Elements and Performance Criteria

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 ISO 1000-1998 The international system of units (SI) and its application
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 ISO 9000 Set:2008 Quality management systems set
Australian code of good manufacturing practice for medicinal products (GMP)
calibration and maintenance schedules
data quality procedures
enterprise recording and reporting procedures
equipment startup, operation and shutdown procedures
material safety data sheets (MSDS)
material, production and product specifications
national measurement regulations and guidelines
principles of good laboratory practice (GLP)
production and laboratory schedules
quality manuals, equipment and procedures manuals
SOPs
Physical principles and concepts underpinning the test/procedure
Physical principles and concepts underpinning the test/procedure may include:
matter, interatomic and intermolecular forces and states of matter
mass, weight, forces, pressure, energy, friction and slip resistance
properties of gases, pressure/volume/temperature, density, diffusion and compressibility
cohesive/adhesive forces, hydrostatic pressure, fluid flow, viscosity and friction
thermal expansion, thermal conductivity and coefficients of expansion
changes of state, energy content, enthalpy change and endothermic and exothermic processes
electromagnetic spectrum, primary/secondary colours, reflection, refraction diffraction and interference of light
electrical concepts, including electric field, voltage, current, resistance and AC/DC
electromagnetic concepts, including magnetic field and flux, and electromagnetic induction
sound concepts, including wave properties, amplitude, frequency and loudness (dB)
elasticity, hardness, strength of materials, plasticity, permeability and dispersion
electrical safety concepts including voltage, current, resistance, conductors/insulators and AC/DC
Preparation of samples
Preparation of samples may include processes, such as:
drying, washing, grinding, sieving, melting and moisture conditioning
cutting, trimming or machining of test specimens, etching
Physical tests and procedures
Physical tests and procedures may include:
precise measurement of position, orientation and dimensions:
three-dimensional setup of manufacturing tools using inclinometers, verniers and laser
thickness using vernier, X-ray and gamma ray
particle size using sieving and laser
dimensional stability involving expansion, contraction and weathering
movement using strain gauge and accelerometer
mass, density and specific gravity:
moisture/density relationship
compaction
loose and compacted density
thermal tests:
thermal conductivity
coefficients of expansion (e.g. linear and volume)
melt flow index
calorimetry, (e.g. specific heat and latent heat)
combustion properties (e.g. enthalpy and energy content)
drying times
thermal stability of products
optical tests:
flatness and surface finish
refractive index
optical rotation
transmission/absorption of filters
colour matching of products
acoustic tests:
absorption, reflection and transmission
intensity, attenuation and loudness (dB)
amplitude and frequency
electrical tests:
conductance, resistance and insulation
temperature dependence of dielectrics
magnetic tests:
permeability
retentivity, hysteresis loss and coercivity
intrinsic induction
Test and sample preparation equipment/materials
Test and sample preparation equipment/materials may include:
crushers, mulchers, grinders, mills, riffles and sieves
moulds, bags and containers
ovens, microwaves and water baths
mass balances
microscopes
dimension apparatus (e.g. calipers and micrometer)
rammers, compression rigs and load cells
chemical reagents and volumetric glassware
temperature measuring devices, such as thermometers and thermocouples
pH and conductivity meters
analogue and digital meters, charts/recorders, data loggers and computers
Tests
Tests may include methods for:
control of starting materials, in-process materials and finished products
investigation of sources of construction materials
basic troubleshooting of enterprise processes
Hazards
Hazards may include:
microbiological organisms and agents, associated with soil, air and water
chemicals, such as acids and solvents
radiation, such as alpha, beta, gamma, X-ray and neutron
sharps, broken glassware and hand tools
flammable liquids and gases
cryogenics, such as dry ice and liquid nitrogen
fluids under pressure, such as steam and industrial gases
sources of ignition
burners and ovens
disturbance or interruption of services
crushing, entanglement and cuts associated with moving machinery (grinders)
Hazard control measures
Hazard control measures may include:
ensuring access to service shut-off points
recognising and observing hazard warnings and safety signs
labelling of samples and hazardous materials
handling and storage of hazardous materials and equipment in accordance with labelling, MSDS and manufacturer’s instructions
identifying and reporting operating problems or equipment malfunctions
cleaning equipment and work areas regularly using enterprise procedures
using personal protective clothing and equipment, such as gloves, safety glasses, coveralls and safety boots
following established manual handling procedures
reporting abnormal emissions, discharges and airborne contaminants, such as noise, light, solids, liquids, water/waste water, gases, smoke, vapour, fumes, odour and particulates to appropriate personnel
Records
Records may include:
test and calibration results
equipment use, maintenance and servicing history
faulty or unsafe equipment
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

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.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessors should ensure that candidates can:
interpret test methods/procedures accurately
prepare and test samples in accordance with specified methods
ensure equipment/instrumentation is within calibration before use
safely operate test equipment/instruments to enterprise standards and/or manufacturer’s specifications
apply basic knowledge of physical properties of materials to interpret gross features of data and make relevant conclusions
identify atypical results, such as out of normal range or an artefact
trace and source obvious causes of an artefact
communicate problems to a supervisor or outside service technician
calculate, record and communicate results in accordance with enterprise procedures
maintain security, integrity and traceability of samples, sub-samples, test data/results and documentation.
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:
MSL924001A Process and interpret data.

Resources may include:
standard laboratory equipped with appropriate test equipment/instruments, standards and materials
enterprise procedures and standard methods.
Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are suggested:
review of test data/results obtained by the candidate over a period of time to check accuracy, consistency and timeliness of results
review of test records and workplace documentation completed by the candidate
observation of candidate conducting a range of physical tests and procedures and sample preparation
feedback from peers and supervisors
oral or written questioning of physical principles and concepts, test methods and enterprise procedures.
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.

Manufacturing
A technical assistant was measuring the specific density of a shipment of glycerol using a standard laboratory procedure. The result did not agree with the manufacturer’s certificate of analysis. The assistant notified the manufacturer who came to the plant and checked the delivered material. It had been raining while the glycerol was in transit and rain water had entered the drum, diluting the glycerol. The drum was returned to the manufacturer and a new drum was supplied to the manufacturing plant. The manufacturer investigated the seals on the glycerol drums and took action to ensure that new seals would protect the product in transit.

Food processing
A technician was testing the melt flow index of a new type of polymer that was to be used as a sealant for packages of freeze dried coffee. The technician measured the melt flow rate and found it was much too high. The technician then checked the melt flow equipment as per the manufacturer’s directions and found the machine was out of calibration. After recalibration using recommended standards, another sample was obtained and retested. This time, the polymer was within specification and was released for use in production.