Application
The application of this unit in the workplace includes liaising with and surveying an organisation to identify areas of responsibility, inspecting sanitary conditions of the general environment, making an assessment of inhabited buildings, assessing the presence of disease vectors, determining the need for field hygiene facilities, identifying supply and storage of potable water, assessing arrangements for food storage and handling, assessing compliance with occupational health and safety (OH&S) policy and procedures, and providing recommendations on action needed to correct any defects observed. This unit of competency is applicable to preventive medicine personnel. This function is limited to the performance of tasks in accordance with organisational policies and procedures. Field hygiene surveys may be performed on medium to large organisations that are generally operating in the field setting. The survey may be performed on an organisation already deployed in the field or on an area intended for deployment. | |
Prerequisites
Not applicable.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA | |
1. Determine field hygiene survey requirements | 1.1 Relevant personnel are liaised with, to gain support for survey activities 1.2 Scope of survey is determined in line with organisation's planned activities and operational requirements 1.3 Local area of responsibility is clarified to establish survey area boundary 1.4 Current data relevant to survey requirements is identified, sourced and evaluated to establish a point of reference and comparison 1.5 Equipment required to perform survey is made ready 1.6 Methods of data collection are identified in line with organisation's planned activities and operational requirements | |
2. Perform field hygiene survey | 2.1 General environment is inspected for its sanitary condition and areas of general hygiene risk 2.2 Organisation's location and siting are assessed against factors affecting camp site selection 2.3 Layman's assessment is made of building integrity and suitability for use and habitation 2.4 Presence of disease vectors, vermin and insects is assessed 2.5 Requirement for, location, condition and suitability of field hygiene facilities are assessed 2.6 Requirement for, positioning, type and operation of field waste facilities are assessed 2.7 Positioning and arrangements for food/water storage and handling facilities are assessed to ensure they optimise the safety of food/water distribution 2.8 Compliance with and monitoring of OH&S practices are assessed 2.9 Recommendations on action needed to correct any deficiencies observed during the survey are determined | |
3. Report field hygiene survey findings | 3.1 Assessment findings are recorded in accordance with organisational policy 3.2 Assessment findings are communicated to relevant personnel along with recommendations on action needed to correct any deficiencies 3.3 Assessment findings are demonstrated to relevant personnel to impart understanding of recommendations as they apply to specific locations and facilities within the organisation | |
Required Skills
This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit. |
Required Skills |
communicate appropriately about, consult on and impart knowledge of: application of the permethrin/DEET repellent system causes of disease transmission causes of manpower wastage control measures of disease transmission food storage and distribution standards water quality assurance measures workplace safety policy and practices gather field hygiene data via from available sources interpret field hygiene data liaise and communicate with persons in positions of authority make technical judgements based on own level of knowledge and experience prioritise tasking work safely |
Required Knowledge |
aetiology of disease relevant to vector borne diseases best use of available resources causes of disease transmission causes of manpower wastage control measures of disease transmission documentation processes relevant to own workplace food storage and distribution standards including the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) approach to food control health surveillance system methods of establishing field hygiene and waste facilities organisational policies and procedures pathophysiology of common communicable diseases process of disease risk management principles time management strategies to set priorities vector borne diseases of interest to the ADF water quality assurance measures |
Evidence Required
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit | Assessment must confirm the ability to: liaise with the organisation to gain support for survey activities accurately identify hygiene risks and to identify actions to correct deficiencies. Consistency in performance Competency should be demonstrated over a minimum of two assessment occasions. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Context of assessment Competency should be assessed in an actual workplace situation. This may be in an urban or a field setting. Specific resources for assessment Access is required to: appropriate equipment and stores range of environments (urban and field) relevant organisational policies and procedures. |
Range Statement
The Range Statement relates to the Unit of Competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording in the Performance Criteria is detailed below. | |
Equipment may include | Environmental monitoring devices Vector surveillance devices |
Methods of data collection may include | Document search Inspection Interview Requests for information Survey |
General environment may include | Approaches Drainage Local population Terrain Vegetation Water |
Factors affecting camp site selection may include | Avoiding areas close to towns or villages in developing countries Avoiding broken ground, river banks or the shores of lakes or swamps Avoiding recently vacated sites Camp front that faces the prevailing wind Considering a site for possible expansion of facilities Placing sanitary facilities downwind of camp preferably not more than 100 metres or less than 30 metres from sleeping accommodation Placing sleeping accommodation in the front of camp, cooking and messing facilities to the side or rear Running water supply (desirable) Sealed roads (desirable) Selecting high ground that is well grassed, if possible, and of good natural drainage Tented accommodation must be trenched and drained |
Layman's assessment may include | Ability to withstand a storm or earthquake Determining the materials used in constructing the building (e.g. asbestos) Likelihood of collapse Protection from weather or flooding Providing appropriate access and egress Suited to the purpose for which they are being used Ventilation |
Field hygiene facilities may include | Hand washing facilities Laundry facilities Shower facilities |
Field waste facilities may include | Bio-hazardous waste: central collection point Dry waste: central collection point inclined plane incinerator Human waste: pan latrine portaloo shallow/deep bore latrine shallow/deep trench latrine shallow trench urinal trench latrine trough/funnel urinal Waste (grey) water: absorption trench evaporating pans grease trap herringbone drains soakage pit |
Arrangements for food/water storage and handling may include | Applying the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) approach to food control Applying storage temperatures Approving the use of alternative water distribution equipment during extreme emergencies Assessing environment for suitability for food preparation Assessing food handling procedures (preparation, storage, distribution) Assessing suitability and adequacy food storage Central control point Contributing to inspection of a food preparation facility Ensuring water distribution equipment is regularly surveyed by health personnel Ensuring water sources have been surveyed Monitoring hygiene practices of personnel during food consumption Organising regular water-point survey by health personnel Recommending procedures for the maintenance of water potability |
Sectors
Not applicable.
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills. | |
Pre-requisite Unit/s | Nil |
Licensing Information
Not applicable.