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Operate a knapsack motorised mist blower for agrichemical application

Level / 3
Credits / 6

PurposePeople credited with this unit standard are able to: prepare the knapsack motorised mist blower for use; operate the knapsack motorised mist blower; and carry out post-operational procedures.

Subfield / Rural Contracting
Domain / Agrichemical Application
Status / Registered
Status date / 25 June 2007
Date version published / 25 June 2007
Planned review date / 31 December 2012
Entry information / Open.
Accreditation / Evaluation of documentation and visit by NZQA and industry.
Standard setting body (SSB) / Infrastructure ITO
Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP) reference / 0101

This AMAP can be accessed at

Special notes

1The following legislation and requirements apply to this unit standard:

Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996;

Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992;

Resource Management Act 1991;

NZS 8409:2004 Management of agrichemicals (NZS 8409), available from

Guidelines for the Provision of Safety, Health and Accommodation in Agriculture (Wellington: Department of Labour, 1996), available from

Territorial authority and/or regional council (TA/RC) requirements;

Label directions;

Manufacturer’s instructions.

Any legislation or other requirement superseding any of the above will apply, pending review of this unit standard.

2Assessment against this unit standard must be based on evidence from a workplace context.

3Personal protective equipment, appropriate to job requirements, is to be selected and used in accordance with company requirements, NZS 8409, and manufacturer’s instructions.

4Definitions

Agrichemical – any substance, whether inorganic or organic, man-made or naturally occurring, modified or in its original state, that is used in any agriculture, horticulture, or related activity to eradicate, modify, or control flora or fauna.

Company requirementsrefer to all policies, procedures, and methodologies the candidate’s organisation has in place including but not limited to those relating to health, safety, environment, quality, and operations.

Manufacturer’s instructions may include specifications, installation, handling, use, and maintenance instructions and safety data sheets.

ULV – ultra-low volume.

Elements and performance criteria

Element 1

Prepare the knapsack motorised mist blower for use.

Performance criteria

1.1Mist blower is checked for function and soundness in accordance with company requirements.

Rangetank, hose lines, screens and/or filters, nozzles, ULV slides, power pack.

1.2Mist blower is adjusted for use in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions, company requirements, and intended use.

1.3Mist blower is fuelled ready for operation and in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.

1.4Mist blower is calibrated for the task specified in accordance with NZS 8409 and manufacturer’s instructions.

Rangestandard volume, ULV.

Element 2

Operate the knapsack motorised mist blower.

Performance criteria

2.1Operation produces consistent and complete coverage with minimal overlaps.

2.2Chemical trespass is avoided.

2.3Any blockages are rectified in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions and company requirements.

Element 3

Carry out post-operational procedures.

Performance criteria

3.1Contaminating residues are removed and washings are managed, in accordance with NZS 8409 and TA/RC requirements.

Rangeequipment, protective clothing.

3.2Any surplus agrichemical mix is managed in accordance with NZS 8409 and TA/RC requirements.

3.3Any damage or faults including any missing, bent, broken, or loose parts are identified and are repaired, replaced, or reported in accordance with manufacturer's instructions and/or company requirements.

3.4Equipment is stored in a safe condition and location in accordance with NZS 8409 and company requirements.

3.5Application records are made in accordance with NZS 8409 and TA/RC, company, and client requirements, and are stored in accordance with company requirements.

Please note

Providers must be accredited by NZQA, or an inter-institutional body with delegated authority for quality assurance, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.

Industry Training Organisations must be accredited by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.

Accredited providers and Industry Training Organisations assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.

Accreditation requirements and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP). The AMAP also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.

Comments on this unit standard

Please contact Infrastructure if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.

 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018