Unit Sector

Pre-Requisites

Nil

Performance Criteria

1.  Identify wastes 
1.1 Identify characteristics of wastes
1.2 Differentiate types of wastes by waste stream
1.3 Identify dangerous and hazardous wastes
1.4 Identify contaminants present in waste
1.5 Obtain further information on waste by questioning appropriate personnel to ensure correct identification 

 
2.  Identify hazards 
2.1 Identify potentialrisks andhazards present in work environment

Range Statement

Characteristics of wastes include but are not limited to: 

• containment
• density
• hazard
• level of contamination
• quality
• shape
• size
• volume
• weight

Contamination: 

• may include inferior quality and unacceptable waste streams.

Emergency and personal protective equipment must include: 

• appropriate footwear
• communications equipment
• eye protection
• eyewash kit
• fire extinguishers
• First Aid kit
• gloves
• overalls and protective clothing

Emergency and personal protective equipment could also include: 

• breathing apparatus
• emergency procedure guides
• face shield/mask
• hard hat
• hearing protection
• material safety data sheets (MSDS)
• spill kit

Performance of this unit is carried out in accordance with relevant requirements of the following:

• Australian Standards
• environmental regulations
• legislative requirements
• manufacturers' specifications
• organisational procedures
• relevant state/territory regulations

Potential risks and hazards:

• are those risks and hazards identified by the organisation that could lead to injury or illness of employees, contractors, visitors or the public; damage to plant, vehicles or property; or that could cause harm to the environment
• This relates to on-site and off-site activities (whether company owned or occupied premises, customer/client premises or public property) over which it could be expected the organisation had control.

Relevant legislation and codes cover state and federal:

• duty of care
• industry codes of conduct
• occupational health and safety
• Australian Standards
• environmental protection legislation

Waste streams include:

• construction and demolition
• dangerous goods
• green waste
• hazardous substances
• municipal waste
• putrescibles
• recyclables
• solid inert

Evidence Guide

Critical aspects of competency 

• Ability to correctly identify a range of waste streams, hazardous wastes and waste contaminants.
• Ability to identify a range of potential risks and hazards present in the work environment.

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.
• Waste contaminants.
• Potential risks and hazards.
• Occupational health and safety requirements.
• 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:

• communication including following instructions
• reading and interpreting work requirements
• identification of waste types
• identification of waste contamination
• hazard identification
• safe and efficient work practices
• use of emergency and personal protective equipment
• following MSDS

Resources required to assess this unit  The following resources should be available:

• range of waste types/streams for identification
• OHS requirements
• personal protective equipment
• work environment in which to identify range of potential risks and hazards

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 of wastes and hazards. 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 of wastes and hazards.

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.