Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge to implement environmental management plans and procedures to minimise the environmental impact of work activities and ensure legislative compliance. It includes identifying environmental requirements, issues and risks for projects and/or sites; recognising environmental incidents and applying the specified procedures or actions to control and minimise their impacts.
This unit applies to environmental technicians working in a range of industry sectors, such as environmental monitoring, sampling and field testing; geotechnical services; natural resource management; occupational hygiene monitoring; groundwater and clean water; water treatment, storm and wastewater management; solid and hazardous waste management; site remediation; and resource efficiency.
This unit applies to an individual working alone or as part of a team or group and in liaison with other shift team members, team leader and supervisor.
No licensing or certification requirements exist at the time of publication. Relevant legislation, industry standards and codes of practice within Australia must be applied.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. | ||
1 | Identify environmental management obligations | 1.1 | Read and interpret environmental legislative, regulatory and licensing requirements that apply to work activities |
1.2 | Read and interpret the organisation’s environmental management plans that apply to specific sites and projects | ||
1.3 | Confirm scope of responsibility for achieving environmental outcomes for specific sites and projects | ||
1.4 | Confirm reporting requirements | ||
2 | Implement specified management plans and procedures | 2.1 | Access and read site and project history and environmental management issues, objectives and procedures that have been documented for specific sites and projects |
2.2 | Plan work, incorporating control measures, to minimise identified risks and achieve specified environmental outcomes | ||
2.3 | Undertake all work activities safely and in accordance with environmental requirements | ||
3 | Respond to potential and actual environmental issues and incidents | 3.1 | Recognise and assess environmental issues, risks, impacts and incidents arising during work activities |
3.2 | Identify the triggers and response procedures for complaints, cultural heritage finds and other environmental incidents | ||
3.3 | Apply established workplace procedures for dealing with complaints, cultural heritage finds and other environmental incidents | ||
3.4 | Record details of observations, assessments and any actions taken in accordance with workplace procedures | ||
3.5 | Notify specified personnel in accordance with organisation procedures | ||
4 | Report the application of environmental plans and procedures | 4.1 | Monitor the effectiveness of environmental controls relating to work activities |
4.2 | Complete environmental reporting requirements for specific sites and projects | ||
4.3 | Maintain environmental management documentation | ||
4.4 | Identify and report opportunities for improving environmental procedures | ||
4.5 | Contribute to regular reviews of environmental management plans and procedures | ||
Foundation Skills
This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance.
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Sectors
Environmental
Competency Field
Compliance