Unit of competency details

1

Quantify resource consumption

1.1

Identify all significant resources used by process

1.2

Identify consumption measurements available for each resource

1.3

Determine consumption for each resource

2

Quantify resource loss

2.1

Determine theoretical consumption of each resource

2.2

Compare theoretical consumption with actual consumption

2.3

Determine loss (emission) for each resource

3

Recommend strategies for reducing waste

3.1

Short-list high emission process steps

3.2

Analyse process to identify emission steps or locations

3.3

Determine root cause of emission

3.4

Investigate methods for reducing emission

3.5

Develop strategies and recommendations for improvement

4

Prepare resources use audit report

4.1

Identify purpose of report and key stakeholders

4.2

Compile data, implications and recommendations

4.3

Consult with stakeholders as appropriate

4.4

Draft and present report

Required knowledge includes:

• the concept of muda. Muda is usually summarised under the headings of the ‘seven wastes’ which include:

• overproduction
• delay/waiting
• transportation
• over processing
• excess inventory
• unnecessary motion
• defects and rework

• methods of material balancing
• methods of energy balancing
• methods of comparing theoretical with actual resource consumption
• methods for mapping manufacturing processes and resources consumed
• methods of measuring actual resource usage
• concept of muda and muda categories
• muda reduction methods and strategies
• AS/NZS ISO 14000 Environmental Management Standards

Required skills include:

• calculating, manipulating and interpreting numerical data, including establishing series, means and averages, absolute and proportional material and energy usage per product or process, correlations and rates of change
• analysing and conducting root cause analysis
• calculating theoretical consumption of resources as the minimum amount of resources per product or process step as defined by the customer multiplied by the rate of production or process
• calculating actual consumption of resources per unit (e.g. per product, operation, site or value chain)
• writing technical reports
• consulting with technical experts and internal and external stakeholders

Overview of assessment

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to identify and quantify resources and waste in a process, recommend strategies to reduce waste and prepare a report with recommendations.

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

Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently apply the skills covered in this unit of competency in new and different situations and contexts. Critical aspects of assessment and evidence include:

• quantifying significant resource consumption and emission using materials balancing
• identifying and consulting with stakeholders
• developing strategies for reducing emissions
• preparing and presenting a resources use report.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

• This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated workplace environment.
• Assessment should emphasise a workplace context and procedures found in the candidate’s workplace.
• This unit of competency may be assessed with other relevant units addressing sustainability at the enterprise level or other units requiring the exercise of the skills and knowledge covered by this unit.
• The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team.

Method of assessment

• In all cases, practical assessment should be supported by questions to assess underpinning knowledge and those aspects of competency which are difficult to assess directly.
• Where applicable, reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity, age, gender, demographics and disability.
• The language, literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required to undertake the unit of competency in a work-like environment.

Guidance information for assessment

Waste

Waste in this unit is used in the broader sense of ‘muda’ as used in lean manufacturing and the competitive manufacturing units of competency developed by Manufacturing Skills Australia (MSA)

Emissions

Emissions means all materials which enter the process/site but which do not leave as part of the product and so includes:

• known or able to be physically measured emissions of:

• gases, vapours and fumes
• liquids
• solids

• assumed emissions through material balancing
• assumed emissions through energy loss, including heat, friction and other energy conversion yield losses

Theoretical consumption

Theoretical consumption of resources is the minimum amount of resources per product as defined by the customer multiplied by the rate of production

Actual consumption

Actual consumption is the amount of a resource entering the value chain

Significant resources

Significant resources includes resources which are deemed to be significant because they are:

• high volume
• high value
• high environmental significance
• important to the product or process
• covered by legislation or regulation
• important to the enterprise

It need not include resources which are incidental to the activity and which are not otherwise significant