Modification History
Not applicable.
Unit Descriptor
This unit of competency covers the ability to interpret and apply the environmental legislation, codes and standards that are relevant to the work area, site, project or program. Personnel are required to access, review and interpret complex legal and technical documents; develop site or project-specific environmental management procedures if required, explain the implications of these documents to site personnel, monitor work activities to ensure compliance, and to prepare reports. They work under the supervision of an environmental scientist or engineer, site manager or enterprise environmental manager. Note that the ability to respond to environmental non-conformances and incidents is covered in MSS027001A Coordinate environmental management activities.
Application of the Unit
This unit of competency is applicable to environmental site coordinators, environmental managers and senior environmental officers working in a range of industry sectors, such as:
- environmental monitoring, sampling and field testing (e.g. air, water, soil and noise)
- geotechnical services
- natural resource management
- occupational hygiene monitoring (e.g. air, noise and radiation)
- water supply and treatment, storm and wastewater management
- solid and hazardous waste management
- site remediation or rehabilitation
- resource efficiency (e.g. energy, water, waste auditing).
Note that the term ‘manager’ is used to refer to management of a function, project and /or program and does not necessarily imply line management.
Licensing/Regulatory Information
Not applicable.
Pre-Requisites
Not applicable.
Employability Skills Information
Not applicable.
Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content
Not applicable.
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 |
Access and interpret relevant legislation, codes and standards |
1.1 |
Review legislative, regulatory and licensing requirements and approvals that apply to site/project |
1.2 |
Analyse the broad significance of these requirements for the enterprise, key job roles and specific work activities |
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1.3 |
Identify legal accountability, obligations and consequences of non-compliance |
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1.4 |
Obtain advice from appropriate personnel about environmental law matters that impact on work area and are outside own scope of knowledge |
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1.5 |
Clarify own scope of responsibility/authority for achieving specific environmental outcomes |
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2 |
Ensure project or site specific environmental management procedures comply with requirements |
2.1 |
Review relevant enterprise environmental management policies, plans and procedures in conjunction with legislative requirements |
2.2 |
Assess the need for project or site-specific environmental management procedures in consultation with manager |
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2.3 |
Draft new or revised procedures to address any gaps or deficiencies |
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2.4 |
Provide draft documentation to appropriate personnel for review and/or approval prior to use |
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3 |
Promote compliance by site personnel |
3.1 |
Distribute clear information about the environmental management roles and responsibilities of site personnel |
3.2 |
Provide clear information about enterprise environmental management policies, plans and procedures and work instructions |
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3.3 |
Explain the implications of non-compliance to all site personnel in work area |
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3.4 |
Empower site personnel through coaching and mentoring to manage their own environmental responsibilities |
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4 |
Ensure that work activities meet compliance requirements |
4.1 |
Plan work activities to ensure environmental compliance |
4.2 |
Recognise when current or planned activities may require changes to existing licences/approvals and notify appropriate personnel |
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4.3 |
Implement environmental management policies, plans and procedures to ensure compliance and achieve environmental objectives and key performance indicators |
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4.4 |
Collect and collate environmental data to support preparation of required reports and compliance information |
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4.5 |
Review environmental data for completeness/accuracy and identify opportunities for improving compliance |
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4.6 |
Complete reporting requirements in accordance with enterprise procedures and legislative requirements |
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5 |
Maintain knowledge of legislative requirements |
5.1 |
Monitor sources of information for changes to relevant legislation codes and standards |
5.2 |
Regularly update information for site personnel and explain changes to legal requirements that impact on work area |
Required Skills and Knowledge
Required skills |
Required skills include:
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Required knowledge |
Required knowledge includes:
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Evidence Guide
Overview of assessment |
Competency must be demonstrated in the ability to perform consistently at the required standard. |
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:
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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:
The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team. Resources may include:
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Method of assessment |
The following assessment methods are suggested:
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 |
Range Statement
Codes of practice |
Where reference is made to industry codes of practice, and/or Australian/international standards, it is expected the latest version will be used |
Legislation, standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements |
Legislation, standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements may include:
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Major features of legislation, codes and standards |
Major features of legislation, codes and standards may include:
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Site personnel |
Site personnel may include:
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Reports |
Reports may include:
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Sources of information about changes to legislative requirements |
Sources of information about changes to legislative requirements may include:
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OHS and environmental management requirements |
OHS and environmental management requirements:
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Unit Sector(s)
Environmental
Custom Content Section
Not applicable.