Unit introduction
Some people think of 'The environment' as the whole of nature – in other words, the entire planet. Other people think of it as just their immediate surroundings. The fact is, it's both.
The environment is everywhere, which is why things that happen in one place can have such a significant effect somewhere else.
So if you think about the 'big picture' every time you do something at work that might have a knock-on effect on the surrounding atmosphere or the waterways, it will be a good reminder to 'Think globally, act locally' in all your activities.
In years past, most people didn't think too much about the effect their actions might have on the long term health of the natural world around them. How much difference could one person make anyway, even if it did seem that certain work practices weren't very good for the environment?
Those days have long since gone. All workplaces now have strict controls they need to abide by when they handle products or do things that could have a damaging effect on the environment. And these controls are policed by various government bodies, including the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and local councils, to make sure that companies and individuals are not committing any offences when they carry out their work.
But looking after the environment isn't just about complying with the law. It also makes good economic sense for the company to reduce the amount of waste it produces, or energy it consumes, or water it uses. And at a personal level, everyone prefers to breathe clean air, and walk alongside the local creek or river without having to look at rubbish or pollution being washed up on the bank.
In this unit, we'll highlight some of the work activities that can have a serious impact on the environment, and suggest ways of improving how they're carried out. We'll also cover your obligations as an employee, and your employer's obligations, to follow codes of practice and laws that are designed to protect the environment.
Working through this unit
There are three sections in the unit Caring for the environment:
- Laws and regulations.
- Waste and hazardous substances.
- Air, power and water.
Each section begins with Your job, which introduces you to the topics covered and gives you a link to the Task you will need to undertake to demonstrate your understanding. Your trainer may ask you to submit the completed Tasks as part of your assessment evidence for the unit.
Select the link below to go to the first section for this unit.