowledge requirements of industry, and whether job functions are accurately described. The feedback will inform the work on the final drafts, which will be available for industry validation in February 2018.The draft units and skills sets that were available for industry review and feedback are listed below.
AHCSS00026 Advanced Chemical Spray Application Skill SetDownload draft skill set
AHCSS00027 Agricultural Chemical Skill SetDownload draft skill set
Click here to download a zipped folder of all units in this groupPlease note that all units have been updated to reflect the Standards for Training Packages, 2012.  Minor changes to the Performance Criteria for some units has also occurred, where required; foundation skills have been added; Performance Evidence and Knowledge Evidence components have been clarified; and more details provided in the Assessment conditions.
AHCCHM101 Follow basic chemical safety rulesDownload draft unit
AHCCHM201 Apply chemicals under supervisionDownload draft unit
AHCCHM301 Use application equipment to apply fumigant in confined spacesDownload draft unit
AHCCHM302 Fumigate soilDownload draft unit
AHCCHM303 Prepare and apply chemicalsDownload draft unit
AHCCHM304 Transport and store chemicalsDownload draft unit
AHCCHM305 Conduct manual fumigation of vertebrate and invertebrate pestsDownload draft unit
AHCCHM306 Prepare and apply chemicals for hand held application equipmentDownload draft unit
AHCCHM401 Develop procedures to minimise risks in the use of chemicalsDownload draft unit
AHCCHM402 Plan and implement a chemical use programDownload draft unit
AHCCHM403 Prepare safe operating procedures for calibration of equipmentDownload draft unit
AHCCHM501 Develop and manage a chemical use strategyDownload draft unit
 

Register your interest in the project

Subscribe to the Skills Impact newsletter to keep informed about project updates. Make sure to select ‘Agriculture, Horticulture, Conservation & Land Management’ as your industry of interest on the subscription form.
Register your interest
 

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Thank you to those who participated in the validation process for the final draft skill sets and units of competency. The final drafts were made available on the Skills Impact website from 25 January 2018 – 8 February 2018. The final drafts will shortly progress through to the Finalisation stage of the project, which includes quality assurance of the documents and review and feedback from the State/Territory Training Authorities, before the final drafts are forwarded to the Agriculture and Production Horticulture Industry Reference Committee (IRC) for consideration and sign off. They will then be submitted to the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) to consider and approve for publication on training.gov.au.Validation means checking and confirming that the documents are logical and factually accurate. They have been re-written in light of new practices, technology and industry standards, including the Globally Harmonised System (GHS) for classifying and labelling of chemicals and techniques for spray drift mitigation.The final draft qualifications and units that were available for industry validation are listed below. A summary of the feedback that was received during the consultation period (between 9 November – 10 December 2017) and a description of its consideration and application in these final drafts can be downloaded below.
Download Summary of Feedback, Responses and Actions
 
 
The following skill sets have been updated to reflect Standards for Training Package 2012.
AHCSS00026 Advanced Chemical Spray Application Skill SetDownload final draft skill set
AHCSS00027 Agricultural Chemical Skill SetDownload final draft skill set
Click here to download a zipped folder of all skill sets in this group
Unit Code and TitleProposed changes based on industry feedbackLink to Download
AHCCHM101 Follow basic chemical safety rules
  • The unit has been updated to reflect the Standards for Training Package 2012.
  • There has been minor changes to the Performance Criteria with the combination of 2.5 and 2.6 into one and others moved to more appropriate Elements. Additions have been made to the Foundation Skills. The Performance Evidence and Knowledge Evidence components have been clarified. More detail has also been provided in the Assessment Conditions.
  • The unit is deemed equivalent.
Download final draft unit
AHCCHM201 Apply chemicals under supervision 
  • The unit has been updated to reflect the Standards for Training Package 2012.
  • There has been minor changes to the Performance Criteria. Additions have been made to the Foundation Skills. The Performance Evidence and Knowledge Evidence components have been clarified. More detail has also been provided in the Assessment Conditions.
  • The unit is deemed equivalent.
Download final draft unit
AHCCHM301 Use application equipment to apply fumigant in confined spaces 
  • The unit has been updated to reflect the Standards for Training Package 2012.
  • Removal of the pre-requisites as the knowledge component of these is embedded in the Knowledge Evidence.
  • There has been minor changes to the Performance Criteria. Removal of specific reference to integrated pest management in the unit and has been moved to the Knowledge Evidence as it is a control strategy.
  • Moved Performance Criteria 2.1 and 2.2 to Element 1.
  • Additions have been made to the Foundation Skills. The Performance Evidence and Knowledge Evidence components have been clarified. More detail has also been provided in the Assessment Conditions.
  • Standardised wording to Off Target to represent the movement of chemicals away from their source (i.e. spray drift, bait shift, treated soil or surface and ground water movement etc.).
  • The unit is deemed equivalent.
Download final draft unit
AHCCHM302 Fumigate soil 
  • The unit has been updated to reflect the Standards for Training Package 2012.
  • Removal of the pre-requisites as the knowledge component of these is embedded in the Knowledge Evidence.
  • There has been minor changes to the Performance Criteria with deletion of unnecessary content. Removal of specific reference to integrated pest management in the unit and has been moved to the Knowledge Evidence as it is a control strategy.
  • Moved Performance Criteria 2.1 and 2.2 to Element 1.
  • Additions have been made to the Foundation Skills. The Performance Evidence and Knowledge Evidence components have been clarified. More detail has also been provided in the Assessment Conditions.
  • Standardised wording to Off Target to represent the movement of chemicals away from their source (i.e. spray drift, bait shift, treated soil or surface and ground water movement etc.).
  • The unit is deemed equivalent.
Download final draft unit
AHCCHM303 Prepare and apply chemicals 
  • The unit has been updated to reflect the Standards for Training Package 2012.
  •  There has been changes to wording in the Performance Criteria. Additions have been made to the Foundation Skills. The Performance Evidence and Knowledge Evidence components have been clarified. More detail has also been provided in the Assessment Conditions.
  • Standardised wording to Off Target to represent the movement of chemicals away from their source (i.e. spray drift, bait shift, treated soil or surface and ground water movement etc.).
  • The unit is deemed equivalent.
Download final draft unit
AHCCHM304 Transport and store chemicals 
  • The unit has been updated to reflect the Standards for Training Package 2012.
  • There has been changes to wording in the Performance Criteria, with Performance Criteria 3.4 being removed as procedural/specification. Additions have been made to the Foundation Skills. The Performance Evidence and Knowledge Evidence components have been clarified. More detail has also been provided in the Assessment Conditions.
  • The unit is deemed equivalent.
Download final draft unit
AHCCHM305 Conduct manual fumigation of vertebrate and invertebrate pests 
  • The unit has been updated to reflect the Standards for Training Package 2012.
  • Recommend removal of the Pre-Requisites as the knowledge component of these is embedded in the Knowledge Evidence.
  • Combined Performance Criteria where duplication. Deleted 7.3 as unnecessary to the unit. Additions have been made to the Foundation Skills. The Performance Evidence and Knowledge Evidence components have been clarified. More detail has also been provided in the Assessment Conditions.
  • Standardised wording to Off Target to represent the movement of chemicals away from their source (i.e. spray drift, bait shift, treated soil or surface and ground water movement etc.).
  • The unit is deemed equivalent
Download final draft unit
AHCCHM306 Prepare and apply chemicals for hand held application equipment 
  • The unit has been updated to reflect the Standards for Training Package 2012.
  • There has been changes to wording in the Performance Criteria. Additions have been made to the Foundation Skills. The Performance Evidence and Knowledge Evidence components have been clarified. More detail has also been provided in the Assessment Conditions.
  • Standardised wording to Off Target to represent the movement of chemicals away from their source (i.e. spray drift, bait shift, treated soil or surface and ground water movement etc.).
  • The unit is deemed equivalent.
Download final draft unit
AHCCHM401 Develop procedures to minimise risks in the use of chemicals 
  • The unit has been updated to reflect the Standards for Training Package 2012.
  • Recommend removal of the pre-requisites as the knowledge component of these is embedded in the Knowledge Evidence. Performance of the level 3 units is unnecessary for developing procedures.
  •  Additions have been made to the Foundation Skills. The Performance Evidence and Knowledge Evidence components have been clarified. More detail has also been provided in the Assessment Conditions.
  • Standardised wording to Off Target to represent the movement of chemicals away from their source (i.e. spray drift, bait shift, treated soil or surface and ground water movement etc.).
  • The unit is deemed equivalent
Download final draft unit
AHCCHM402 Plan and implement a chemical use program 
  • The unit has been updated to reflect the Standards for Training Package 2012.
  • Recommend removal of the pre-requisites as the knowledge component of these is embedded in the Knowledge Evidence. Performance of the level 3 units is unnecessary for developing procedures.
  • Additions have been made to the Foundation Skills. The Performance Evidence and Knowledge Evidence components have been clarified. More detail has also been provided in the Assessment Conditions.
  • Standardised wording to Off Target to represent the movement of chemicals away from their source (i.e. spray drift, bait shift, treated soil or surface and ground water movement etc.).
  • The unit is deemed equivalent.
Download final draft unit
AHCCHM403 Prepare safe operating procedures for calibration of equipment
  • Recommend removing this Unit. Advised it is not currently used and a level 3 unit is more appropriate.
  • The unit has been updated to reflect the Standards for Training Package 2012.
  • There has been minor changes to the Performance Criteria. Additions have been made to the Foundation Skills. The Performance Evidence and Knowledge Evidence components have been clarified. More detail has also been provided in the Assessment Conditions.
  • The unit is deemed equivalent.
Download final draft unit
AHCCHM501 Develop and manage a chemical use strategy 
  • The unit has been updated to reflect the Standards for Training Package 2012.
  • There has been changes to the Performance Criteria. Additions have been made to the Foundation Skills. The Performance Evidence and Knowledge Evidence components have been clarified. More detail has also been provided in the Assessment Conditions.
  • Standardised wording to Off Target to represent the movement of chemicals away from their source (i.e. spray drift, bait shift, treated soil or surface and ground water movement etc.).
  • The unit is deemed equivalent.
Download final draft unit
 

Register your interest in the project

Subscribe to the Skills Impact newsletter to keep informed about project updates. Make sure to select ‘Agriculture, Horticulture, Conservation & Land Management’ as your industry of interest on the subscription form.
Register your interest
 
 
Next stage of the project
Once industry has validated all final drafts they will be submitted to the Agriculture and Production Horticulture Industry Reference Committee (IRC) for consideration and sign off. After final quality assurance of the drafts, they will be submitted to the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) to consider and approve for publication on training.gov.au.

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On the 12 September 2018, the Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) approved the Case for Endorsement for the updated and revised units of competency and skill sets, along with a Companion Volume Implementation Guide.The final units and skill sets are now published on training.gov.au, which means they are available for use by registered training organisations (RTOs). They are published within the AHC Agriculture, Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management Training Package version 3 (published on 19/12/2018). Click here to view the training package.This project reviewed units of competency and skill sets for chemical handling, to reflect current industry skills standards and practices, so that all job functions are accurately described.
What does this mean for training providers?
Registered training organisations (RTOs) may now apply to have the updated qualifications, skill sets and units added to their scope of registration. RTOs who already have the qualifications, skill sets and units that have been updated as part of this endorsement have 12 months to transition to deliver the updated qualifications, skill sets and units, from the date of publication. For more information, visit the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) website. A Companion Volume Implementation Guide has also been produced to help training providers implement the new and revised qualifications, skill sets and units. It can be downloaded from VETNet.com. 
Summary of consultation
Initial consultation took place with a group of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), to gather information that informed the draft units and skill sets. Public consultation and feedback workshops were held in Bendigo, Perth, Darwin, Brisbane, Adelaide, Launceston and Orange. Broad consultation took place through the Skills Impact website, where the draft documents were made available for download and feedback for a four week period and again, for an additional two weeks, when the drafts were revised for validation. A webinar also took place on two separate occasions with the Queensland Agriculture Industry Sector Panel covering the agriculture and horticulture sectors.
Summary of project outcomes
  • 12 Units of competency.
  • 2 skill sets (for Advanced Chemical Spray Application and Agricultural Chemicals).
Case for Endorsement
Please see the Case for Endorsement for more information about the work that was undertaken and why:   Download the AHC Case for EndorsementNote that qualifications, skill sets and units developed out of the following projects were also approved as part of this Case for Endorsement:
Please find below links to the final skill sets and units on training.gov.au 
AHCSS00073 Advanced Chemical Spray Application Skill SetView skill set on training.gov.au
AHCSS00074 Agricultural Chemical Skill SetView skill set on training.gov.au
AHCCHM101 Follow basic chemical safety rulesView unit of training.gov.au
AHCCHM201 Apply chemicals under supervisionView unit of training.gov.au
AHCCHM304 Transport and store chemicalsView unit of training.gov.au
AHCCHM306 Prepare and apply chemicals for hand held application equipmentView unit of training.gov.au
AHCCHM307 Prepare and apply chemicals to control pest, weeds and diseasesView unit of training.gov.au
AHCCHM308 Use application equipment to apply fumigant in confined spacesView unit of training.gov.au
AHCCHM309 Fumigate soilView unit of training.gov.au
AHCCHM310 Conduct manual fumigation of vertebrate and invertebrate pestsView unit of training.gov.au
AHCCHM403 Prepare safe operating procedures for calibration of equipmentView unit of training.gov.au
AHCCHM404 Develop procedures to minimise risks in the use of chemicalsView unit of training.gov.au
AHCCHM405 Plan and implement a chemical use programView unit of training.gov.au
AHCCHM501 Develop and manage a chemical use strategyView unit of training.gov.au