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
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
ISO 5725 Accuracy (trueness and precision) of measurement methods and results
ISO/IEC Guide 98-3:2008 Uncertainty of measurement - Part 3: Guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement (GUM)
sampling/testing methods, procedures, guidelines provided by enterprise or regulator
material safety data sheets (MSDS)
equipment manuals and warranty, supplier catalogues and handbooks
enterprise quality manual and customer quality plan
validation of the equipment and associated software, where applicable
validation of spreadsheets developed in-house for routine calculations
Concepts of metrology
Concepts of metrology may include:
that all measurements are estimates
measurements belong to a population of measurements of the measured parameters
repeatability
precision
accuracy
significant figures
sources of error
uncertainty
traceability
Environmental data
Data may be recorded on:
worksheets
spreadsheets
databases linked to information management systems
Data may include results of:
observations
field tests and measurements
population surveys (type, species, age, sex and weight)
vegetation surveys (type, species, height, density and canopy)
dilution of working solutions and gases (odours)
laboratory analyses
quality assurance and control assessments
Data may be presented in the form of:
graphs
tables
histograms
pie charts
bar charts
semi-quantitative observations and be expressed on a scale (e.g. 1 to 4 or + to ++++)
photographs
Calculations
Calculations may be performed:
with or without a calculator
using computer software, spreadsheets, databases and statistical packages
Calculations of scientific quantities
Calculations of scientific quantities may include:
converting units involving multiples and submultiples
significant figures, round off, estimate and approximate
transposing and evaluating formulae
fractions, decimals, proportions and percentages
percentage and absolute uncertainties in measurements and test results
statistical values of data, such as mean, median, mode and standard deviation
perimeters and angles, areas (m2) and volumes (mL, L, m3) of regular shapes
sampling times
dose (mg), average mass, mass percentage, density, specific gravity, moisture, relative and absolute humidity, viscosity and permeability
ratios, such as mass to mass, mass to volume and volume to volume percentages
concentration, such as molarity, g/100mL, mg/L, mg/mL, ppm, ppb, dilution mL/L
average count, colonies per swab surface and cell counts, such as live and dead/total
variables, such as pressure, gauge pressure, velocity and flow rates
biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total organic carbons (TOC)
% content of moisture, sulphur dioxide and trace metals, such as calcium or zinc
Records
Records could include information associated with:
purchase of equipment and materials
service records
safety procedures
history of calibration and test results
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

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:
coding, recording and checking the documentation of data
calculating statistical quantities relevant to the workplace and presenting accurate results in the required format
recognising anomalies, variations and trends in data
maintaining the confidentiality of data in accordance with workplace and regulatory requirements
keeping records up-to-date and secure.
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:
MSL924002A Use laboratory application software
environmental monitoring units, such as:
MSL974007A Undertake environmental field-based monitoring
MSS024003A Apply an understanding of environmental principles to a site
MSS024006A Perform sampling and testing of water.
The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team.
Resources may include:
data sets and records
computer and relevant software or laboratory information system
relevant workplace procedures.
Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are suggested:
review of data worksheets, calculations, computer files (such as spreadsheets, databases and statistical analysis), graphs, tables, charts and/or simple maps prepared by the candidate
review of records transcribed, maintained or stored by the candidate
questions to assess understanding of relevant procedures and trends in data
feedback from supervisors and peers about the candidate’s ability to consistently follow enterprise procedures
observation of the candidate as they process data, file and store records.
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