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 waste water disposal.

1.1

Waste  transport and disposal approvals are obtained.

1.2

Job sheet  is accessed and reviewed to clearly identify all waste disposal requirements.

1.3

Inlets, outlets and hatches to waste water  storage facility are locked and sealed to prevent contamination  of waste water and ensure safe operating procedures.

1.4

Waste water to be disposed to sewer is checked to ensure it meets sewer acceptance criteria.

1.5

Samples are taken for testing and analysis according to disposal requirements and regulations.

1.6

Compliance with current trade waste certificate or permit conditions is confirmed.

1.7

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

1.8

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

2

Undertake waste water disposal activities.

2.1

Outlet is unlocked and flowmeter attached to record volume discharged.

2.2

Waste water outlet is opened to allow disposal of waste water to sewer.

2.3

Relevant authority  is contacted to confirm that discharge is received.

2.4

Trade waste diversion is checked during operation to ensure satisfactory operating condition according to organisational requirements and legislation and codes.

2.5

Sewer discharge of waste water is monitored to ensure smooth flow, and to regulate or divert flow to alleviate system backlogs according to organisational and environmental requirements.

2.6

Off valve and lock-up systems are shut at completion of disposal activities, according to organisational requirements to ensure no unauthorised leakage of waste water to sewer.

2.7

Relevant authority is notified to lock, tag and secure outlet.

3

Carry out housekeeping.

3.1

Work area is cleared to ensure safe and clean work environment.

3.2

Drainage system is kept free of waste contamination when not in use to prevent contamination of waste water to sewer.

3.3

Drainage system is checked regularly to ensure it is free of blockages, obstructions and leaks according to organisational, regulatory and manufacturer requirements.

3.4

Waste water disposal activities are reported  promptly and according to organisational requirements and legislation and codes.

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

• material handling skills for disposal of waste water, including:

• using gauges, indicators and flowmeters
• keeping drainage system free of waste contamination and blockage

• oral communication skills to:

• follow instructions
• ask questions
• provide information

• literacy skills to:

• document waste water disposal activities
• read and interpret:

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

• self-management skills to:

• prioritise duties
• conduct work practices safely and efficiently
• use emergency and PPE
• work in confined spaces

Required knowledge 

• disposal methods relating to:

• waste types, streams and characteristics
• industry standards and legislation
• environmental regulations

• environmental issues relating to:

• waste water disposal
• conservation

• OHS requirements relating to OHS hierarchy of control
• potential hazards and risks relating to:

• waste water disposal
• drainage system blockage
• emergency response procedures

• service requirements, including:

• client requirements
• duty of care
• organisational requirements
• reporting requirements
• waste management options
• waste management hierarchy
• drainage system capacity
• quantity of water disposed
• liquid waste classification as waste water
• trade waste certificate or permit conditions

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, enabling the disposal of waste water to sewer.

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:

• comply with regulators and organisational requirements for the disposal of waste water to sewer
• organise equipment and personnel requirements
• monitor operation of drainage system during disposal to sewer
• maintain disposal system to prevent blockages, contamination and leakages
• monitor discharge to alleviate system backlogs
• 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

The process of disposing waste water to sewer 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 disposal of waste water to sewer.

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 of competency relevant to the job function, for example:

• CPPCMN3003A Contribute to workplace safety arrangements
• 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  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.

Job sheet  typically includes:

• disposal requirements
• emergency and PPE requirements
• equipment requirements
• personnel requirements
• plant operation requirements
• plant and material requirements
• potential hazards and risks
• quantity of waste water for disposal
• regulatory requirements
• reporting requirements
• site requirements
• waste types to be processed
• work schedules.

Waste water  typically refers to liquid waste from:

• business
• industry and trade
• manufacturing process approved for sewer disposal other than domestic sewerage.

Contamination  may include:

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

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
• 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.

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.

Relevant authority  may include:

• environmental protection authority
• local council
• trade waste inspectors
• water authorities.

Report  may include recording:

• checks completed
• defects identified
• disposal details
• faults serviced
• housekeeping undertaken
• materials used
• parts replaced
• repairs and adjustments made.