Unit of competency details

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DEF12 V2

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DEF12 V1

First release.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a Unit of Competency.

Performance Criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised  text is used, further information is detailed in the Range Statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the Evidence Guide.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Relate environmental plans and procedures to specific areas 

1.1 Environmental risks  and impacts  are identified and agreed by relevant personnel

1.2 Environmental plans and procedures  are identified and examined for compliance with organisational requirements

1.3 Appropriate environmental plans and procedures that related to the specific areas  are selected

2. Implement environmental plans and procedures 

2.1 Environmental risks and impacts are identified

2.2 Emergency procedures are applied in accordance with legislative requirements  and environmental plans and procedures

2.3 Activities are carried out in accordance with environmental plans and procedures

2.4 Participation and contribution is established and maintained

3. Develop project /site environmental procedures 

3.1 The need for specific area environmental procedures is established and assessed in consultation with stakeholders 

3.2 Specific area environmental procedures are developed

3.3 Specific area environmental procedures are reviewed and amended if necessary

4. Manage environmental incidents 

4.1 Environmental incidents  are identified and controlled in accordance with environmental plans and procedures

4.2 Emergency procedures are applied in accordance with legislative requirements and environmental plans and procedures

4.3 Environmental incidents are recorded and reported

5. Monitor and report on the applications of environmental plans and procedures 

5.1 The results of applying environmental plans and procedures are evaluated and reported to relevant personnel

5.2 Environmental risks are reported

5.3 Environmental management documentation  is maintained and adjustments are communicated to all stakeholders

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

Required Skills 

• access, interpret and apply relevant legislation and standard operating procedures
• apply control procedures to environmental risks and incidents
• apply due diligence
• apply environmental plans and procedures
• develop local area environmental procedures
• identify possible cultural/heritage sites
• identify potential pollutants
• monitor specific activities
• report and record environmental procedures

Required Knowledge 

• concepts of due diligence
• consultation procedures
• control procedures for environmental risks and incidents
• electronic or manual recording procedures
• endangered species and habitat protection
• environmental impact assessment
• environmental plans and procedures
• identification of risks and impacts
• incident management procedures
• monitoring procedures
• potential environmental auditing
• principles of environmental protection
• rare and endangered plants
• relevant legislative requirements
• reporting procedures
• risk assessment procedures
• sedimentation and erosion control
• standard operating procedures

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

Assessment must confirm the ability to relate the environmental plans and procedures to specific areas, identify environmental risks and impacts, develop environmental procedures, manage environmental incidents and maintain environmental management documentation.

Consistency in performance 

Competency should be demonstrated in a range of actual or simulated environmental contexts.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Context of assessment 

Competency should be assessed in the workplace or in a simulated work environment, in accordance with all relevant legislation and organisation requirements.

Specific resources for assessment 

Access is required to the specific area where environmental plans are to be implemented and monitored.

Guidance information for assessment 

In all cases assessment should be supported by questions to assess knowledge and those aspects of competency which are difficult to assess directly.

Questioning techniques should suit the language and literacy levels of the candidate.

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 in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.

Environment  may include:

• Surroundings in which an enterprise and/or industry operates, including air, water, land, natural resources, flora, fauna, humans and their interrelation (AS/NZS ISO 14001(Int): 1995, Environmental Management Systems - Specifications with guidance for use)

Environmental risks  may include:

• Any potential adverse or beneficial change to the environment, whether direct or inferred, wholly or partially resulting from an enterprise's activity, product or service (AS/NZS ISO 14001(Int): 1995, Environmental Management Systems - Specifications with guidance for use)
• Chemical, petrol, oil and lubricants spillage
• Impact of land usage
• Impact of mismanagement of biological agents
• Planning deficiencies
• Poor construction processes
• Waste disposal

Environmental impact  may include:

• Any change to the environment whether adverse or beneficial, wholly or partially resulting from an enterprise's activity, product or service (AS/NZS ISO 14001(Int): 1995, Environmental Management Systems - Specifications with guidance for use)

Environmental plans and procedures  may include:

• Biological control eg blue green algae
• Chemical management
• Coastal protection
• Conservation/flora/fauna
• Cultural, heritage
• Ground water protection
• Irrigation
• Land usage
• National, state/territory or local government requirements
• River/surface water systems
• Salination control
• Waste disposal
• Water resources

Specific areas  may include:

• Buildings and other infrastructure
• Bushland
• Catchments
• Construction and maintenance sites
• Drainage sites
• Flood plain sites
• Surface/ground water sites
• Wetlands

Legislative requirements  may include:

• Relevant federal legislation
• Relevant state/territory legislation
• Relevant local government by-laws

Stakeholders  may include:

• Community action groups
• Environmental conservation groups
• General community and individuals
• Government agencies and departments
• Land care groups
• Landholders, neighbours
• Primary producers

Environmental incidents  may include:

• Contamination of land
• Destruction of habitat
• Disposal of waste
• Impact on culturally significant sites
• Land usage
• Use of energy sources
• Vibration and noise

Environmental management documentation  may include:

• Audit results
• Complaint records
• Compliance records
• Incident reports
• Information on applicable environmental laws or other requirements
• Information on emergency preparedness and response
• Inspection and maintenance records
• Management reviews
• Operational records
• Records of significant environmental impacts
• Relevant contractor and supplier information
• Training records