Required skills

Ability to

map the uses of water in production across the production site such as water used in cooling applications and washingflushing

identify treatment requirements and methods for water used in production such as addition of sanitising agents eg chlorine and antirust agents

identify causes of risks associated with Legionella and related control measures

describe the meaning of terms and concepts used to describe water quality such as

potable

total residual chlorine

free residual chlorine

available chlorine

identify acceptable limits for water going to storm water pH range

identify the legal social and environmental consequences of releasing water to the environment that does not meet water quality standards

identify characteristics that are monitored in waste water and how these affect the cost of trade waste disposal this is set out in agreements with the water supplier and typically includes volume BOD suspended solids and nitrogen some types of heavy metals may also be monitored although this may not directly affect cost of disposal

identify equipment and methods used to monitor waste water characteristics including meters used to measure volume and a sampling and testing regime to check water quality

describe principles of common methods used to treat trade waste and identify typical applications including both primary and secondary treatment stages

identify conditions that could result in failure to comply with legal requirements for storm water and related control methods eg spill control consequences and control methods

identify conditions that could result in high costs of trade waste disposal and related control methods such as conditions or activities that place additional load on treatment processes eg use of strong cleaning chemicals and related control measures

develop andor review procedures to describe procedures to minimise costs of trade waste disposal including good housekeeping practices such as collection of solids and materials rather than hosing them down drains

identify the rights of relevant authorities to enter the site and conduct independent sample collection and test procedures

Identify appropriate communication and consultation systems to support continuous improvement of resource efficiency and waste management

identify trends in environmental management and social expectations of companies and assess the company environmental policy and related procedures in light of these trends

map the drainage points across a production site including identifying drains that go to bunded areas trade waste and storm water

map the waste water generated at each stage of the food processing operation for each stream generated identify the characteristics of waste water and related treatment requirements

carry out an assessment on water use within a given process

identify the quantities and applications of water the treatment stages if any points where water could be more effectively conserved such as running hoses steam leaks and waste water generated by the process

identify the treatment methods currently in place and consider opportunities to improve resource utilisation through conservation of water changing materials and processing methods andor more effective treating andor recycling of waste water

based on investigations develop improvement proposals this may be undertaken with input from relevant technical specialists

establish andor utilise consultative arrangements to canvass input on efficient water use and trade waste treatment methods

communicate information on changes to workplace systems and procedures to support improvements

use communication skills to interpret and complete work information to support operations of work team or area

demonstrate and support cooperative work practices within a culturally diverse workforce

Required knowledge

Knowledge of

uses of water in production

treatment requirements and methods for water used in production

legal social and environmental consequences of releasing water to the environment

causes of risks associated with Legionella and related control measures

acceptable limits for water going to storm water pH range

characteristics that are monitored in waste water and how these affect the cost of trade waste disposal

rights of relevant authorities to enter the site and conduct independent sample collection and test procedures

trends in environmental management

characteristics of waste water and related treatment requirements

methods for recycling water

conditions that could result in noncompliance and the related control methods

information resources

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

Assessment must be carried out in a manner that recognises the cultural and literacy requirements of the assessee and is appropriate to the work performed Competence in this unit must be achieved in accordance with food safety standards and regulations

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

Evidence of ability to

identify and assess water usage and disposal processes in the production site

identify environmental impacts of water use treatment and disposal

identify risks associated with water quality

identify treatment requirements and methods for water used in production

identify costs associated with use treatment and disposal

identify and assess opportunities for improving water efficiencies

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must occur in a real or simulated workplace where the assessee has access to

company environmental policy and related procedures

site plans including relevant advice on drainage system

advice on environmental hazards and control procedures relevant to the production facility

incident and emergency response procedures and equipment

workplace information recording systems requirements and procedures

Method of assessment

This unit should be assessed together with core units and other units of competency relevant to the function or work role

Guidance information for assessment

To ensure consistency in ones performance competency should be demonstrated on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances cases and responsibilities and where possible over a number of assessment activities

Water treatment and related work processes

Procedures for waste water treatment

Out-of-specification results

Primary treatment stages

Secondary processes