CPPWMT3011A
Respond to waste emergencies

This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to respond to a range of emergencies which may occur in the management of waste. It requires the ability to act quickly in a methodical and calm manner.

Application

This unit of competency supports individuals with responsibilities for conducting waste management activity. It includes contributing to the implementation of developed operational procedures, as well as recognising the need for expert advice.


Prerequisites

Not applicable.


Elements and Performance Criteria

1

Identify nature of emergency.

1.1

Details of the nature, type and severity of the emergency are identified, including waste types involved and existing and potential hazards and risks.

1.2

Emergency is reported to supervisor or team leader according to organisational requirements and relevant legislation and codes.

2

Prepare to respond to emergency.

2.1

Potential hazards and risks are incorporated into emergency response action.

2.2

Emergency response action or procedures are followed according to organisational requirements and relevant legislation.

2.3

Full details of emergency are communicated to relevant parties.

2.4

Emergency and personal protective equipment is used safely and efficiently according to manufacturer specifications and organisational occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements.

2.5

Containment and isolation of emergency situation are conducted where possible to minimise danger to surrounding equipment, area, environment, other personnel and general public.

2.6

Risks to personnel are avoided and evacuation procedures are followed according to organisational requirements.

2.7

Necessary actions to protect organisational interests are taken according to organisational requirements.

3

Review emergency response.

3.1

Emergency response actions are monitored and evaluated continuously and modifications are made to response actions to reduce the impact of the emergency.

3.2

Emergency situation is controlled until formal relief is notified or received, according to organisational requirements, OHS standards and relevant legislation.

4

Assist with clean-up

4.1

Clean-up to remove waste, contamination, equipment and hazards from the emergency site is conducted according to organisational, legislative and OHS requirements.

4.2

Regulated waste identification signage is updated as required.

5

Record and report emergency

5.1

Full details of emergency situation and response actions are recorded according to organisational requirements and relevant legislation.

5.2

Emergency situation and response actions are reported to appropriate personnel according to organisational requirements.

Required Skills

Required skills

emergency expertise to facilitate:

waste assessment

isolation procedures, including bunding and erecting barriers

selection of equipment

quality control inspection

interpersonal skills to work in a team environment

oral communication skills to:

ask questions

follow instructions

give clear information

listen effectively

reading skills to:

interpret emergency requirements

follow emergency procedure guidelines

read graduated devices

interpret work requirements and material safety data sheets (MSDS)

problem-solving skills to:

identify hazards and risks

identify waste types, including regulated waste and waste non-conformance

resolve pressure situations in a prompt, calm manner

self-management skills to:

conduct work practices safely and efficiently

handle waste non-conformances

prioritise duties

use emergency and personal protective equipment (PPE)

written communication skills for:

documentation, including emergency incident report

record keeping

Required knowledge

emergency response procedures, including:

confined space procedures

HAZCHEM identification systems

methods of containment and isolation of emergencies

site management plan and identification of work areas, including location of:

alarms

emergency equipment

communications equipment

coding systems

reporting requirements

signalling techniques

standard emergency procedures

identification of:

waste types, streams and characteristics

waste non-conformances

waste non-conformance procedures

waste recovery routes

procedures for containing segregated waste types, including containment and isolation of hazardous waste

emergency waste management processes to facilitate:

identification of plant and equipment

operation of plant and equipment

cleaning and maintenance of plant and equipment

recycling activity

OHS requirements relating to:

chemical storage and decanting

dangerous goods and hazardous substances

OHS hierarchy of control

basic first aid appropriate to likely hazards and risks in work environment

potential hazards and risks relating to:

dangerous goods

potential incidents

waste containment and segregation techniques

emergency response procedures

service requirements, including:

client requirements

duty of care

organisational requirements

reporting requirements

waste management options

waste management hierarchy

waste containment and disposal techniques

Evidence Required

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

This unit of competency could be assessed by observation of practical demonstration in the workplace or in a simulated environment.

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

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of the required skills and knowledge specified in this unit.

In particular the person should demonstrate the ability to:

identify emergencies

follow OHS and emergency procedures

act quickly and implement required processes to overcome emergencies

document actions.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge may be conducted in an off-site context. It is to comply with relevant regulatory or Australian standards’ requirements.

Resource implications for assessment include:

work plans and approved specifications

forms and procedures manuals.

Method of assessment

The process of responding to a waste emergency must comply 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 to assess competency in responding to a waste emergency.

Assessment methods must:

satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Property Services Training Package

include direct observation of tasks in real or simulated work conditions, with questioning to confirm the ability to consistently identify and correctly interpret the essential underpinning knowledge required for practical application

reinforce the integration of employability skills with workplace tasks and job roles

confirm that competency is verified and able to be transferred to other circumstances and environments.

Guidance information for assessment

Reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities must be made to assessment processes where required. This could include access to modified equipment and other physical resources, and the provision of appropriate assessment support.

Assessment processes and techniques should as far as is practical take into account the language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate in relation to the competency being assessed.

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

CPPCMN3001B Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices

CPPCMN3003A Contribute to workplace safety arrangements.


Range Statement

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.

Emergency may include:

chemical reaction

contamination

fire

gas leak

hazardous waste spill

fallen powerlines.

Waste typesmay include:

solid (non-hazardous), e.g. construction and demolition

liquid (non-hazardous), e.g. chemical and aqueous

hazardous – regulated, prescribed, quarantined, medical and clinical

recoverable resources, e.g. recyclable and green waste.

Organisational requirements may include information found in:

briefing papers

job sheets

letters

memos

operations manuals

quality assurance documents

tender and contract documents

verbal or written instructions

work procedures.

Legislation and codesmay include:

codes, including:

Australian Code for the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road and Rail

industry

commonwealth, state and territory legislation, including:

anti-discrimination

environmental protection

equal employment opportunity

freedom of information

industrial

OHS

trade practices

road laws.

Potential hazards and risks are those identified by the organisation that may lead to:

damage to plant, vehicle or property

harm to the environment

illness or injury to employees, contractors or the public

injuries resulting from manual handling and repetitive work.

Potential hazards and risks may include:

broken glass

broken metal

compaction equipment

contamination

dust

fire

gases and fumes

hazardous waste (e.g. sharps)

narrow driveways

other vehicles and equipment

overhanging signs

projectiles

spark-producing equipment

unguarded conveyor belts

weather.

Emergency response action or procedures may include:

cleaning up

containing emergency

isolating or shutting down equipment or plant

evacuation

first aid

making site safe

notifying authorities

using PPE.

Relevant parties may include:

emergency services

other affected parties

organisational personnel

environmental protection agencies.

Emergency and personal protective equipmentmust include:

communications equipment

eye protection, such as goggles and protective glasses

eyewash kit

fire extinguishers

first aid kit

footwear

hearing protection

MSDS

spill kit

oil absorbent materials

overalls and protective clothing.

Emergency and personal protective equipmentcould also include:

breathing apparatus

emergency procedure guides

face shield or mask

gloves

hard hats.

Personal protective equipmentmust be:

cleaned and fitted according to organisational requirements, manufacturer specifications and OHS requirements

worn when required according to organisational requirements

stored according to organisational requirements.

Containment and isolation may include:

bunding area

erecting barricades

moving vehicle or equipment away from hazardous area

sealing leaks

transferring waste

turning off electricity and gas

using fire extinguishers

water-hosing.

Evacuation proceduresmay be found in:

emergency procedures manuals

OHS requirements

organisational requirements

legislation and codes.

Protecting organisational interests may include:

collecting details from witnesses

not commenting or admitting liability

not talking to media.

Clean-up may include:

removing equipment, plant and vehicle from site

removing and disposing of contaminated soil and liquid

shovelling

sweeping out

using cleaning products

using high pressure water or air-hosing

vacuuming.

Contamination may include:

exposure to sunlight

infestation

mixing with other waste types

rot or mould

waterlogging.

Regulated waste identification signage may include:

classification of dangerous goods

communications equipment

first aid

hazardous class

HAZCHEM codes

packaging group number.

Recorded includes:

authorities notified

cause or suspected cause of emergency

damage incurred to:

general public

equipment

personnel

vehicle

emergency and personal protective equipment used

emergency response procedures undertaken

nature of clean-up

nature, type, source and severity of emergency

recommendations for preventing future emergencies

regulatory authority requirements.


Sectors

Waste management


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.