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

Assessment must be carried out in a manner that recognises the cultural and literacy requirements of the assessee and is appropriate to the work performed. Competence in this unit must be achieved in accordance with food safety standards and regulations.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of ability to:

conduct pre-start checks on equipment used for collecting and handling samples

collect, handle and store samples according to sampling requirements and standards

take corrective action in response to typical defects and inconsistencies

complete workplace records as required

apply safe work practices and identify OHS hazards and controls

apply food safety procedures.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must occur in a real or simulated workplace where the assessee has access to:

sampling plan

documentation, including specifications, work instruction and other advice on sampling requirements

recording and reporting system

sampling instrumentation and containers as required

product/source material to be sampled.

Method of assessment

This unit should be assessed together with core units and other units of competency relevant to the function or work role. Example could be:

MSL973001A Perform basic tests

Guidance information for assessment

To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency should be demonstrated on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances, cases and responsibilities, and where possible, over a number of assessment activities.

Required skills

Ability to:

access and interpret sampling plan to identify sampling requirements

select, fit and use personal protective clothing and/or equipment

prepare for sampling to ensure required tools, containers and labels are available

follow sampling procedures and the sampling plan to collect samples from the points, in the quantities and at the times specified

identify atypical source materials and/or samples and take corrective action, such as reporting abnormalities, repeating sample collection and/or following intensive sampling schedules as required

complete sample records according to workplace requirements, such as labelling samples as required

transfer samples for testing

maintain work area to meet housekeeping standards

prepare samples according to enterprise procedures

use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification and seeking advice from supervisor

work cooperatively within a culturally diverse workforce

Required knowledge

Knowledge of:

basic sampling principles, including the importance of following the sampling plan to obtain representative sampling reflecting characteristics of source material, the sample characteristics and related preservation, handling and storage requirements, and the labelling system purpose and requirements

tests to be conducted on samples and related handling and preparation requirements and responsibilities

characteristics of materials sampled and common contaminants and related conditions under which contamination is likely to occur

sampling techniques relevant to samples collected, such as sterilisation methods and procedures

the relationship between sampling, testing and production processes, including different sampling regimes that may apply in response to non-standard conditions or after corrective action is taken to adjust production outputs

procedures and responsibility for reporting and recording sampling information, such as legislative requirements

procedures for preparing samples where relevant

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.

Policies and procedures

Work is carried out according to company policies and procedures, regulatory and licensing requirements, legislative requirements and industrial awards and agreements

Workplace information

Workplace information may include:

standard operating procedures (SOPs)

specifications

production schedules and instructions

manufacturers' advice

sampling plans

Sampling requirements

Sampling requirements include:

sampling under standard conditions

sampling after processes are adjusted in response to variation or non-conformance

Sampling

Sampling typically occurs at a number of points and using a range of techniques

Maintenance of sample integrity

Maintenance of sample integrity may be achieved by:

use of appropriate personal protective clothing

use of clean sampling tools and containers (sterilised tools/containers for aseptic sampling)

temperature control

addition of preservatives as required

Sampling techniques

Sampling techniques may include:

sub-sampling