Elements and Performance Criteria

Appropriate monitoring equipment may include
sampling equipment and testing equipment.

Checking integrity of waste containment should include
checks for contamination, drum expansion, gases, leaching, leaks, seals, spillage and unstable form.

Company includes
all forms of business enterprises in this context including local governments/councils.

Company requirements
are found in briefing documents, letters, quality assurance documents, tender/contract documents and verbal or written instructions.

Contained waste monitoring requirements may include
checks for integrity of containment, compliance with relevant legislative requirements, sampling, security of storage facility and testing.

Contamination may include
exposure to sunlight, mixing with other waste types, rot or mould, vermin infestation and waterlogging.

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.

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

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 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.

Regulated (or prescribed) waste includes
all waste declared to be so by the relevant environmental protection authority.

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.

Storage facility may include
bunded area
bunker
compactor
containers
hopper
pit
tank
warehouse.

Testing may include
visual checks on contamination, gases, humidity, leaks, litter, pressure and temperature.

Waste storage requirements may include
access to storage facility
amount of waste to be stored
emergency and personal protective equipment
environmental conditions
equipment
length of storage
method of storage
potential risks and hazards of storage
security
signage
storage equipment
waste compatibilities.

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
Correct determination of monitoring requirements.
Effective organisation and monitoring of contained waste storage.
Correct determination of monitoring equipment requirements.
Correct selection of appropriate emergency and personal protective equipment requirements.
Accurate identification of potential risks and hazards to waste monitoring.

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 long-term storage requirements.
Potential risks and hazards of waste storage.
Potential risks and hazards of waste monitoring.
Monitoring methods and tests.
Indicators of leakage and contamination.
Security requirements for waste storage facility.
Emergency response procedures.
Company requirements.
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:

following instructions, giving information and writing
reading and interpreting work requirements
use of monitoring equipment
materials handling skills
identification of waste types
hazard identification
safe and efficient work practices
use of 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:

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:

contained waste for monitoring
monitoring equipment
personal protective equipment
MSDS
OHS requirements
monitoring requirements
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 monitoring of contained waste under normal industry operating conditions. 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 monitoring of contained waste storage.
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 aspects of the monitoring of contained waste. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Gather information from a number of sources (including job requirements, manufacturers' specifications and company requirements) about monitoring contained waste. (2)

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

Working with others and in teams
Work effectively with relevant personnel throughout the process of covering waste and client contact. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Use and document correct mathematical calculations. (1)

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

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