Unit of competency details

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.

1

Identify emergency situations.

1.1

Potential hazards and risks  are identified in emergency  situation.

1.2

Emergency reporting procedures  are located and clarified according to organisational requirements  and legislation and codes .

1.3

Signalling processes are practised.

2

Confirm emergency response processes.

2.1

Emergency response action or procedures  are detailed to appropriate person.

2.2

Emergency and personal protective equipment  (PPE) is identified and located.

2.3

Evacuation procedures  in the case of an emergency are detailed to appropriate person.

3

Identify clean-up processes.

3.1

Need to remove waste, contamination , equipment and hazards from the emergency site to prevent accidents is explained to appropriate person and clarified if necessary.

3.2

Regulated waste identification signage  is used.

3.3

Reporting arrangements for clean-up  processes are practised.

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

Required skills 

• analytical skills to:

• identify waste types and waste non-conformances
• segregate valuable resources in composite materials
• segregate waste types, including potentially hazardous waste

• handling procedural skills for:

• waste non-conformances
• waste types

• oral communication skills to:

• ask questions
• follow instructions
• provide information
• signal emergencies

• reading skills to interpret:

• emergency requirements
• hazard advice
• job sheets
• work requirements and material safety data sheets (MSDS)

• self-management skills to:

• conduct work practices safely and efficiently
• identify hazards and risks
• plan and undertake routine tasks
• prioritise duties
• use emergency and PPE

• written communication skills for:

• documentation regarding clean-up processes
• record keeping

Required knowledge 

• procedures for containing segregated waste types, including containment and isolation of hazardous waste
• emergency response procedures:

• confined space procedures
• identification of work areas, including location of:

• alarms
• emergency equipment
• communications equipment

• coding systems
• environmental agencies
• environmental regulations
• reporting requirements
• signalling techniques
• waste management hierarchy
• waste containment methods and isolation of emergencies
• duty of care in provision of service

• occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements relating to:

• chemical storage and decanting
• dangerous goods and hazardous substances
• OHS hierarchy of control
• potential hazards and risks in storage and maintenance
• basic first aid appropriate to likely hazards and risks in work environment

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

This unit of competency could be assessed by observing the practical demonstration in the workplace, or in a simulated work environment of the identification of a waste emergency.

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

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of the required skills and knowledge specified in this unit.

In particular the person should demonstrate the ability to:

• identify emergency
• detail emergency procedures
• identify potential hazards and risks to operation, and select emergency and personal protective equipment.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge may be conducted in an off-site context. It is to comply with relevant regulatory or Australian standards’ requirements.

Resource implications for assessment include:

• client requirements for workplace portfolio case studies, if required
• work plans and approved specifications
• forms and procedures manuals
• reports.

Method of assessment

The process of identifying a waste emergency must comply with industry expectations in the particular client environment. If the environment is narrowly defined or is not representative of industry needs, it may be necessary to refer to portfolio case studies to assess competency in identifying a waste emergency.

Assessment methods must:

• satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Property Services Training Package
• include direct observation of tasks in real or simulated work conditions, with questioning to confirm the ability to consistently identify and correctly interpret the essential underpinning knowledge required for practical application
• reinforce the integration of employability skills with workplace tasks and job roles
• confirm that competency is verified and able to be transferred to other circumstances and environments.

Guidance information for assessment

Reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities must be made to assessment processes where required. This could include access to modified equipment and other physical resources, and the provision of appropriate assessment support.

Assessment processes and techniques should as far as is practical take into account the language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate in relation to the competency being assessed.

This unit could be assessed on its own or in combination with other units relevant to the job function, for example:

• CPPCMN2002A Participate in workplace safety arrangements
• CPPCMN3001B Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices.

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.

Potential hazards and risks  are those identified by the organisation that may lead to: 

• damage to plant, vehicle or property
• harm to the environment
• illness or injury to employees, contractors or the public
• injuries resulting from manual handling and repetitive work.

Potential hazards and risks  may include:

• broken glass
• broken metal
• compaction equipment
• contamination
• dust
• fire
• gases and fumes
• hazardous waste (e.g. sharps)
• narrow driveways
• other vehicles and equipment
• overhanging signs
• projectiles
• spark-producing equipment
• unguarded conveyor belts
• weather.

Emergency  may include: 

• chemical reaction
• contamination
• fire
• gas leak
• hazardous waste spill
• fallen powerlines.

Emergency reporting procedures  may include reporting to: 

• emergency services
• other affected parties
• organisational personnel, including:

• supervisor
• team leader
• team member

• environmental protection agencies.

Organisational requirements  may include information found in: 

• briefing papers
• job sheets
• letters
• memos
• operations manuals
• quality assurance documents
• tender and contract documents
• verbal or written instructions
• work procedures.

Legislation and codes  may include: 

• codes, including:

• Australian Code for the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road and Rail
• industry

• commonwealth, state and territory legislation, including:

• anti-discrimination
• environmental protection
• equal employment opportunity
• freedom of information
• industrial
• OHS
• trade practices

• road laws.

Emergency response action or procedures  may include:

• cleaning up
• containing emergency
• isolating or shutting down equipment or plant
• evacuation
• first aid
• making site safe
• notifying authorities
• using PPE.

Emergency and personal protective equipment  must include: 

• communications equipment
• eye protection, such as goggles and protective glasses
• eyewash kit
• fire extinguishers
• first aid kit
• footwear
• hearing protection
• MSDS
• spill kit
• overalls and protective clothing.

Emergency and personal protective equipment  could also include: 

• breathing apparatus
• emergency procedure guides
• face shields or masks
• gloves
• hard hats.

Personal protective equipment  must be: 

• cleaned and fitted according to organisational requirements, manufacturer specifications and OHS requirements
• worn when required according to organisational requirements
• stored according to organisational requirements.

Evacuation procedures  may be found in: 

• emergency procedures manuals
• legislation and codes
• OHS requirements
• organisational requirements.

Contamination  may include:

• exposure to sunlight
• infestation
• mixing with other waste types
• rot or mould
• waterlogging.

Regulated waste identification signage may include: 

• classification of dangerous goods
• communications equipment
• first aid
• hazardous class
• HAZCHEM codes
• packaging group number
• nature, type, source and severity of emergency.

Clean-up  may include:

• removing equipment, plant and vehicle from site
• removing and disposing of contaminated soil and liquid
• shovelling
• seeping out
• using cleaning products
• using high pressure water or air-hosing
• vacuuming.