Application
This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to identify a range of waste. The unit covers identifying waste characteristics and contaminants in waste, and differentiating types of waste according to waste streams and categories. The unit also covers identifying hazardous and dangerous waste and non-conforming waste types. The unit requires identifying, recording and reporting hazards and risks in the work environment, and communicating safe work practices required to mitigate risks to team members. It requires the ability to practise emergency response procedures with team members.
The unit supports those who work under limited supervision in a waste management team.
No licensing, legislative, regulatory, or certification requirements apply to this unit of competency at the time of endorsement.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions. | ||
1. | Identify waste. | 1.1. | Waste characteristics and contaminants present in waste are identified and noted. |
1.2. | Types of wastes are differentiated by waste streams and waste categories. | ||
1.3. | Hazardous and dangerous waste and non-conforming waste are detailed. | ||
1.4. | Further information on waste is obtained in consultation with relevant personnel to ensure correct waste identification. | ||
2. | Identify and report hazards and risks. | 2.1. | Hazards and risks present in work environment are identified, recorded and reported according to organisational and compliance requirements. |
2.2. | Safe work practices to mitigate risks are identified and communicated to relevant personnel according to organisational and compliance requirements. | ||
2.3. | Emergency response procedures are practised with team members. | ||
Evidence of Performance
A person demonstrating competency in this unit must satisfy the requirements of the elements, performance criteria, foundation skills and range of conditions of this unit. The person must correctly identify waste and hazards on three separate occasions. For each occasion, the person must:
identify waste using the following waste characteristics:
density
level of contamination
quality
shape
size
volume
weight
differentiate waste by the following waste streams:
commercial and industrial waste
construction and demolition
dangerous goods
green waste
hazardous substances
municipal waste
differentiate waste by the following waste categories:
solid: non-hazardous
liquid: non-hazardous
hazardous: regulated, prescribed, dangerous goods, quarantined, medical and clinical
recoverable resources
identify hazards present in the work area and the safe work practices that would mitigate the risks posed by the hazards.
While identifying wastes and hazards, the person must:
follow organisational procedures and comply with regulatory and legal requirements to work safely and protect the environment
practise emergency response procedures with team members.
Evidence of Knowledge
A person demonstrating competency in this unit must demonstrate knowledge of:
classifications of waste
hazards and risks associated with waste including hazardous substances and dangerous goods
methods for waste containment and isolation
non-conforming waste streams and signs of contamination
organisational policies and procedures and regulatory and legal requirements relating to identifying wastes and hazards
types, streams and characteristics of waste, as specified in the performance evidence.
Assessment Conditions
The following must be present and available to learners during assessment activities:
equipment:
personal protective equipment (PPE), as specified by organisational requirements
relationships with team members and supervisor:
working under limited supervision.
Timeframe:
as specified by organisational requirements.
Assessor requirements
As a minimum, assessors must satisfy the assessor requirements in the Standards for Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) current at the time of assessment.
Foundation Skills
This section describes the language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills essential to performance in this unit but not explicit in the performance criteria. | |
Skill | Performance feature |
Oral communication skills to: | ask questions to clarify waste information with relevant personnel. |
Reading skills to: | interpret workplace signage. |
Writing skills to: | record details of waste observations. |
Range Statement
This section specifies work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. | |
Relevant personnel must include at least one of the following: | supervisor or team leader team member. |
Compliance requirements must include: | commonwealth, state and territory legislation relating to waste management, including: environmental protection and incorrect waste disposal work health and safety including hazardous substances and dangerous goods industry codes licensing arrangements. |
Sectors
Waste management