2)

This competency standard shall apply to any safe work site where utility industry operations occur which includes the gas industry, electricity supply industry (transmission and distribution and generation), the electrotechnology industry and the water industry, subject to all Environmental Legislative requirements, Workplace Health and Safety (WHS)/Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and Duty of Care requirements being met for the environment and the workplace.

This unit is intended as an entry level AQF 3 competency for new entrants in the utilities industry. It is suitable for pre-employment and employment-based programs under an approved contract of training

Prerequisite Unit(s)

4)

Competencies

4.1)

Granting of competency in this unit shall be made only after competency in the following unit(s) has/have been confirmed:

UEGNSG141A

Apply Workplace Health and Safety regulations, codes and practices in the gas industry

UEGNSG005A

Prepare to work in the Australian gas industry

Literacy and numeracy skills

4.2)

Participants are best equipped to achieve this unit if they have reading, writing and numeracy skills indicated by the following scales. Description of each scale is given in Volume 2, Part 3 ‘Literacy and Numeracy’

Reading

3

Writing

3

Numeracy

3

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1

Prepare to comply with environmental policies and procedures

1.1

Work instructions and WHS/OHS measures for the site are identified, obtained and understood.

1.2

Relevant requirements and established procedures for the work are discussed with relevant persons to establish and confirm the work schedule.

1.3

Environmental aspects are identified and associated potential or actual environmental impacts are evaluated. Significant impacts are prioritised.

Note: Environmental aspects include: Air, Land, Water, Waste, Flora (Vegetation), Fauna, Heritage, Resource Use, Community.

1.4

Environmental sustainability principles are considered before works commence including purchasing/using environmentally beneficial equipment and materials, waste disposal considerations, precautionary approach.

1.5

Environmental legislation, environmental policies and procedures and WHS/OHS requirements to be followed for the work to be performed are received and confirmed

1.6

Suggestions to assist with complying with environmental policies and procedures are made to others involved in the work.

1.7

Environmental and WHS hazards are identified, risks assessed and control measures are prioritised, implemented and monitored per environmental policies and procedures.

1.8

Resources including environmental compliance equipment required for the job are identified, obtained and checked for correct operation and safety.

1.9

Schedule of work including practices for working safely is confirmed in accordance with established procedures

1.10

Client issues are referred to appropriate persons in accordance with industry and community standards

2

Comply with environmental policies and procedures

2.1

WHS/OHS risk control measures, policies and procedures for carrying out the work are followed

2.2

Environmental requirements for the work are implemented, reviewed and control measures recommended for inclusion in the work process

2.3

Appropriate materials, tools and equipment are selected and used correctly and safely.

2.4

Any environmental incidents and potential problems are immediately reported to appropriate persons and dealt with in accordance with established procedures and legislative requirements.

2.5

Operational knowledge for compliance with environmental policies and procedures is confirmed to ensure completion in an agreed timeframe and to quality standards with a minimum of waste according to requirements and established procedures

2.6

Compliance with environmental policies and procedures is carried out in an agreed timeframe, to a quality standard and with a minimum of waste in accordance with given instructions and established procedures

2.7

Procedures for referring non-routine (accidents and incidents) events to the immediate authorised persons for directions are followed.

2.9

Routine quality checks of the work are carried out in accordance with work instructions

3

Complete work and relevant documentation

3.1

WHS/OHS risk control work completion measures and procedures are followed.

3.2

Work site is tidied and made safe.

3.3

Tools, equipment, vehicles and plant and any surplus resources and materials are cleaned, checked and securely stored.

3.4

Appropriate persons are notified of the completion of the work in accordance with established procedures

3.5

All waste is disposed of in accordance with procedures and reports completed as required

3.6

Relevant environmental completion records, report forms/data sheets are completed accurately in accordance with established procedures

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

Evidence shall show that knowledge has been acquired of safe working practices for complying with environmental policies and procedures in the utilities industry.

All knowledge and skills detailed in this unit should be contextualised to current industry practices and technologies. The extent of the required skills and knowledge required is provided below. It forms an integral part of this unit.

KS01-G133B Environmental compliance in a utilities industry work environment

Evidence shall show an understanding and ability to perform work in the utilities industry in compliance with environmental policies and procedures to an extent indicated by the following aspects:

T1. Relevant Commonwealth/State/Territory environmental legislation, regulations and codes of practice.

T2. Role of regulatory bodies in monitoring environmental activities, risk and incident compliance

T3. Employee's and employer's responsibilities to comply with relevant environmental legislation, regulations, codes and enterprise procedures for:

flora control

erosion control

fauna control

the protection of indigenous and cultural heritage sites

T4. Environment protection procedures, records, inspections/audit and incident reporting

T5. Environmental hazards

T6. Environmental risk assessment

T7. Environmental control measures implementation

T8. Response to workplace environmental incidents

T9. Application to relevant work site procedures

the use of plant/machinery/equipment

cleaning materials and aids

spill response equipment;

sediment erosion control equipment;

emission control and sampling equipment

Note: Environmental damage can be caused by chemicals, oil, water contamination, carcinogenic agents, gases, dusts, waste contamination and noise

8) The Evidence Guide forms an integral part of this Unit and shall be used in conjunction with all components parts of this unit and performed in accordance with the Assessment Guidelines of this Training Package.

Overview of Assessment

8.1)

Longitudinal competency development approaches to assessment, such as Profiling, require data to be reliably gathered in a form that can be consistently interpreted over time. This approach is best utilised in Apprenticeship programs and reduces assessment intervention. It is the Industry’s preferred model for apprenticeships. However, where summative (or final) assessment is used it is to include the application of the competency in the normal work environment or, at a minimum, the application of the competency in a realistically simulated work environment. It is recognised that, in some circumstances, assessment in part or full can occur outside the workplace. However, it must be in accord with industry and regulatory policy in this regard.

Methods chosen for a particular assessment will be influenced by various factors. These include the extent of the assessment, the most effective locations for the assessment activities to take place, access to physical resources, additional safety measures that may be required and the critical nature of the competencies being assessed.

The critical safety nature of working with electricity, electrical equipment, gas or any other hazardous substance/material carries risk in deeming a person competent. Hence, sources of evidence need to be ‘rich’ in nature so as to minimise error in judgment.

Activities associated with normal every day work have a bearing on the decision as to how much and how detailed the data gathered will contribute to its ‘richness’. Some skills are more critical to safety and operational requirements while the same skills may be more or less frequently practised. These points are raised for the assessors to consider when choosing an assessment method and developing assessment instruments. Sample assessment instruments are included in the Assessment Guidelines of this Training Package.

Critical aspects of evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

8.2)

Before the critical aspects of evidence are considered all prerequisites shall be met.

Evidence for competence in this unit shall be considered holistically. Each element and associated Performance Criteria shall be demonstrated on at least two occasions in accordance with the ‘Assessment Guidelines — UEG11’. Evidence shall also comprise:

A representative body of Performance Criteria demonstrated within the timeframes typically expected of the discipline, work function and industrial environment. In particular this shall incorporate evidence that shows a candidate is able to:

Implement Workplace Health and Safety workplace procedures and practices including the use of risk control measures as specified in the Performance Criteria and range

Apply sustainable energy principles and practices as specified in the Performance Criteria and range

Demonstrate an understanding of the essential knowledge and associated skills as described in this unit to such an extent that the learner’s performance outcome is reported in accordance with the preferred approach; namely a percentile graded result, where required by the regulated environment

Demonstrate an appropriate level of employability skills

Conduct work observing the relevant Anti-discrimination legislation, regulations, polices and workplace procedures

Demonstrate consistent performance across a representative range of contexts from the prescribed items below.

Comply with environmental policies and procedures in the utilities industry as described in 9) Range and including:

Range of tools/equipment/procedures/workplace

Group No

The minimum number of items on which skill is to be demonstrated

Item List

A. Identifying, locating and interpreting relevant information procedures

At least 3

Interpret alignment sheets, maps, technical drawings and symbols

Identify environmental aspects and potential or actual impacts

Identify potential environmental hazards

Carry out risk assessment, JHA or JSA that includes environmental risks

Ensure practical application of Environmental legislation, Environmental Management Plans and Environmental Procedures and relevant codes of practise (such as EPA)

B. Environmental control measure procedures

At least 5

Installation of sediment & erosion control measures as per Legislative or Best Practice requirements.

Weed spread mitigation

Chemical management controls (MSDS, storage, labelling, bunding)

Noise control techniques & work hour limitations

Air emission control & reduction practices

Waste Management principles (recycling).

Hazardous waste management

Water management requirements (works near waterways)

Vegetation Management requirements

Fauna protection

Heritage Management techniques.

Community consultation requirements

Rehabilitation requirements

C. Procedures to control and minimise the impact of an environmental incident

At least 3

Control environment incident·

Incident reporting

Apply incident reporting and notification procedures

D. Environmental incident review procedures

At least 2

Review environmental incident

Make recommendations to prevent reoccurrence

Implement recommendations

E. Safety procedures

All

Work utilising the relevant WHS legislation, policies and procedures effectively

Maintain a safe and clean workplace environment

Communicate effectively with others

Apply basic planning techniques

F. Unplanned event procedures

At least one occasion

Deal with an unplanned event by drawing on essential knowledge and associated skills to provide appropriate solutions incorporated in the holistic assessment with the above listed items

Context of and specific resources for assessment

8.3)

This unit should be assessed as it relates to normal work practice using procedures, information and resources typical of a workplace. This should include:

WHS/OHS policy and work procedures and instructions.

Suitable work environment, facilities, equipment and materials to undertake actual work as prescribed by this Unit.

Appropriate environmental regulation and work practices.

Appropriate organisational requirements.

Appropriate work environment, equipment and tools.

These should be part of the formal learning/assessment environment.

Assessment of this competency must also be undertaken in either an actual workplace or under a simulated work environment. Assessment must also integrate the employability skills.

Note:

Where simulation is considered a suitable strategy for assessment, conditions must be authentic and as far as possible reproduce and replicate the workplace and be consistent with the approved industry simulation policy.

The resources used for assessment should reflect current industry practices in relation to locating, proving and protecting utility assets.

Method of assessment

8.4)

This Unit shall be assessed by methods given in Volume 1, Part 3 ‘Assessment Guidelines’.

Note: Competent performance with inherent safe working practices is expected in the Industry to which this Unit applies. This requires that the specified Required Skills and Knowledge are assessed in a structured environment which is primarily intended for learning/assessment and incorporates all necessary equipment and facilities for learners to develop and demonstrate the Required Skills and Knowledge described in this unit.

Concurrent assessment and relationship with other units

8.5)

There are no recommended concurrent assessments with this unit, however in some cases efficiencies may be gained in terms of learning and assessment effort being concurrently managed with allied Units where listed.

UEGNSG132A

Carry out basic work activities in a gas industry work environment

UEGNSG134A

Establish a utilities infrastructure work site

9) This relates to the competency standard unit as a whole providing the range of contexts and conditions to which the Performance Criteria apply. It allows for different work environments and situations that will affect performance.

This Unit shall be demonstrated in relation to compliance with environmental policies and procedures in at least one of the following utilities industry work sites including:

Above ground level sites

Below ground level sites

Easements

Public sites, requiring pedestrian and traffic control

Private sites.

The following constants and variables included in the element/Performance Criteria in this unit are fully described in the Definitions Section of this volume and form an integral part of the Range Statement of this unit:

Legislation

Inspection

Safety equipment

Personal Protective Equipment

Relevant regulation and procedures

Emergency and hazardous work situations

Relevant sections of standard operating procedures

5)

The required outcomes described in this unit of competency contain applicable facets of Employability Skills. The Employability Skills Summary of the qualification in which this unit of competency is packaged will assist in identifying Employability Skill requirements.

Licence to practice

3)

During Training:

Competency development activities are subject to regulations directly related to licensing, workplace health and safety/occupational health and safety and where applicable contracts of training such as apprenticeships.

In the workplace:

The skills and knowledge described in this unit are not subject to licence regulation other than those directly related to Environmental Legislation, Chemical Management, Workplace Health and Safety/Occupational Health and Safety, gas/electricity/water industry safety and compliance, industrial relations, telecommunications, anti-discrimination and training.

Commonwealth, State/Territory or Local Government legislation and regulations may exist that limit the age at which a person can operate certain equipment. Other conditions may apply to this competency under State and Territory legislative and regulatory requirements.