Google Links

Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Determine audit objectives
   • Consult client to determine waste audit requirements/purpose
   • Review waste audit objectives to ensure they are realistic and achievable
   • Document and confirm waste audit objectives with the client
2. Scope waste audit site
   • Obtain all information relating to site and client operations from relevant personnel to determine appropriate audit methodology
   • Assess the waste generation site to determine waste characteristics, disposal and recovery routes
   • Assess the waste generation site to determine hazards and risks and report to designated personnel
3. Plan audit
   • Take into consideration client requirements and sampling requirements necessary to audit methodology - valid and representative audit data
   • Determine suitable date, time and duration of audit to obtain valid and representative audit data and minimise client disruption
   • Incorporate details relating to access to site and specific site requirements into audit plan
   • Identify necessary personnel and equipment requirements to ensure effective, safe and efficient audit operations. This may include the services of relevant experts where advanced sampling or testing is required
   • Obtain full support and written authorisation from the client to proceed with waste audit in accordance with company requirements, appropriate legislation and safety procedures
   • Identify, confirm and follow client confidentiality arrangements in accordance with client and company requirements and relevant legislation
4. Document audit plan
   • Document audit plan accurately with all necessary details to effectively conduct a waste audit
   • Complete and process other relevant documentation, such as waste management survey in accordance with assignment instructions
   • Obtain written approval for waste audit from the client in accordance with company requirements

Required Skills

Refer to Evidence Guide

Evidence Required

Critical aspects of competency

Ability to determine a variety of audit objectives

Effective consultation with client to obtain information and support for audit strategy

Ability to thoroughly scope waste audit site

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

Common reasons for undertaking a waste audit

Nature and significance of waste minimisation hierarchy

Waste types streams and characteristics

Waste disposal and recovery routes

Waste audit plans

Waste analytical methods

Standards audit requirements and procedures

Types of client waste management surveys and their uses

Sampling techniques

Client requirements

OHS requirements

Duty of care in provision of services

Relevant industry standards

Relevant legislation

Relevant environmental regulations

OHS hierarchy of control

Specific skills needed to achieve the performance criteria

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

sound oral communication skills including questioning listening liaison and consultation

sound written communication skills for report writing and developing surveys

reading and interpreting maps plans and documents

methodical organisation of work

site scoping

audit planning

computer skills

safe and efficient work practices

ability to apply appropriate decisionmaking techniques

Other units of competency that could be assessed with this unit

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

PRMWMB Carry out waste audit

PRMWM02B Carry out waste audit

PRMWMB Review evaluate and document waste assessment findings

PRMWM03B Review, evaluate and document waste assessment findings.

Resources required to assess this unit

The following resources should be available

client audit requirements for workplace portfolio case studies if required

work plans and approved specifications

results of sampling

forms and procedure manuals

surveys reports

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 reviewing the planning of a waste audit under normal industry operating conditions If this is not practicable observations in realistic simulated environments may be substituted

Consistency in performance

Audit requires that the plan meets the objectives of the client and that it complies with industry expectations in the particular client environment If the environment is narrowly defined or is not representative of industry needs it may be necessary to refer to portfolio case studies of a variety of waste requirements to assess competency in audit of waste plans

Oral questioning or written audit and hypothetical situations scenarios may be used to assess underpinning knowledge In audit situations where the candidate is offered a preference between oral questioning and written audit 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 and environmental regulations relevant to each state or territory

Key competency levels

There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life which 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 with clients and colleagues and demonstrate physically appropriate use of waste audit methods
How can information be collected analysed and organised						Gather information from a number of sources including regulatory sources and company specifications about waste audit methods for accurate demonstrations to occur
How are activities planned and organised						Plan in detail throughout audit scoping of site selecting audit methodology and developing waste management survey
How can teamwork be applied						Discuss with clients andor colleagues throughout consultations
How can the use of mathematical ideas and techniques be applied						Compile survey results in specified manner which may include percentages
How can problemsolving skills be applied						Discuss with clients their concerns throughout the waste audit processes while observing company requirements
How can the use of technology be applied						Demonstrate understanding of technological principles and physical skills to use appropriate equipment

---

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.

Audit methodology includes:

audit scope

client waste management survey

determining sort categories

elimination of other variables

isolation of waste streams

method of recording information

sample required.

Client includes all forms of business enterprises in this context including government agencies, internal customers, local governments/councils, private and public companies, and residents/ratepayers

Client requirements are found in briefing papers, letters from client, quality assurance documents, tender/contract documents and verbal or written instructions

Equipment requirements include:

absorbent material

bunding equipment

camera

collection containers

lifting gear

measurement equipment

personal protective equipment

reference manuals

safety barriers and warning signs

sample bench

scales.

Guidelines on use of waste management survey:

develop appropriate survey questions in accordance with the waste audit objectives

ensure survey questions are able to be completed within the time allowed by the client

obtain client authorisation for survey in accordance with company requirements

write clear survey instructions and questions for the target group.

Information relating to site and client operations must include:

access to site and specific site requirements

locations of waste containers

map of plant/site

processing methods

production dates and schedules

production inputs and outputs

site size

storage and disposal methods

waste handling

waste hazards

waste outputs

waste recovery routes

waste streams.

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

Australian Standards

environmental regulations

legislative requirements

manufacturers' specifications

OHS regulations

organisational procedures

relevant state/territory regulations.

Personal protective equipment may include:

breathing apparatus

gloves

goggles/safety glasses

overalls

protective headwear

safety shoes.

Personnel requirements include licences required, skills of personnel and training/briefing.

Site may include business premises, landfill site, local government area, plant/factory and waste processing plant.

Waste audit requirements/purpose may include but are not limited to:

cost reductions

develop waste management plan

environmental concerns

identify recyclable waste

identify waste management policy

identify waste streams

process review

review implementation of waste management plan

waste minimisation.

Waste characteristics include but are not limited to:

building material

chemicals

general garbage

household waste

industrial

medical

metal

paper.

Waste management survey could typically include checklist, focus group, questionnaire and survey.

Waste site purpose includes but is not limited to:

contamination

dangerous and hazardous wastes

disposal methods

production of waste

recycling

re-use

waste generation

waste streams

waste types.

---