Assessment Requirements for MSS025002 Assess the environmental risk or impact of a project activity or process

Release: 1

Assessment Requirements for MSS025002 Assess the environmental risk or impact of a project activity or process

Modification History

Release 1. Supersedes and is equivalent to MSS025002A Assess the environmental risk or impact of a project activity or process

Performance Evidence

Evidence of competence in this unit must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria, and include demonstration of:

evaluating the risks or impacts associated with at least two (2) different project activities or processes and identifying appropriate environmental management actions and/or alternatives in each case

interpreting and applying relevant legislative, regulatory, workplace/site requirements

researching and describing the project activity/process and local environment and identifying potential environmental issues

applying relevant workplace procedures and/or site environmental management plans when conducting assessments of environmental risks or impacts

using computer software (e.g. databases, spreadsheets and specialist programs) to process and present data

listening and communicating effectively with others, such as clients, environmental scientists/engineers and community members

identifying significant environment risks and/or impacts for specified project activities or processes

logically assessing environmental risks and impacts using given assessment criteria, tools and/or checklists

evaluating existing methods for controlling risks and minimising impacts at the site

identifying possible amendments to project activities, alternative processes or improved environmental management actions to minimise risks or impacts

identifying feasible and economically viable solutions and documenting the case for adopting them

seeking advice when issues/problems are beyond scope of competence/responsibility

presenting the findings and details of environmental risk assessment process to stakeholders

reporting the outcomes of environmental risk assessment of project activities or processes in the required format and expected timeframe

working safely.

Knowledge Evidence

Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge of:

environmental terms, concepts and principles relevant to project activities or processes

awareness of environmental management documentation (e.g. environmental impact assessment, environmental impact assessment and public environment report) and environmental assessment process required for new major projects or developments

awareness of roles, functions and responsibilities of environmental officers, environmental scientists, engineers and planners, and regulators

relevant legislation, regulations, licences and permit requirements for operations at site

workplace environmental management framework of policy, procedures and management plans for site

details of project activities or process phases

typical kinds of impacts of project activities or processes on the physical and ecological environment, infrastructure, land use, social issues and community values

workplace procedures for identifying/assessing and controlling hazards/risks/impacts associated with project activities or processes on site

workplace project planning, management and reporting requirements

relevant hazards, health and safety requirements and workplace safe work procedures.

Assessment Conditions

Judgement of competence must be based on holistic assessment of the evidence. Assessment methods must confirm consistency of performance over time, rather than a single assessment event.

This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace, or a simulated workplace environment. A simulated workplace environment must reflect realistic operational workplace conditions that cover all aspects of workplace performance, including the environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.

Foundation skills are integral to competent performance of the unit and should not be assessed separately.

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.

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 in each case).

Holistic assessment methods include:

review of two (2) reports/presentations prepared by the candidate outlining details of the site, project activities or processes, risk/impact assessment and summary of evidence, and suggested environmental management actions and/or alternatives in each case

feedback from peers and supervisors that the candidate consistently follows organisation risk/impact assessment procedures and works safely

oral and/or written questions to assess the candidate’s knowledge of typical kinds of environmental risks/impacts associated with project activities or processes relevant to job role, legislative/regulatory framework, risk/impact assessment procedures, criteria, tools and checklists.

Access is required to all equipment, materials, workplace documentation, procedures, and specifications associated with this unit including, but not limited to:

workplace documentation for project activities or processes

workplace environmental management documentation for site

workplace risk/impact assessment procedures, criteria, tools and/or checklists.

Assessors must satisfy the assessor competency requirements that are in place at the time of the assessment as set by the VET regulator.

The assessor must demonstrate both technical competency and currency.

Technical competence can be demonstrated through:

relevant VET or other qualification/Statement of Attainment AND/OR

relevant workplace experience

Currency can be demonstrated through:

performing the competency being assessed as part of current employment OR

having consulted with an organisation providing environmental monitoring, management or technology related services about performing the competency being assessed within the last twelve months.

Links

MSA Training Package Implementation Guides - http://mskills.org.au/training-packages/info/