Unit of competency details

Release

Comment

Release 1

Replaces AURT471782A Plan and manage compliance with environmental regulations in the mechanical repair industry

Unit code updated to meet policy requirements

Minor changes to unit title

Reference to OHS legislation replaced with new WHS legislation

Licensing statement added to unit descriptor

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the competence to plan and implement a management system ensuring the protection of the environment in a mechanical repair business.

Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may apply to this unit in some jurisdictions. Users are advised to check with the relevant regulatory authority.

Application of the unit 

Mechanical workplace or business undertaking either general or specialist mechanical repairs to light or heavy vehicles or their mechanical components, motorcycles or outdoor power equipment. Specialised mechanical repairs may include transmissions, steering and suspension, brakes, engine reconditioning, diesel fuelled plant, exhausts and radiators.

This unit is applicable to mechanical repairs involving the removal of components containing oils or other fluids. Other mechanical qualifications should use AURAEA4004 Manage environmental compliance in an automotive workplace.

Work involves the planning or management of normal activities in a mechanical or mechanical specialist workplace or business, including service, removal, repair or fitting of mechanical components for light vehicles, heavy vehicles, motorcycles, plant and outdoor power equipment.

Work requires individuals to demonstrate discretion, judgement and problem-solving skills to improve environmental performance by reducing environmental risk and waste.

This unit is applicable to mechanical qualifications at both the Certificate IV and V level.

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Plan and manage compliance with environmental regulations

1.1. Reasons for ethical environmental practice in an automotive workplace or business are identified.

1.2. Environmental responsibilities of employers and staff in an automotive workplace or business are identified.

1.3. Penalties for company and individual breaches of the legislation are identified.

1.4. Waste products are minimised and facilities provided for waste materials to be stored in bins for recycling or disposal.

1.5. Collection and recycling arrangements are implemented for liquids, sludge, solids and other waste.

1.6. Suppliers with minimal excess packaging on goods received are sourced.

1.7. Packaging on goods received is sorted and disposed of appropriately.

1.8. Waste and energy conservation strategies are identified and implemented strategies are identified and implemented.

2. Manage potential hazards to stormwater systems to avoid contamination

2.1. Systems are in place to ensure waste water does not enter the stormwater system.

2.2. All drains and flows are identified on a site map directly indicating where they flow.

2.3. Appropriate trade waste permits are in place.

2.4. Impervious paved, undercover and bunded or drained areas are provided and used for surface cleaning and preparation.

2.5. Undercover and bunded or drained areas are provided and used for the storage of all materials, parts and components containing environmentally hazardous substances.

2.6. Clearly identifiable storage or recycling containers are provided for all liquid wastes.

2.7. Oil/water separator and pits are cleaned and maintained regularly as per manufacturer/component supplier specifications.

2.8. Approved parts washer is supplied and maintained in a manner ensuring no contamination occurs.

2.9. Spill kit is provided and used as needed to prevent stormwater contamination by staff trained in its use.

2.10. Workplace is kept clean to prevent unintentional stormwater pollution.

3. Manage potential hazards to air quality to avoid contamination

3.1. Hazards to airborne particles are identified, minimised and contained.

3.2. Hazards to gases and fumes are identified, minimised and contained.

3.3. Systems are in place and implemented to ensure vehicle exhausts and emissions are minimised are not permitted to collect in the workplace.

3.4. A well-ventilated area is provided for welding activities.

4. Minimisation of noise hazards is planned and managed

4.1. Noise creating activities are minimised and carried out within approved operating hours.

4.2. Fixed machinery is fitted with silencers or surrounded by noise containment material.

5. Management systems

5.1. An environmental policy and contingency plan suitable to the needs of the business is developed and implemented.

5.2. Waste to landfill is calculated and possible savings through reuse and recycling are calculated.

5.3. Payback period on environmental equipment is calculated.

5.4. Staff adherence to environmental responsibilities is managed.

5.5. Environmental records are accurately and legibly maintained and stored securely in a form accessible for reporting procedures.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• collect, organise and understand information related to environmental procedures from legislation, regulations, policies, guidelines, standards and workplace best practices in an automotive mechanical business
• communicate ideas and information to enable work undertaken is in accordance with environmental best practice
• seek support from stakeholders for implementing suitable innovation and continuous improvement
• plan and organise activities, including preparation of equipment and materials recycling and waste management systems and selection of worksite to avoid environmental contamination, backtracking, workflow interruptions or wastage
• promote work with others and in a team by recognising dependencies and using cooperative approaches to minimise wastage, optimise workflow and productivity
• use mathematical ideas and techniques to complete measurements and estimate material requirements required for the work and calculate wastage rates of various methods
• use planning, checking and inspection techniques to avoid environmental contamination and wastage
• use the workplace technology related to environmental protection and recycling equipment

Required knowledge 

• relevant aspects of environmental legislation and its relationship with WHS, and financial and risk management
• requirements for trade waste permits
• spill cleanup procedures
• characteristics and potential environmental impact of products used in the business
• philosophy of sustainability through prevention, reuse, reduce and recycle
• procedures for rectifying machinery faults and material defects
• action to be taken in case of significant environmental threat in the workplace
• reporting procedures for significant environmental damage occurring in the workplace
• cleaner production and eco-efficient strategies to avoid the production of waste

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 

• Plan and manage safe handling requirements for equipment, products and materials, including use of personal protective equipment.
• Plan and manage environmental protection procedures in the business.
• Identify materials used in process in the business, and assess and manage their environmental impact.
• Ensure effective recycling processes are in place.
• Plan and manage work instructions, operating procedures and inspection processes to:

• minimise the risk of injury to self and others,
• maintain a clean workplace,
• prevent wastage and damage to goods, equipment and products,
• dispose of waste in accordance with legislative requirements and best practice,
• maintain required production output and product quality.

• Report significant environmental damage or spills.
• Plan and manage operator maintenance on equipment to ensure environmental efficiency.
• Manage effective planning and team work related to environmental best practice.
• Develop/implement or audit an existing business environmental policy covering, at a minimum: waste, recycling, hazards to stormwater, air quality, noise, energy minimisation and costs.
• Modify activities to cater for variations in workplace context and environment.

Context of , and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment may occur on the job or in a workplace simulated facility with process equipment, materials, work instructions and deadlines.

Access to an automotive mechanical workplace or business with a range of vehicles or mechanical components, waste materials of various types, recycling bins, spill kits, quick break degreasing agents, oil/water separator for liquids, sludge, solids and other waste.

Method of assessment 

Assessment methods must confirm consistency of performance over time and in a range of workplace contexts.

Assessment should be by direct observation of tasks and questioning on underpinning knowledge.

Assessment should be conducted over time and should be in conjunction with assessment of other units of competence.

Assessment of this unit of competence is most likely to be project related under real or simulated conditions and require portfolios or other forms of indirect evidence of process. Direct evidence may include certification of compliance of the final outcome/product or authorisation for use by a component authority.

Assessment must confirm the inference that competence is able not only to be satisfied under the particular circumstances, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances.

Competence in this unit may be assessed in conjunction with other functional units which together form part of the holistic work role

RANGE STATEMENT 

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.

Unit context 

• Work is carried out in accordance with legislative obligations, environmental legislation, health regulations, manual handling procedures and organisation insurance requirements.
• Competence may be demonstrated in any mechanical workplace or business

WHS 

WHS requirements include legislation, material safety data sheets, hazardous substances and dangerous goods code and safe operating procedures

Tooling and equipment 

• Tooling and equipment are to include spill kits, recycling bins and drums, bunded or drained wash bays and preparation areas, parts washers, quick break degreasing compounds, waste water management system.
• Tooling and equipment may include containment facilities for hazardous substances and staff environmental induction materials.

Materials 

Materials may include:

• material safety data sheets, manufacturer/ component supplier specifications, environmental records, costing of equipment and waste removal
• containment facilities for hazardous substances

Personal protective equipment 

Personal protective equipment is to include that prescribed under legislation, regulations and enterprise policies and practices.

Information and procedures 

Information and procedures may include:

• environmental legislation, regulations and advice
• workplace procedures relating to the use of tooling and equipment
• work instructions and procedures
• site environmental policy
• workplace procedures relating to reporting and communication
• manufacturer/component supplier specifications and operational procedures
• local council and waterways regulations

Unit sector 

Mechanical Miscellaneous

Competency field 

Environment