Elements and Performance Criteria

Codes of practice
Where reference is made to industry codes of practice, and/or Australian/international standards, it is expected the latest version will be used
Legislation, standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements
Legislation, standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements may include:
federal legislation, such as:
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
Australian Heritage Council Act 2003
Native Title Act 1993
state/territory government legislation and regulations and local government by-laws, policies, and plans dealing with:
land use, acquisition, planning and protection
environmental protection
cultural/heritage protection
vegetation management
nature conservation and wildlife/plant protection
water and water management
soil conservation
pollution and contaminated sites
fisheries, forestry and mining operations
Australian and international standards, such as:
AS/NZS ISO 14000 Set:2005 Environmental management standards set
AS/NZS ISO 19011:2003 Guidelines for quality and/or environmental management systems auditing
EMS, site plan and information about applicable legislative requirements and approval requirements
information about site processes and work schedules
information about emergency preparedness and response
monitoring procedures and management actions to prevent/control environmental impacts or risks
sampling and in-situ measurement procedures (e.g. water, air, noise and soils)
job hazard analyses
safe work procedures and work method statements
Scope of review/audit activities
Scope of review/audit activities may include:
components of an initial environmental review (IER) prior to establishing an EMS
periodic inspection against environmental management plan requirements for:
monitoring and measurement
materials and energy usage
materials storage and handling, and spills
wastewater management
air emissions management
noise management
chemical waste management
solid waste management
scheduled review/internal audit of site, section, function or work area
scheduled review/ internal audit of components of an enterprise EMS, such as:
non-conformity, corrective/preventative actions
competence, training and awareness programs
control of records
supplier or contractor performance
emergency preparedness and response
adequacy of environmental management for new or changed operations, processes and work activities
investigation of a complaint, environmental incident or suggested improvements
Information
Information may include:
enterprise environmental management policies, procedures, plans and actions
enterprise work instructions
background information, such as:
previous internal review/audit reports
previous external audit reports
records of complaints, incidents, non-conformance/non-compliance and the corrective and/or preventative actions taken
site documentation, such as:
minutes of meetings
log books, records of environmental monitoring and test results, and regular performance reports
records of equipment use, calibration and maintenance
records of training
instructions for contractors and suppliers
external reports (e.g. external experts and regulator)
records of observations, inspections and interviews
Review/audit results
Review/audit results may include:
observations
findings
examples of best practice
non-conformances/non-compliances with options for corrective and preventative actions, and improvements
Occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental management requirements
OHS and environmental management requirements:
all operations must comply with enterprise OHS and environmental management requirements, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation - these requirements must not be compromised at any time
all operations assume the potentially hazardous nature of samples and require standard precautions to be applied
where relevant, users should access and apply current industry understanding of infection control issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and State and Territory Departments of Health

Overview of assessment
Competency must be demonstrated in the ability to perform consistently at the required standard.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently apply the skills covered in this unit of competency in new and different situations and contexts. Critical aspects of assessment and evidence include:
following relevant standards and/or enterprise procedures for review/audit activities
consulting effectively with interested parties and keeping them informed about the review/audit process
obtaining sufficient information to draw valid conclusions about environmental performance and providing sound recommendations
providing clear, timely reports that enable effective action to be taken.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated workplace environment.
Assessment should emphasise a workplace context and procedures found in the candidate’s workplace.
This unit of competency may be assessed with:
MSS027001A Coordinate environmental management activities.
The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team.
Resources may include:
background information for site
current site documentation
relevant legislation, codes, standards, enterprise environmental management policies, plans and procedures
enterprise review/audit procedures and tools
access to site personnel
access to a computer, internet, enterprise reports, published case studies and research.
Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are suggested:
review of results of review/audit activities and the supporting documentation prepared by the candidate
feedback from site personnel, lead auditor or manager that the candidate follows relevant audit standards and procedures
oral/written tests involving environmental management terms, principles and quantities, and enterprise procedures for review/audit activities
analysis of case studies involving environmental performance issues/problems within scope of responsibility
observation of the candidate interacting with site personnel during review/audit activities.
In all cases, practical assessment should be supported by questions to assess underpinning knowledge and those aspects of competency which are difficult to assess directly.
Where applicable, reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity, age, gender, demographics and disability.
The language, literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required to undertake the unit of competency in a work-like environment.
Guidance information for assessment