Elements and Performance Criteria

RANGE STATEMENT
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
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
Standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements
Standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements may include:
Australian and international standards such as:
AS 1678 Emergency procedure guide - Transport
AS 1940-2004 Storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids
AS 3780-2008 The storage and handling of corrosive substances
AS 4332-2004 The storage and handling of gases in cylinders
AS ISO 17025-2005 General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories
AS/NZS 2243 Set:2006 Safety in laboratories set
AS/NZS 2865 Set:2005 Safe working in a confined space set
AS/NZS 4452:1997 The storage and handling of toxic substances
AS/NZS 4501 Set:2008 Occupational clothing set
AS/NZS ISO 14000 Set:2005 Environmental management standards set
HB 9-1994 Occupational personal protection
animal welfare legislation and codes of practice
Australian code of good manufacturing practice for medicinal products (GMP)
Australian Dangerous Goods Code
Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) Export Control (Orders) Regulations 1982
Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) Import Guidelines
Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) Codes of Practice
data quality procedures
enterprise sampling and monitoring protocols
equipment manuals and warranties, supplier catalogue and handbooks
gene technology regulations
government policy (e.g. sustainable development and impact assessment)
Guide to physical containment levels and facility types
material safety data sheets (MSDS)
national environment protection measures
National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Guidelines
national measurement regulations and guidelines
occupational health and safety national standards and codes of practice
principles of good laboratory practice (GLP)
site specific requirements
specific environmental standards
Therapeutic Goods Regulations 1009
Communications
Communications may include:
face-to-face
telephone
written documents
meetings
Purpose of field monitoring activities
Purpose of field monitoring activities may include:
single or multiple site sampling and monitoring
routine monitoring of physical/chemical parameters
biological/ecological surveys
requirement to comply with legislation, regulations or standards
requirement to comply with industry sampling or monitoring protocols or codes of practice
Related plans and procedures
Related plans and procedures may include:
risk assessments
safety and accident/injury plans
emergency plans and procedures, access to nearest medical services
environmental impact assessment procedures
pollution prevention procedures
first aid and survival procedures
Hazards
Hazards may include:
solar radiation, dust and noise
personnel getting lost
accidents, emergencies and incidents, such as snake, insect or animal bites
exposure to severe weather conditions
manual handling of heavy objects
power tools, generators, moving machinery
vehicle and boat handling in rough/remote conditions
Safety procedures and control measures
Safety procedures and control measures may include:
use of personal protective equipment, such as sunscreen, hats, safety glasses, gloves, coveralls and safety boots
'stay with vehicle' and other survival techniques
regular communication schedule
global positioning system (GPS), maps and aerial photos
handling, storage and disposal of all hazardous materials/waste in accordance with MSDS, labels, enterprise procedures, codes and regulations
Enterprise procedures for field activities
Enterprise procedures for field activities may include:
field note books or log books
standard operating procedures (SOPs) 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
field camp procedures for cleaning, cooking, safety, security, hygiene, work management and set up/take down
requirements related to protection of the environment
incident/accident/injury report forms
Administrative requirements and appropriate approvals
Administrative requirements and appropriate approvals may include:
travel requisitions
authority for use of vehicles and equipment
insurance
permits
Equipment
Equipment may include:
navigation and communication equipment (e.g. compass, maps, GPS, two-way radio and mobile phone)
survey equipment
sampling equipment and containers, and animal cages
parameter specific meter or multi-probes (e.g. dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, pH, turbidity, nitrates, phosphates and temperature)
field test kits to determine such parameters as dissolved gases, chemical anions and cations, heavy metals, E. coli and biological oxygen demand
portable colourimeters, field microscopes
filters, sieves
soil monitoring kits
data loggers
tools, spares and vehicle recovery equipment
first aid equipment
Pre- and post-field activities
Pre- and post-field activities may include:
review of emergency and safety plans, risk assessment and environmental assessment requirements
confirming information regarding location and contact numbers of nearest emergency services
arranging site access (e.g. maps, permission, keys and condition of tracks)
arranging and checking all transportation systems (e.g. vehicles, boats and aircraft)
checking that communication systems are available and operational
confirming correct and safe use of instruments, equipment and field procedures with supervisor
confirming location and details of sampling sites (e.g. maps, photographs and descriptions)
preparing sample containers (e.g. container type and preparation, preservation techniques and labelling)
arranging correct transport, storage and laboratory testing of samples collected during field activities
arranging additional laboratory testing
Field monitoring activities and skills
Field monitoring activities and skills may include:
sample collection, preservation, labelling, storage, and transportation according to written procedures
correct use and calibration of field instruments according to written instructions
correct and accurate performance of field tests for specific parameters
clear and accurate recording of data
safe operation of motor vehicles and boats
Management of field camp activities
Management of field camp activities may include:
purchase of supplies
booking of accommodation
assembly, checking and transport of equipment/consumables, such as tents, cooking, bedding, communication system, food, water
mechanical checks of all transport vehicles
rostering and supervision of staff
location, establishment, and maintenance of site, including hygiene and waste
removal of waste and site remediation
Site and field issues and problems
Site and field issues and problems may include:
loss or failure of equipment
failure to bring critical equipment
communication failure/difficulties
unexpected restriction access to site
unforseen environmental impacts
contact with hazardous wastes
Occupational health and safety (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 samples 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

EVIDENCE GUIDE
The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessors should ensure that candidates can:
demonstrate understanding of the purpose and objectives of a field activity, including:
information and analysis required
end users of information
significance of outcomes for broader programs
communicate effectively and efficiently with staff and other relevant parties
review a written work program and define the major field activities
review emergency, safety or environmental field plans and document the key aspects which relate to a defined field activity
develop accurate and complete checklists covering instruments, equipment and associated supplies necessary for a defined field activity
apply sampling, testing and data quality procedures accurately under field conditions
prepare, check and calibrate field instruments
demonstrate correct and safe use, under laboratory and field conditions, of field instruments and/or equipment (including field calibration)
define and correctly prepare sample containers for different field samples
take samples, under field conditions, according to defined procedures
maintain, store and transport samples/specimens to ensure their wellbeing, viability and integrity
pack and transport supplies, equipment and instruments to and/or from a field site
accurately perform field tests according to written instructions
record data and information, conduct quality checks and field analysis
work safely for the protection of self and others
negotiate with staff and stakeholders and reach satisfactory agreements, where possible
respond effectively to changed or unforseen circumstances.

Context of and specific resources for assessment
This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or simulated workplace environment.
This unit of competency may be assessed with:
MSL945001A Maintain laboratory/field workplace safety
MSL954001A Obtain representative samples in accordance with sampling plan.
Resources may include:
vehicles, survey equipment, sampling/monitoring equipment, consumables and manuals
work program, enterprise procedures, codes of practice and field protocols.

Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are suggested:
review of field data and results obtained by the candidate
feedback from supervisors and peers
demonstration of understanding of existing work program requirements by:
developing a checklist of the resources required to carry out a defined work program
developing a list of all pre-and post-monitoring requirements
observation of fieldwork performed by candidate with a focus on:
sample collection, preservation, storage and transportation
field sampling and monitoring procedures
accurate data recording
safety, emergency and environmental aspects of monitoring activity
communication techniques
general site reconnaissance
response to simulation exercises with a focus on:
accident and emergency situations
basic environmental impact assessment of a field site
loss of communication system and implementation of alternative procedures
demonstration of calibration, use and general maintenance of field instruments and equipment
oral and/or written questions to assess underpinning knowledge.
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.
Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required.
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.

This competency in practice
Industry representatives have provided the case studies below to illustrate the practical application of this unit of competency and to show its relevance in a workplace setting.
Environmental (1)
A technical officer in an environmental protection authority is required to undertake an emergency monitoring program in a small catchment following a public complaint that a small industrial site has illegally discharged a concentrated sodium chloride/acid mixture into a nearby creek system. The monitoring program requires three samples to be taken above and three samples below the industrial site over a distance of two kilometres. Additional tests covering electrical conductivity, pH, temperature and turbidity are to be done in situ at the same time as when the samples are taken. All samples and monitoring procedures are to be clearly documented and undertaken according to statutory and enterprise requirements, as the results may potentially be required to be presented and cross-examined in court. All of the above planning, implementation and reporting must be completed within 24 hours.
Environmental (2)
A technical officer is involved in a four day lake survey 100 km from the laboratory. The survey is designed to collect many water samples and undertake netting activity to determine the variety and food requirements of fish in the lake. The technical officer is responsible for collecting the water samples, in accordance with the predetermined sampling plan and enterprise sampling procedures, and disposing of the fish samples after they have undergone field-based gut analysis. Given the large number of water samples and the duration of the field trip, the technical officer arranges for the hire of several 3-way camping refrigerators (gas/12V/240V) to store and transport the water samples at 4°C and for appropriate supervised burial of the fish samples at a local council landfill. In addition, he/she prepares, checks and packs all the supplies and equipment.
Environmental (3)
In preparation for a major field trip to collect soil samples in a remote location, a technical officer spent several weeks ensuring that all arrangements were in place. The officer confirmed access to the site and located suitable maps, aerial photos and reconnaissance data. The logistics of food, water, hygiene, fuel, transport, communications and safety were planned with senior staff to suit the fieldwork location, duration and personnel involved. The vehicles were serviced in preparation for remote off-road work and a full complement of spares was assembled. All supplies and field equipment were purchased or assembled, checked against an inventory and securely stowed in the vehicles.