Unit of competency

Modification History

Release 1. Supersedes and is equivalent to PMASUP520B Review procedures to minimise environmental impact of process

Application

This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to establish and review procedures to minimise the environmental impact of a process and/or plant using a proactive environmental management approach. Proactive environmental management goes beyond complying with environmental requirements and integrates environmental goals with core business objectives.

This unit of competency applies to senior technicians, paraprofessionals or those in similar roles who are required to apply in-depth knowledge of process and plant in order to develop, implement and review procedures that will conserve resources and minimise pollution and waste, and ensure that the procedures are supported by appropriate training and record keeping.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Pre-requisite Unit

Nil

Competency Field

Support

Unit Sector

Elements and Performance Criteria

Foundation Skills

This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance.

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Range of Conditions

Unit Mapping Information

Release 1. Supersedes and is equivalent to PMASUP520B Review procedures to minimise environmental impact of process

Links

Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=9fc2cf53-e570-4e9f-ad6a-b228ffdb6875

Assessment requirements

Modification History

Release 1. Supersedes and is equivalent to PMASUP520B Review procedures to minimise environmental impact of process

Performance Evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy the requirements of the elements and performance criteria, and include the ability to:

• analyse information from a range of sources to determine environmental aspects/interactions of plant and/or processes and potential impacts
• develop, evaluate and prioritise options for minimising impact
• develop and document procedures to implement priority options
• communicate and consult effectively with stakeholders
• review and revise relevant procedures, record keeping system and training programs to reflect amendments and feedback from stakeholders.

Knowledge Evidence

Evidence must be provided that demonstrates sufficient knowledge to interact with relevant personnel and be able to establish and review procedures to minimise the environmental impact of a process, including knowledge of:

• aspects of interaction of plant/processes with the environment and society
• the effects on the environment and society of the organisation's:

• liquid waste
• solid waste
• gas/fume/vapour/smoke emissions, including fugitive emissions
• hazardous materials
• energy and water use
• noise

• management strategies and workplace practices that can be used to minimise or prevent these effects, including:

• recycling and reusing
• reducing amount of non-renewable resources used
• reducing volume and/or concentration/intensity of pollutants made
• reducing emissions
• improving housekeeping (e.g. using a broom instead of a hose, and using old rags for cleaning instead of toxic cleaners or water)
• substituting materials (e.g. replacing toxic solvent-based coatings with water-based ones)
• changing processes (e.g. mechanical cleaning, and re-design of products/procedures so that materials are used more efficiently)
• tenders for the provision of goods and services that specify environmentally preferred selection criteria

• nature and severity of the effect the pollutants and waste materials can have on the environment and society
• types of local conditions that can make environmental threats more ‘sensitive’
• pathways of entry to the environment from the plant
• systems operating parameters
• system integrity limits
• process control philosophies and strategies
• product specifications and tolerances
• principles of operation of plant/equipment
• science (e.g. physics, chemistry and biochemistry) relevant to process and materials
• organisation procedures, including those covering:

• environmental management
• safety, emergency and hazard control
• procurement

• hierarchy of control.

Assessment Conditions

• The unit should be assessed holistically and the judgement of competence based on a holistic assessment of the evidence.
• The collection of performance evidence is best done from a report and/or folio of evidence drawn from:

• a single project which provides sufficient evidence of the requirements of all the elements and performance criteria
• multiple smaller projects which together provide sufficient evidence of the requirements of all the elements and performance criteria.

• A third-party report, or similar, may be needed to testify to the work done by the individual, particularly when the project has been done as part of a project team.
• Assessment should use a real project in an operational workplace. Where this is not possible or practical, assessment must occur using a sufficiently rigorous simulated environment reflecting realistic operational workplace conditions. This must cover all aspects of workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.
• It is not necessary for the recommended improvements in utility/efficiency to be complete for the purposes of this unit.
• Knowledge evidence may be collected concurrently with performance evidence or through an independent process, such as workbooks, written assessments or interviews (provided a record is kept).
• Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.
• Conditions for assessment must include access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required, including relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications associated with this unit.
• The regulatory framework will be reflected in workplace policies and procedures and is not required to be independently assessed.
• Foundation skills are integral to competent performance of the unit and should not be assessed separately.
• Assessors must satisfy the assessor competency requirements that are in place at the time of the assessment as set by the VET regulator.
• In addition, the assessor or anyone acting in subject matter expert role in assessment must demonstrate both technical competency and currency. If the assessor cannot demonstrate technical competency and currency they must assess with a subject matter expert who does meet these requirements.
• Technical competence can be demonstrated through one or more of:

• relevant VET or other qualification/Statement of Attainment
• appropriate workplace experience undertaking the type of work being assessed under routine and non-routine conditions
• appropriate workplace experience supervising/evaluating the type of work being assessed under routine and non-routine conditions

• Currency can be demonstrated through one or more of:

• being currently employed undertaking the type of work being assessed
• being employed by the organisation undertaking the type of work being assessed and having maintained currency in accordance with that organisation’s policies and procedures
• having consulted/had contact with an organisation undertaking the type of work being assessed within the last twelve months, the consultation/contact being related to assessment
• conducting on-the-job training/assessments of the type of work being assessed
• being an active member of a relevant professional body and participating in activities relevant to the assessment of this type of work.

Links

Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=9fc2cf53-e570-4e9f-ad6a-b228ffdb6875