ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Identify current practices in relation to resource usage

1.1. Access, interpret and apply compliance documentation relevant to implementing and monitoring environmentally sustainable work practices

1.2. Identify environmental regulations applying to the enterprise

1.3. Identify procedures for assessing compliance with environmental/sustainability regulations

2. Review and communicate identified improvements

2.1. Review current work processes to access information and data to assist in identifying areas for improvement

2.2. Collect and organise information from a range of sources to provide information/advice and tools/resources for improvement opportunities

2.3. Seek input from stakeholders, key personnel and specialists

2.4. Communicate proposed improvements according to site procedures

3. Apply performance improvement strategies

3.1. Source and use appropriate techniques and tools to assist in achieving efficiency targets

3.2. Apply continuous improvement strategies to own work area of responsibility through environmental and resource efficiency improvement plans

3.3. Apply suggestions and ideas about environmental and resource efficiency management from stakeholders where appropriate

4. Monitor performance

4.1. Use evaluation and monitoring tools and technology

4.2. Report on progress against efficiency targets to key personnel and stakeholders

4.3. Promote organisational improvement strategies

Required skills

Specific skills are required to achieve the performance criteria in this unit, particularly for the application in the various circumstances in which this unit may be applied. This includes the ability to carry out the following as required to apply environmentally sustainable work practices:

comply with all relevant legislation associated with job specifications and procedures

apply communication and problem solving skills to question, seek clarification and make suggestions relating to work requirements and efficiency

apply communication/consultation skills to support information flows

apply communication and teamwork skills to recognise procedures; to follow instructions; to respond to change, such as current workplace environmental/sustainability frameworks; and to support team work and participation in a sustainable organisation

apply literacy, numeracy and technology skills to interpret workplace information in relation to work role, and to document and measure resource use

apply technology skills to select and use technology appropriate for a task

Required knowledge

Specific knowledge is required to achieve the performance criteria of this unit, particularly its application in a variety of circumstances in which the unit may be used. This includes knowledge of the following as required apply environmentally sustainable work practices:

change management/continuous improvement processes

best practice approaches relevant to own area of responsibility and industry

compliance requirements within work area for all relevant environmental/sustainability legislation, regulations and codes of practice including resource hazards/risks associated with work area, job specifications and procedures

environmental and energy efficiency issues, systems and procedures specific to industry practice

OHS issues and requirements

organisational structure and reporting channels and procedures

quality assurance systems relevant to own work area

sustainability in the workplace

terms and conditions of employment including policies and procedures, such as daily tasks, work area responsibilities, employee, supervisor and employer rights, equal opportunity.

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

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

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to worksite operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit and include evidence of the following:

accessing, interpreting and complying with a range of environment/sustainability legislation and procedural requirements relevant to daily responsibilities

knowledge of relevant compliance requirements within work area

accurately following organisational information to participate in and support an improved resource efficiency process and reporting as required

planning and organising activities in relation to measuring current use and devising strategies to improve usage

developing and/or using tools such as inspection checklists, to collect and measure relevant information on organisation resource consumption, within work role

identifying organisational improvements by applying efficient resource use to daily activities

knowledge of environmental and resource hazards/risks

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit must be assessed in the context of the work environment. Where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment may occur in a simulated environment provided it is realistic and sufficiently rigorous to cover all aspects of workplace performance, including task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.

The assessment environment should not disadvantage the participant. For example, language, literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required on the job.

Customisation of assessment and delivery environment to sensitively accommodate cultural diversity.

Aboriginal people and other people from a non English speaking background may have second language issues.

Assessment of this competency requires typical resources normally used in the work environment. Selection and use of resources for particular worksites may differ due to site circumstances.

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.

Method of assessment

This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency.

The assessment strategy for this unit must verify required knowledge and skill and practical application using more than one of the following assessment methods:

written and/or oral assessment of the candidate's required knowledge

observed, documented and/or first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:

implementation of appropriate requirement, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient achievement of required outcomes

consistently achieving the required outcomes

first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's ability to participate in environmentally sustainable work practices

Guidance information for assessment

Consult the SkillsDMC User Guide for further information on assessment including access and equity issues

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.

Compliance documentation may include:

legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures

Australian standards

environmental agencies regulations

Environmental Protection Act

isolation procedures

manufacturer's specifications and recommendations

OHS legislation and regulations

site regulations, requirements and procedures

code of practice

Compliance may include:

meeting relevant laws, by-laws and regulations, or best practice or codes of practice, to support compliance in environmental performance and sustainability at each level as required (such as Environmental Protection or Biodiversity Conservation Act):

international

commonwealth

state/territory

industry

organisation

Sources may include:

organisation specifications

regulatory sources

relevant stakeholders

resource use

Stakeholders, key personnel and specialists may include:

individuals and groups both inside and outside the organisation who have direct or indirect interest in the organisation's conduct, actions, products and services, including:

customers

employees at all levels of the organisation

government

investors

local community

other organisations

suppliers

key personnel within the organisation, and specialists outside the organisation who may have particular technical expertise

Techniques and tools may include:

examination of invoices from suppliers

examination of relevant information and data

measurements made under different conditions

others as appropriate to the specific industry context

Environmental and resource efficiency improvement plans may include:

addressing environmental and resource sustainability initiatives such as environmental management systems, action plans, green office programs, surveys and audits

applying the waste management hierarchy in the workplace

determining the organisation's most appropriate waste treatment including waste to landfill, recycling, re use, recoverable resources and wastewater treatment

initiating and/or maintaining appropriate organisational procedures for operational energy consumption, including stationary energy and non stationary (transport)

preventing and minimising risks, and maximising opportunities such as:

improving resource/energy efficiency

reducing emissions of greenhouse gases

reducing use of non renewable resources

referencing standards, guidelines and approaches such as:

ecological footprinting

Energy Efficiency Opportunities Bill 2005

Global Reporting Initiative

green office program - a cultural change program

green purchasing

Greenhouse Challenge Plus (Australian government initiative)

ISO 14001:1996 Environmental management systems life cycle analyses

product stewardship

supply chain management

sustainability covenants/compacts

triple bottom line reporting

Suggestions may include ideas that help to:

prevent and minimise risks and maximise opportunities such as:

usage of solar or renewable energies where appropriate

reducing emissions of greenhouse gases

reducing use of non renewable resources

making more efficient use of resources, energy and water

maximising opportunities to re use, recycle and reclaim materials

identifying strategies to offset or mitigate environmental impacts:

purchasing carbon credits

energy conservation

reducing chemical use

reducing material consumption

expressing purchasing power through the selection of suppliers with improved environmental performance e.g. purchasing renewable energy

eliminating the use of hazardous and toxic materials