Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 11:43 PM AWST
22/07/2026 11:43 PM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Manually sort waste
Manually sort waste
Unit of competency
National Code
PRMWM14B
PRMWM14B
State Code
S4380
S4380
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
26/11/2004
Field of Education
030717 - Plant And Machine Operations
Original Release Date
26/11/2004
Nominal Hours
10
Description
This unit of competency describes the manual sorting of waste, which may occur at source or at a transfer station, materials recycling facility or waste processing plant. It requires the ability to plan and coordinate activity.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Determine job requirements
- 1.1 Review job sheet to determine sorting categories1.2 Identify potential hazards and risks and report to appropriate person in accordance with company requirements, OHS regulations and relevant legislation1.3 Select and obtain appropriate equipment for sorting waste safely and efficiently1.4 Organise and set upsorting site to ensure safe, effective and efficient sorting of waste in accordance with company requirements and relevant legislation1.5 Select, pre-check and fit emergency and personal protective equipment in accordance with job requirements, manufacturers' specifications, company requirements and relevant legislation
2 Sort and separate waste
- 2.1 Identify and handle hazardous, dangerous and non-conforming waste in accordance with company requirements, OHS regulations and relevant legislation2.2 Identify and sort waste by categories in accordance with job requirements2.3 Separate and carefully place all sorted waste into correct waste category container to prevent litter in surrounding area2.4 Monitor waste containers frequently to ensure available storage capacity and secure containment of waste
- 2.5 Empty and replace full waste containers promptly to minimise disruption to sorting, in accordance with job requirements and company requirements2.6 Label sorted waste in accordance with job requirements, company requirements and relevant legislation
3 Conduct quality control inspection
- 3.1 Inspect and check sorted waste to ensure compliance with sort requirements3.2 Document details of quality control inspection in accordance with job requirements and company requirements
4 Clean up area
- 4.1 Clean sorting site and equipment to ensure safe and effective future operation in accordance with company requirements4.2 Post-check equipment and its storage, and clean and store equipment according to manufacturers' specifications and company requirements
Appropriate person includes
client, supervisor and team member.
Cleaning may include
cleaning products/fluids, high pressure water or air-hosing, shovelling, sweeping out, use of decontamination products and vacuuming.
Client/company includes
all forms of business enterprises in this context including government agencies, local governments/councils, private and public companies, and residents/ratepayers.
Company requirements
are found in briefing papers, job sheets, letters, quality assurance documents, tender/contract documents, verbal or written instructions and work procedures.
Details of quality control inspection typically include
checklist
date
location
non-conformances
quality grading
sign-off by inspector
time.
Emergency and personal protective equipment may include
breathing apparatus
communications equipment
emergency procedure guidelines
eye protection
eyewash kit
fire extinguishers
First Aid kit
gloves
hard hat
overalls and protective clothing
protective headgear
safety boots.
Emergency response action/procedures include but are not limited to
clean up
contain emergency
equipment/plant isolation and shut-down
evacuation
First Aid
make safe
notification of authorities
use of appropriate personal protective equipment.
Equipment includes but is not limited to
compactor, conveyor, generator, load shifting equipment, sorting table and waste containers.
Job sheet typically includes
emergency and personal protective equipment requirements
equipment requirements
personnel requirements
site requirements
sorting categories
waste type, classification, characteristics
work schedule.
Label should typically include
amount of waste, date, location, sign-off by sorter, type of waste and waste source.
Manufacturers' specifications
are found in equipment specifications and operator manuals.
Non-conforming waste includes
contamination, inferior quality and unacceptable waste streams.
Performance of this unit is carried out in accordance with relevant requirements of the following
Australian Standards
environmental regulations
legislative requirements
manufacturers' specifications
OHS procedures
organisational procedures
relevant state/territory regulations.
Personal protective equipment required
will be cleaned/maintained, stored, worn/fitted in accordance with equipment specifications, company requirements, manufacturers' specifications, and occupational health and safety and other legislation.
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.
Risks and hazards may include
broken glass/metal
compaction equipment
contamination
dust
fire
gases and fumes
hazardous waste (e.g. sharps)
injuries resulting from manual handling and repetitive work
narrow driveways
other vehicles and equipment
overhanging signs
projectiles
spark-producing equipment
unguarded conveyor belt
weather.
Relevant legislation and codes cover
state and federal industry codes of conduct, occupational health and safety, and environmental protection legislation.
Safe operating procedures include any activity or operation conducted on site to ensure health and safety of personnel/equipment in the area. Safe operating procedures should ensure
containment of waste
equipment is operational
hosing
personal protective equipment is clean and undamaged.
Set-up of sorting site may include
bunding the area
clearing area for receival
erection of structures to provide protection from wind and weather
erection of barricades
erection of sorting table
locating waste containers in appropriate areas
setting up conveyors.
Sorting site could be located within
composting facility
landfill site
materials recovery facility
transfer station
treatment site
waste generator's site.
Waste categories include
solid (non-hazardous) e.g. construction and demolition
liquid (non-hazardous) e.g. chemical and aqueous
hazardous - regulated, prescribed, quarantined, medical and clinical
recoverable resources e.g. recyclable and green waste.
Waste characteristics include but are not limited to
density
hazard
level of contamination
quality
shape
size
volume
weight.
client, supervisor and team member.
Cleaning may include
cleaning products/fluids, high pressure water or air-hosing, shovelling, sweeping out, use of decontamination products and vacuuming.
Client/company includes
all forms of business enterprises in this context including government agencies, local governments/councils, private and public companies, and residents/ratepayers.
Company requirements
are found in briefing papers, job sheets, letters, quality assurance documents, tender/contract documents, verbal or written instructions and work procedures.
Details of quality control inspection typically include
checklist
date
location
non-conformances
quality grading
sign-off by inspector
time.
Emergency and personal protective equipment may include
breathing apparatus
communications equipment
emergency procedure guidelines
eye protection
eyewash kit
fire extinguishers
First Aid kit
gloves
hard hat
overalls and protective clothing
protective headgear
safety boots.
Emergency response action/procedures include but are not limited to
clean up
contain emergency
equipment/plant isolation and shut-down
evacuation
First Aid
make safe
notification of authorities
use of appropriate personal protective equipment.
Equipment includes but is not limited to
compactor, conveyor, generator, load shifting equipment, sorting table and waste containers.
Job sheet typically includes
emergency and personal protective equipment requirements
equipment requirements
personnel requirements
site requirements
sorting categories
waste type, classification, characteristics
work schedule.
Label should typically include
amount of waste, date, location, sign-off by sorter, type of waste and waste source.
Manufacturers' specifications
are found in equipment specifications and operator manuals.
Non-conforming waste includes
contamination, inferior quality and unacceptable waste streams.
Performance of this unit is carried out in accordance with relevant requirements of the following
Australian Standards
environmental regulations
legislative requirements
manufacturers' specifications
OHS procedures
organisational procedures
relevant state/territory regulations.
Personal protective equipment required
will be cleaned/maintained, stored, worn/fitted in accordance with equipment specifications, company requirements, manufacturers' specifications, and occupational health and safety and other legislation.
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.
Risks and hazards may include
broken glass/metal
compaction equipment
contamination
dust
fire
gases and fumes
hazardous waste (e.g. sharps)
injuries resulting from manual handling and repetitive work
narrow driveways
other vehicles and equipment
overhanging signs
projectiles
spark-producing equipment
unguarded conveyor belt
weather.
Relevant legislation and codes cover
state and federal industry codes of conduct, occupational health and safety, and environmental protection legislation.
Safe operating procedures include any activity or operation conducted on site to ensure health and safety of personnel/equipment in the area. Safe operating procedures should ensure
containment of waste
equipment is operational
hosing
personal protective equipment is clean and undamaged.
Set-up of sorting site may include
bunding the area
clearing area for receival
erection of structures to provide protection from wind and weather
erection of barricades
erection of sorting table
locating waste containers in appropriate areas
setting up conveyors.
Sorting site could be located within
composting facility
landfill site
materials recovery facility
transfer station
treatment site
waste generator's site.
Waste categories include
solid (non-hazardous) e.g. construction and demolition
liquid (non-hazardous) e.g. chemical and aqueous
hazardous - regulated, prescribed, quarantined, medical and clinical
recoverable resources e.g. recyclable and green waste.
Waste characteristics include but are not limited to
density
hazard
level of contamination
quality
shape
size
volume
weight.
Critical aspects of competency
Correct interpretation of job sheet.
Organisation of equipment and sorting site.
Selection of appropriate emergency and personal protective equipment requirements.
Identification of potential risks and hazards to waste sorting.
Identification and handling of hazardous waste and waste non-conformances.
Clean-up of site and equipment.
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.
Sorting techniques.
Waste non-conformance procedures.
Emergency response procedures.
Company requirements.
Occupational health and safety requirements.
Relevant industry standards.
Relevant legislation.
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:
following instructions, signalling, writing
reading and interpreting work requirements
equipment operation
materials handling skills
identification of waste types
identifying and handling waste non-conformances
hazard identification and disposal
safe and efficient work practices
use of emergency and personal protective equipment
following material safety data sheets (MSDS).
Other units of competency that could be assessed with this unit
This unit could be assessed on its own or in combination with other competencies relevant to the job function, for example:
PRMWM05B Identify and segregate waste
PRMWM16B Operate waste processing plant
PRMWM44B Identify wastes and hazards
PRCMN201A Participate in workplace safety arrangements.
Resources required to assess this unit
The following resources should be available:
OHS requirements
personal protective equipment
site safety plan
sorting facility (e.g. materials recovery facility)
waste for sorting
sorting equipment
job sheet to determine sort requirements.
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 this field and reviewing the manual sorting of waste under normal industry operating conditions. If this is not practicable, observations in realistic simulated environments may be substituted.
Consistency in performance
Assessment requires that the plan meets the objectives of the client and that it complies with industry expectations in the particular client environment. If the environment is narrowly defined or is not representative of industry needs, it may be necessary to refer to portfolio case studies of a variety of waste requirements to assess competency in manual sorting of waste plans.
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 .
Communicating ideas and information
Communicate effectively with personnel in sorting waste. (1)
Collecting analysing and organising information
Gather information from a number of sources (including job requirements, manufacturers' specifications and company requirements) about the sorting of waste. (1)
Planning and organising activities
Plan activities to support sorting of waste. (1)
Working with others and in teams
Working effectively with relevant personnel at the sorting site. (1)
Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Conduct mathematical calculations required to sort waste. (1)
Solving problems
Discuss possible problems and solutions that may arise throughout the implementation of waste sorting process. (1)
Using technology
Demonstrate understanding of technological principles and physical skills to use appropriate equipment. (1)
Correct interpretation of job sheet.
Organisation of equipment and sorting site.
Selection of appropriate emergency and personal protective equipment requirements.
Identification of potential risks and hazards to waste sorting.
Identification and handling of hazardous waste and waste non-conformances.
Clean-up of site and equipment.
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.
Sorting techniques.
Waste non-conformance procedures.
Emergency response procedures.
Company requirements.
Occupational health and safety requirements.
Relevant industry standards.
Relevant legislation.
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:
following instructions, signalling, writing
reading and interpreting work requirements
equipment operation
materials handling skills
identification of waste types
identifying and handling waste non-conformances
hazard identification and disposal
safe and efficient work practices
use of emergency and personal protective equipment
following material safety data sheets (MSDS).
Other units of competency that could be assessed with this unit
This unit could be assessed on its own or in combination with other competencies relevant to the job function, for example:
PRMWM05B Identify and segregate waste
PRMWM16B Operate waste processing plant
PRMWM44B Identify wastes and hazards
PRCMN201A Participate in workplace safety arrangements.
Resources required to assess this unit
The following resources should be available:
OHS requirements
personal protective equipment
site safety plan
sorting facility (e.g. materials recovery facility)
waste for sorting
sorting equipment
job sheet to determine sort requirements.
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 this field and reviewing the manual sorting of waste under normal industry operating conditions. If this is not practicable, observations in realistic simulated environments may be substituted.
Consistency in performance
Assessment requires that the plan meets the objectives of the client and that it complies with industry expectations in the particular client environment. If the environment is narrowly defined or is not representative of industry needs, it may be necessary to refer to portfolio case studies of a variety of waste requirements to assess competency in manual sorting of waste plans.
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 .
Communicating ideas and information
Communicate effectively with personnel in sorting waste. (1)
Collecting analysing and organising information
Gather information from a number of sources (including job requirements, manufacturers' specifications and company requirements) about the sorting of waste. (1)
Planning and organising activities
Plan activities to support sorting of waste. (1)
Working with others and in teams
Working effectively with relevant personnel at the sorting site. (1)
Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Conduct mathematical calculations required to sort waste. (1)
Solving problems
Discuss possible problems and solutions that may arise throughout the implementation of waste sorting process. (1)
Using technology
Demonstrate understanding of technological principles and physical skills to use appropriate equipment. (1)
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| WC183 | CPPWMT3014A | Manually sort waste | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| S465 | PRM20504 | Certificate II in Asset Maintenance (Waste Management) | Qualification |
| W638 | PRM30509 | Certificate III in Asset Maintenance (Waste Management) | Qualification |