Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range of Variables explains the contexts within which the performance and knowledge requirements of this standard may be assessed. The scope of variables chosen in training and assessment requirements may depend on the work situations available. At this level, individuals work within the context of enterprise policies and procedures. Individuals at this level may have responsibility for day-to-day operations and supervising/managing others.

What might environmental workplace procedures include?
These could include written procedures or work instructions for environmental hazard and risk identification, avoiding or minimising environmental risks, improving environmental performance, waste minimisation and segregation, environmental monitoring, signs and labels (e.g. chemical labels), emergency procedures, hazard and incident recording and reporting procedures, and environmental data recording and reporting procedures where applicable. Verbal instructions from persons with responsibility related to environmental work practices are also included in this definition.

What may be listed under environmental policies?
Waste minimisation and management, sustainability, local, regional, State and National strategies on weed and pest management, protection of land and habitat and the conservation of resources, energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, use of chemicals, and plant and equipment.

What does recognise and follow mean?
That a person will acknowledge that environmental impacts, hazards and risks exist, and that they have a responsibility to work in a manner which will minimise the impact on the environment within the guidelines established by the workplace.

What legislation, codes and national standards may be relevant to this competency standard?
Award and enterprise agreements, relevant environmental legislation from all levels of government, Australian standards, international agreements and relevant industry codes of practice.

How may a report be made?
Verbally (face-to-face or through communication equipment) and in writing (notes, faxes, email or electronic messages).

What environmental risks and hazards may be included in this competency standard?
These could include spills, leaks, pollution, planned and unplanned emissions, soil compaction, disturbance and erosion, accidents and disposal of waste, and damage or disruption to ecosystems resulting from work practices. Also includes plants, animals or diseases that are classified as an environmental threat or problem in an area, unauthorised changes in land use, fire risks and threats, and inappropriate human interaction on the environment. This may include damage to habitat resources, disruption of animal behaviour and territorial use, illegal vegetation clearance, seed collection, firewood gathering, nest disturbance and egg collecting.

Who are designated personnel in a workplace?
Manager, supervisor, and people who are responsible for work area or who may be assigned to act as a mentor/trainer to a person under instruction.

What suggestions may be included?
Ideas to minimise hazards and risks, reduce waste, make more efficient use of resources and improve environmental performance, reduce soil disturbance and improve habitat resources.

What environmental issues are included in this competency standard?
Sustainability, reduction and disposal of waste, water quality, energy efficiency, biodiversity and habitat protection, conservation of natural resources, air quality, land contamination, noise, soil and salinity management, and fire management.

What workplace approaches to environmental practices may be relevant to this competency standard?
Preventing and minimising the production of pollution (e.g. discharges to air, land and water, hazardous waste, reducing 'burning off', composting, recycling materials, conservation practices), and improving workplace maintenance practices (e.g. using a broom instead of a hose, using environment-friendly cleaning agents).

What environmental records may be included?
Environmental data, maintenance and inspection reports, incident or accident reports, and complaints from the public.

What might environmental workplace procedures include?
These could include written procedures or work instructions for environmental hazard and risk identification, avoiding or minimising environmental risks, improving environmental performance, waste minimisation and segregation, environmental monitoring, signs and labels (e.g. chemical labels), emergency procedures, hazard and incident recording and reporting procedures, and environmental data recording and reporting procedures where applicable. Verbal instructions from persons with responsibility related to environmental work practices are also included in this definition.

What may be listed under environmental policies?
Waste minimisation and management, sustainability, local, regional, State and National strategies on weed and pest management, protection of land and habitat and the conservation of resources, energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, use of chemicals, and plant and equipment.

What does recognise and follow mean?
That a person will acknowledge that environmental impacts, hazards and risks exist, and that they have a responsibility to work in a manner which will minimise the impact on the environment within the guidelines established by the workplace.

What legislation, codes and national standards may be relevant to this competency standard?
Award and enterprise agreements, relevant environmental legislation from all levels of government, Australian standards, international agreements and relevant industry codes of practice.

How may a report be made?
Verbally (face-to-face or through communication equipment) and in writing (notes, faxes, email or electronic messages).

What environmental risks and hazards may be included in this competency standard?
These could include spills, leaks, pollution, planned and unplanned emissions, soil compaction, disturbance and erosion, accidents and disposal of waste, and damage or disruption to ecosystems resulting from work practices. Also includes plants, animals or diseases that are classified as an environmental threat or problem in an area, unauthorised changes in land use, fire risks and threats, and inappropriate human interaction on the environment. This may include damage to habitat resources, disruption of animal behaviour and territorial use, illegal vegetation clearance, seed collection, firewood gathering, nest disturbance and egg collecting.

Who are designated personnel in a workplace?
Manager, supervisor, and people who are responsible for work area or who may be assigned to act as a mentor/trainer to a person under instruction.

What suggestions may be included?
Ideas to minimise hazards and risks, reduce waste, make more efficient use of resources and improve environmental performance, reduce soil disturbance and improve habitat resources.

What environmental issues are included in this competency standard?
Sustainability, reduction and disposal of waste, water quality, energy efficiency, biodiversity and habitat protection, conservation of natural resources, air quality, land contamination, noise, soil and salinity management, and fire management.

What workplace approaches to environmental practices may be relevant to this competency standard?
Preventing and minimising the production of pollution (e.g. discharges to air, land and water, hazardous waste, reducing 'burning off', composting, recycling materials, conservation practices), and improving workplace maintenance practices (e.g. using a broom instead of a hose, using environment-friendly cleaning agents).

What environmental records may be included?
Environmental data, maintenance and inspection reports, incident or accident reports, and complaints from the public.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in monitoring and maintaining environmental work practices requires evidence that skills and knowledge have been successfully and appropriately applied and demonstrated in a work place or equivalent situation. The skills and knowledge required to monitor and maintain environmental work practices must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts. For example, this could include different workplaces, environmental hazards and risks, and workplace practices and procedures.
What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard 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:

relevant legislation from all levels of government on environmental issues
relevant environmental policies and workplace/industry practices and procedures
good practice approaches relevant to work area particularly in regard to minimising environment hazards and risks, and improving environmental performance
environmental issues, especially in regard to water catchments, air, noise, ecosystems, habitat, efficient use of resources, sustainability and waste minimisation
potential environmental threats and problems relevant to a given region and occupation
general work place practices and their potential impact on the environment

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These skills include the ability to:

communicate with supervisors and workplace colleagues
recognise environmental hazards and threats
act upon environmental hazards and threats by following enterprise procedures legislative requirements
instruct/advise others to follow enterprise procedures and legislative requirements
follow workplace directions and instructions
keep environmental records.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard

Essential Assessment Information
There is essential information about

What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard 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:

relevant legislation from all levels of government on environmental issues
relevant environmental policies and workplace/industry practices and procedures
good practice approaches relevant to work area particularly in regard to minimising environment hazards and risks, and improving environmental performance
environmental issues, especially in regard to water catchments, air, noise, ecosystems, habitat, efficient use of resources, sustainability and waste minimisation
potential environmental threats and problems relevant to a given region and occupation
general work place practices and their potential impact on the environment

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These skills include the ability to:

communicate with supervisors and workplace colleagues
recognise environmental hazards and threats
act upon environmental hazards and threats by following enterprise procedures legislative requirements
instruct/advise others to follow enterprise procedures and legislative requirements
follow workplace directions and instructions
keep environmental records.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard

Essential Assessment Information
There is essential information about

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. The questions below highlight how these processes are applied in this competency standard. Following each question a number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency needs to be demonstrated where 0 = not required, 1 = perform the process, 2 = perform and administer the process and 3 = perform, administer and design the process.
Communicating ideas and information
Verbally with supervisors and work colleagues on environmental work practices and potential hazards and risks. (2)

Communicating ideas and information
Verbally with supervisors and work colleagues on environmental work practices and potential hazards and risks. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Through maintaining and analysing environmental records. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Through maintaining and analysing environmental records. (2)

Planning and organising activities
According to enterprise environmental and work place practices and policies. (2)

Planning and organising activities
According to enterprise environmental and work place practices and policies. (2)

Working with others and in teams
Through working with others to follow and improve environmental practices. (2)

Working with others and in teams
Through working with others to follow and improve environmental practices. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Through quantification (e.g. counting, estimating areas) of environmental hazards or problems and through collection of data. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Through quantification (e.g. counting, estimating areas) of environmental hazards or problems and through collection of data. (2)

Solving problems
Through recognition of and responses to environment hazards and risks, and determining ways that work practices can be more environmentally friendly. (2)

Solving problems
Through recognition of and responses to environment hazards and risks, and determining ways that work practices can be more environmentally friendly. (2)

Using technology
Technology may be required to record information, deal with environmental hazards, and improve work practices to be more environmentally friendly. (2)

Using technology
Technology may be required to record information, deal with environmental hazards, and improve work practices to be more environmentally friendly. (2)