Mechanical workplace or business undertaking either general or specialist mechanical repairs to light or heavy vehicles or their mechanical components, motorcycles or outdoor power equipment. Specialised mechanical repairs may include transmissions, steering and suspension, brakes, engine reconditioning, diesel fuelled plant, exhausts and radiators.

This unit is applicable to mechanical repairs involving the removal of components containing oils or other fluids. Other mechanical qualifications should use AURC472082A Plan and manage compliance with environmental regulations in a workplace or business.

Work involves the planning or management of normal activities in a mechanical or mechanical specialist workplace or business, including service, removal, repair or fitting of mechanical components for light vehicles, heavy vehicles, motorcycles, plant and outdoor power equipment.

Work requires individuals to demonstrate discretion, judgement and problem-solving skills to improve environmental performance by reducing environmental risk and waste.

This unit is applicable to mechanical qualifications at both the Certificate IV and V level.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Plan and manage compliance with environmental regulations

1.1. Reasons for ethical environmental practice in an automotive workplace or business are identified.

1.2. Environmental responsibilities of employers and staff in an automotive workplace or business are identified.

1.3. Penalties for company and individual breaches of the legislation are identified.

1.4. Waste products are minimised and facilities provided for waste materials to be stored in bins for recycling or disposal.

1.5. Collection and recycling arrangements are implemented for liquids, sludge, solids and other waste.

1.6. Suppliers with minimal excess packaging on goods received are sourced.

1.7. Packaging on goods received is sorted and disposed of appropriately.

1.8. Waste and energy conservation strategies are identified and implemented strategies are identified and implemented.

2. Manage potential hazards to stormwater systems to avoid contamination

2.1. Systems are in place to ensure waste water does not enter the stormwater system.

2.2. All drains and flows are identified on a site map directly indicating where they flow.

2.3. Appropriate trade waste permits are in place.

2.4. Impervious paved, undercover and bunded or drained areas are provided and used for surface cleaning and preparation.

2.5. Undercover and bunded or drained areas are provided and used for the storage of all materials, parts and components containing environmentally hazardous substances.

2.6. Clearly identifiable storage or recycling containers are provided for all liquid wastes.

2.7. Oil/water separator and pits are cleaned and maintained regularly as per manufacturer/component supplier specifications.

2.8. Approved parts washer is supplied and maintained in a manner ensuring no contamination occurs.

2.9. Spill kit is provided and used as needed to prevent stormwater contamination by staff trained in its use.

2.10. Workplace is kept clean to prevent unintentional stormwater pollution.

3. Manage potential hazards to air quality to avoid contamination

3.1. Hazards to airborne particles are identified, minimised and contained.

3.2. Hazards to gases and fumes are identified, minimised and contained.

3.3. Systems are in place and implemented to ensure vehicle exhausts and emissions are minimised are not permitted to collect in the workplace.

3.4. A well-ventilated area is provided for welding activities.

4. Minimisation of noise hazards is planned and managed

4.1. Noise creating activities are minimised and carried out within approved operating hours.

4.2. Fixed machinery is fitted with silencers or surrounded by noise containment material.

5. Management systems

5.1. An environmental policy and contingency plan suitable to the needs of the business is developed and implemented.

5.2. Waste to landfill is calculated and possible savings through reuse and recycling are calculated.

5.3. Payback period on environmental equipment is calculated.

5.4. Staff adherence to environmental responsibilities is managed.

5.5. Environmental records are accurately and legibly maintained and stored securely in a form accessible for reporting procedures.

Required skills

collect, organise and understand information related to environmental procedures from legislation, regulations, policies, guidelines, standards and workplace best practices in an automotive mechanical business

communicate ideas and information to enable work undertaken is in accordance with environmental best practice

seek support from stakeholders for implementing suitable innovation and continuous improvement

plan and organise activities, including preparation of equipment and materials recycling and waste management systems and selection of worksite to avoid environmental contamination, backtracking, workflow interruptions or wastage

promote work with others and in a team by recognising dependencies and using cooperative approaches to minimise wastage, optimise workflow and productivity

use mathematical ideas and techniques to complete measurements and estimate material requirements required for the work and calculate wastage rates of various methods

use planning, checking and inspection techniques to avoid environmental contamination and wastage

use the workplace technology related to environmental protection and recycling equipment

Required knowledge

relevant aspects of environmental legislation and its relationship with OH&S, and financial and risk management

requirements for trade waste permits

spill cleanup procedures

characteristics and potential environmental impact of products used in the business

philosophy of sustainability through prevention, reuse, reduce and recycle

procedures for rectifying machinery faults and material defects

action to be taken in case of significant environmental threat in the workplace

reporting procedures for significant environmental damage occurring in the workplace

cleaner production and eco-efficient strategies to avoid the production of waste

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

Plan and manage safe handling requirements for equipment, products and materials, including use of personal protective equipment.

Plan and manage environmental protection procedures in the business.

Identify materials used in process in the business, and assess and manage their environmental impact.

Ensure effective recycling processes are in place.

Plan and manage work instructions, operating procedures and inspection processes to:

minimise the risk of injury to self and others,

maintain a clean workplace,

prevent wastage and damage to goods, equipment and products,

dispose of waste in accordance with legislative requirements and best practice,

maintain required production output and product quality.

Report significant environmental damage or spills.

Plan and manage operator maintenance on equipment to ensure environmental efficiency.

Manage effective planning and team work related to environmental best practice.

Develop/implement or audit an existing business environmental policy covering, at a minimum: waste, recycling, hazards to stormwater, air quality, noise, energy minimisation and costs.

Modify activities to cater for variations in workplace context and environment.

Context of, and specific resources for assessment

Assessment may occur on the job or in a workplace simulated facility with process equipment, materials, work instructions and deadlines.

Access to an automotive mechanical workplace or business with a range of vehicles or mechanical components, waste materials of various types, recycling bins, spill kits, quick break degreasing agents, oil/water separator for liquids, sludge, solids and other waste.

Method of assessment

Assessment methods must confirm consistency of performance over time and in a range of workplace contexts.

Assessment should be by direct observation of tasks and questioning on underpinning knowledge.

Assessment should be conducted over time and should be in conjunction with assessment of other units of competence.

Assessment of this unit of competence is most likely to be project related under real or simulated conditions and require portfolios or other forms of indirect evidence of process. Direct evidence may include certification of compliance of the final outcome/product or authorisation for use by a component authority.

Assessment must confirm the inference that competence is able not only to be satisfied under the particular circumstances, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances.

Competence in this unit may be assessed in conjunction with other functional units which together form part of the holistic work role

Guidance information for assessment

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.

Unit context

Work is carried out in accordance with legislative obligations, environmental legislation, health regulations, manual handling procedures and organisation insurance requirements.

Competence may be demonstrated in any mechanical workplace or business

OH&S

OH&S requirements include legislation, material safety data sheets, hazardous substances and dangerous goods code and safe operating procedures

Tooling and equipment

Tooling and equipment are to include spill kits, recycling bins and drums, bunded or drained wash bays and preparation areas, parts washers, quick break degreasing compounds, waste water management system.

Tooling and equipment may include containment facilities for hazardous substances and staff environmental induction materials.

Materials

Materials may include:

material safety data sheets, manufacturer/ component supplier specifications, environmental records, costing of equipment and waste removal

containment facilities for hazardous substances

Personal protective equipment

Personal protective equipment is to include that prescribed under legislation, regulations and enterprise policies and practices.

Information and procedures

Information and procedures may include:

environmental legislation, regulations and advice

workplace procedures relating to the use of tooling and equipment

work instructions and procedures

site environmental policy

workplace procedures relating to reporting and communication

manufacturer/component supplier specifications and operational procedures

local council and waterways regulations

Unit sector

Technical

This unit contains employability skills.