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

Organise for work.

1.1

Waste management plan or waste collection requirements  are reviewed to determine client  requirements and segregation categories .

1.2

Job requirement hazards and risks  are identified and handled according to organisational requirements, occupational health and safety (OHS) regulations and other legislation.

1.3

Supervisor and team members are informed of job requirements, hazards and risks according to organisational requirements.

1.4

Equipment  is used for segregation to maximise work effectiveness.

1.5

Segregation containers are set up to ensure safe and effective segregation of waste according to organisational requirements  and relevant legislation.

1.6

Emergency and personal protective equipment  is selected and fitted according to job requirements, manufacturer specifications, organisational requirements and relevant legislation.

1.7

Personal protective equipment (PPE) is pre-checked to ensure it is suitable for the purpose.

2

Conduct identification and segregation activity.

2.1

Waste is identified and hazardous and dangerous waste  and non-conforming waste  are handled according to organisational requirements and relevant legislation.

2.2

Waste is segregated into categories according to waste characteristics  and job requirements.

2.3

Sorted waste is placed into correct waste category container to prevent litter in surrounding area and to avoid cross-contamination.

2.4

Waste containers are monitored frequently to ensure adequate available storage capacity and secure containment of waste.

2.5

Full waste containers are emptied and replaced promptly to minimise disruption to production according to job requirements, organisational requirements and OHS procedures.

2.6

Segregated waste is labelled  according to job requirements, organisational requirements and relevant legislation.

3

Conduct quality control inspection.

3.1

Segregated waste is inspected to ensure compliance with segregation requirements.

3.2

Quality control  inspection details are documented according to job and organisational requirements.

4

Clean up area.

4.1

Sorting site  and equipment are cleaned  to ensure safe and effective future operation according to organisational requirements.

4.2

PPE is checked for damage prior to ensuring that clean and undamaged equipment is stored.

4.3

Damaged or faulty PPE is reported according to organisational requirements.

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

Required skills 

• analytical skills to:

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

• equipment expertise to facilitate:

• cleaning and maintenance of equipment
• selection of equipment
• operation of plant and equipment

• interpersonal skills to work in a team environment
• literacy skills to:

• label waste
• report on waste segregation outcomes
• read and interpret:

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

• oral communication skills to:

• ask questions
• listen actively
• consult
• provide information

• self-management skills to:

• conduct work practices safely and efficiently
• handle waste non-conformances
• organise work methodically
• use emergency and personal protective equipment

Required knowledge 

• equipment and materials knowledge to facilitate:

• identification of plant and equipment
• operation of plant and equipment
• cleaning and maintenance of plant and equipment
• recycling activity

• waste management provision, including:

• chemicals used in industry
• client requirements
• coding systems
• duty of care
• organisational requirements
• reporting requirements
• waste storage requirements
• waste management hierarchy
• waste containment and disposal techniques

• identification of:

• waste types, streams and characteristics
• waste non-conformances
• waste non-conformance procedures
• waste containment
• waste disposal and recovery routes

• procedures for containing segregated waste types, including containment and isolation of hazardous waste
• measurement and calculation methods for:

• volumes
• weights

• OHS requirements relating to:

• chemical storage and segregation requirements
• dangerous goods and hazardous substances
• OHS hierarchy of control
• first aid

• potential hazards and risks relating to:

• waste containment and segregation techniques
• emergency response procedures

• resource recovery options relating to:

• valuable resources within materials
• potential resources to be recovered
• timeframe to recover resources
• industry standards and legislation
• environmental issues
• environmental regulations

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 observation of practical demonstration in the workplace or in a simulated work environment.

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:

• organise sorting containers in designated areas
• select emergency and personal protective equipment
• identify potential risks and hazards to waste sorting and waste non-conformances
• observe OHS requirements.

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:

• work plans and approved specifications
• results of sampling
• forms and procedures manuals.

Method of assessment

The process of identifying and segregating waste 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 the identification and segregation of waste.

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:

• CPPWMT3014A Manually sort waste
• CPPWMT3044A Identify wastes and hazards.

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.

Waste collection requirements  typically include:

• acceptable waste types
• collection times and schedule
• observing contamination requirements
• OHS requirements
• pick-up locations
• unacceptable levels of contamination.

Client  may  include:

• all forms of business enterprises in this context, including:

• government agencies
• internal customers
• local governments and councils
• private and public companies
• residents and ratepayers.

Segregation categories  may include:

• chemical waste
• construction and demolition
• dangerous goods
• green waste
• hazardous waste
• municipal waste
• prescribed waste
• putrescibles
• quarantine
• recyclable liquid
• regulated waste
• solid inert.

Job requirement hazards and risks  may include:

• biological waste
• compaction equipment
• confined spaces
• contamination
• dust
• fire
• gases and fumes
• hazardous waste (e.g. sharps)
• injuries resulting from manual handling and repetitive work
• narrow driveways
• other vehicles and equipment
• overhanging signs
• projectiles
• spark-producing equipment
• unguarded conveyor belts
• weather.

Equipment  may include:

• barriers and warning signs
• compactors
• conveyors
• generators
• hoses
• loadshifting equipment
• pumps
• sorting tables
• vacuums
• waste containers.

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.

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
• gloves
• overalls and protective clothing.

Emergency and personal protective equipment  could also include:

• breathing apparatus
• emergency procedure guides
• face shields or masks
• hard hats
• hearing protection
• MSDS
• spill kit.

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.

Hazardous and dangerous waste  may include:

• all waste depending on the condition, environment and personal exposure
• biological products
• blood products
• broken metal
• chemicals
• electrical wiring
• gases and fumes
• glass
• hospital waste
• leaking containers
• medical waste
• needles and syringes
• oil and petrol.

Non-conforming waste  may include:

• contamination
• hazardous or dangerous waste
• inferior quality and unacceptable waste streams.

Waste characteristics  may include:

• density
• level of contamination
• quality
• shape
• size
• volume
• weight.

Label  may include:

• amount of waste
• date
• location
• sign-off by sorter
• type of waste
• waste source.

Quality control  may include:

• checklist
• environmental compliance
• inspection details, such as date, time, location and process compliance level
• non-conformances
• quality grading
• recycling compliance
• regulatory compliance
• sign-off by inspector.

Sorting site  may be located within:

• composting facility
• landfill site
• materials recovery facility
• transfer station
• treatment site
• waste generator site.

Cleaning  may include: 

• shovelling
• sweeping
• using cleaning products
• using decontamination products
• vacuuming
• water-hosing.