Unit of competency details

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 Advise customers on standard trade waste approval procedures .

1.1 Comprehensively answer customer  queries regarding applications for trade waste  approval with reference to organisational and statutory requirements .

1.2 Comprehensively answer customer queries regarding the procedures involved in processing and approving trade waste applications with reference to organisational requirements.

1.3 Comprehensively answer customer queries regarding the procedures involved in monitoring and renewing trade waste applications with reference to organisational requirements.

2 Evaluate trade waste discharges for new types of industries and /or new types of industry processes .

2.1 Identify significant pollutants generated by new types of industries or processes.

2.2 Identify and apply information about known impacts, risk assessments and control procedures.

2.3 Identify trade waste management processes and workplace procedures for new types of industries or processes.

2.4 Develop and check contingency plans for new types of industries or processes.

2.5 Prepare trade waste management policies and plans for new types of industries and processes.

3 Process applications for trade waste discharge approvals .

3.1 Assess standard low risk trade waste applications to establish that all necessary documentation  has been provided.

3.2 Assess standard trade waste applications against concentration, mass and flow limits, discharges of prohibited substances and local sewerage issues  and consider environmental issues.

3.3 Assess proposed pre-treatment and monitoring systems for suitability.

3.4 Schedule and conduct onsite inspections as required.

4 Implement approved trade waste discharge applications .

4.1 Calculate estimates of relevant charges and discuss with the applicant as appropriate, according to established charging policies and formulae.

4.2 Determine monitoring activities and schedules  and discuss with the applicant.

4.3 Create and maintain database records, including charging parameters and monitoring schedule.

4.4 Monitor construction activities where applicable to ensure compliance with approvals.

5 Monitor customers' trade waste treatment and disposal and review trade waste approval .

5.1 Conduct routine monitoring of the compliance of customers' trade waste treatment and discharge according to the trade waste approval and organisational requirements.

5.2 Establish processes to identify and report non-compliances with trade waste approvals according to organisational requirements.

5.3 Identify and apply enforcement measures and processes to manage identified non-compliances.

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

Required skills :

• interpret and review hydraulic and site plans
• identify and evaluate trade waste-producing processes
• evaluate process inputs and outputs
• use flow measuring or flow assessment techniques
• use appropriate wastewater sampling and preservation techniques for onsite and laboratory testing
• interpret and evaluate sample analysis data
• interpret and apply legislation and policies applicable to trade waste
• develop monitoring plans and coordinate measuring, testing and sampling activities
• plan and conduct investigations
• assess environmental impact using ISO 14001 where appropriate
• assess waste treatment methods, processes, plant and equipment
• negotiate and communicate
• use appropriate personal protective equipment for protection against physical, chemical and biological hazards

Required knowledge :

• relevant legislation
• relevant enterprise policies for trade waste management
• water quality parameters of significance to the wastewater system
• personal protection and safety precautions for wastewater sampling, including the requirements for relevant inoculations such as:

• Q Fever
• Hepatitis A and B
• Polio
• Tetanus
• Diphtheria

• standard industrial waste treatment methods and processes for retail commercial and light industrial organisations
• basic hydraulics, chemistry and/or equivalent science
• basic knowledge of wastewater collection, treatment and disposal systems
• investigation procedures
• range of appropriate measuring, testing and sampling procedures
• customer expectations and requirements
• occupational health and safety legislation

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

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

The candidate should demonstrate the ability to evaluate, implement and monitor standards trade waste approvals, including:

• advising customers of the trade waste management policies and procedures in operation
• advising customers of requirements for obtaining and complying with trade waste discharge approvals
• assessing and evaluating applications for standard trade waste treatment and disposal
• implementing charging and monitoring procedures
• completing records and reports

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Access to the workplace and resources including:

• documentation that should normally be available in a water industry organisation
• relevant codes, standards, and government regulations

Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required.

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

Validity and sufficiency of evidence requires that:

• competency will need to be demonstrated over a period of time reflecting the scope of the role and the practical requirements of the workplace
• where the assessment is part of a structured learning experience the evidence collected must relate to a number of performances assessed at different points in time and separated by further learning and practice
• a decision of competence should only be made when the assessor has complete confidence in the person's competence over time and in various contexts
• all assessment that is part of a structured learning experience must include a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary evidence
• where assessment is for the purpose of recognition (RCC/RPL), the evidence provided will need to be authenticated and show that it represents competency demonstrated over a period of time
• assessment can be through simulated project-based activity and must include evidence relating to each of the elements in this unit

In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge. Questioning will be undertaken in a manner appropriate to the skill levels of the operator, any cultural issues that may affect responses to the questions, and reflecting the requirements of the competency and the work being performed.

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. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs if the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.

Customer  may include:

• new or existing retail commercial organisations
• new or existing community and public organisations
• new or existing light industrial organisations

Trade waste  may include:

• the liquid waste generated by any:

• industry
• business
• manufacturing process
• community/public facilities
• commercial activities

• trade waste does not include domestic wastewater

Organisational and statutory requirements  may include:

• relevant legislation, for example:

• commonwealth environmental legislation
• state water legislation
• state environmental and other legislation
• local by-laws

• International Standards, for example:

• ISO 14000 standards

• Australia/New Zealand Standards, for example:

• National Plumbing and Drainage Code AS/NZS 3500

• relevant industry codes of practice for the management of trade waste, for example:

• industry Code of Practice for the Photographic Industry (PURE)
• National Health and Medical Research Council's (NHMRC) National guidelines for waste management in the health care industry, 1999
• state plumbing and drainage code of practice

• requirements of regulatory authorities, such as:

• Water Authorities
• WorkCover
• EPA
• Health Department
• local councils

Documentation  may include:

• identification and process information for all waste producing processes
• site hydraulic plan
• site plan
• specification of the proposed pre-treatment equipment
• stormwater drainage plan

Local sewerage issues  may include:

• impact of proposed wastewater discharge on the environment including odour management
• effluent management, re-use and disposal
• biosolids management, re-use and disposal
• impact on health and safety of water utility employees
• impact on the sewerage infrastructure and sewage treatment processes

Monitoring activities and schedules  may include:

• inspections of trade waste sites, processes and treatment facilities
• maintenance schedules and reporting
• sampling and testing locations, techniques and frequencies
• record keeping and reporting