Unit of competency details

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

1 

Organise for work 

1.1

Waste segregation plan is established in accordance with workplace policies and procedures and regulatory requirements

1.2

Job requirement hazards  are identified, risks  are assessed and risk controls are implemented in accordance with workplace policies and procedures, and state/territory regulations and legislation

1.3

Emergency and personal protective equipment  (PPE) is selected, correctly fitted and worn in accordance with job requirements, manufacturer specifications, workplace requirements and relevant regulatory requirements

1.4

Segregation receptacles/areas are set up to ensure safe and effective segregation of waste in accordance with workplace requirements  and relevant regulatory requirements

1.5

Equipment  used for segregation is operated in accordance with manufacturer specifications, workplace policies and procedures and external licensing authorities

2 

Conduct identification and segregation activity 

2.1

Waste is identified and appropriate  handling process is implemented in accordance with waste type, workplace requirements and relevant state/territory regulatory requirements

2.2

Waste is segregated into categories and labelled in accordance with waste type,  workplace policies and procedures and regulatory requirements

2.3

Sorted waste is placed into correct waste category receptacles/areas in accordance with workplace policies and procedures, and legislative environmental practices

2.4

Storage capacity of waste receptacles/areas is monitored in accordance with workplace policies and procedures and environmental licence requirements

2.5

Waste receptacles/areas are emptied in accordance with environmental practices and/or replaced according to workplace policies and procedures and with minimal disruption to work processes

3 

Conduct quality control inspection 

3.1

Quality control inspections are undertaken to ensure compliance with segregation requirements in accordance with workplace policies and procedures, and environmental licence requirements

3.2

Quality control  inspection details are documented in accordance with workplace policies and procedures, and environmental authority regulations

4 

Clean up area 

4.1

Sorting site  and equipment are cleaned  in accordance with workplace policies and procedures

4.3

Waste products from cleaning process are disposed of in accordance with environmental licence requirements

4.2

PPE is checked and stored, and damaged or faulty PPE is reported and replaced in accordance with workplace policies and procedures

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

Required knowledge: 

• Equipment and materials knowledge to facilitate:

• application of emergency spill kits
• cleaning and maintenance of plant and equipment
• identification of plant and equipment

• operation of plant and equipment
• recycling activity
• waste management provision, including:

• chemicals used in industry
• client requirements
• coding systems
• duty of care
• organisational requirements
• reporting requirements
• waste storage requirements
• waste management hierarchy
• waste containment and disposal techniques

• identification of:

• hazardous and dangerous goods
• procedures for containing segregated waste types, including containment and isolation of hazardous waste
• segregation methods for dangerous goods and chemical substances
• waste containment
• waste disposal and recovery routes
• waste non-conformance procedures
• waste non-conformances
• waste types, streams and characteristics

• measurement and calculation methods for:

• volumes
• weights

• Potential hazards and risks relating to:

• emergency response procedures
• waste containment and segregation techniques

• Resource recovery options relating to:

• environmental issues
• environmental regulations
• industry standards and legislation
• potential resources to be recovered
• timeframe to recover resources
• valuable resources within materials

• Work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) hierarchy of control
• WHS/OHS requirements relating to:

• chemical storage and segregation requirements
• dangerous goods and hazardous substances
• first aid

Required skills: 

• Ask questions
• Conduct work practices safely and efficiently
• Consult
• Facilitate:

• cleaning and maintenance of equipment
• operation of plant and equipment
• selection of equipment

• Handle waste non-conformances
• Identify hazards and risks
• Identify waste types and waste non-conformances
• Label waste
• Listen actively
• Organise work methodically
• Provide information
• Read and interpret:

• job sheets
• work requirements and safety data sheets (SDS)/material safety data sheets (MSDS)
• safe systems of work
• job safety and environmental analysis
• work method statements

• Report on waste segregation outcomes
• Segregate valuable resources in composite materials
• Segregate waste types, including potentially hazardous waste
• Use emergency and personal protective equipment
• Work in a team environment

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required knowledge and skills, the range statement and the assessment guidelines for this Training Package.

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:

• organise sorting receptacles/areas in designated areas
• select emergency and personal protective equipment
• identify potential risks and hazards to waste sorting and waste non-conformances
• observe WHS/OHS requirements.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Performance is demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.

Assessment of essential required knowledge may be conducted in an off-site context and is to comply with relevant regulatory or Australian Standards requirements.

Resource implications for assessment include:

• work plans and approved specifications
• results of sampling.

Method of assessment 

The process of identifying and segregating waste 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 identification and segregation of waste.

Assessment methods must:

• satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the TLI10 Transport and Logistics 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 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.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance.

Waste collection requirements typically include:

• acceptable waste types
• collection times and schedule
• observing contamination requirements
• pick-up locations
• WHS/OHS requirements

Client may include:

• all forms of business enterprises in this context, including:

• government agencies
• internal customers
• local governments and councils
• private and public companies
• residents and ratepayers

Segregation categories may include:

• asbestos
• clinical/cytotoxic waste such as medical waste, dressings, sharps, pharmaceutical products, anatomical waste
• commercial and industrial waste
• construction and demolition waste such as broken bricks, concrete, plasterboard, glass, metals, soils, tiles, timbers
• general household waste/hard rubbish
• hazardous waste such as acid, caustic, grease trap waste, oily rags, filters, coolants, oily sludges, septic waste, solvents, trade waste, paints, batteries, triple interception
• manufactured products such as clothing and footwear
• organic and green waste such as fruit, vegetables, food, all garden waste
• processed food and beverage waste such as food, beverages, tobacco and liquor, used cooking oil
• quarantine waste such as airport and seaport amnesty bin waste, wash water waste from international vessels and from cleaning of heavy vehicles
• recyclable materials such as cardboard, plastic wrap, polystyrene, glass, metals, plastics, newspapers, magazines, phone books, boxes, cartons and packaging
• sanitary waste

Job requirement hazards and risks may include:

• clinical/cytotoxic waste
• compaction equipment
• confined spaces
• contamination
• dust
• fire
• gases and fumes
• hazardous waste
• injuries resulting from manual handling and repetitive work
• narrow driveways
• other vehicles and equipment
• overhanging signs
• pedestrians
• projectiles
• spark-producing equipment
• traffic
• unguarded conveyor belts
• weather

Equipment may include:

• barriers and warning signs
• compactors
• conveyors
• generators
• hand tools
• hoses
• load shifting equipment
• pumps
• sorting tables
• vacuums
• waste receptacles/areas

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

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 may include:

• breathing apparatus
• emergency procedure guides
• face shields or masks
• hard hats
• hearing protection
• safety data sheets (SDS)/material safety data sheets (MSDS)
• spill kit

Personal protective equipment must be:

• cleaned and fitted according to organisational requirements, manufacturer specifications and regulatory requirements
• stored according to workplace policies
• used when required according to workplace policies

Hazards associated with waste may include:

• all waste depending on the condition, environment and personal exposure
• clinical/cytotoxic products
• chemicals
• contamination
• electrical wiring
• gases and fumes
• glass
• leaking receptacles
• oil, diesel and petrol
• sharp objects

Non-conforming waste may include:

• hazardous or dangerous waste
• inferior quality and unacceptable waste streams

Waste characteristics may include:

• amount of waste
• density
• level of contamination
• quality
• shape
• size
• volume
• weight

Labels may include:

• date
• location
• sign-off by sorter
• type of waste
• waste source

Quality control may include:

• checklist
• environmental compliance
• inspection details such as date, time, location and process compliance level
• non-conformances
• quality grading
• recycling compliance
• regulatory compliance
• sign-off by inspector

Sorting site may be located within:

• composting facility
• landfill site
• materials recovery facility
• transfer station
• treatment site
• waste generator site

Cleaning may include:

• cleaning using products
• decontamination using products
• shovelling
• sweeping
• vacuuming
• water-hosing