Application
This unit describes a participant’s skills and knowledge required to manage and coordinate spill response in both land and water based environments in the Resources and Infrastructure Industries.
This unit is appropriate for those working in supervisory or technical specialist roles.
No licensing, legislation or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Plan and prepare for management and coordination of spills | 1.1 Access, interpret and communicate environmental documentation and regulation and ensure the work activity is compliant 1.2 Access, interpret and apply spill response policy and procedure documentation 1.3 Provide verbal and written communication of the organisations environmental policies, spill response procedure and programs to others 1.4 Regularly provide clear information, instruction and management of potential spills 1.5 Establish and maintain training programs for spill identification and actions to be taken 1.6 Maintain access and currency of Safety Data Sheets (SDS) used to identify required action to manage spill 1.7 Plan for the resources required to manage work area spills 1.8 Review spill management incidents occurrences and plan for improvements 1.9 Complete risk assessments for potential hazards and releases on site |
2 Plan for potential spills and harm to the environment | 2.1 Assess site operations and activity to determine potential spills 2.2 Determine potential volume and size of spill 2.3 Determine potential risk to the people and environment 2.4 Plan for action to be taken and the direction to be provided to others to carry out activity in the event of a spill |
3 Apply and monitor the procedures for spill response | 3.1 Determine, apply and monitor appropriate method of controlling the spill and the resources required 3.2 Communicate the requirements to secure the spill area 3.3 Communicate the details and impact of the spill to others who may be affected 3.4 Stop or minimise the flow or escape of material from primary source 3.5 Stop or minimise the movement of contaminants using containment resources 3.6 Minimise mixing of contaminants with other reactive sources 3.7 Soak up, dilute or neutralise contaminants 3.8 Minimise generation of excess contaminated soil or water 3.9 Manage hazardous wastes |
4 Coordinate with External Agencies | 4.1 Establish communications with external authorising agencies 4.2 Communicate clearly and concisely all details of the spill 4.3 Comply with requirements external authorisation agencies and communicate with others where applicable to carry out instructions 4.4 Liaise with external authorising agencies 4.5 Distribute information/requirements and instructions from external agencies to personnel |
5 Apply and monitor the procedures for maintaining records | 5.1 Ensure accurate written completion and maintenance of spill response records 5.2 Analyse resource use and authorise replenishment |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence is required to be collected that demonstrates a candidate’s competency in this unit. Evidence must be relevant to the roles within this sector’s work operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria of this unit and include evidence that the candidate:
locate and apply relevant documentation, policies and procedures
works effectively with others to undertake and complete responding to site based spills that meets all of the required outcomes including:
communicating the spill and likely impact to others
coordinates and communicates spill clean-up procedure and activity to others
liaising with external agencies
demonstrates completion of responding to site based spills that safely, effectively and efficiently meets all of the required outcomes on more than one (1) occasion including:
assessing the storage of chemicals on site and establishes activity to remedy storage issues
determining possible causes for spills and their impact on people, operations and environment
establishing communication with external agency throughout the spill providing them with the details of the spill size, type, location, activity and impact on people, operations and environment
applying and monitoring spill response activities that minimise impact on people, operations and environment
reviewing historical spill response activities and plan for improvements
preparing written reporting of spill response activities and resources used
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of responding to site based spills through:
relevant licensing, legislative, regulatory and certification requirements
research, analyse and apply environmental operational information
risks and potential spills
spill type and effects to work area and others
chemical storage and their handling processes
protocols expected for working with external agencies
interpreting and communicating work instructions and processes
using effective communication skills, including questioning and active listening skills with supervisors and other employees
teamwork to coordinate, involve and engage others in spill response
Assessment Conditions
An assessor of this unit must satisfy the requirements of the NVR/AQTF or their successors; and Industry regulations for certification and licensing; and,
this unit is best assessed in the context of this sector’s 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 this sector’s workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills; and,
this unit must be assessed in compliance with relevant legislation/regulation and using policies, procedures, processes and operational manuals directly related to the industry sector for which it is being assessed; and,
assessment may be conducted in conjunction with the assessment of other Units of Competency; and,
assessment must confirm consistent performance can be applied in a range of relevant workplace circumstances; and,
assessors must demonstrate the performance evidence, and knowledge evidence as outlined in this Unit of Competency, and through the minimum years of current* work experience specified below in an Industry sector relevant to the outcomes of the unit; or,
where the assessor does not meet experience requirements a co-assessment or partnership arrangement must exist between the qualified assessor and an Industry subject matter expert. The Industry subject matter expert should hold the unit being assessed (or an equivalent unit) and/or demonstrate equivalence of skills and knowledge at the unit level. An Industry technical expert must also demonstrate skills and knowledge from the minimum years of current work experience specified below in the Industry sector, including time spent in roles related to the unit being assessed; and,
assessor and Industry subject matter expert requirements differ depending on the Australian Qualifications Framework Level (AQF) of the qualification being assessed and/or Industry Sector as follows:
Industry sector | AQF** Level | Required assessor or Industry subject matter expert experience |
Drilling, Metalliferous Mining, Coal Mining, Extractive (Quarrying) and Civil Construction | 1 | 1 Year |
2 | 2 Years | |
Drilling, Coal Mining and Extractive (Quarrying) | 3-6 | 3 Years |
Metalliferous Mining and Civil Construction | 3-6 | 5 Years |
Other sectors | Where this Unit is being assessed outside of the Resources and Infrastructure Sectors assessor and/or Industry subject matter expert experience should be in-line with industry standards for the sector in which it is being assessed and where no Industry standard is specified should comply with any relevant regulation. | |
*Assessors can demonstrate current work experience through employment within Industry in a role relevant to the outcomes of the Unit; or, for external assessors this can be demonstrated through exposure to Industry by conducting frequent site assessments across various locations.
**Where a unit is being delivered outside of a Qualification the first numeric character in the Unit code should be considered to indicate the AQF level
Foundation Skills
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit. Further information is available in the Resources and Infrastructure Industry Training Package Companion Volume.