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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Determine assessment objectives and scope
   • Advise client on benefits and limitations of the process
   • Clearly define boundaries of the project in terms of waste streams assessed, time period, processes, sites
   • Consult with the client to agree on project outcomes and objectives
   • Ensure the project scope will encompass applicable occupational health and safety, legislative and corporate responsibilities
   • Identify necessary resources
   • Identify the responsibilities of the client and assessor and communicate these responsibilities to them
2. Prepare for waste assessment
   • Review waste assessment outcomes and objectives to determine project requirements
   • Obtain necessary resources
   • Conduct project risk assessment encompassing corporate and legislative requirements
   • Develop and implement risk management strategy
   • Identify all variables impacting on waste generation such as types and quantities
   • Develop waste assessment action plan and communicate to all stakeholders
   • Train personnel as appropriate
3. Conduct waste assessment
   • Conduct assessment in accordance with waste assessment objectives, OHS and relevant company and legislative requirements
   • Visually assess waste/recycling containers to determine composition and quantity of waste components in line with the assessment scope and objectives
   • Record visual findings by waste type and quantity observed, by department or process
   • Conduct a site review to obtain further data on rationale for waste generation, impacts associated with waste generated and barriers for implementation of improved resource recovery systems
   • Undertake a review of waste documentation to enable assessment of annual quantities to be determined, by waste stream and/or type
   • Conduct interviews with staff and/or stakeholders on waste management issues
4. Document and analyse waste assessment findings
   • Compile and validate all collected data and information
   • Conduct consultations with stakeholders to determine opportunities for resource recovery and necessary resource requirements to implement those opportunities
   • Analyse data and identify opportunities to improve resource management
   • Review opportunities in terms of feasibility of implementation
   • Present outcomes of the feasibility review together with all data in a format consistent with the objectives of the project
   • Prepare implementation and review strategy
   • Present a documented report containing data, analysis, recommendations and implementation program to client

Required Skills

Refer to Evidence Guide

Evidence Required

Critical aspects of competency

Identify different wastematerial types

Visually estimate waste volumes

Understanding of material flows and organisational processes

Knowledge needed to achieve the performance criteria

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this unit in the workplace to transfer the skills to other contexts and to deal with unplanned events The knowledge requirements for this unit are listed below

Possible benefits and outcomes from conducting a waste assessment

Visual assessment procedures

Available reprocessing options

Waste types

Waste streams and characteristics

Material densities

Sampling techniques

Recording techniques

Company requirements

Potential risks and hazards

Emergency response procedures

Occupational health and safety requirements

Duty of care in provision of services

Relevant industry standards and codes

Relevant legislation

Relevant environmental regulations

Specific skills needed to achieve the performance criteria

To achieve the performance criteria some complementary skills are required These are

oral communication skills including questioning listening following instructions

visual quantity estimates

reading and interpreting skills

written communication skills for documentation and report writing

methodical organisation of work

identification of waste types

using photographic equipment

accuracy and attention to detail

computer skills

estimating

hazard identification

use of emergency and personal protective equipment

safe and efficient work practices

Other units of competency that could be assessed with this unit

This unit could be assessed on its own or in combination with other units relevant to the job function for example

PRMWMB Develop waste management strategies

PRMWM04B Develop waste management strategies

PRMWMB Identify and segregate waste

PRMWM05B Identify and segregate waste

PRMCMNA Participate in workplace safety arrangements

PRMCMN201A Participate in workplace safety arrangements.

Resources required to assess this unit

The following resources should be available

MSDS

client waste profile

market opportunities

Gaining evidence to assess this unit

For valid and reliable assessment of this unit the competency should be demonstrated over a period of time and be observed by the assessor or assessment team working together to conduct the assessment The competency is to be demonstrated in a range of situations which may include customerworkplace interruptions and involvement in related activities normally experienced in the workplace

Evidence of competency is best obtained by observing activities in the relevant environment and by carrying out a waste assessment under normal industry operating conditions If this is not practicable observations in realistic simulated environments may be substituted

Consistency in performance

Assessment requires that strategies meet the objectives of clients and comply with industry expectations in the particular client environment If the environment is narrowly defined or is not representative of industry needs it will be necessary to assess the unit within a variety of waste management environments or different client needs to assess competency in the development of waste management strategies

Oral questioning or written assessment and hypothetical situations scenarios may be used to assess underpinning knowledge In assessment situations where the candidate is offered a preference between oral and written questions questions are to be identical

Supplementary evidence may be obtained from relevant authenticated correspondence from existing supervisors team leaders or specialist training staff

Note All practical demonstrations must adhere to the safety environmental and other regulations eg health regulations relevant to each state or territory

Key competency levels

There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life that are required in all jobs They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions Some of these are covered by the key competencies although others may be added

Information below highlights how these processes are applied in this competency standard

	Perform the process			Perform and administer the process		Perform administer and design the process
How can communication of ideas and information be applied						Discuss assessment plans with clients and colleagues Discuss alternative options with contractors reprocessors and other stakeholders such as environmental protection agencies
How can information be collected analysed and organised						Gather analyse and organise information from a number of sources including regulatory sources client organisation relevant personnel and company specifications
How are activities planned and organised						Prepare detailed action plan and methodology for the waste assessment Clearly define responsibilities
How can teamwork be applied						Discuss the process and activities with onsite client personnel and colleagues
How can the use of mathematical ideas and techniques be applied						Analyse the waste assessment data and conduct data validation processes and extrapolations of the data
How can problemsolving skills be applied						Apply problemsolving skills during planning and conduct of the waste assessment to overcome operational and site constraints and ensure objectives are met If necessary develop alternative strategies for resource recovery together with implementation programs
How can the use of technology be applied						Manage and analyse data and demonstrate understanding of technology and its capability to meet resource recovery objectives

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Range Statement

The range statement links the required knowledge and organisational and technical requirements to the workplace context. It describes any contextual variables that will be used or encountered when applying the competency in work situations. It allows for different work practices and work and knowledge requirements as well as for differences between organisations and workplaces. The following variables may be present for this particular unit.

Benefits of process may include but are not limited to:

compliance with legislative and corporate requirements

cost reductions

improved product quality

improvements in workplace safety

reductions in waste.

Client includes all forms of business enterprises in this context including government agencies and private and public companies.

Emergency and personal protective equipment may include:

appropriate footwear

communications equipment

eye protection

eyewash kit

fire extinguishers

First Aid kit

gloves

overalls and protective clothing

safety vests.

Emergency and personal protective equipment may also include:

breathing apparatus

face shield/mask

hard hat

hearing protection

material safety data sheets (MSDS)

spill kit

emergency procedure guides.

Limitations of the process may include but are not limited to:

historical data and other relevant information

results are volume-based

timeframe in which waste assessment occurs

type of containment may hinder ability to identify all waste issues

visual assessment does not provide exact data on waste stream.

Measurement of waste may include:

number

proportion/percentage

review of documentation such as EPA transport certificates, contractor contracts and invoices, and corporate procedures and records

volume.

Performance of this unit is carried out in accordance with relevant requirements of the following:

Australian Standards

industry standards, codes of practice and associated publications

manufacturers' specifications

organisational procedures

relevant state/territory legislation, policies and regulations.

Potential risks and hazards include but are not limited to:

dust

fire

gases and fumes

hazardous waste (e.g. sharps and chemicals)

inadequately contained waste

maintenance activities

processing plant

site vehicles and equipment

weather.

Resource management includes the following processes:

waste avoidance, re-use, recycling, energy recovery, composting

those that could occur on or off site.

Resources may include:

camera

clean-up/decontamination equipment

personnel

personal protective equipment (PPE)

recording equipment

reference manuals

safety barriers and warning signs.

Site may include:

any other site where business activities occur

business premises

landfill site

plant/factory

resource recovery facility

waste processing plant.

Site review may involve but is not limited to:

constraints to further segregation of waste

discussions with employees about waste management

review of placement, size and design of waste containers

review of production process and flow of materials through the site.

Variables impacting on the waste may include but are not limited to:

maintenance downtime

product changeovers

production flows

quality control procedures

seasonal activity variations

shift times

start-up processes

waste collection routines

waste collection systems.

Waste assessment objectives may include but are not limited to:

compliance with company or legislative requirement

determining components of a resource recovery implementation program

determining waste profile including type and quantity of waste

establishment of resource recovery goals and targets

identifying barriers to implementation of opportunities

identifying cost of waste and cost reduction opportunities

identifying improvements in management of waste on site

identifying opportunities to reduce or divert waste from landfill.

Waste streams refers to solid waste only and may include:

general waste stream

other resource recovery streams

prescribed waste stream (i.e. legislative wastes)

recycling streams

reprocessed (on-site) material stream

re-used product stream.

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