Application
This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to process waste. The unit covers preparing for waste processing by reviewing work specifications, identifying hazards and risks, and organising required equipment, materials and personnel. It also covers identifying waste types for processing and ensuring the absence of non-conforming waste streams, and using processing methods which are appropriate for the waste types. It requires monitoring the quality of waste processing and carrying out checks and tests on waste to determine the stage of completion and ensure quality of processed waste. The unit requires following manufacturer specifications to operate, clean and maintain plant and equipment and the processing site. It requires the ability to work with others to maintain communication during waste processing, and monitor gauges, inputs and outputs to ensure optimal operation and safety at all times.
The unit supports those who work under limited supervision in a waste management team.
Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may apply to this unit of competency in some States where a licence is required to operate various plant, vehicles or equipment used to transport, shift, load, unload, lift, compact or otherwise process waste. Relevant state and territory regulatory authorities should be consulted to confirm those requirements.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions. | ||
1. | Prepare for waste processing. | 1.1. | Work specifications are reviewed in consultation with relevant personnel to identify waste recovery and site requirements. |
1.2. | Hazards and risks are identified and managed or reported according to organisational and compliance requirements. | ||
1.3. | Equipment, materials and required personnel are identified and organised according to work and organisational requirements. | ||
1.4. | Personal protective equipment (PPE) is selected, checked and used according to organisational and compliance requirements. | ||
2. | Carry out waste processing. | 2.1. | Waste types are identified for processing and absence of non-conforming waste streams is confirmed according to organisational requirements. |
2.2. | Processing method is checked as appropriate for waste types according to manufacturer specifications and organisational requirements. | ||
2.3. | Processing plant, equipment and materials are operated according to manufacturer specifications, organisational and compliance requirements. | ||
2.4. | Adjustments are made to processing method as required to maintain efficient and effective processing operation. | ||
3. | Monitor quality of waste processing. | 3.1. | Visual observation of processing is maintained to ensure safe operating procedures and optimal processing according to organisational requirements. |
3.2. | Checks and tests are conducted on waste during processing to determine stage of completion and processing requirements. | ||
3.3. | Flow of waste inputs and processed outputs are monitored to ensure smooth, constant flow and efficient and effective operation. | ||
3.4. | Quality control inspection of processed waste is conducted to ensure compliance with work specifications, and details are recorded according to organisational requirements. | ||
4. | Finalise waste processing. | 4.1. | Processing site, plant and equipment are cleaned to remove debris and contamination and ensure safe and efficient future operation according to manufacturer specifications and organisational requirements. |
4.2. | Record of waste processing operation is completed according to organisational requirements. |
Evidence of Performance
A person demonstrating competency in this unit must satisfy the requirements of the elements, performance criteria, foundation skills and range of conditions of this unit.
The person must also process waste on two separate occasions.
While processing waste, the person must:
prepare for waste processing by interpreting work specifications and organising the required equipment, materials and personnel
follow organisational procedures to work safely and comply with regulatory and legal requirements
follow manufacturer specifications to start, operate, shut down and isolate waste processing plant and equipment
identify and report non-conforming equipment and problems relating to the plant operation
identify and segregate waste types including regulated and non-conforming waste streams and valuable resources in waste
monitor the flow of inputs and outputs and make necessary adjustments to maximise the processing operation
select and use processing methods which are appropriate for the waste types
inspect processed waste to ensure quality compliance
conduct housekeeping to clean and decontaminate the processing site, plant and equipment.
Evidence of Knowledge
A person demonstrating competency in this unit must demonstrate knowledge of:
classifications of waste
equipment and materials which may be required to process waste and operate, clean and maintain waste processing plant and equipment
hazards and risks associated with waste processing
non-conforming waste streams, including:
contaminated waste
hazardous or dangerous waste
inferior quality and unacceptable waste streams
organisational policies and procedures, and regulatory and legal requirements relating to processing waste
procedures for optimal waste processing plant operation and faults which may affect operation
procedures used to start-up, shut-down, isolate, maintain and clean waste processing plant and equipment
types, streams and characteristics of waste
waste disposal and recovery routes
waste contaminants, including:
infestation
mixing of waste types
rot or mould
waterlogging
waste management hierarchy
waste processing techniques.
Assessment Conditions
The following must be present and available to learners during assessment activities:
equipment:
plant and equipment required to process waste, as specified by organisational requirements
personal protective equipment (PPE), as specified by organisational requirements
relationships with team members and supervisor:
working under limited supervision.
Timeframe:
as specified by organisational requirements.
Assessor requirements
As a minimum, assessors must satisfy the assessor requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) current at the time of assessment.
Foundation Skills
This section describes the language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills essential to performance in this unit but not explicit in the performance criteria. | |
Skill | Performance feature |
Oral communication skills to: | ask questions to clarify work information with relevant personnel. |
Numeracy skills to: | calculate basic volumes, weights and sizes. |
Reading skills to: | interpret signage when monitoring plant operation. |
Writing skills to: | record waste processing information using organisational proformas. |
Range Statement
This section specifies work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. | |
Work specifications | equipment and PPE requirements personnel requirements plant operation requirements potential hazards and risks reporting requirements site requirements waste types to be processed. |
Relevant personnel | client supervisor or team leader team member. |
Compliance requirements must include: | commonwealth, state and territory legislation relating to waste processing, including: environmental protection hazardous substances and dangerous goods industry codes work health and safety licensing requirements. |
Sectors
Waste management