Co-ordinate the control of weeds, pests, diseases and disorders LEGACY
Overview
This standard is for those who co-ordination of the control of weeds, pests, diseases and disorders within crops or plants.
You must carry out your work in a way which will minimise the impact on the natural environment.
If you are to use chemical controls, these are subject to separate relevant legislative requirements, and you will need to be in possession of the relevant certificates of competence.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
P1 confirm that environmental and health and safety policies and risk assessment requirements are put into practice across your area of responsibility
P2 confirm that suitable clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) is worn
P3 co-ordinate the establishment of methods, timing and frequency for monitoring to determine the presence of weeds, pests, diseases and disorders
P4 gather accurate monitoring information relating to the presence of weeds, pests, diseases and disorders at appropriate intervals
P5 accurately interpret all available information to identify the extent of weeds, the pest population, disease, disorders and biological controls
P6 select and apply relevant planning criteria in accordance with workplace policy and procedures
P7 develop suitable plans for the control of weeds, pests, diseases and disorders and present them clearly to all those involved in, or affected by, your work
P8 confirm that the selected control methods are in accordance with organisational policy and relevant legislative requirements
P9 co-ordinate the selection and preparation of equipment and materials for the control of weeds, pests, diseases and disorders
P10 check that the necessary equipment and materials are used and maintained safely and correctly
P11 co-ordinate the implementation of control methods in ways which minimise the risks to non-target species and the environment
P12 take the appropriate action without delay should problems arise during weed, pest, disease and disorder control
P13 accurately evaluate the use of the control methods and co-ordinate the amendment of activities if necessary
P14 co-ordinate the processing of waste and unused materials safely and correctly in accordance with relevant legislation and organisational policy
P15 check that records are completed as required by relevant legislation and the organisation
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
K1 your responsibilities under relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, codes of practice and company policies
K2 the types of clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) suitable for the activity
K3 how to identify hazards and assess the risks associated with monitoring and controlling weeds, pests, diseases and disorders
K4 the problems caused by weeds, pests, diseases and disorders on crop(s) or plant(s)
K5 how to identify weeds, pests, diseases and disorders
K6 the significance of the presence of weeds, pests, diseases and disorders
K7 effects of season and weather conditions on monitoring pest populations and how monitoring methods can be adjusted to take account of these changes
K8 reasons for monitoring weeds, pest populations, diseases and disorders and the importance of developing suitable plans for their control and how to present these clearly to all those involved
K9 the relevant legislative, organisational policies and procedures relating to the co-ordinating the control of weeds, pests, diseases and disorders
K10 your responsibilities under control of substances hazardous to health
K11 different biological control methods for controlling pests
K12 cultural control methods for controlling weeds, pests and diseases
K13 integrated pest management and its advantages and disadvantages
K14 safe handling and effective use of chemicals
K15 how to prolong the effective life of chemicals
K16 problems which may occur when co-ordinating the control of weeds, pests, diseases and disorders and the appropriate action to take
K17 dangers and emergency treatments associated with the use of chemicals
K18 the potential impact of your work on the environment and how to minimise this
K19 the records that need to be kept and the importance of completing them
K20 pesticide modes of action
Scope/range
A. develop suitable plans for the control of weeds, pests, diseases and disorders which contain the following:
(i) control method(s) to be used (chemical, biological and/or cultural)
(ii) timing
(iii) equipment and materials required
(iv) health and safety requirements
(v) environmental protection measures
(vi) monitoring requirements
B. co-ordinate the implementation of the following control methods in ways which minimise the risks to non-target species and the environment:
(i) chemical
(ii) biological
(iii) cultural
Scope Performance
Scope Knowledge
Values
Behaviours
Skills
Glossary
Biological controls may include mites, insects, nematodes, bacteria or fungi.
Diseases may be fungal, viral or bacterial. Disorders may include nutrient deficiencies (e.g. nitrogen or calcium deficiencies).
Instructions: verbal or written.
Monitoring could involve direct observation of weeds, pests, direct observation of diseases, interpretation of signs, extent of pest population, disease or disorder.
Planning criteria could include crop, cropping area, problem, market requirements.
Pests may include insects, slugs, snails and rodents, for example.
Specifications: drawings, schedules, method statements, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), manufacturers' guidelines, customer requirements, organisational policies
Weeds: wild plant growing where it is not wanted and in competition with cultivated plants