Elements and Performance Criteria

The range statement adds definition to the unit by elaborating critical or significant aspects of the performance requirements of the unit. The range statement establishes the range of indicative meanings or applications of these requirements in different operating contexts and conditions. The specific aspects which require elaboration are identified by the use of italics in the performance criteria.

The scope identifies the components of the environmental management system being audited and may include:
responsibilities of personnel within the enterprise or common interest group
document and data control
product identification and traceability
process control
water quality control
training
servicing of vessels, vehicles, machinery and equipment
waste control
purchasing procedures
control of customer-supplied product
public resources, such as fish stocks and water
external controls.

Relevant documentation may include:
environmental management system plan and procedures
any documentation related to the environmental management elements being audited
community feedback
training records
monitoring records
certification documentation from clients and suppliers
material and equipment specifications.

Environmental management system plan and procedures may address the requirements of:
federal, state and territory environmental legislation such as:
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2000
state and territory environmental protection authorities and agencies
state and territory occupational health and safety legislation and regulations
local government by-laws and regulations, including regional land and water management plans
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL)
third party standards such as the ISO 14000 series and those of the Marine Stewardship Council.

Work area may be within:
an enterprise
all or selected enterprises operating under a communal environmental management system.

Relevant personnel may include communications with:
managers, customers, suppliers, general public, state or federal fisheries management and environmental protection officers, and other personnel with environmental management responsibilities.

Improvement tools may include:
ecologically sustainable development frameworks and guidelines
cause and effect diagrams
process and capability mapping.

Reporting may involve:
verbal responses
judgement and recommendations
written reports
presentations
data entry into enterprise or cooperative group databases.

Documentation may include:
audit documents
enterprise or common interest group environmental management system plans
safety precautions, standard operating procedures and work instructions
environmental certification or registration requirements.

The evidence guide provides advice to inform and support appropriate assessment of this unit. It contains an overview of the assessment requirements followed by identification of specific aspects of evidence that will need to be addressed in determining competence. The evidence guide is an integral part of the unit and should be read and interpreted in conjunction with the other components of competency.

Assessment must reflect the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Seafood Industry Training Package into which this unit is being imported.

Overview of assessment requirements
A person who demonstrates competence in this unit must be able to provide evidence of the ability to conduct internal audits on environmental management systems. Evidence must be strictly relevant to the particular workplace role which may be based in an enterprise or around a cooperative group.

Products that could be used as evidence include:
documentation relating to the planning, conduct and reporting of an internal audit of an environmental management system
documentation demonstrating the application of continuous improvement processes

Processes that could be used as evidence include:
application of audit principles
approaches to continuous improvement
approaches to planning.

Resource implications for assessment include access:
by the assessee to documentation relevant to the audit
to personnel who have a role and responsibility in implementing and/or monitoring the effectiveness of the environmental management system.

Validity and sufficiency of evidence requires that:
the assessee undertakes several internal audits (an audit can address one or more components of the environmental management system).

Integrated competency assessment:
means that this unit can be assessed on its own or in combination with other units relevant to the job function.