PRMWM22B
Monitor disposal site

This unit of competency describes the monitoring activities undertaken at a waste site (including testing). This may include long-term monitoring (including post-closure management).

Application

Not Applicable


Prerequisites

Not Applicable


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1 Organise for monitoring

1.1 Identify monitoring required to be undertaken on waste site from company requirements and relevant legislation

1.2 Determine special testing requirements and incorporate into job requirements

1.3 Obtain and check tools, equipment and materials required for work to ensure safe and efficient operation

1.4 Identify and manage potential job requirement risks and hazards in accordance with company requirements, OHS and other relevant legislation

1.5 Select and fit emergency and personal protective equipment in accordance with job requirements, manufacturers' specifications, company requirements and relevant legislation

2 Monitor batters and landfill cells

2.1 Check covered batters and cells to ensure integrity of form and shape and absence of erosion, flooding, leachate or vermin

3 Monitor drainage systems

3.1 Monitor drainage systems and grease traps to detect contamination, blockages and determine drainage flow and characteristics

3.2 Take sample of drainage liquid to determine contamination level and characteristics in accordance with company requirements and relevant legislation

4 Monitor waste and surrounding environment

4.1 Organise for olfactory tests to be conducted to determine level of odour at waste site and surrounding environment, in accordance with company requirements and relevant legislation

4.2 Organise for tests to be conducted to monitor noise levels at waste site, in accordance with company requirements and relevant legislation

4.3 Organise for tests to be conducted to monitor gases at waste site in accordance with company requirements and relevant legislation

4.4 Monitor condition of fences, roads, signs and other infrastructure to determine maintenance requirements in accordance with company requirements

5 Document monitoring activities

5.1 Complete all required documentation promptly and accurately in accordance with company requirements, manufacturers' specifications and relevant legislation

Required Skills

Refer to Evidence Guide

Evidence Required

Critical aspects of competency

Accurate identification of monitoring requirements (including special tests required).

Correct determination of equipment, tools, and materials requirements.

Selection of appropriate emergency and PPE requirements.

Identification of potential risks and hazards to monitoring activities.

Monitoring of landfill cells.

Monitoring of drainage systems.

Monitoring of landfill environment.

Knowledge needed to achieve the performance criteria

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this unit in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this unit are listed below.

Potential risks and hazards to monitoring activities.

Basic tool and equipment operation.

Waste analytical methods.

Surface and ground water quality sampling and monitoring.

Leachate monitoring.

Leak detection systems.

Standard landfill site testing procedures and requirements.

Landfill cover requirements and considerations.

Basic drainage operation.

Emergency response procedures.

Company requirements.

Environmental management plan.

Occupational health and safety requirements.

Relevant industry standards.

Relevant legislation.

Relevant environmental regulations.

OHS hierarchy of control.

Specific skills needed to achieve the performance criteria

To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These are:

following instructions and giving information

reading and interpreting schedules and work requirements

equipment operation

use of relevant tools

use of communications equipment (two-way radio and mobile phone)

accurate hazard identification

safe and efficient work practices

working in confined spaces

using emergency and personal protective equipment

following MSDS.

Other units of competency that could be assessed with this unit

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

PRMWM21B Cover waste

PRMWM23B Maintain disposal site

PRMCMN201A Participate in workplace safety arrangements

PRMCMN301A Contribute to workplace safety arrangements

BSBCMN215B Participate in environmental work practices

BSBCMN313B Maintain environmental procedures.

Resources required to assess this unit

The following resources should be available:

waste site for monitoring

tools, equipment and materials for monitoring

company monitoring requirements

company environmental management plan

company waste management plan

monitoring and testing equipment

personal protective equipment

site safety plan

OHS requirements

MSDS.

Gaining evidence to assess this unit

For valid and reliable assessment of this unit, the competency should be demonstrated over a period of time and be observed by the assessor (or assessment team working together to conduct the assessment). The competency is to be demonstrated in a range of situations, which may include customer/workplace interruptions and involvement in related activities normally experienced in the workplace.

Evidence of competency is best obtained by observing activities in this field and reviewing monitoring activities at a landfill site under normal industry operating conditions. If this is not practicable, observations in realistic simulated environments may be substituted.

Consistency in performance

Assessment requires that the plan meets the objectives of the client and that it complies 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 of a variety of waste requirements to assess within a range of sites and with a variety of waste types.

Oral questioning or written assessment and hypothetical situations (scenarios) may be used to assess underpinning knowledge. (In assessment situations where the candidate is offered a preference between oral questioning and written audit, questions are to be identical.)

Supplementary evidence may be obtained from relevant authenticated correspondence from existing supervisors, team leaders or specialist training staff.

Note: All practical demonstrations must adhere to the safety and environmental regulations relevant to each state or territory.

Key competency levels

There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life that are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies, although others may be added.

Information below highlights how these processes are applied in this competency standard.

1

Perform the process

2

Perform and administer the process

3

Perform, administer and design the process

How can communication of ideas and information be applied?

1

Communicate clearly and effectively with relevant personnel throughout the monitoring of waste disposal process.

How can information be collected, analysed and organised?

1

Gather information from a number of sources (including job requirements, manufacturers' specifications and company requirements) about the monitoring of disposal site.

How are activities planned and organised?

2

Plan and organise activities to monitor waste disposal site in accordance with company requirements and relevant legislation.

How can teamwork be applied?

1

Work effectively with relevant personnel throughout the monitoring of waste disposal process.

How can the use of mathematical ideas and techniques be applied?

1

Use correct mathematical calculations throughout the waste disposal process.

How can problem-solving skills be applied?

1

Discuss possible problems and solutions that may arise throughout the monitoring of waste disposal process.

How can the use of technology be applied?

1

Demonstrate understanding of technological principles and physical skills to use appropriate equipment.


Range Statement

The range statement links the required knowledge and organisational and technical requirements to the workplace context. It describes any contextual variables that will be used or encountered when applying the competency in work situations. It allows for different work practices and work and knowledge requirements as well as for differences between organisations and workplaces. The following variables may be present for this particular unit.

Client/company includes all forms of business enterprises in this context including government agencies, local governments/councils, private and public companies, and residents/ratepayers.

Company requirements are found in briefing documents, letters, quality assurance documents, tender/contract documents and verbal or written instructions.

Drains may include grease traps, groundwater cut-off drains, leachate collection system drains and silt traps.

Emergency and personal protective equipment must include:

appropriate footwear

communications equipment

eye protection

eyewash kit

fire extinguishers

First Aid kit

gloves

overalls and protective clothing.

Emergency and personal protective equipment could also include:

breathing apparatus

emergency procedure guides

face shield/mask

hard hat

hearing protection

material safety data sheets (MSDS)

spill kit.

Emergency response action/procedures include but are not limited to:

clean up

contain emergency

equipment/plant isolation and shut-down

evacuation

First Aid

make safe

notification of authorities

use of appropriate personal protective equipment.

Equipment includes but is not limited to communications equipment, sampling equipment and testing equipment.

Manufacturers' specifications are found in equipment specifications and operator manuals.

Monitoring requirements may include:

air emissions

drainage system

ground water

landfill cells

landfill environment (tests for odour, noise and gases)

monitoring for special requirements.

Performance of this unit is carried out in accordance with relevant requirements of the following:

Australian Standards

environmental regulations

legislative requirements

manufacturers' specifications

organisational procedures

relevant state/territory regulations.

Personal protective equipment required will be stored, maintained and worn/fitted in accordance with company requirements and occupational health and safety and other legislation.

Potential job requirement risks and hazards are those risks and hazards identified by the organisation that could lead to injury or illness of employees, contractors, visitors or the public; damage to plant, vehicles or property; or that could cause harm to the environment.

This relates to on-site and off-site activities (whether company owned or occupied premises, customer/client premises or public property) over which it could be expected the organisation had control.

Relevant legislation and codes cover state and federal:

duty of care

industry codes of conduct

occupational health and safety

Australian Standards

environmental protection legislation.

Safe operating procedures include any activity or operation conducted on site to ensure health and safety of personnel/equipment in the area.

Special testing requirements may include organising testing with relevant specialists, and sampling requirements.

Waste site may include landfill, materials recovery facility, processing plant, transfer station and treatment plant.


Sectors

Not Applicable


Employability Skills

Not Applicable


Licensing Information

Not Applicable