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 nature of emergency.

1.1

Details of the nature, type and severity of the emergency  are identified, including waste types  involved and existing and potential hazards and risks.

1.2

Emergency is reported to supervisor or team leader according to organisational requirements  and relevant legislation and codes .

2

Prepare to respond to emergency.

2.1

Potential hazards and risks  are incorporated into emergency response action.

2.2

Emergency response action or procedures  are followed according to organisational requirements and relevant legislation.

2.3

Full details of emergency are communicated to relevant parties .

2.4

Emergency and personal protective equipment  is used safely and efficiently according to manufacturer specifications and organisational occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements.

2.5

Containment and isolation  of emergency situation are conducted where possible to minimise danger to surrounding equipment, area, environment, other personnel and general public.

2.6

Risks to personnel are avoided and evacuation procedures  are followed according to organisational requirements.

2.7

Necessary actions to protect organisational interests  are taken according to organisational requirements.

3

Review emergency response.

3.1

Emergency response actions are monitored and evaluated continuously and modifications are made to response actions to reduce the impact of the emergency.

3.2

Emergency situation is controlled until formal relief is notified or received, according to organisational requirements, OHS standards and relevant legislation.

4

Assist with clean-up

4.1

Clean-up  to remove waste, contamination , equipment and hazards from the emergency site is conducted according to organisational, legislative and OHS requirements.

4.2

Regulated waste identification signage  is updated as required.

5

Record and report emergency

5.1

Full details of emergency situation and response actions are recorded  according to organisational requirements and relevant legislation.

5.2

Emergency situation and response actions are reported to appropriate personnel according to organisational requirements.

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

Required skills 

• emergency expertise to facilitate:

• waste assessment
• isolation procedures, including bunding and erecting barriers
• selection of equipment
• quality control inspection

• interpersonal skills to work in a team environment
• oral communication skills to:

• ask questions
• follow instructions
• give clear information
• listen effectively

• reading skills to:

• interpret emergency requirements
• follow emergency procedure guidelines
• read graduated devices
• interpret work requirements and material safety data sheets (MSDS)

• problem-solving skills to:

• identify hazards and risks
• identify waste types, including regulated waste and waste non-conformance
• resolve pressure situations in a prompt, calm manner

• self-management skills to:

• conduct work practices safely and efficiently
• handle waste non-conformances
• prioritise duties
• use emergency and personal protective equipment (PPE)

• written communication skills for:

• documentation, including emergency incident report
• record keeping

Required knowledge 

• emergency response procedures, including:

• confined space procedures
• HAZCHEM identification systems
• methods of containment and isolation of emergencies
• site management plan and identification of work areas, including location of:

• alarms
• emergency equipment
• communications equipment

• coding systems
• reporting requirements
• signalling techniques
• standard emergency procedures

• identification of:

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

• procedures for containing segregated waste types, including containment and isolation of hazardous waste
• emergency waste management processes to facilitate:

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

• OHS requirements relating to:

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

• potential hazards and risks relating to:

• dangerous goods
• potential incidents
• waste containment and segregation techniques
• emergency response procedures

• service requirements, including:

• client requirements
• duty of care
• organisational requirements
• reporting requirements
• waste management options
• waste management hierarchy
• waste containment and disposal techniques

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 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:

• identify emergencies
• follow OHS and emergency procedures
• act quickly and implement required processes to overcome emergencies
• document actions.

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
• forms and procedures manuals.

Method of assessment

The process of responding to 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 responding to 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:

• CPPCMN3001B Participate in environmentally sustainable work practices
• CPPCMN3003A Contribute to workplace safety arrangements.

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.

Emergency  may include:

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

Waste types  may include:

• solid (non-hazardous), e.g. construction and demolition
• liquid (non-hazardous), e.g. chemical and aqueous
• hazardous – regulated, prescribed, quarantined, medical and clinical
• recoverable resources, e.g. recyclable and green waste.

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.

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 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.

Relevant parties  may include:

• emergency services
• other affected parties
• organisational personnel
• environmental protection agencies.

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
• oil absorbent materials
• overalls and protective clothing.

Emergency and personal protective equipment  could also include:

• breathing apparatus
• emergency procedure guides
• face shield or mask
• 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.

Containment and isolation  may include:

• bunding area
• erecting barricades
• moving vehicle or equipment away from hazardous area
• sealing leaks
• transferring waste
• turning off electricity and gas
• using fire extinguishers
• water-hosing.

Evacuation procedures  may be found in:

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

Protecting organisational interests  may include:

• collecting details from witnesses
• not commenting or admitting liability
• not talking to media.

Clean-up  may include:

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

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.

Recorded  includes:

• authorities notified
• cause or suspected cause of emergency
• damage incurred to:

• general public
• equipment
• personnel
• vehicle

• emergency and personal protective equipment used
• emergency response procedures undertaken
• nature of clean-up
• nature, type, source and severity of emergency
• recommendations for preventing future emergencies
• regulatory authority requirements.