Elements and Performance Criteria

The range of variables relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that will affect performance.
Where reference is made to industry Codes of Practice, and/or Australian/international standards, it is expected the latest version will be used.
All operations must comply with relevant standards, appropriate procedures and/or enterprise requirements.

Policy, legislation, regulations, standards, may include
government policy (for example, sustainable development, impact assessment)
environmental protection legislation (for example, air, water, noise, waste)
specific environmental standards
Australian Standards, National Environmental Protection Measures (NEPM).

Codes of practice, field protocols and field procedures may include
industry Codes of Practice
enterprise sampling and monitoring protocols
permits for wildlife capture and handling
animal welfare codes and ethics committee approval
site specific requirements
data quality procedures.
Communication may include face-to-face, telephone, written documents, meetings.

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 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 may include
solar radiation, dust, noise
personnel getting lost
accidents, emergencies, 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 may include
use of personal protective equipment, such as sunscreen, hat, safety glasses, gloves, coveralls, safety boots
'stay with vehicle' and other survival techniques
regular communication schedule
GPS, maps, 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 may include
field note books or log books
standard operating procedures (SOPs) covering fieldwork, sampling, testing
equipment operating manuals, calibration procedures, instrument fault finding procedures, general maintenance and repair procedures
emergency, first aid, survival procedures
field camp procedures for cleaning, cooking, safety, security, hygiene, work management, set up/take down
requirements related to protection of the environment
incident/accident/injury report forms.
Administrative requirements and appropriate approvals may include travel requisitions, authority for use of vehicles and equipment, insurance, permits.

Equipment may include
navigation and communication equipment (for example, compass, maps, global positioning system, two-way radio, mobile phone)
survey equipment
sampling equipment and containers, animal cages
parameter specific meter or multi-probes (for example, dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, pH, turbidity, nitrates, phosphates, temperature)
field test kits to determine such parameters as dissolved gases, chemical anions and cations, heavy metals, E-Coli, biological oxygen demand
portable colourimeters, field microscopes
filters, sieves
soil monitoring kits
data loggers
tools, spares, vehicle recovery equipment
first aid equipment.

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 (for example, maps, permission, keys, condition of tracks)
arranging and checking all transportation systems (for example, vehicles, boats, 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 (for example, maps, photographs, descriptions)
preparing sample containers (for example, container type and preparation, preservation techniques, labelling)
arranging correct transport, storage and laboratory testing of samples collected during field activities
arranging additional laboratory testing.

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 (if necessary) 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, supervision of staff
location, establishment, maintenance of site, including hygiene and waste
removal of waste, site remediation.

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(s)
unforseen environmental impacts
contact with hazardous wastes.

Health, safety and environment
All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent health, safety and environmental (HSE) requirements, which may be imposed through State or Federal legislation, and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between performance criteria and HSE requirements, the HSE requirements take precedence.
All operations assume the potential hazardous nature of samples and require standard precautions to be applied. Users should access and apply current industry understanding of infection control issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council and State and Territory Departments of Health. All operations are performed in accordance with standard operating procedures.

The Evidence Guide describes the underpinning knowledge and skills that must be demonstrated to prove competence.
Critical aspects of competency

Competency must be demonstrated in the ability to perform consistently at the required standard. In particular, assessors should look to see that the candidate:


demonstrates understanding of purpose and the objectives of a field activity, including:

information and analysis required
end users of information
significance of outcomes for broader program(s)
communicates effectively and efficiently with staff and other relevant parties
reviews a written work program and defines the major field activities
reviews emergency, safety or environmental field plans and documents the key aspects which relate to a defined field activity
develops accurate and complete check lists covering instruments, equipment and associated supplies necessary for a defined field activity
applies sampling, testing and data quality procedures accurately under field conditions
prepares, checks and calibrates field instruments
demonstrates correct and safe use, under laboratory and field conditions, of field instruments and/or equipment (including field calibration)
defines and correctly prepares sample containers for different field samples
takes samples, under field conditions, according to defined procedures
maintains, stores and transports samples/specimens to ensure their wellbeing, viability and integrity (as appropriate)
packs and transports supplies, equipment and instruments to and/or from a field site
accurately performs field tests according to written instructions
records data and information, conducts quality checks and field analysis
works safely for the protection of self and others
negotiates with staff and stakeholders and reaches satisfactory agreements, where possible
responds effectively to changed or unforseen circumstances.

Underpinning knowledge

Competency includes the ability to apply and explain:

risk assessment principles
field sampling and monitoring procedures
technical capabilities and limitations of common equipment and instruments
basic instrument fault identification and rectification procedures
sampling procedures, including labelling and traceability
collection and preservation of plants and animals to enable subsequent identification
specific legislation and Codes of Practice related to sample and animal collection
a range of chemical and physical field monitoring procedures
operation of communication systems
operation of transportation systems
enterprise procedures for the recording of field data
application of data quality procedures under field conditions
location and management of monitoring sites
relevant health, safety and environment requirements, including field safety/survival principles.

Assessment context and methods
This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or simulated workplace environment.

The following assessment methods are suggested:

review of field data and results obtained by 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. Questioning techniques should suit the language and literacy levels of the candidate.

Interdependent assessment of unit

This unit of competency may be assessed with:

PMLSAMP400B Obtain representative samples in accordance with a sampling plan
PMLOHS400A Maintain laboratory/field workplace safety.

Resource implications

Resources may include:

vehicles, survey equipment, sampling/monitoring equipment, consumables, manuals
work program, enterprise procedures, Codes of Practice, field protocols.

This competency in practice
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.
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 4C 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.
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 were assembled. All supplies and field equipment were purchased or assembled, checked against an inventory and securely stowed in the vehicles.

The seven key competencies represent generic skills considered for effective work participation. The bracketed numbering against each of the key competencies indicates the performance level required in this unit. These are stand-alone levels and do not correspond to levels in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).
Level (1) represents the competence to undertake tasks effectively
Level (2) represents the competence to manage tasks
Level (3) represents the competence to use concepts for evaluating and reshaping tasks.
Communicating ideas and information
(2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
(2)

Planning and organising activities
(3)

Working with others and in teams
(2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
(2)

Solving problems
(2)

Using technology
(2)