Course Title: Conduct environmental audits

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2017

Course Code: OHTH5941C

Course Title: Conduct environmental audits

School: 650T Vocational Business Education

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5369 - Diploma of Logistics

Course Contact: Suzanne Maugeri

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 1466

Course Contact Email: suzanne.maugeri@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nominal Hours: 80

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

none

Course Description

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to conduct an environmental audit in accordance with relevant environmental protection regulatory requirements, standards, codes of practice and workplace procedures.

It includes preparing and conducting an environmental audit, scheduling an internal audit, documenting the findings and reporting on the results.

Work is carried out under general guidance on progress and outcomes. It requires discretion and judgement for self and others in planning and using resources, services and processes to achieve required outcomes.

The unit applies to those with responsibility for resource coordination and allocation, who lead individuals or teams.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

TLIU5006 Conduct environmental audits

Element:

1 Prepare for environmental audit

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Relevant legislation, authority and enterprise requirements pertinent to workplace operations are identified and followed 1.2 Practices and facilities required to be audited are identified and implications of non-conformance are established 1.3 Technical and/or calibration requirements for audits are noted and appropriate support personnel are identified as required 1.4 Work schedules are investigated to identify appropriate schedule for audit

Element:

2 Schedule environmental internal audit

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Audit timings are planned to ensure relevant procedures are conducted within workplace agreed time intervals and timeframes 2.2 Audit frequency is adjusted to ensure minimal disruption to the workplace 2.3 Contact is made with appropriate personnel and audit appointments are made

Element:

3 Conduct environmental audit and document findings

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Operational procedures and assessment methods for the environmental audit are confirmed with personnel concerned 3.2 Observations and interviews are conducted with approved third party as required 3.3 Documentation of observations and interview responses is completed

Element:

4 Report environmental audit results

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Outcomes of the audit process are compared to workplace procedures 4.2 Audit results are discussed with relevant personnel 4.3 Reports of non-compliance are documented and options for system improvements are recommended 4.4 Reports are forwarded to appropriate personnel for action


Learning Outcomes


This course is structured to provide students with the optimum learning experience in order to demonstrate the skills and knowledge required to conduct an environmental audit in accordance with relevant environmental protection regulatory requirements, standards, codes of practice and workplace procedures.


Details of Learning Activities

 This unit will be taught in conjunction with 'Develop workplace policy and procedures for environmental sustainability'. 

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to conduct an environmental audit in accordance with relevant environmental protection regulatory requirements, standards, codes of practice and workplace procedures.

It includes preparing and conducting an environmental audit, scheduling an internal audit, documenting the findings and reporting on the results.

Work is carried out under general guidance on progress and outcomes. It requires discretion and judgement for self and others in planning and using resources, services and processes to achieve required outcomes.

The unit applies to those with responsibility for resource coordination and allocation, who lead individuals or teams.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

 


Teaching Schedule

Week Number

Date

Topic

Assessment Week

1

Feb 6  2017

Course / Unit Introduction

 

2

Feb 13

Introduction to Environmental Auditing and Sustainability

 

3

Feb 20

Introduction to Environmental Management Standards

 

4

Feb 27

Conducting Environmental Audits in the workplace

 

5

Mar 6

Sustainability in the workplace – An Introduction to general principles

Assessment 1 due

6

Mar 13

Develop and Implement a Sustainability Policy

 

7

Mar 20

Develop and Implement a Sustainability Policy in relation to the T&L Industry

 

8

Mar 27

Sustainability Review and preparation for Assessment

 

9

April 3

Sustainability policy Implementation Processes

 

10a

April 10

Sustainability policy Implementation Processes

Assessment 2 due

 

 

Semester break 13 – 19th April inclusive

 

10b

Apr 16

 

 

11

April 24

Holiday Monday/Tues

Sustainability – Policy methods and Implementation across Industry

 

12

May 1

Policy Communication Methodology

 

13

May 8

Sustainability – Policy and Communication Methodology

 

14

May 15

Sustainability Review – Preparation for final Assessment

 

15

May 22

Sustainability Review – Preparation for final Assessment

Assessment 3 Due

16

May 29

Course Close and Review

 

 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

Assessment methods have been designed to measure achievement of the requirements in a flexible manner over a range of assessment tasks, for example:

  • direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence and third party workplace reports of on-the-job performance by the candidate
  • review of final printed documents
  • demonstration of techniques
  • observation of presentations
  • oral or written questioning to assess knowledge of software applications

You are advised that you are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate your assessment work to your teacher to ensure that the relevant competency standards are being met.

Performance  Evidence

You will be required to provide evidence of the following skills:

  • applying precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist during work activities
  • applying relevant legislation and workplace procedures
  • communicating effectively with others when conducting an environmental audit
  • completing documentation related to conducting an environmental audit
  • interpreting and following operational instructions and prioritising work
  • modifying activities to cater for variations in workplace contexts and environment
  • monitoring work activities in terms of planned schedule
  • operating electronic communications equipment to required protocol
  • planning and organising environmental audit activities
  • providing leadership and working collaboratively with others when conducting an environmental audit
  • reading and interpreting instructions, technical data, regulatory requirements and workplace policies and procedures relevant to conducting an environmental audit
  • reporting and/or rectifying identified problems promptly, in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures
  • selecting and applying appropriate technology, information systems and procedures
  • working systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self or others, or damage to goods or equipment. 

Knowledge Evidence

You are required to provide evidence of the following:

  • application of relevant Australian standards and associated certification requirements
  • audit procedures and compliance implementation strategies
  • environmental risk management and control procedures
  • environmental safety regulatory and guidance material
  • equipment applications, capacities, configurations, safety hazards and control
  • hazards that may exist when conducting an environmental audit and ways of controlling the risks involved
  • operation of workplace in relation to potential environmental risks and control/prevention measures
  • problems that may occur when conducting an environmental audit and action to be taken to report or resolve these problems
  • relevant work health and safety(WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental protection procedures and regulations, including the Australian Dangerous Goods (ADG) Code where applicable
  • relevant workplace documentation procedures
  • resource availability including the competencies of individuals in the team/group
  • workplace business policies and plans including procedures for identifying non-compliance and best practice
  • workplace processes for conducting an environmental audit.

Feedback

Feedback will be provided throughout the semester in class and/or online discussions. You are encouraged to ask and answer questions during class time and online sessions so that you can obtain feedback on your understanding of the concepts and issues being discussed. Finally, you can email or arrange an appointment with your teacher to gain more feedback on your progress.

You should take note of all feedback received and use this information to improve your learning outcomes and final performance in the course.


Assessment Tasks

Assessment

This course is co-delivered and co-assesed with EMPL7097C Develop Sustainable Workplace Procedures

 

Assessment Task 1 – Compliance Case Study 

Date handed out:  Week 1

Date and time due:  Week 5 in class.

Group or Individual: Individual             

Purpose:

A key requirement for this unit is the ability to develop and plan information to the work team about auditing procedures. In many cases you will do this by actively participating in an auditing team or working on your own to conduct an environmental audit. This assessment is designed to assess your ability to do this.

Requirements:

This assessment document covers both environmental auditing and Sustainability procedures and requires the student to write short answer replies to the question. There is no specific word limit for this assessment.

Details of Assessment:

This assessment contains 18 questions and requires short answer responses

Answers should be kept brief and the use of bullet point answers are permitted. Do not use one word answers as answers need to be put in context. This assessment will be done in class and the materials required for the assessment will be covered in class on a weekly basis, leading up to the assessment.

Completed assessments are to be submitted via blackboard turn it in. Students not in class for the assessment will have to 5.00pm the day of the class to submit to turnitin. Otherwise your assessment will be classed as late.

 

Assessment Task 2 – Verbal presentation 

Date handed out:  Week 1

Date and time due:  Week 10 in class.

Group or Individual: Individual 

Purpose:

A key requirement for this unit is the ability a presentation and present information to your colleagues. This is a simulated exercise to give you a work skill. It is a requirement of industry that managers have the ability to communicate effectively with others and this requires being able to present information to a group or team of people.

This assessment is designed to assess your ability to do this.

Requirements:

Students are to prepare a presentation on their preparedness for the major assessment (assessment task3). Students are to provide information on their progress towards meeting the time frame in week 15, the research they have undertaken to date, the documents they have reviewed. This assessment can include power point or other multi – media process but no more than 5 slides are to be used.

Details of Assessment:

Assessment details include:

  • Time length of presentation: 5-7 minutes
  • Power point slides: maximum of 5 slides
  • Presentations will be marked and feedback will be supplied to the student.
  • Presentation is to be professional and formal
  • The cover sheet and an abbreviated outline of your presentation must be lodged via turnitin. We do not require your power point presentation oryour notes in turn it in. Only the coversheet and presentation outline.
  • You do need to submit to the teacher, a hard copy of your coversheet with your name, student number and a brief outline (half page) in one word document.

 

Assessment Task 3 – Portfolio of Works Written report

Date handed out:  Week 1

Date and time due:  Week 15: Friday 5.00pm

Group or Individual: Individual     

Purpose:

A key requirement for this unit is the ability to collate information and prepare a written report. This report needs to address Auditing and Sustainability issues and a pro-former will be provided to you. It is a required work skill to be able to write and submit a report to management level staff, and this activity gives you the skills to be able to perform this task.

Requirements:

This report needs to report on sustainability and environmental auditing issues in the Logistics Industry. A Case study reference will be provided as a reference for the student.

The word count of the assessment is 5000 words. The student is not expected to write all 5000 words. This word count can be made up of materials and research conducted throughout the class and can be pasted into the document. It can also contain relevant information from other classes conducted during the semester. Assessment criteria will be addressed in class and materials from class can be included in the final assessment.

Details of Assessment:

This report needs to address the specific headings supplied in the pro-former. The information for this can come from materials gathered and research conducted in this class and other relevant materials from other classes.

A case study document will be supplied as a reference for the student and the assessment criteria will be covered in class. No more than 40 % of information can be included from other sources. i.e. no more than 40% of the content can be cut and pasted from other sources and ALL material needs to be referenced in accordance with RMIT policy.

 


Assessment Matrix

Submission Requirements
You should:
• Ensure that you submit assessments on or before the due date.
• Always retain a copy of your assessment tasks. (Hard copy and soft copy)
• When you submit work for assessment at RMIT University you need to use a cover sheet that includes a declaration and statement of authorship. You must complete, sign and submit a cover sheet with all work you submit for assessment, whether individual or group work. On the cover sheet you declare that the work you are presenting for assessment is your own work. An assignment cover sheet for submission of each assessment task is available on blackboard.
• Each page of your assessment should include footer with your name, student number, the title of the assessment, unit code and title and page numbers. For example, Julie Macpherson, 324567, Task 2,

Late Submission Procedures
You are required to submit assessment items and/or ensure performance based assessment is completed by the due dates.
If you are prevented from submitting an assessment item on time, by circumstances outside your control, you may apply in advance to your teacher for an extension to the due date of up to seven calendar days.

More Information: http://www.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment/extension
Form to use: http://mams.rmit.edu.au/seca86tti4g4z.pdf

Where an extension of greater than seven days is needed, you must apply for special consideration.
Applications for special consideration must be submitted no later than two working days after the assessment task deadline or scheduled examination.
More Information: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=g43abm17hc9w
Form to use: http://mams.rmit.edu.au/8a5dgcaqvaes1.pdf

Resubmissions (VET Programs):
If you are found to be unsuccessful in a Course Assessment Task you will be allowed one resubmission only. Your teacher will provide feedback regarding what you need to do to improve and will set a new deadline for the resubmission. The highest grade you will receive if your resubmission is successful is
“CAG”.
If you are still not meeting the assessment requirements you must apply to your Program Manager in writing outlining the steps you will take to demonstrate competence in your course. Your submission will be considered by the Program Team and you will be advised of the outcome as soon as possible.

Adjustments to Assessment
In certain circumstances students may be eligible for an assessment adjustment. For more information about the circumstances under which the assessment arrangements might be granted please access the following website:
More Information: http://rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=7usdbki1fjf31

Marking Guide (Competency):
You must demonstrate that you have all the required skills/knowledge/elements in the unit of competency you are studying.
You will receive feedback on each assessment task that will inform you about your progress and how well you are performing.

Marking Guide (Grading)
After achieving competency we then grade your performance in the unit and you will achieve one of the following grades:

Final Grades table:
CHD Competent with High Distinction
CDI Competent with Distinction
CC Competent with Credit
CAG Competency Achieved – Graded
NYC Not Yet Competent
DNS Did Not Submit for assessment
Further information regarding the application of the grading criteria will be provided by your teacher.

Other Information

Academic Integrity
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is a form of cheating in assessment and may occur in oral, written or visual presentations. It is the presentation of the work, idea or creation of another person, without appropriate referencing, as though it is your own.
The penalties for cheating in assessment are severe, whether the cheating involves plagiarism, fabrication, falsification of data, copyright infringement or some other method. Penalties can include charges of academic misconduct, cancellation of results and exclusion from your course. It is also a disciplinary offence for you to allow your work to be plagiarised by another student.

Referencing
RMIT Business produce their own referencing guidelines entitled Written reports and essays: guidelines for referencing and presentation in RMIT Business which all Business students should use.
RMIT Business referencing guidelines (RTF, 1,286 KB, 52 pages); A supporting Referencing website has been developed for the RMIT Business guidelines.You can find out more about Academic Integrity at RMIT’s Academic Integrity webpage

Group Assessment
A number of your assessments will rely upon group work. This is a critical part of your program as in the workplace you will be regularly required to work in a team environment. Teamwork is also one of the key employability skills for this qualification.

The key to being successful in group work is getting to know your classmates and finding out what they want to achieve. You should seek to find a team which shares your key interests and drivers.

If you are facing issues with your group, the key is to resolve them quickly well before assessments are due. If you need to you can seek support from your teacher

Course Overview: Access Course Overview