Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to effectively measure current resource use and to carry out improvements including reducing the negative environmental impact of work practices. This unit requires the ability to access industry information, and applicable legislative and Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) guidelines.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to operators/team members under supervision or guidance, who are required to follow workplace procedures and instructions, and to work in an environmentally sustainable manner. It covers efficient resource use; potential environmental hazards; regulatory compliance; improving environmental performance (within the scope of competency, authority and own level of responsibility). It addresses the knowledge, processes and techniques necessary to participate in environmentally sustainable work practices.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Identify current resource use

1.1. Identify workplace environmental and resource efficiency issues.

1.2. Identify resources used in own work role.

1.3. Document and measure current usage of resources using appropriate techniques.

1.4. Record and file documentation measuring current usage, using technology (such as software systems) where applicable.

1.5. Identify and report workplace environmental hazards to appropriate personnel.

2. Comply with environmental regulations

2.1. Follow workplace procedures to ensure compliance.

2.2. Report breaches or potential breaches to appropriate personnel.

3. Seek opportunities to improve resource efficiency

3.1. Follow organisational plans to improve environmental practices and resource efficiency.

3.2. Work as part of a team, where relevant, to identify possible areas for improvements to work practices in own work area.

3.3. Make suggestions for improvements to workplace practices in own work area.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

• analytical skills to comply with all relevant legislation associated with job specifications and procedures
• communication and problem-solving skills to question, seek clarification and make suggestions relating to work requirements and efficiency
• 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
• literacy, numeracy and technology skills to interpret workplace information in relation to work role, and to document and measure resource use
• technology skills to select and use technology appropriate for a task
• use interpersonal skills to relate to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge 

• environmental and resource hazards/risks
• environmental or sustainability legislation, regulations and codes of practice applicable to own work role
• OHS issues and requirements
• organisational structure, and reporting channels and procedures
• relevant environmental and resource efficiency systems and procedures
• sustainability in the workplace
• terms and conditions of employment including policies and procedures, such as daily tasks, employee and employer rights, equal opportunity.

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

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 workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:

• accessing, interpreting and complying with a range of environment/sustainability legislation and procedural requirements relevant to daily responsibilities
• accurately following organisational information to participate in and support an improved resource efficiency process and reporting as required
• 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 

Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.

Environmental and resource efficiency issues may include:

• maximising opportunities to improve business environmental performance
• minimising environmental risks
• promoting more efficient production and consumption of natural resources, for example minimising waste by participating in or using a waste management system
• using resources efficiently such as material usage, energy usage (seeking alternative sources of energy or energy conservation) or efficient water usage.

Appropriate techniques may include:

• examining and documenting resources in work area
• examining invoices from suppliers
• examining relevant information and data
• measuring resource usage under different conditions
• reports from other parties involved in the process of identifying and implementing improvements.

Compliance may include:

• meeting relevant laws, by-laws and regulations or best 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
• local government
• industry
• organisation.

Unit sector 

Work

Co-requisite units 

Competency field