This unit supports the attainment of skills and knowledge required for trade waste officers or inspectors with a specific responsibility for investigating trade waste incidents, identifying the source of the problem, arranging corrective action and compiling comprehensive reports.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Analyse trade waste incident location.

1.1 Identify and confirm the location and nature of trade waste incidents.

1.2 Assess the extent of incidents and the possible effects.

1.3 Implement actions or make recommendations, as required, to minimise potential harm.

1.4 Notify relevant organisations and individuals.

1.5 Conduct inspections and sampling of incident locations and environs and analyse and report findings and results.

2Investigate the cause and effect of trade waste incidents.

2.1 Identify and confirm the wastewater catchment for incident locations.

2.2 Analyse the wastewater catchment for possible sources of unauthorised or illegal discharge.

2.3 Schedule inspections of potential sources of unauthorised or illegal discharge and make appropriate preparations.

2.4 Investigate the possible effects of trade waste incidents and assess the level of severity.

3Identify incident source and arrange rectification.

3.1 Conduct inspections of potential sources and gather and record evidence.

3.2 Analyse evidence and where possible, confirm the correct source of unauthorised or illegal trade waste discharge and complete required documentation.

3.3 Identify, analyse and select methods for rectifying problems.

3.4 Consult appropriate personnel within the identified customer organisations and advise of rectification requirements and incident repercussions.

4Compile trade waste incident reports.

4.1 Record and process data and information relating to investigations and evidence gathered according to organisational and statutory requirements.

4.2 Compile, process and distribute incident reports, including rectification arrangements according to organisational requirements.

5Conduct post incident monitoring to ensure ongoing compliance.

5.1 Adjust trade waste treatment and discharge monitoring schedules as required and prepare and apply a post incident monitoring plan.

5.2 Correctly select, fit and use personal protective equipment.

5.3 Identify and investigate breaches of the trade waste discharge provisions and report the results and/or recommendations according to organisational requirements.

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required skills:

interpret and review hydraulic and site plans

identify and evaluate trade waste-producing processes

identify and select appropriate remedial measures

evaluate process and wastewater system inputs and outputs

use appropriate wastewater sampling and preservation techniques for onsite and laboratory testing

develop monitoring plans and coordinate measuring, testing and sampling activities

interpret and evaluate sample analysis data

plan and conduct investigations

assess environmental impact using ISO 14001 where appropriate

assess waste treatment methods, processes, plant and equipment

negotiate and communicate

prepare comprehensive and accurate written reports

interpret and apply legislation and policies applicable to trade waste

use appropriate personal protective equipment for protection against physical, chemical and biological hazards.

Required knowledge:

relevant legislation

relevant enterprise policies for trade waste management

water quality parameters of significance to the wastewater system

trade waste treatment methods and processes

impact and interaction of pollutants and toxins

remedial measures relevant to customer base and associated risk

basic hydraulics, chemistry and/or equivalent science

investigation procedures

report writing procedures

range of appropriate measuring, testing and sampling procedures

customer expectations and requirements

occupational health and safety legislation

personal protection and safety precautions for wastewater sampling, including the requirements for relevant inoculations, such as:

Q Fever

Hepatitis A and B

Polio

Tetanus

Diphtheria.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

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

The candidate should demonstrate the ability to investigate, rectify and report on trade waste incidents, including:

identifying and analysing incident locations

assessing the type and extent of incident impact

assessing the trade waste catchment and identifying possible sources of the problem

investigating possible sources and identifying the instigators of the incidents

investigating the instigating organisations and negotiating rectification measures

completing comprehensive reports appropriate for prosecutions.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Access to the workplace and resources including:

documentation that should normally be available in a water industry organisation

relevant codes, standards, and government regulations.

Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required.

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

Validity and sufficiency of evidence requires that:

competency will need to be demonstrated over a period of time reflecting the scope of the role and the practical requirements of the workplace

where the assessment is part of a structured learning experience the evidence collected must relate to a number of performances assessed at different points in time and separated by further learning and practice

a decision of competence should only be made when the assessor has complete confidence in the person's competence over time and in various contexts

all assessment that is part of a structured learning experience must include a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary evidence

where assessment is for the purpose of recognition (RCC/RPL), the evidence provided will need to be authenticated and show that it represents competency demonstrated over a period of time

assessment can be through simulated project-based activity and must include evidence relating to each of the elements in this unit.

In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge. Questioning will be undertaken in a manner appropriate to the skill levels of the operator, any cultural issues that may affect responses to the questions, and reflecting the requirements of the competency and the work being performed.

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. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs if the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.

Trade waste may include:

the liquid waste generated by any:

industry

business

manufacturing process

community/public facilities

commercial activities

trade waste does not include domestic wastewater.

Organisational and statutory requirements may include:

relevant legislation, for example:

the Environmental Protection Act

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act

Waste Minimisation and Management Act

the Water Act

local by-laws

International Standards, for example:

ISO 14000 standards.

Australia/New Zealand Standards, for example:

National Plumbing and Drainage Code AS/NZS 3500

relevant industry codes of practice for the management of trade waste, for example:

industry Code of Practice for the Photographic Industry (PURE)

National Health and Medical Research Council's (NHMRC) National guidelines for waste management in the health care industry, 1999

state plumbing and drainage code of practice

requirements of regulatory authorities, such as:

Water Authorities

WorkCover

EPA

Health Department

local council.

Trade waste

This unit of competency contains employability skills.