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 maintenance.

1.1

Maintenance work to be undertaken on waste site  is identified from physical observation of site environment, maintenance schedule and job requirements.

1.2

Plant  and equipment , tools and landscape materials  required for work are identified, obtained and checked to ensure safe and efficient operation.

1.3

Emergency and personal protective equipment  (PPE) is selected and fitted according to job requirements, manufacturer specifications, organisational requirements  and legislation and codes .

1.4

Potential hazards and risks  are identified and managed according to organisational requirements, and occupational health and safety (OHS) regulations and other legislation and codes.

2

Maintain access roads.

2.1

Condition of roads is maintained to ensure public and personnel safety and to maximise the efficiency of site operations.

2.2

Repairs to normal wear and damage to road  are planned and carried out to minimise disruption to site operations.

2.3

Effective drainage is maintained to maximise the removal of excess water.

2.4

Water is spread to maintain a uniform wet surface to suppress dust.

3

Maintain landfill cells.

3.1

Ditches, bunds and slopes are created according to organisational requirements and legislation and codes to prevent overland flow from entering exposed working face of cell.

3.2

Minimum coverage on landfill cell and batter covers is maintained according to organisational requirements and legislation and codes.

3.3

Eroded cover is replaced and preventative action is taken to avoid further erosion .

3.4

Cover is kept smooth and rounded to prevent pitting of surfaces and flooding.

3.5

Vermin infestations are detected and pest management response  is undertaken according to organisational requirements, legislation and codes and safe operating procedures.

3.6

Vegetation on landfill site is trimmed, mowed, cleared or replaced as appropriate and according to organisational requirements.

3.7

Required organisational security procedures are followed to prevent unauthorised scavenging.

4

Maintain surroundings.

4.1

Drains  are cleared regularly to prevent build-up of silt or blockages.

4.2

Fences, gates and barriers are cleared regularly to remove litter and debris and to maintain a safe and clean environment.

4.3

Fences, gates and barriers are repaired as required to ensure integrity of form and prevent unauthorised entry to waste site or site areas.

4.4

Signs of litter and debris are cleared and cleaned to ensure full and clear visibility of all signage.

5

Record maintenance activities.

5.1

Maintenance activities are recorded promptly and according to organisational requirements, manufacturer specifications and legislation and codes.

5.2

Required organisational arrangements are made for faulty equipment to be repaired.

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
• to identify and segregate waste, including:

• identifying opportunities for resource recovery
• maintaining landfill cell covers

• basic gardening, including:

• clearing
• lawn mowing
• pruning

• interpersonal skills to:

• work in a team environment
• lead teams

• literacy skills to:

• label waste
• write reports
• read and interpret:

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

• oral communication skills to:

• ask questions
• listen actively
• provide information
• give directions

• problem-solving skills to select plant and equipment
• technical skills to:

• operate and maintain disposal site plant and equipment
• undertake basic cleaning of plant and equipment

• technology skills to use computers
• self-management skills to:

• apply signalling techniques
• conduct work practices safely and efficiently
• handle waste non-conformances
• organise work methodically
• use emergency and PPE

Required knowledge 

• environmental management relating to:

• techniques to minimise erosion
• waste types, streams and characteristics
• waste covering requirements and considerations
• industry standards and legislation

• functions of plant, equipment and materials to facilitate:

• operation of plant and equipment
• cleaning and maintenance of plant and equipment
• plant shut-down, lock-out and isolation procedures

• identification of:

• waste contaminants
• waste non-conformances
• types of waste cover materials, their uses and benefits
• waste storage requirements
• drainage clearing techniques
• sample tests
• landfill cover requirements and considerations
• basic road maintenance requirements

• identification of segregated waste types, including containment and isolation of hazardous waste
• OHS requirements relating to:

• dangerous goods and hazardous substances
• OHS hierarchy of control

• potential hazards and risks relating to:

• disposal sites
• emergency response procedures

• service requirements for disposing of waste, including:

• client requirements
• duty of care
• organisational requirements
• reporting requirements
• waste management options
• waste management hierarchy

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 displaying the maintenance requirements of a waste disposal site.

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:

• select emergency and PPE
• identify potential hazards and risks to maintenance activities
• respond effectively to pest management
• 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
• forms and procedures manuals.

Method of assessment

Maintaining a disposal site 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 maintenance of a disposal site.

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
• CPPWMT3021A Cover waste.

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 site  may include:

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

Plant  may include:

• autoclaves
• balers
• boilers
• bunded areas
• centrifuge
• chippers
• computer hardware and software
• crushers
• hammer mills
• incinerators
• microwaves
• pipes
• safety structures and controls
• separators
• shredders
• sorters
• storage tanks
• treatment tanks
• tub grinders.

Equipment  may include:

• barriers and warning signs
• communications equipment
• compactors
• conveyors
• dozers
• generators
• graders
• hoses
• lawnmowers
• lifting equipment
• loaders
• loadshifting equipment
• PPE
• pumps
• recording equipment
• sampling equipment
• scales
• signage
• skips
• sorting tables
• storage containers
• tools
• trailers
• trolleys
• trucks
• vacuums
• waste containers
• weighbridge
• whipper snippers.

Landscape materials  may include:

• cell cover materials
• fertilisers
• pesticides
• plants
• plant protection covers
• road repairing materials.

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.

Organisational requirements  may include information found in:

• briefing papers
• job sheets
• letters
• memos
• operations manuals
• policy and procedures documents
• quality assurance documents
• site development plans
• tender and contract documents
• training materials
• 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.

Repairs to normal wear and damage to road  may include:

• compacting
• repairing potholes
• resurfacing:

• dirt
• gravel.

Preventative action to avoid further erosion  may include:

• drainage systems to prevent water erosion
• ground covers
• planting grasses
• planting shrubs
• tight compaction of cover
• using wind breaks
• watering (in line with water restrictions) to prevent wind erosion.

Pest management response  may include:

• biological controls
• cultural controls
• environmental controls
• management controls.

Drains  may include:

• grease traps
• groundwater cut-off drains
• leachate collection system drains
• silt traps.