This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to identify activities and/or materials that present an environmental threat and to take the appropriate action according to procedures.

This unit of competency applies to all personnel who are required to work within environmental regulatory requirements which are reflected in the organisation’s policies and procedures.

It applies to an individual working alone or as part of a team or group and working in liaison with other team members and supervisors.

This unit of competency applies to all plants and areas of operation.

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

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and must include the ability to:

recognise and report environmental threats

communicate using in-plant reporting systems (verbal, electronic or written)

select and use containment equipment

select and use personal protective equipment (PPE).

Evidence must be provided that demonstrates knowledge of:

organisation procedures, including:

environmental protection and reporting requirements

safety, emergency and hazard controls

type and severity of environmental threats, including contribution to climate change and other macro threats that can arise from materials and work processes used

environmental protection measures required to minimise threats

types of emissions relevant to job role and permissible levels.

The unit should be assessed holistically and the judgement of competence based on a holistic assessment of the evidence.

The collection of performance evidence:

should occur over a range of situations which include typical disruptions to normal, smooth operations

will typically include a supervisor/third-party report focusing on consistent performance and problem recognition and solving. A supervisor/third-party report must be prepared by someone who has a direct, relevant, current relationship with the person being assessed and who is in a position to form a judgement on workplace performance relevant to the unit of competency

must include the use of appropriate tools, equipment and safety gear requiring demonstration of preparation, operation, completion and responding to problems

may use industry-based simulation for all or part of the unit particularly where safety, lack of opportunity or significant cost is an issue.

Assessment should occur in operational workplace situations. Where this is not possible, or where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment must occur in a sufficiently rigorous simulated environment reflecting realistic operational workplace conditions. This must cover all aspects of workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.

Assessment in a simulated environment should use evidence collected from one or more of:

walk-throughs

pilot plant operation

demonstration of skills

industry-based case studies/scenarios

‘what ifs’.

Knowledge evidence may be collected concurrently with performance evidence (provided a record is kept) or through an independent process, such as workbooks, written assessments or interviews (provided a record is kept).

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Conditions for assessment must include access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required, including relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications associated with this unit.

The regulatory framework will be reflected in workplace policies and procedures and is not required to be independently assessed.

Foundation skills are integral to competent performance of the unit and should not be assessed separately.

As a minimum, assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations 2015 assessor requirements.

This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance.

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

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