Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to undertake a records disposal program in accordance with workplace requirements including preparing for disposal activities, undertaking disposal activities, supervising disposal actions, and seeking approval for disposal actions. Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements are applicable to this unit.

Application of the Unit 

Work must be carried out in accordance with regulations and workplace requirements relevant to a records management process.

Work is generally performed under some supervision, within a team/group environment. It involves the application of regulatory requirements and workplace procedures when undertaking a disposal program as part of record management processes in the transport, warehousing, distribution and/or storage industries.

Employability Skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

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.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1 Prepare for disposal activities 

1.1 Records or areas where records are due for disposal action are identified from request or schedule

1.2 Resources needed to undertake the program are assembled in the location and at the time required

2 Undertake disposal activities 

2.1 Records are assessed to determine what disposal action can be undertaken immediately, whether records need to be sentenced or reviewed, and whether any records need to be appraised

2.2 Disposal actions are distributed and delegated to be conducted in accordance with organisational rules, guidelines and procedures

2.3 Quality control measures are undertaken in accordance with organisational procedures to ensure consistency in determining disposal status and retention periods

2.4 Certificate of destruction documentation is completed and information provided to client as required

3 Supervise disposal actions 

3.1 Disposal sentences referred by delegates are reviewed and disposal actions determined from existing schedules or from appraisal results

3.2 Checks are made to ensure that disposal decisions are recorded in the record keeping system and that disposal actions taken are in accord with the decisions recorded

4 Seek approval for disposal actions 

4.1 Approval is sought from the appropriate individual/body for disposal actions

4.2 Records which are no longer required for any purpose are destroyed in accordance with approval and organisational procedures

4.3 Records which need to be kept for a further period are stored in accordance with organisational records storage requirements

4.4 All disposal actions are recorded and authorised in accordance with organisational procedures and record keeping system requirements

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS 

This describes the essential knowledge and skills and their level required for this unit.

Required knowledge :

• Regulations relevant to disposal of records within a records management process

• Relevant OH&S and environmental protection procedures and guidelines

• Workplace procedures and policies for the disposal of records including policies on confidentiality and security of information and records

• Focus of operation of work systems, equipment, management and site operating systems for the disposal of records as part of a records management process

• Problems that may occur when undertaking the disposal of records and appropriate action that can be taken to resolve the problems

• Operational workflow within a records management system

• Types of equipment used in a records disposal program and the precautions and procedures that should be followed in their use

• Housekeeping standards and procedures required in the workplace

• Site layout and obstacles

Required skills :

• Communicate effectively with others when undertaking the disposal of records

• Read and interpret instructions, procedures and information relevant to the disposal of records

• Interpret and follow operational instructions and prioritise work

• Complete documentation related to the disposal of records

• Operate electronic communication equipment to required protocol

• Work collaboratively with others when undertaking the disposal of records

• Adapt appropriately to cultural differences in the workplace, including modes of behaviour and interactions with others

• Promptly report and/or rectify any identified problems that may occur when undertaking the disposal of records in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

• Apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist during work activities

• Plan own work including predicting consequences and identifying improvements

• Monitor work activities in terms of planned schedule

• Modify activities depending on differing operational contingencies, risk situations and environments

• Work systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self or others, or damage to goods or equipment

• Use a range of information technology devices including computers, radio frequency devices, electronic data exchange systems, etc.

• Maintain security and confidentiality of material

• Identify, select and efficiently and effectively use equipment for the disposal of records

• Adapt to differences in equipment in accordance with standard operating procedures

• Select and use required personal protective equipment conforming to industry and OH&S standards

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

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 

• The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria of this unit and include demonstration of applying:

• the underpinning knowledge and skills
• relevant legislation and workplace procedures
• other relevant aspects of the range statement

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

• Performance is demonstrated consistently over a period of time and in a suitable range of contexts
• Resources for assessment include:

• a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or other simulated practical and knowledge assessment, and/or
• access to an appropriate range of relevant operational situations in the workplace

• In both real and simulated environments, access is required to:

• relevant and appropriate materials and equipment, and
• applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals

Method of assessment 

• Assessment of this unit must be undertaken by a registered training organisation
• As a minimum, assessment of knowledge must be conducted through appropriate written/oral tests
• Practical assessment must occur:

• through activities in an appropriately simulated environment at the registered training organisation, and/or
• in an appropriate range of situations in the workplace

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.

Work may be conducted:

• in a range of work environments
• by day or night

Customers may be:

• internal or external

Workplaces may comprise:

• large, medium or small worksites

Workplace environment may include movement of:

• equipment
• goods
• products
• materials
• vehicular traffic

Records may be:

• paper- or electronically-based

Storage requirements may include records in various modes such as

• paper-based
• computer disks and reels
• CD-ROM
• microfiche
• film
• audio

The records disposal program is conducted as part of:

• records management activities with the operator using discretion and judgement within established procedures

Range of records may include:

• single series
• multiple series
• multiple systems
• in various formats including paper; electronic storage media; structured; free text; graphic

Hazards in the work area may include:

• height and reach implications of storage facilities
• dust and vapours
• stationary and moving equipment, parts and materials
• noise, light, energy sources
• electrical equipment
• humidity, air temperature, radiant heat
• debris on floor
• faulty racking
• poorly stacked records or boxes
• faulty equipment

Personal protective equipment may include:

• gloves
• safety headwear and footwear
• safety glasses
• protective clothing

OH&S requirements include:

• manual handling
• protective clothing
• elimination/control of hazards
• machine isolation and machine guarding

Communication in the work area may include:

• phone
• fax
• email/internet
• electronic data interchange (EDI)
• RF systems
• barcode readers
• oral, aural or signed communications

Depending on the type of organisation concerned and the local terminology used, workplace procedures may include:

• company procedures
• enterprise procedures
• organisational procedures
• established or standard procedures

Consultative processes may involve:

• workplace personnel including supervisors and managers
• customers/clients
• suppliers and contractors
• union representatives
• industrial relations and OH&S specialists
• other professional or technical staff

Information/documents may include:

• job specifications and workplace operating procedures
• relevant Australian or international standards pertaining to records management
• storage specifications and requirements
• manufacturers specifications for equipment/tools
• supplier and/or client instructions
• codes of practice including the National Standards for Manual Handling and the Industry Safety Code
• relevant regulations including confidentiality and security requirements
• award, enterprise bargaining agreement, other industrial arrangements
• standards and certification requirements
• emergency procedures
• quality assurance standards for records management

Applicable regulations and legislation may include:

• relevant codes and regulations pertaining to records management
• relevant Australian Standards relating to records management
• relevant state/territory OH&S legislation
• relevant state/territory environmental protection legislation
• privacy and confidentiality legislation and regulations
• freedom of information regulations
• workplace relations regulations including equal opportunity, equal employment opportunity and affirmative action legislation
• workers compensation regulations

Competency Field 

P - Administration and Finance