Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
21/07/2026 11:13 PM AWST
21/07/2026 11:13 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.
Apply cleaner production techniques
Apply cleaner production techniques
Unit of competency
National Code
PRMWM60A
PRMWM60A
State Code
S4414
S4414
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
26/11/2004
Field of Education
039901 - Environmental Engineering
Original Release Date
26/11/2004
Nominal Hours
45
Description
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to apply cleaner production techniques to avoid and/or reduce waste generation. It requires the ability to first identify the opportunities for cleaner production techniques to be applied, analyse those opportunities to established criteria, and then develop an implementation program.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Determine the effectiveness of current resource management practices
- 1.1 Obtain management support for the development and implementation of a cleaner production program1.2 Establish in-house cleaner production working group1.3 Measure current waste streams in total in regard to source(s), types, quantities and materials, with waste generation rates linked to key waste indicators or benchmarks1.4 Assess existing waste management practices against legislation, industry standards, best practice and company requirements and expectations1.5 Discuss practices and processes with operators and other stakeholders to gain in depth information on why waste is generated1.6 Conduct a cost analysis to identify the real cost of waste per production process and/or waste stream
2 Determine strategies to reduce/avoid waste
- 2.1 Identify barriers to implementation and develop appropriate strategies to counter these2.2 Establish goals and targets for the cleaner production program2.3 Undertake an identification of all potential changes to practices, products or processes that would reduce waste generation2.4 Prioritise potential cleaner production opportunities
- 2.5 Hold discussions with interested parties to investigate viability of identified changes
- 2.6 Conduct feasibility analysis of options Feasibility to include full cost-benefit analysis, as well as technical, environmental, OHS aspects
- 2.7 Resource requirements are identified and costed2.8 Identified opportunities are ranked in regard to implementation schedules2.9 Findings are documented accurately and promptly for full review by appropriate authority level
3 Develop implementation program
- 3.1 Allocate specific tasks and develop a timetable for implementation3.2 Conduct specific implementation activities and/or install equipment3.3 Communicate change to all relevant employees and other stakeholders. Conducted in conjunction with a specific education program3.4 Establish monitoring and review programs to determine effectiveness and amendments instituted as required3.5 Establish reporting mechanisms to provide feedback to management on progress in respect to the cleaner production initiatives3.6 Implement a company cleaner production promotion program in conjunction with a staff awareness program
Feasibility of options should include but is not limited to
cost-benefit analysis
employee impacts - workflow, training, redundancy, workload and upskilling
environmental impacts
energy efficiency policies
logistical impacts
OHS issues
technical capability
time constraints.
Interested parties may include but are not limited to
customers
employees - direct, purchasing, quality, safety and maintenance
legislators
machine manufacturers
related businesses
similar businesses
suppliers
technology suppliers
waste and recycling contractors.
Key waste indicators may include but are not limited to
dollar sales
employee hours
output units
percentage waste per unit of product
productive hours
square metres occupied.
Measurement of waste may include
number
proportion/percentage
source
volume
weight.
Performance of this unit is carried out in accordance with relevant requirements of the following
relevant state/territory regulations.
environmental regulations
manufacturers' specifications
Australian Standards
legislative requirements
organisational procedures
industry standards and best practice examples.
Real cost of waste may include but is not limited to
cost of transport and disposal
cost price of product/items disposed
site overhead costs of managing the waste system
infrastructure and capital costs
OHS costs associated with waste-related incidents
consumables such as bins, bin liners
staff costs.
Review of alternative options for resource improvement may include
housekeeping
purchasing practices
quality of materials supplied
product packaging
handling and storage practices
machine suitability
technology improvements
employee training and competence
correct application of work procedures
changes in product or process
customer standards
quality standards
material specification - quantity, portion control, quality
energy efficiency systems/action plans and procedures.
Site may include
plant/factory
business premises
landfill site
waste processing plant
resource recovery facility
any other site where business activities occur.
Waste streams may include
general waste stream
recycling streams
reprocessed (on-site) material stream
re-used product stream
liquid waste stream
gaseous waste stream
prescribed waste stream (i.e. legislative wastes).
cost-benefit analysis
employee impacts - workflow, training, redundancy, workload and upskilling
environmental impacts
energy efficiency policies
logistical impacts
OHS issues
technical capability
time constraints.
Interested parties may include but are not limited to
customers
employees - direct, purchasing, quality, safety and maintenance
legislators
machine manufacturers
related businesses
similar businesses
suppliers
technology suppliers
waste and recycling contractors.
Key waste indicators may include but are not limited to
dollar sales
employee hours
output units
percentage waste per unit of product
productive hours
square metres occupied.
Measurement of waste may include
number
proportion/percentage
source
volume
weight.
Performance of this unit is carried out in accordance with relevant requirements of the following
relevant state/territory regulations.
environmental regulations
manufacturers' specifications
Australian Standards
legislative requirements
organisational procedures
industry standards and best practice examples.
Real cost of waste may include but is not limited to
cost of transport and disposal
cost price of product/items disposed
site overhead costs of managing the waste system
infrastructure and capital costs
OHS costs associated with waste-related incidents
consumables such as bins, bin liners
staff costs.
Review of alternative options for resource improvement may include
housekeeping
purchasing practices
quality of materials supplied
product packaging
handling and storage practices
machine suitability
technology improvements
employee training and competence
correct application of work procedures
changes in product or process
customer standards
quality standards
material specification - quantity, portion control, quality
energy efficiency systems/action plans and procedures.
Site may include
plant/factory
business premises
landfill site
waste processing plant
resource recovery facility
any other site where business activities occur.
Waste streams may include
general waste stream
recycling streams
reprocessed (on-site) material stream
re-used product stream
liquid waste stream
gaseous waste stream
prescribed waste stream (i.e. legislative wastes).
Critical aspects of competency
Identification of waste - stream and materials.
Understanding of impacts and drivers of waste.
Understanding of material flows and organisational processes.
Ability to recognise cleaner production opportunities and to evaluate their feasibility against internal and external criteria.
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 streams.
Waste classifications.
Company procedures and practices.
Company standards and requirements.
Product safety and integrity requirements.
Occupational health and safety requirements.
Duty of care in provision of services.
Relevant industry standards and codes.
Relevant legislation.
Relevant environmental regulations.
Energy efficiency systems.
Specific skills needed to achieve the performance criteria
To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These are:
oral communication skills including questioning, listening, following instructions
mediating skills
capacity to motivate
visual quantity estimates
reading and interpreting skills
research skills
written communication skills for documentation and report writing
analytical capability
accuracy and attention to detail
computer skills
investigative abilities
hazard identification
safe and efficient work practices.
Other units of competency that could be assessed with this unit
This unit could be assessed on its own or in combination with other units relevant to the job function for example:
PRMWM01B Plan waste audit
PRMWM05B Identify and segregate waste
PRMWM59B Carry out waste assessment
PRMCMN201A Participate in workplace safety arrangements.
Resources required to assess this unit
The following resources should be available:
MSDS
client waste history
specific information related to cleaner production opportunities such as alternative actions and associated cost-benefit information.
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. The competency is to be demonstrated in a range of situations, which may include logical progression of information gathering, analysis of development and evaluation of cleaner production opportunities, together with a specific implementation program.
Evidence of competency is best obtained by reviewing developed cleaner production opportunities, together with supporting information, to ascertain the validity of the opportunity and its feasibility. Workplace examples could be developed and used to assess process and understanding of key issues.
Consistency in performance
Cleaner production programs require that strategies meet the waste reduction goals and targets of the business, and are feasible. It may be necessary to assess the unit within a variety of waste management environments or different organisational needs to assess competency in the development of cleaner production opportunities and specific implementation programs.
Oral questioning or written hypothetical situations (scenarios) may be used to assess underpinning knowledge. (In situations where the candidate is offered a preference between oral or written questioning, 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 cleaner production options with clients and employees. Discuss alternative options with other interested parties. (3)
Collecting analysing and organising information
Gather and analyse information from a number of sources (including regulatory sources, client organisation, relevant personnel and company specifications). (3)
Planning and organising activities
Prepare action plan of key priority areas after reviewing waste quantities and other relevant information/data by department/process. (3)
Working with others and in teams
Discuss the process and activities with interested parties. (2)
Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Conduct feasibility analysis of alternative processes. (3)
Solving problems
Utilise problem-solving skills when reviewing processes or practices that generate waste and in developing preferred cleaner production options. (3)
Using technology
Manage and analyse data. Demonstrate understanding of technology and its impacts on the waste stream in terms of achieving organisational goals and targets. (2)
Identification of waste - stream and materials.
Understanding of impacts and drivers of waste.
Understanding of material flows and organisational processes.
Ability to recognise cleaner production opportunities and to evaluate their feasibility against internal and external criteria.
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 streams.
Waste classifications.
Company procedures and practices.
Company standards and requirements.
Product safety and integrity requirements.
Occupational health and safety requirements.
Duty of care in provision of services.
Relevant industry standards and codes.
Relevant legislation.
Relevant environmental regulations.
Energy efficiency systems.
Specific skills needed to achieve the performance criteria
To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These are:
oral communication skills including questioning, listening, following instructions
mediating skills
capacity to motivate
visual quantity estimates
reading and interpreting skills
research skills
written communication skills for documentation and report writing
analytical capability
accuracy and attention to detail
computer skills
investigative abilities
hazard identification
safe and efficient work practices.
Other units of competency that could be assessed with this unit
This unit could be assessed on its own or in combination with other units relevant to the job function for example:
PRMWM01B Plan waste audit
PRMWM05B Identify and segregate waste
PRMWM59B Carry out waste assessment
PRMCMN201A Participate in workplace safety arrangements.
Resources required to assess this unit
The following resources should be available:
MSDS
client waste history
specific information related to cleaner production opportunities such as alternative actions and associated cost-benefit information.
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. The competency is to be demonstrated in a range of situations, which may include logical progression of information gathering, analysis of development and evaluation of cleaner production opportunities, together with a specific implementation program.
Evidence of competency is best obtained by reviewing developed cleaner production opportunities, together with supporting information, to ascertain the validity of the opportunity and its feasibility. Workplace examples could be developed and used to assess process and understanding of key issues.
Consistency in performance
Cleaner production programs require that strategies meet the waste reduction goals and targets of the business, and are feasible. It may be necessary to assess the unit within a variety of waste management environments or different organisational needs to assess competency in the development of cleaner production opportunities and specific implementation programs.
Oral questioning or written hypothetical situations (scenarios) may be used to assess underpinning knowledge. (In situations where the candidate is offered a preference between oral or written questioning, 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 cleaner production options with clients and employees. Discuss alternative options with other interested parties. (3)
Collecting analysing and organising information
Gather and analyse information from a number of sources (including regulatory sources, client organisation, relevant personnel and company specifications). (3)
Planning and organising activities
Prepare action plan of key priority areas after reviewing waste quantities and other relevant information/data by department/process. (3)
Working with others and in teams
Discuss the process and activities with interested parties. (2)
Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Conduct feasibility analysis of alternative processes. (3)
Solving problems
Utilise problem-solving skills when reviewing processes or practices that generate waste and in developing preferred cleaner production options. (3)
Using technology
Manage and analyse data. Demonstrate understanding of technology and its impacts on the waste stream in terms of achieving organisational goals and targets. (2)
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| WC218 | CPPWMT4060A | Apply lean management techniques | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| W637 | PRM40509 | Certificate IV in Asset Maintenance (Waste Management) | Qualification |
| S467 | PRM40504 | Certificate IV in Asset Maintenance (Waste Management) | Qualification |
| 4909 | 51828 | Advanced Diploma of Environmental Engineering | Accredited course |