Modification History
Not Applicable
Unit Descriptor
Unit descriptor
This unit of competency describes the sorting and containment of waste at the generator's site. It requires the ability to apply safe work practices while working with potentially hazardous waste products. These work functions would be carried out under routine supervision within organisational guidelines.
Application of the Unit
Not Applicable
Licensing/Regulatory Information
Not Applicable
Pre-Requisites
Not Applicable
Employability Skills Information
Not Applicable
Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content
Not Applicable
Elements and Performance Criteria
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ELEMENT |
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
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1 Organise for work |
1.1 Review waste management plan or waste collection requirements to determine segregation categories 1.2 Identify and handle job requirement risks and hazards in accordance with company requirements, OHS and other relevant legislation and report to appropriate person 1.3 Utilise appropriate equipment for segregation to maximise work effectiveness and efficiency 1.4 Set up segregation containers in the appropriate areas to ensure safe, effective and efficient segregation of waste in accordance with company requirements and relevant legislation 1.5 Pre-check personal protective equipment to ensure it is suitable for the purpose 1.6 Select and fit emergency and personal protective equipment in accordance with job requirements, manufacturers' specifications , company requirements and relevant legislation |
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2 Identify and segregate waste |
2.1 Identify and handle hazardous , dangerous and non -conforming waste in accordance with company requirements and relevant legislation 2.2 Identify and segregate waste accurately into categories in accordance with job requirements |
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2.3 Place sorted waste into correct waste category container to prevent litter in surrounding area and avoid cross-contamination 2.4 Monitor waste containers frequently to ensure adequate available storage capacity and secure containment of waste |
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2.5 Empty and replace full waste containers promptly to minimise disruption to production in accordance with job requirements and company requirements and OHS procedures 2.6 Label segregated waste in accordance with job requirements, company requirements and relevant legislation |
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3 Conduct quality control inspection |
3.1 Inspect and check segregated waste to ensure compliance with segregation requirements 3.2 Document quality control inspection details in accordance with job and company requirements |
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4 Clean up area |
4.1 Clean sorting site and equipment to ensure safe and effective future operation in accordance with company requirements and OHS procedures 4.2 Post check personal protective equipment for damage prior to ensuring appropriate storage |
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Required Skills and Knowledge
Refer to Evidence Guide
Evidence Guide
EVIDENCE GUIDE
Critical aspects of competency
- Appropriate interpretation of job sheets.
- Organisation of sorting containers in designated areas.
- Selection of appropriate emergency and personal protective equipment requirements.
- Identification of potential risks, hazards to waste sorting and waste non-conformances.
Knowledge needed to achieve the performance criteria
Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this unit in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this unit are listed below.
- Waste types, streams and characteristics.
- Site waste management processes.
- Site waste management plan.
- Waste contaminants.
- Waste non-conformance procedures.
- Potential risks and hazards to waste sorting and containment.
- Sorting techniques.
- Containment methods.
- Emergency response procedures.
- Company requirements.
- Occupational health and safety requirements.
- Duty of care in provision of services.
- Relevant industry standards.
- Relevant legislation.
- Relevant environmental regulations.
- OHS hierarchy of control.
Specific skills needed to achieve the performance criteria
To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These are:
- sound oral communication skills including questioning, listening, interpersonal, following instructions, giving instructions
- sound written communication skills for labelling and report writing
- sound reading skills for interpreting work requirements
- methodical organisation of work
- equipment operation
- materials handling skills
- identification of waste types
- identification of and handling of waste non-conformances
- packaging and containment of waste
- safe and efficient work practices
- use of emergency and personal protective equipment
- ability to prioritise.
Other units of competency that could be assessed with this unit
This unit could be assessed on its own or in combination with other competencies relevant to the job function, for example:
- PRMWM14B Manually sort waste
- PRMWM44B Identify wastes and hazards.
Resources required to assess this unit
The following resources should be available:
- waste collection requirements
- waste management plan
- range of wastes for identification and segregation
- company policies and procedures
- personal protective equipment requirements
- occupational health and safety requirements.
Gaining evidence to assess this unit
For valid and reliable assessment of this unit, the competency should be demonstrated over a period of time and be observed by the assessor (or assessment team working together to conduct the assessment). The competency is to be demonstrated in a range of situations, which may include customer/workplace interruptions and involvement in related activities normally experienced in the workplace.
Evidence of competency is best obtained by observing activities in the field and reviewing the identification and segregation of waste under normal industry operating conditions. If this is not practicable, observations in realistic simulated environments may be substituted.
Consistency in performance
Assessment requires that strategies meet the objectives of clients and comply with industry expectations in the particular client environment. If the environment is narrowly defined or is not representative of industry needs, it will be necessary to assess the unit within a variety of waste management environments or different client needs to assess competency in the identification and segregation of waste.
Oral questioning or written assessment and hypothetical situations (scenarios) may be used to assess underpinning knowledge. (In assessment situations where the candidate is offered a preference between oral questioning and written audit, questions are to be identical.)
Supplementary evidence may be obtained from relevant authenticated correspondence from existing supervisors, team leaders or specialist training staff.
Note: All practical demonstrations must adhere to the safety and environmental regulations relevant to each state or territory.
Key competency levels
There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life which are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies, although others may be added.
Information below highlights how these processes are applied in this competency standard.
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1 |
Perform the process |
2 |
Perform and administer the process |
3 |
Perform, administer and design the process |
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How can communication of ideas and information be applied? |
1 |
Discuss with clients and colleagues process for sorting and containment of waste. |
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How can information be collected , analysed and organised ? |
2 |
Collect and analyse information from a number of sources at the generator site (including regulatory sources and company specifications). |
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How are activities planned and organised ? |
1 |
Assess the validity of sorting and containment options. |
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How can teamwork be applied? |
1 |
Discuss relevant with mentor and/or colleagues. |
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How can the use of mathematical ideas and techniques be applied? |
1 |
Record quality control recordings including mathematical calculations. |
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How can problem-solving skills be applied? |
1 |
Discuss sorting and containment of waste process. |
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How can the use of technology be applied? |
1 |
Demonstrate understanding of technological principles and physical skills to use appropriate equipment. |
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Range Statement
RANGE STATEMENT
The range statement links the required knowledge and organisational and technical requirements to the workplace context. It describes any contextual variables that will be used or encountered when applying the competency in work situations. It allows for different work practices and work and knowledge requirements as well as for differences between organisations and workplaces. The following variables may be present for this particular unit.
Appropriate person includes supervisor and team member.
Cleaning may include cleaning products/fluids, shovelling, sweeping out, use of decontamination products, vacuuming and water-hosing.
Client includes all forms of business enterprises in this context including government agencies, local governments/councils, private and public companies, and residents/ratepayers.
Company requirements are found in job sheets, quality assurance documents, verbal or written instructions and work procedures.
Emergency and personal protective equipment must include:
- communications equipment
- eye protection
- eyewash kit
- fire extinguishers
- First Aid kit
- gloves
- overalls and protective clothing
- safety boots.
Emergency and personal protective equipment could also include:
- breathing apparatus
- emergency procedure guides
- face shield/mask
- hard hat
- hearing protection
- material safety data sheets
- spill kit.
Emergency response action /procedures include but are not limited to:
- clean up
- contain emergency
- equipment/plant isolation and shut-down
- evacuation
- First Aid
- make safe
- notification of authorities
- use of appropriate personal protective equipment.
Equipment includes but is not limited to:
- barriers and warning signs
- compactor
- conveyor
- generator
- hoses
- load shifting equipment
- pumps
- sorting table
- vacuums
- waste containers.
Hazardous and dangerous waste may include:
- all waste depending on the condition, the environment and personal exposure
- biological products
- blood products
- broken metal
- chemicals
- electrical wiring
- gases/fumes
- glass
- hospital waste
- leaking containers
- needles/syringes
- oil/petrol.
Label should typically include amount of waste, date, location, sign-off by sorter, type of waste and waste source.
Manufacturers' specifications are found in equipment specifications and operator manuals.
Non-conforming waste may include contamination, hazardous or dangerous wastes, inferior quality and unacceptable waste streams.
Performance of this unit is carried out in accordance with relevant requirements of the following:
- Australian Standards
- environmental regulations
- legislative requirements
- manufacturers' specifications
- OHS regulations
- organisational procedures
- relevant state/territory regulations.
Personal protective equipment required will be cleaned/maintained, stored, worn/fitted in accordance with company requirements, manufacturers' specifications, and occupational health and safety and other legislation.
Potential job requirement risks and hazards include but are not limited to:
- biological waste
- compaction equipment
- confined spaces
- contamination
- dust
- fire
- gases and fumes
- hazardous waste (e.g. sharps)
- injuries resulting from manual handling and repetitive work
- narrow driveways
- other vehicles and equipment
- overhanging signs
- projectiles
- spark-producing equipment
- unguarded conveyor belt
- weather.
Quality control inspection details include:
- checklist
- date
- location
- non-conformances
- quality grading
- sign-off by inspector
- time.
Safe operating procedures include any activity or operation conducted on site to ensure health and safety of personnel/equipment in the area including:
- equipment is operational
- clean undamaged personal protective equipment
- containment
- hosing.
Segregation categories include:
- chemical waste
- construction and demolition
- dangerous goods
- green waste
- hazardous waste
- municipal waste
- prescribed waste
- putrescibles
- quarantine
- recyclable liquid
- regulated waste
- solid inert.
Waste characteristics include but are not limited to:
- contamination
- disposal methods
- production of waste
- recycling
- re-use
- waste generation
- waste streams
- waste types.
Waste collection requirements typically include:
- collection times and schedule
- contamination requirements
- occupational health and safety requirements
- pick-up locations
- unacceptable levels of contamination
- waste types acceptable.
Unit Sector(s)
Not Applicable
