The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to worksite operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit and include evidence of the following:

knowledge of the requirements, procedures and instructions for implementing and monitoring environmental policies

implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient implementation and monitoring of environmental policies

working with others to plan, prepare, implement and monitor environmental policies

evidence of the consistent successful implementation and monitoring of environmental policies

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit must be assessed in the context of the work environment. Where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment may occur in a simulated environment provided it is realistic and sufficiently rigorous to cover all aspects of workplace performance, including task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.

Assessment of this competency requires typical resources normally used in a resources and infrastructure sector environment. Selection and use of resources for particular worksites may differ due to the site circumstances.

The assessment environment should not disadvantage the participant. For example, language, literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required on the job.

Customisation of assessment and delivery environment to sensitively accommodate cultural diversity.

Aboriginal people and other people from a non English speaking background may have second language issues.

Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities. Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required.

Method of assessment

This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency. The assessment strategy for this unit must verify required knowledge and skill and practical application using more than one of the following assessment methods:

written and/or oral assessment of the candidate's required knowledge

observed, documented and/or first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:

implementation of appropriate requirement, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient achievement of required outcomes

consistent achievement of required outcomes

first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:

working with others to implement and monitor environmental policies

provision of clear and timely instruction and supervision by the individual of those involved in the implementation and monitoring of environmental policies

Guidance information for assessment

Consult the SkillsDMC User Guide for further information on assessment including access and equity issues.

Required skills

Specific skills are required to achieve the performance criteria of this unit, particularly for its application in the various circumstances in which this unit may be used. This includes the ability to carry out the following, as required to implement and monitor environmental policies:

apply communication/consultation skills to ensure information is supplied to the work team

apply literacy skills for comprehending documentation and interpreting environmental and energy efficiency requirements

apply technology skills, including the ability to operate and shut-down equipment

ability to relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and physical and mental abilities

Required knowledge

Specific knowledge is required to achieve the Performance Criteria of this unit, particularly for its application in the various circumstances in which this unit may be used. This includes knowledge of the following, as required to implement and monitor environmental policies:

legislation from all levels of government that affects business operation, especially in regard to occupational health and safety, environmental and energy efficiency issues, equal opportunity, industrial relations and anti-discrimination

environmental and energy efficiency issues, especially in regard to recycling and wastewater treatment, catchments, air, noise, ecosystems, habitat, and waste minimisation relevant to own work area

environmental and energy efficiency management systems, policies and procedures relevant to own work area

best practice approaches relevant to own work area

quality assurance systems relevant to own work area

supply chain procedures

strategies to maximise opportunities and minimise impacts relevant to own work area

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, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Relevant Compliance documentation may include:

legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures

manufacturer's guidelines and specifications

Australian standards

award and enterprise agreements and relevant industrial instruments

relevant legislation from all levels of government that affects business operation, especially in regard to occupational health and safety, environmental and energy efficiency issues, equal opportunity, industrial relations and anti-discrimination

relevant industry code of practice

Employment and workplace relations legislation

Equal Employment Opportunity and Disability Discrimination legislation

Environmental and energy efficiency information may include:

organisational policies and procedures

relevant environmental and energy efficiency legislative requirements

voluntary environmental agreements entered into with external organisations

continuous improvement policies and processes for the organisation

Work team may include:

formal or unstructured groups, and two or more people

Environmental and energy efficiency performance may include:

resource efficiency

minimisation of waste

recycling

reduction in use of non-renewable resources

all environmental incidents

Some approaches to environmental and energy efficiency performance may include:

preventing and minimising the production of pollution (e.g. discharges to air, land and water, hazardous waste)

applying energy efficiency systems, action plans, surveys and audits

improving the company's operational energy consumption including stationary and non-stationery (transport) energy

improving housekeeping (e.g. using a broom instead of a hose, using old rags for cleaning instead of toxic cleaners or water)

substituting materials (e.g. replacing toxic, solvent-based coatings with water-based ones)

changing processes (e.g. mechanical cleaning, redesign of products/procedures so that materials are used more efficiently)

Business sustainability means:

a sustainable business in this sense is profitable and competitive. Effective management of environmental impacts and energy efficiency initiatives can contribute to business sustainability by reducing costs, differentiating goods and services and contributing to a better corporate image

Environmental and energy efficiency risks may be identified as and may be assessed:

actual and potential sources of waste

on an ongoing basis

with regard to probability, scale and likely impact on business performance

Environmental and energy efficiency policies and procedures may include:

addressing energy efficiency and environmental initiatives such as environmental management systems, action plans, surveys and audits

determining company's most appropriate waste treatment including waste to landfill, recycling and wastewater treatment

initiating and/or maintaining appropriate company procedures for operational energy consumption, including stationary energy and non-stationary (transport)

initiating and/or maintaining appropriate company policy for energy efficiency and environmental initiatives, for example environmental management systems, action plans, surveys and audits

developing energy use and waste management options/action plan to reduce energy consumption and improve waste management

monitoring energy usage and waste treatment via progress reports on energy use and waste treatment and/or key performance indicators that measure performance (e.g. energy usage or waste minimisation achievements)

delivering policies and procedures appropriately, for example through internal resources, service providers and/or consultancies

Environmental and energy efficiency management policies must be appropriate to the scope and scale of the business and may include:

environmental load reduction

energy consumption recommendations and waste minimisation and recycling

tenders for the provision of goods and services that specify environmentally preferred selection criteria

protection of land and habitat

environmentally sustainable work practices and energy efficiency initiatives

Environmental and energy efficiency improvement plans may:

be established at management level and may include measuring, monitoring and recording environmental performance, monitoring and recording energy consumption and continually setting targets for measurable improvements. Improvement plans may deal with paper, energy use, general waste, transport use, etc

Supply chain:

is a key determinant of environmental and energy efficiency performance and may include suppliers, contractors or others acting on organisation's behalf

Environmental and energy efficiency training:

should be integrated into the organisation's existing training arrangements