ASSESSMENT TASK 2: Case Study

ASSESSMENT TASK 2: Case Study

Task summary

For this task you are required to answer the case study questions to demonstrate your knowledge of:

Sustainability legislation, regulations and codes of practice.

Workplace policies and review processes.

Effective monitoring of the implementation of workplace policies and processes.

Policy consultation and evaluation methods.

Resources and equipment required to complete this task

Access to textbooks and other learning materials.

Access to a computer, printer, Internet and email software (if required).

Pompoms Hotel Waste Management Policy

Access to the following websites:

https://www.environment.gov.au

http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/about-us/legislation/acts-administered-by-epa

www.epa.vic.gov.au/our-work/publications/publication/2013/december/1558

www.environment.gov.au/about-us/legislationWhen and where should the task be completed?

This task may be done in your own time as homework or you may be given time to do this task in class (where applicable).

What needs to be submitted?

Your answers to all questions formatted in a word-processed document.

Instructions

Read the case study below and answer all questions correctly.

Pompoms Hotel

You work as the manager of Pompoms Hotel, a 200-room hotel located in Melbourne.

You have been instructed to review the hotels waste management policy and investigate the current use of resources at the hotel.

Sustainable awareness in the workplace is not one of your strengths, leading you to undertake some research on relevant regulatory requirements before moving forward.

As a consultative manager, you thought it beneficial for your work group to participate in the review and arranged an information session to discuss the topic further.

During the information session, you discovered some passion amongst workers for sustainability and gathered some useful ideas enabling you to set targets and commence work on developing a plan of action.

Question 1

List one piece of legislation, one regulation and one code of practice that is relevant to environmental issues at Pompoms Hotel. Explain how this information can be used to develop a sustainability policy.

Question 2

Review Pompoms Hotel Waste management policy and identify areas where organization can improve their practices.

Question 3

In your own words explain the general procedure for seeking approval when making changes to current policies.

Question 4

List five stakeholders you could seek input from and give an example of input they may provide.

Question 5

List three methods you could use to assess compliance with sustainability practices in the organisation.

Question 6

Describe how you could measure and document current resource usage for the following at Pompoms Hotel.

Paper

Energy such as electricity

Transportation

Wastage.

A minimum of one example for each item is required.

Pompoms Hotel continued

After conducting research and consulting with relevant people you have developed a plan of action. You are now ready to implement your changes although, cautious of your actions and how they may impact on others. Having seen several systems fail due to the way they were introduced and implemented in the past you decided to evaluate this process.

As part of your implementation plan, you have decided to provide an ongoing monitoring program and evaluation process.

Question 7

Describe the approach you would take as manager to communicate the changes, including assigned responsibilities, proposed outcomes and activities to both your team and senior management.

Question 8

Describe how you would support your team during this project.

Question 9

Describe how you would monitor the new waste management procedures and how you would report the progress to management and staff.

List at least five pieces of key information you would include in your evaluation tool.

Question 10

List three strategies you could implement to evaluate the overall project.

What do I need to hand in for this task? Have I completed this?

Your answers to each question

ASSESSMENT TASK 3: Project

Task summary

The task is divided into three parts:

Part A: Develop a policy

Part B: Policy review and consultation.

Resources and equipment required to complete this task

Computer and Microsoft Office.

Access to the Internet for research.

Access to a classroom as a simulated environment.

When and where do I need to complete this task?

Part A Students can do these tasks in their own time as homework.

Part B Student need to review Environmental Policy of Sydney Opera House and participate in simulated consultation with 3 classmates who will act as employees. Students can do the written part of this task in their own time as homework or in class (where applicable)

What do I need to submit?

Part A Completed policy on sustainable practice.

Part B Three completed survey/questionnaires and a completed outcome report.

-6531455589700

Part A Develop a sustainability policySydney Opera House has tried to improve sustainability by pursuing some new initiatives including:

programming of all reverse-cycle air conditioners in the office to automatically switch off at 4.45 pm every day:

currently air-conditioners are manually switched off

it is the responsibility of the last staff member leaving each day to turn them all off this is rarely done, and most commonly all air-conditioners are left running 24 hours per day.

better sorting of recyclable paper from general rubbish

using low VOC (volatile organic compound) paint when painting sets for performances to protect the health and safety of workers.

For this task, you are required to develop a sustainability policy for Sydney Opera House.

Select one area of sustainable practice in the Sydney Opera House that could be improved. Based on that gaps identified, use template to develop a sustainability policy that could be used to address that problem.

Ensure that your policy reflects the organisations commitment to sustainability.

Define the goals/objectives of the policy and practice

Develop suitable strategies for sustainable practice including:

Minimisation of resource use,

Reduction of toxic/hazardous materials

Reduction of chemicals.

Develop the policy in consideration of effectiveness, timeframes and cost

Define responsibilities of people using the policy

Develop strategies for review, monitoring and continuous improvement

Send an email with your completed policy to Operations Manager (your assessor) to schedule review meeting.

During the meeting ensure that you are using appropriate communication techniques, including active listening and questioning skills to confirm understanding.

Make required changes to your policy based on the feedback you have received from Operations Manager (your assessor) and attach it in the email.

Submit your revised sustainability policy.

Sustainability policy

Student name Unit/Topic Policy and sustainability

Supervisor Policy date Workplace Policy contributors Legislation Source/References Policy owner Policy scope

Policy goals and objectives

Strategies to achieve goals Employees

Evaluation methods Methods of continuous review and improvement Review period:

Part B Policy review and consultationFor this task, you are required to conduct a review of one existing policy and procedure on sustainable practices in a business/operational environment (Environmental policy for Sydney Opera House provided).

Review the sustainability policy of Sydney Opera House.

Develop a short questionnaire (minimum 6 questions) to guide you to assess and evaluate the effectiveness of the policy.

Suggestions of areas to assess could include:

the benefits and challenges of each practice,

the expected outcomes of the policy and what aspects of the practice and policy could be improved.

Participate in the group discussion/feedback session.

Your assessor will assign you into groups of 4. You will then be required to distribute developed questionnaire to your 3 classmates (who will play the role of companys employees) and ask them to complete it.

Once you have gathered the information and feedback, you are required to produce a report on the outcome using the template provided in this document.

In your report you must cover following elements:

Policy scope and objectives

The benefits and challenges

Recommend strategies and practices to improve sustainable practices

Strategies for communication policy and procedures

Define steps for implementing the policy

Submit your completed questionnaire and report to your assessor.

Outcome Report Template

Student name Unit/Topic Policy and sustainability

Supervisor Date of review Workplace Policy scope and objective

What is this policy for? Who uses this policy? What sustainable practice does this relate to?

Benefits

What were the overall benefits identified?

Challenges/Barriers

What were the overall challenges or barriers identified?

Improvements

What suggestions have been made for improvements to the practice, process or policy?

Overall effectiveness

Do the results obtained indicate an effective sustainable practice and policy? Why/Why not.

Communicating new/updated policies

Describe your approach in communicating updates or changes to workplace policies and practices to staff, parents and local community.

Next steps/recommendations

Now that results and feedback have been received, explain your recommendations and next steps to improve this policy what would you do?

What do I need to hand in for this task? Have I completed this?

Part A

Sustainability Assessment report

Email to Operations Manager for review

Email with revised Sustainability report

Part B

3 Completed survey forms

Outcome report

Pompom Hotel

Waste management policy

Document Status: Final

Date Issued:1 June 20XX

Lead Author: Louise Smith

Approved by:Directors on 30 May 20XX

Date for Review:29 May 20XX

Record of Policy Review:

Date Policy was Issued Date of Review Reason for Review Lead Reviewer Additional Comments

06/16 05/17 Continuous Improvement Louise Smith Purpose and Scope

Pompoms Hotel views responsible waste management as essential to reducing its environmental footprint and to providing a safe and healthy work environment for Board members, employees, volunteers, suppliers, visitors and clients.

Definitions

Waste separation is the process of separating waste at the point of generation and keeping types of waste separate during handling, accumulation, interim storage and transportation.

Types of Waste

Chemical waste is generated from the use of chemicals in manufacturing, domestic services, and maintenance.

General waste it includes paper, plastic, glass, liquids and organics.

Hazardous waste includes manufacturing waste and related waste.

Waste management is the collection, transport, processing, recycling or disposal, and monitoring of waste materials. The term usually relates to materials produced by human activity, and it is generally undertaken to reduce the effects of waste on health, the environment or aesthetics and to recover resources through recycling.

Principles

A range of waste management strategies are undertaken by Pompoms Hotel to create a safe, secure and environmentally friendly workplace.

The prevention and minimisation of waste material being created is an important method of waste management.

Pompoms Hotel uses additional waste reduction strategies including the reuse of products, repairing broken items instead of buying new, using refillable cartridges or reusable products, using energy saving washing machines and dryers, using energy saving light bulbs and installs water saving taps and shower heads.

Outcomes

Pompoms Hotel maximises conservation of natural resources and minimises environmental harm through an effective waste management system of recycling and reusing waste products wherever possible.

Pompoms Hotel actively promotes the use of effective waste management strategies and waste is disposed of safely in a way that least harms the environment.

All staff are supported and encouraged to participate in waste management.

Functions and Delegations

Position Delegation/Task

Board of Directors Endorse Waste Management Policy.

Compliance with Waste Management Policy.

Management Compliance with Waste Management Policy.

CEO/Manager

Ensure Waste Management Policy aligns with Occupational Health and Safety Policies.

Establish and implement systems for waste management.

Ensure waste management policies and procedures are effectively implemented.

Responsible for management and implementation of all procedures related to waste management.

Staff Compliance with Waste Management Policy.

Risk Management

Risks involved with waste management are regularly assessed, identified and managed.

Employees are trained in waste management, including becoming familiar with types of waste and appropriate, safe handling and disposal methods.

Personal protective equipment is accessible available as required.

Appropriately qualified staff supervise handling of hazardous waste

Pompoms Hotel acknowledges that different materials require a different waste management approach and investigates appropriate avenues for disposal, particularly where waste may be dangerous and/or hazardous.

Policy Implementation

Responsible waste management is a shared, day-to-day responsibility. Mechanisms are in place to monitor implementation of this policy.

This policy applies to all staff, external waste contractors and guests of Pompoms Hotel. Removal of waste from the Catalyst Clothing premises includes general waste, paper and cardboard, redundant furniture and fittings, mobile phones and toner and ink printer cartridges.

Policy Detail

Pompoms Hotel is committed to maximising conservation of natural resources and minimising environmental harm from waste and the disposal of waste. Recycling and reusing waste products, and safe disposal of waste, contributes to an effective waste management system.

Reduction of Consumption

All staff reduce consumption, conserve energy, reduce fossil fuel consumption, and reduce air pollution through strategies such as:

Preventing the need to use energy

Insulating rooms to minimise energy waste

Fitting self-closing doors to reduce heat (or cold) loss from draughts

Making sure equipment is the right size for the job.

Using energy saving washers and dryers

Using energy saving light bulbs

Minimising use

Minimising expenditure on space heating.

Turning off lights and equipment when not operating.

Use of efficient equipment, lighting, heating and vehicles

Using energy efficient office equipment and power saving functions.

Using the most efficient motor vehicles.

Using fuels with the least greenhouse impact

Using a clean fuel such as LPG or methanol.

Supporting green purchasing

Purchasing items with reusable, recyclable, or no packaging

Requiring suppliers to quote the energy consumption and costs of new equipment

Waste Minimisation

All staff minimise waste through strategies such as:

Reducing waste

Quantifying the waste produced.

Examining each work process steps to determine where wastes are produced and to devise measures for waste prevention or reduction.

Devising ways of reducing waste with employees so they too can share in the savings (for example rewards for employees who reduce waste).

Partnering with a waste management contractor to assist with waste minimisation.

Keeping a running tally of waste production to track changes and improvement.

Reusing

Reusing drums, cartridges and containers where possible.

Increasing recycling

Segregating wastes wherever possible to aid recycling and provide an indication of why waste is forming.

Investigating alternative uses for organic waste that cannot be reduced or reused, eg composts, or convert the waste to energy.

Diverting recyclable wastes from the general waste, identifying recyclers or waste disposal contractors and organising regular collections.

Joining with neighbouring businesses and organisations to get common wastes recycled cost effectively, and discussing waste contractors cost off-sets by efficient serving of the area.

Waste Disposal

Pompoms Hotel employees dispose of waste in accordance with the Waste Management Procedure.

General waste handled with appropriate care.

Handling of hazardous waste is supervised / undertaken by qualified personnel using appropriate personal protective equipment.

References + Resources

Internal

Occupational Health and Safety Policy

Infection Control Policy

Waste Management Procedure

External legislation

(include relevant legislation for client)

Resources

Resource NSW 2002, Waste Reduction in Office Buildings: A Guide for Building Managers, Resource NSW, Sydney.

NSW Health, Waste Management Guidelines for Health Facilities, NSW Health, Sydney.

Australian Government Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, 2010, National Waste Policy: Less Waste More Resources Implementation Plan. Commonwealth of Australia.

Quality and Accreditation Standards

Standard 3.2: The organisation maintains a safe environment for employees, consumers/patients and visitors.

Standard 1.4: The organisations physical resources are managed to ensure an effective, safe and efficient service.

Example sourced by: www.nada.org.au