Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This competency covers the outcomes required to effectively analyse the workplace in relation to environmentally sustainable work practices and to implement improvements and monitor their effectiveness.

This unit is based on the sustainability guideline standard GCSSUS02A Implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices.

Application of the unit 

This competency applies to those who have responsibility for a specific area of work or who lead a work group or team. It addresses the knowledge, processes and techniques necessary to implement and monitor environmentally sustainable work practices, including the development of processes and tools.

It includes:

• Identifying areas for improvement
• Developing plans to make improvements
• Implementing and monitoring improvements in environmental performance.

This competency applies to all sectors of the manufacturing industry and members of its value chain. It may also be applied to all sections of an organisation, including office, warehouse etc. This unit will need to be appropriately contextualised as it is applied across an organisation and across different industry sectors.

Prerequisite units 

This unit has no  prerequisites

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

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.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Investigate current practices in relation to resource usage.

1.1 Identify environmental regulations applying to the enterprise.

1.2 Assess procedures for assessing compliance  with environmental regulations.

1.3 Collect information on environmental and resource efficiency systems and procedures, and provide to the work group where appropriate.

1.4 Measure and record current resource usage by members of the work group.

1.5 Analyse and record current purchasing strategies.

1.6 Analyse current work processes to access information and data and assist in identifying areas for improvement.

2. Set targets for improvements.

2.1 Seek input from stakeholders, key personnel and specialists.

2.2 Access external sources of information and data as required.

2.3 Evaluate alternative solutions to workplace environmental issues.

2.4 Set efficiency targets.

3. Implement performance improvement strategies.

3.1 Source techniques /tools  to assist in achieving targets.

3.2 Apply continuous improvement strategies to own work area of responsibility and communicate ideas and possible solutions to the work group and management.

3.3 Integrate environmental and resource efficiency improvement plans for own work group with other operational activities and implement them.

3.4 Seek suggestions and ideas about environmental and resource efficiency management from stakeholders and act upon them where appropriate.

3.5 Implement costing strategies to fully value environmental assets.

4. Monitor performance.

4.1 Document outcomes and communicate reports on targets to key personnel and stakeholders.

4.2 Evaluate strategies.

4.3 Set new targets and investigate and apply new tools and strategies.

4.4 Promote successful strategies and reward participants where possible.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

Required skills include:

• using relevant environmental and resource efficiency systems, tools and procedures
• applying quality assurance systems relevant to own work area
• applying relevant supply chain procedures
• measurement and calculation techniques
• communication/consultation skills to ensure information is supplied to the work group

Reading and writing is required to comprehend documentation and interpret environmental and energy efficiency requirements and to document and maintain records

Numeracy is required to interpret numeric workplace information, readings and measurements, handle data as required and complete numeric components of workplace forms/reports.

Required knowledge 

Required knowledge includes:

• how to access and use relevant environmental and resource efficiency systems, tools and procedures
• understanding of best practice approaches relevant to own area of responsibility
• strategies to maximise opportunities and minimise impacts relevant to own work area
• relevant environmental and resource efficiency issues specific to industry practices
• methods for measuring and calculating resource usage

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

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 

A person who demonstrates competence in this unit must be able to provide evidence of the ability to implement and monitor integrated environmental and resource efficiency management policies and procedures within an organisation.

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

It is essential that competence is demonstrated in the knowledge and skills defined in this unit. These may include the ability to:

• monitor and investigate current resource usage
• develop plans to improve sustainability
• implement environmental improvements.

Consistent performance should be demonstrated. For example, look to see that:

• environmental performance is routinely monitored and investigated
• areas for improvements are followed through and the implemented changes are in turn monitored and investigated.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

This section should be read in conjunction with the range of variables for this unit of competency. Assessors must be satisfied that the person can consistently perform the unit as a whole, as defined by the Elements, Performance Criteria and skills and knowledge.

Resources required include suitable access to an operating plant or equipment that allows for appropriate and realistic simulation.

A bank of case studies/scenarios and questions will also be required to the extent that they form part of the assessment method. Questioning may take place either in the workplace, or in an adjacent, quiet facility such as an office or lunchroom. No other special resources are required.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required. Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.

Method of assessment 

A holistic approach should be taken to the assessment.

Competence in this unit may be assessed:

• by demonstration in the workplace
• using targeted questioning for appropriate portions
• through use of specific project(s)
• by use of a suitable simulation and/or a range of case studies/scenarios
• by a combination of these techniques.

In all cases it is expected that practical assessment will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge and theoretical assessment will be combined with appropriate practical/simulation or similar assessment.

Guidance information for assessment 

Assessors need to be aware of any cultural issues that may affect responses to questions.

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the oracy, language and literacy capacity of the assessee and the work being performed.

RANGE STATEMENT 

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.

Procedures 

All operations are performed in accordance with procedures.

Procedures include all relevant workplace procedures, work instructions, temporary instructions and relevant industry and government codes and standards.

Where reference is made to industry codes of practice, and/or Australian/international standards, the latest version must be used.

Environmental and resource efficiency issues 

Environmental and resource efficiency issues include:

• addressing environmental and resource sustainability initiatives such as Environmental Management Systems, action plans, surveys and audits
• reference to standards, guidelines and approaches such as:

• ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems
• Life Cycle Analyses
• Cradle to cradle
• Global Reporting Initiative
• Ecological footprinting
• Triple Bottom Line reporting
• Product Stewardship

• determining enterprise's most appropriate waste treatment including waste to landfill, recycling, re-use and wastewater treatment
• applying the waste management hierarchy in the workplace
• initiating and/or maintaining appropriate enterprise procedures for operational energy consumption, including stationary energy and non stationary (transport)
• efficient use of water
• minimising greenhouse gas emissions
• use of controls to minimise the risk of environmental damage from hazardous substances

Measure 

Measuring techniques include:

• material fed to/consumed by plant/equipment
• plant meters and gauges
• job cards including kanbans
• examination of invoices from suppliers
• measurements made under different conditions
• examination of relevant information and data
• others as appropriate to the specific industry contexts.

Techniques and tools 

Techniques and tools may include :

• visual workplace concepts
• measurement, display and/or recording devices
• changed work practices/procedures
• competence development and awareness training
• process and equipment items

Compliance 

Compliance includes meeting relevant federal, state and local government laws, by-laws, regulations and codes of practice.

Incidents 

Incidents include:

• breaches or potential breaches of regulations
• occurrences outside of standard procedure which may lead to lower environmental performance

Purchasing strategies 

Purchasing strategies include:

• influencing suppliers to take up environmental sustainability
• selecting materials/components with a lower environmental profile.

Stakeholders , key personnel and specialists 

Stakeholders, key personnel and specialists include individuals and groups both inside and outside the organisation that have some direct interest in the enterprise's conduct, actions, products and services, including:

• employees at all levels of the organisation
• customers
• suppliers
• other organisations
• key personnel within the organisation, and specialists outside it who may have particular technical expertise

Suggestions 

Suggestions includes ideas that help to:

• prevent and minimise environmental risks and maximise opportunities
• reduce emissions of greenhouse gases
• reduce use of non-renewable resources
• make more efficient use of energy, water and other resources
• maximise opportunities to re use and recycle materials
• identify strategies to offset or mitigate environmental impacts. e.g. purchasing of carbon credits
• express purchasing power through the selection of suppliers with improved environmental performance. e.g. purchasing renewable energy and materials with lower embedded carbon
• eliminate the use of hazardous and toxic materials increasing the reusability/recyclability of wastes/products.

Unit sector 

Competency field 

Competitive manufacturing tools

Co-requisite units