Elements and Performance Criteria

RANGE STATEMENT
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Relevant government regulations, licensing and other compliance requirements may include:
biodiversity and genetically modified organisms
biosecurity, translocation and quarantine
business or workplace operations, policies and practices
environmental hazard identification, risk assessment and control
OHS hazard identification, risk assessment and control.
OHS guidelines may include:
appropriate workplace provision of first aid kits and fire extinguishers
codes of practice, regulations and/or guidance notes which may apply in a jurisdiction or industry sector
enterprise-specific OHS procedures, policies or standards
hazard and risk assessment of workplace, maintenance activities and control measures
induction or training of staff, contractors and visitors in relevant OHS procedures and/or requirements to allow them to carry out their duties in a safe manner
OHS training register
safe lifting, carrying and handling techniques, including manual handling, and the handling and storage of hazardous substances
safe systems and procedures for outdoor work, including protection from solar radiation, fall protection, confined space entry and the protection of people in the workplace
systems and procedures for the safe maintenance of property, machinery and equipment, including hydraulics and exposed moving parts
the appropriate use, maintenance and storage of PPE.
ESD principles may include:
control of effluents, chemical residues, contaminants, wastes and pollution
control of weeds, pests, predators and diseases, and stock health maintenance
improving energy efficiency
increasing use of renewable, recyclable and recoverable resources
minimising noise, dust, light or odour emissions
preventing live cultured or held organisms from escaping into environment
reducing emissions of greenhouse gases
reducing energy use
reducing use of non-renewable resources
undertaking environmental hazard identification, risk assessment and control
undertaking facility quarantine, biosecurity and translocation of livestock and genetic material
using and recycling water, and maintaining water quality.
PPE may include:
hard hat or protective head covering
hearing protection (e.g. ear plugs and ear muffs)
non-slip and waterproof boots (gumboots) or other safety footwear
protective eyewear, glasses and face mask
uniforms or overalls.
Types of effluent and wastes may include:
biohazard material
from culture or holding structures
nitrogenous wastes
solid and soluble
toxic liquids and gases
uneaten food, settled solids or sediments.
Treatment programs may include:
chemical, biological or mechanical filtration
integration with agriculture, such as hydroponics and aquaponics
polyculture
recycling or reuse
settlement ponds/tanks.
Labour requirements may include:
specialised equipment operators or contractors
transport operators
vehicle or vessel operators
workers.
Resource requirements may include:
collection equipment:
absorbent materials
nets
sediment ponds, sumps and gulley traps
submersible and sludge pumps
water and benthic samplers
holding and on-farm transport equipment:
bins
buckets
plastic bags, boxes, metal canisters and packing materials
tanks
troughs
laboratory equipment:
acid washed bottles
autoclaves
balance
chemicals and reagents
fume hoods
ovens
spectrophotometer
vacuum filtration
PPE
photographs (video or stills)
quadrants and rulers
treatment equipment and facilities
vessels, vehicles, trucks and trailers
water, waste and soil samples.
Risk factors may include:
absent staff
adverse weather conditions
equipment failure or breakdown
moribund, stressed or dying stock
OHS.
Adverse environmental impacts may include:
build up of hydrogen sulphide, ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, phosphorus, methane or other toxins
changes in benthos
effluent or waste spillage or entry into environment
hypernutrification and eutrophication
increase in bacterial levels
stock death, stress, damage or contamination
transfer of pathogens.
Biohazard materials may include:
anti-fouling agents
bacteria, parasites or other pathogens
herbicides
hormone and growth promoters
moribund or dead stock
pesticides
sodium hypochloridehypochlorite and other acids
therapeutic agents, such as malachite green, formalin and antibiotics.

EVIDENCE GUIDE
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit
Assessment must confirm the ability to:
coordinate effluent and waste collection, treatment and disposal in a safe, cost-effective manner consistent with ESD principles, OHS and government regulations.

Assessment must confirm knowledge of:
ESD principles
methods for treating effluent and waste on and off site and the relative risk factors for each.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment is to be conducted at the workplace or in a simulated work environment with a range of effluent and waste products that could typically be produced as a result of aquaculture operations in the region.

Resources may include:
functioning waste treatment disposal system as part of an aquaculture culture or holding structure
reference material for research
legislation and regulations
staff and contractors to coordinate.
Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are suggested:
written or oral short-answer testing
practical demonstration
project work related to an on-site scenario or based on a case study.
Guidance information for assessment
This unit may be assessed holistically with RTE3704A Coordinate worksite activities, and other units within a qualification.