Assessor Resource

MSL912001A
Work within a laboratory_field workplace (induction)

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


This unit of competency is applicable to samplers/testers, production operators and field assistants working in all industry sectors.

Industry representatives have provided case studies to illustrate the practical application of this unit of competency and to show its relevance in a workplace setting. These are found at the end of this unit of competency under the section 'This competency in practice'.

This unit of competency covers the induction of an employee into scientific/technical work within an enterprise.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.




Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

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:

follow workplace procedures to complete tasks within the required timeframe

efficiently organise own daily work

accept responsibility for quality of own work.

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:

MSL922001A Record and present data

MSL952001A Collect routine site samples

MSL972001A Conduct routine site measurements.

Resources may include:

relevant documentation, such as enterprise SOPs, legal/regulatory requirements andcodes of practice

organisational charts and flow diagrams showing links between enterprise functions and/or production processes

employment, training and career information.

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested:

observation of candidate performing a range of scientific/technical tasks

feedback from peers and supervisors

oral or written questioning to check underpinning knowledge

review of workplace documentation completed by the candidate.

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 show its relevance in a workplace setting.

Environmental

At the start of an induction program, the supervisor asks two new laboratory assistants to introduce themselves to all the staff individually and find out about three major tasks that each person regularly performs. In addition, they watch the company's induction video, complete the necessary paperwork and are assigned a locker and safety equipment. At the end of the day, they report back to the supervisor. On Day Two, the supervisor assigns them to an experienced technician and asks them to shadow him/her. At the end of the day the new assistants are asked to describe two tests they have observed and outline some of the major safety issues involved with each one. On Day Three, they begin bench work by helping to conduct routine tests, such as titrations of industrial waste water samples under guidance of a technician.

Manufacturing

A laboratory assistant was required to complete the company's induction program during their first week of employment. The assistant completed the following activities:

met with all laboratory staff and discussed their roles and duties

prepared their own organisational flow chart for the laboratory and recorded the contact details and key function of each staff member

talked to the laboratory manager about the company's products and services and the laboratory's role in quality assurance

read through the induction booklet's summary of key company policies, procedures, emergency and risk management plans

talked to the safety officer about OHS risks in the laboratory and the location of key safety equipment and information

prepared a plan of the layout of the company site with location of key buildings and services

shadowed several technicians to observe their daily routines

prepared a weekly work plan in conjunction with the supervisor.


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

Required skills include:

using personal protective clothing, equipment and containment facilities as required

following work instructions to complete tasks within the required timeframe

working ethically

working efficiently when alone and with others

maintaining required quality of work outputs

complying with legislative and enterprise requirements in everyday work

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes:

enterprise objectives, product and service range

enterprise structure and reporting lines

role of quality assurance and/or scientific/technical services in the enterprise

own role, rights, responsibilities and key tasks

workplace procedures that govern personal work, health, safety and environment

basic ethical values and principles, such as respect for the law, responsibility, courtesy, diligence and confidentiality

use and names of equipment, materials and other resources relevant to work function

relevant health, safety and environment requirements

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/NZS 2243 Set:2006 Safety in laboratories set

AS/NZS ISO 14000 Set:2005 Environmental management standards set

AS/NZS ISO 9000 Set:2008 Quality management systems set

Australian code of good manufacturing practice for medicinal products (GMP)

Australian Dangerous Goods Code

Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986

occupational health and safety (OHS) national standards and codes of practice

principles of good laboratory practice (GLP)

Business ethics

Business ethics may include:

following enterprise policy and procedures

behaving honestly and openly

respecting others and treating them with courtesy and impartiality

working diligently and responsibly

ensuring confidentiality of information, including client identification and test results

Enterprise sites

Enterprise sites may include:

laboratories

head office functions

production or processing plants

supplier services and consultancy services

Key functions

Key functions may include:

production

packaging, warehouse and distribution

quality assurance

purchasing, sales and marketing

human resources (personnel, training and employee relations)

Sources of workplace information

Sources of workplace information may include:

notice boards, public address or paging systems

standard operating procedures (SOPs), manuals, work instructions, signs and notices

material safety data sheets (MSDS)

telephone or contract details, email systems and websites

emergency exits, routes and collection points

enterprise recording and reporting procedures, quality manuals, equipment and operating/technical manuals

test methods (validated and authorised)

schematics, workflows, laboratory layouts and production and laboratory schedules

Workplace agreements, policies and procedures

Workplace agreements, policies and procedures may include:

industrial awards, enterprise bargaining agreements and individual contracts

emergencies, accidents and incidents

incident and accident/injury reports

health, safety and environment

quality assurance

customer services

Legislative requirements

Legislative requirements may involve:

OHS

workers compensation

equal employment, anti-discrimination and anti-harassment

ethics, copyright, intellectual property and privacy

environmental protection

Sustainable energy principles and work practices

Sustainable energy principles and work practices may include:

examining work practices that involve excessive use of electricity, gas and/or water

switching off equipment when not in use

regularly cleaning filters

recycling and reusing materials wherever feasible

minimising waste

Scientific and technical support

Scientific and technical support may include:

routine site sampling of raw materials and products

packaging, labelling, storing and transporting samples

visual inspection of products and packaging

routine site measurements that take a short time and involve a narrow range of variables or easily recognised control limits

cleaning of equipment

housekeeping of work areas

Equipment and resources

Equipment and resources will vary according to:

the scope and nature of the enterprise's products, and scientific/technical functions and services

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

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Demonstrate broad knowledge of enterprise business ethics, goals, products and/or scientific/technical services 
Identify key enterprise sites and functions and their contribution to product range and quality 
Locate key workplace information and apply it correctly 
Follow enterprise policy and procedures relating to employment, security, confidentiality and reporting lines 
Perform all work activities in accordance with relevant environmental management procedures, including sustainable energy principles and work practices 
Identify workplace roles and responsibilities of scientific/technical personnel 
Identify typical tasks and calendar of events in work area 
Recognise and locate the equipment and resources required for everyday work 
Interpret work instructions correctly and seek clarification if necessary 
Follow work instructions to perform scientific/technical tasks safely and efficiently 
Maintain own work area, equipment and materials in a safe and organised manner according to enterprise policy and procedures 
Assess and prioritise work load according to level of responsibility 
Advise supervisor if additional resources or support are required to improve performance 
Undertake duties in a positive manner to enhance workplace cooperation and efficiency 
Monitor and adjust work practices to ensure that the quality of outputs is maintained 
Identify and report opportunities for improvements in procedures, processes and equipment in work area 
Identify career options and training opportunities in the enterprise 
Consult appropriate personnel to identify own learning needs for future work requirements and career aspirations 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

MSL912001A - Work within a laboratory_field workplace (induction)
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:


Assessment Record Sheet

MSL912001A - Work within a laboratory_field workplace (induction)

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: