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
state/territory government legislation and regulations and local government by-laws, policies, and plans dealing with:
land use, acquisition, planning and protection
environmental protection
occupational health and safety (OHS)
Australian and international standards, such as:
AS 1055.1:1997 Acoustics - Description and measurement of environmental noise - General procedures
AS 1055.2:1997 Acoustics - Description and measurement of environmental noise - Application to specific situations
AS 1055.3:1997 Acoustics - Description and measurement of environmental noise - Acquisition of data pertinent to land use
AS IEC 61672.1:2004 Electroacoustics - Sound level meters - Specifications
AS IEC 61672.2:2004 Electroacoustics - Sound level meters - Pattern evaluation tests
AS IEC 60942:2004 Electroacoustics - Sound calibrators
Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) or government departmental guidelines and manuals, such as:
Noise Measurement Manual (QLD EPA)
A Guide to Measurement and Analysis of Noise (VIC EPA)
Noise Guide for Local Government (NSW)
equipment manuals and warranties, supplier catalogue and handbooks
government policy (e.g. sustainable development and impact assessment)
OHS national standards and codes of practice
site-specific requirements
specific environmental standards
Principles of noise measurement
Principles of noise measurement may include:
noise terminology:
sound and noise
frequency, pitch and wavelength
sound power and acoustic energy
sound pressure and sound pressure level
sound intensity
noise measurement units (dBA and others)
frequency weighting curves
adding and subtracting sound levels
physiology of hearing
perception of noise
sources of noise
typical noise levels
types of noise:
continuous
intermittent
impulsive
point sources and line sources
Purpose of noise measurement
Purpose of noise measurement may include:
assessing compliance with a statutory condition, such as a licence
investigation of a noise complaint
environmental impact assessment studies
long-term monitoring programs
occupational hygiene
noise surveys
Noise measurements and surveys
Noise measurements and surveys may include:
difference between sound power and sound pressure
frequency analysis and weighting networks (including at least A and Lin)
calculation of combined sound levels using graphical and mathematical equation techniques
methods for measuring noise exposure, including equivalent continuous sound level (Leq)
components of a sound level meter
response rates for sound meters, including at least fast, slow, impulse and peak
hold circuits
integrating sound level meters
calibration of sound level meters, including both electrical and acoustic
common errors in sound level measurement, including mishandling of equipment, wind, humidity, temperature, reflected and absorbed sound, and background noise
background noise calculations
techniques for conducting noise level measurement
statistical analysis, including LAeq, LA10, LA50 and LA90
time weighted exposure measurement (LAeqT)
characterisation of noise by octave band analysis
background noise level (LA90)
day and night sound levels (LDN)
noise dosimeters
techniques for measuring different noise types, including steady noise, discretely varying noise and impulsive noise
calculation of individual noise exposure
noise mapping
noise rating curves
sound attenuation with distance and mathematical calculation of quantities linked to it
general guidelines for making sound measurements
effects of meteorological conditions on noise
effects of topography and built structures on noise
Noise monitoring instruments and ancillary equipment
Noise monitoring instruments and ancillary equipment may include:
type 1 and type 2 portable sound level meters
integrating and non-integrating sound level meters
noise dose meters
sound level calibrators
octave analysers
statistical analysers, data loggers and recorders
telemetry equipment
sound monitoring stations
microphones
wind shields
Additional resources and equipment
Additional resources and equipment may include:
meteorological instruments:
thermometers
hygrometers
barometers
anemometers
digital cameras
global positioning system (GPS) equipment
maps and aerial photographs
noise measurement and survey forms
personal protective equipment
Meteorological measurements
Meteorological measurements may include:
temperature
relative humidity
barometric pressure
wind speed and direction
Enterprise procedures for field activities
Enterprise procedures for field activities may include:
field notebooks or log books
standard operating procedures covering fieldwork, sampling and testing
equipment operating manuals, calibration procedures, instrument fault-finding procedures and general maintenance and repair procedures
emergency, first aid and survival procedures
requirements related to protection of the environment
incident/accident/injury report forms
Hazards
Hazards may include:
solar radiation, dust and noise
accidents, emergencies and incidents, such as snake, insect or animal bites
exposure to severe weather conditions
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 field work 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:
demonstrating an understanding of the legislative and regulatory framework relevant to noise monitoring
using noise measurement terminology accurately
planning and conducting a noise survey to produce valid data
operating, maintaining and calibrating noise measurement instrumentation to obtain reliable results
performing field tests in accordance with written instructions/enterprise procedures and obtaining reliable data
manipulating raw data to obtain corrected and adjusted data in the required format
applying basic principles of sound and noise science to evaluate noise data
providing accurate, complete records of noise measurements, field observations, data and results
working safely.
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:
MSS024007A Collect and evaluate meteorological data
MSL974007A Undertake environmental field-based monitoring.
The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team.
Resources may include:
noise measuring equipment, data loggers and telemetry equipment, vehicles, survey equipment, cameras, consumables and manuals
work program, enterprise procedures, codes of practice, maps and field protocols.
Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are suggested:
review of noise measurements, results and calculations provided by the candidate
feedback from peers and supervisors that the candidate consistently follows enterprise procedures and works safely
oral and written questioning to check the candidate’s understanding of the principles of noise measurement, operation of noise instruments and processing of data
observation of the candidate performing a range of noise measurement tasks
review of workplace documentation completed by the candidate.
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