Elements and Performance Criteria

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 documents, letters, quality assurance documents, tender/contract documents and verbal or written instructions.

Drains may include
grease traps, groundwater cut-off drains, leachate collection system drains and silt traps.

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.

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
communications equipment, sampling equipment and testing equipment.

Manufacturers' specifications
are found in equipment specifications and operator manuals.

Monitoring requirements may include
air emissions
drainage system
ground water
landfill cells
landfill environment (tests for odour, noise and gases)
monitoring for special requirements.

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.

Personal protective equipment required
will be stored, maintained and worn/fitted in accordance with company requirements and occupational health and safety and other legislation.

Potential job requirement 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.

Safe operating procedures include
any activity or operation conducted on site to ensure health and safety of personnel/equipment in the area.

Special testing requirements may include
organising testing with relevant specialists, and sampling requirements.

Waste site may include
landfill, materials recovery facility, processing plant, transfer station and treatment plant.

Critical aspects of competency
Accurate identification of monitoring requirements (including special tests required).
Correct determination of equipment, tools, and materials requirements.
Selection of appropriate emergency and PPE requirements.
Identification of potential risks and hazards to monitoring activities.
Monitoring of landfill cells.
Monitoring of drainage systems.
Monitoring of landfill 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.
Potential risks and hazards to monitoring activities.
Basic tool and equipment operation.
Waste analytical methods.
Surface and ground water quality sampling and monitoring.
Leachate monitoring.
Leak detection systems.
Standard landfill site testing procedures and requirements.
Landfill cover requirements and considerations.
Basic drainage operation.
Emergency response procedures.
Company requirements.
Environmental management plan.
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 and giving information
reading and interpreting schedules and work requirements
equipment operation
use of relevant tools
use of communications equipment (two-way radio and mobile phone)
accurate hazard identification
safe and efficient work practices
working in confined spaces
using emergency and personal protective equipment
following 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:

PRMWM21B Cover waste
PRMWM23B Maintain disposal site
PRMCMN201A Participate in workplace safety arrangements
PRMCMN301A Contribute to workplace safety arrangements
BSBCMN215B Participate in environmental work practices
BSBCMN313B Maintain environmental procedures.

Resources required to assess this unit

The following resources should be available:

waste site for monitoring
tools, equipment and materials for monitoring
company monitoring requirements
company environmental management plan
company waste management plan
monitoring and testing equipment
personal protective equipment
site safety plan
OHS requirements
MSDS.

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 monitoring activities at a landfill site 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 within a range of sites and with a variety of waste types.
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 clearly and effectively with relevant personnel throughout the monitoring of waste disposal process. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Gather information from a number of sources (including job requirements, manufacturers' specifications and company requirements) about the monitoring of disposal site. (1)

Planning and organising activities
Plan and organise activities to monitor waste disposal site in accordance with company requirements and relevant legislation. (2)

Working with others and in teams
Work effectively with relevant personnel throughout the monitoring of waste disposal process. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Use correct mathematical calculations throughout the waste disposal process. (1)

Solving problems
Discuss possible problems and solutions that may arise throughout the monitoring of waste disposal process. (1)

Using technology
Demonstrate understanding of technological principles and physical skills to use appropriate equipment. (1)