Elements and Performance Criteria

Cleaning may include
cleaning products/fluids, high pressure water or air-hosing, shovelling, sweeping out, use of decontamination products, vacuuming and water-hosing.

Client
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.

Details of quality control inspection include
checklist
date
location
non-conformances
quality grading
sign-off by inspector
time.

Documentation includes but is not limited to
accident report
checklists
emergency report
incident report
maintenance requirements
non-conformances
processing operations
type/amount waste processed.

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
identify emergency
make safe
notification of authorities
use of appropriate personal protective equipment.

Equipment includes but is not limited to
containers, generator, hoses, load shifting equipment, pumps and vacuums.

Job sheet typically includes
emergency and personal protective equipment requirements
personnel requirements
plant, equipment and materials requirements
processing requirements
site requirements
waste types
work schedule.

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

Materials include
baling and packaging materials, cleaning agents, cleaning rags, grease and oil, labels and stickers, stabilising and treatment chemicals, and water.

Non-conforming waste streams include
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
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.

Plant includes but is not limited to
autoclave
balers
boilers
bunded areas
centrifuge
chippers
compactors
computer hardware and software
conveyors
crushers
hammer mills
incinerator
microwave
pipes
safety structures and controls
separators
shredders
sorters
storage tanks
treatment tanks
tub grinders.

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.

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.

Waste processing could be undertaken at
composting facility
landfill site
materials recovery facility
transfer station
treatment site
waste generator's site.

Waste types 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.

Critical aspects of competency
Correctly interprets and follows job sheet.
Identifies and organises plant, equipment, materials and personnel requirements.
Selects appropriate emergency and personal protective equipment requirements.
Identifies potential risks and hazards to work.
Uses appropriate processing method for waste type.
Correctly operates/uses plant/equipment/materials.
Maintains visual observation of processing.
Conducts checks/tests on waste during processing and determines stage of completion.
Monitors flow of inputs and outputs and maximises processing operation.
Makes adjustments to processing technique or operation to maximise processing operation.
Conducts quality control inspection.
Carries out basic housekeeping.

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 and their appropriate processing methods.
Waste contaminants.
Potential risks and hazards.
Processing techniques.
Basic biology and chemistry.
Equipment/plant operation.
Materials required for processing.
Emergency response procedures.
Company requirements.
Plant shut-down, lock-out and isolation procedures.
Occupational health and safety requirements.
Duty of care in provision of services.
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:

communication including interpersonal, listening, questioning, following instructions, giving information, signalling, writing
reading and interpreting job requirements
plant and equipment operation
materials handling skills
identification of waste types
reading and interpreting gauges and indicators
mete out doses of chemicals and additives
computer and software skills
methodical organisation of work
planning to undertake a routine task
hazard identification
time management
safe and efficient work practices
use of emergency and personal protective equipment
working in confined spaces
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:

PRMWM05B Identify and segregate waste
PRMWM18B Dispatch processed waste
PRMWM34B Maintain an equipment and consumables storage area
PRMWM37B Conduct minor maintenance and repairs on waste processing plant/equipment.

Resources required to assess this unit

The following resources should be available:

waste for processing
processing plant and equipment
job sheet identifying processing requirements
personal protective equipment
MSDS
site safety plan.

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 the field and reviewing the processing or treatment of waste. If this is not practicable, observations in realistic simulated environments may be substituted.

Consistency in performance
Assessment requires that strategies meet the objectives of clients and comply with industry expectations in the particular client environment. If the environment is narrowly defined or is not representative of industry needs, it will be necessary to assess the unit within a variety of waste management environments or different client needs to assess competency in the processing or treatment of waste.
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
Discuss with colleagues elements of waste processing. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Gather information from a number of sources (including relevant legislation and company requirements) about waste processing. (1)

Planning and organising activities
Plan activities in the processing, or treatment of waste. (2)

Working with others and in teams
Work cooperatively with colleagues to process or treat waste. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Conduct and document appropriate mathematical calculations. (1)

Solving problems
Identify and solve risk elements in the processing or treatment of waste. (1)

Using technology
Apply understanding of technological principles and demonstrate physical skills to use appropriate equipment. (2)