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:

perform all field activities according to enterprise procedures, legislative and environmental requirements, industry guidelines and codes of practice

complete all tasks efficiently and safely.

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:

MSL913001A Communicate with other people

MSL913002A Plan and conduct laboratory/field work.

Resources may include:

enterprise procedures, regulations and codes of practice

relevant field equipment, samples, test kits and reagents.

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested:

review of performance with a focus on completing field activitiessafely and efficiently, collection of field samples and data, basic field survival skills, teamwork and accurate record keeping

paper exercises associated with organisation of fieldwork, fieldwork operations and basic field survival strategies

role plays based on possible accident and emergency situations requiring use of communication procedures and basic field survival strategies

oral or written questions.

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 (1)

On a field trip to determine the biodiversity of an island fringing reef, a technical assistant assists with constructing a grid map of the study area. The assistant counts the number of six different species of plant in part of the grid, taking care to minimise the impact on the environment. He/she also accurately records the data on a map to show the location of each plant using a predetermined key.

Environmental (2)

A technical assistant is asked to pack and safely transport water sampling and monitoring equipment to a distant field site. Firstly, the assistant checks that all the equipment is in working order and that he/she is able to use and maintain it. Given that the technical assistant is licenced to operate a small boat and is a competent underwater diver, he/she also performs a simple underwater survey of macrophytes in a lake in the study area. The assistant follows standard safety and operating procedures and records the results on a grid map and in the daily log book.

Construction materials testing

A contract laboratory has assigned a team of three to conduct pavement investigations in a rural/remote region. The field assistant uses a checklist to assemble all the required equipment and supplies for a three day trip. The assistant checks the vehicle, toolkit and spares, communication equipment, GPS, water, first aid kit and personal protective equipment. He/she also checks that the generator, fuel, jackhammer,dynamic cone penetrometer (DCP), sample bags, measuring devices and camera are all present and in good working order. Because the team will be working away from base for three days, the assistant knows that it is vital that all items are present and stowed safely before he/she tells the team leader that the vehicle is ready for departure.

Required skills

Required skills include:

using two-way radio and satellite phone in accordance with enterprise procedures

using basic field survival strategies, such as map reading, use of compass and global positioning system (GPS) and 'stay with vehicle' in the event of accident or emergency

organising, packing/unpacking and stowing materials and equipment with close attention to detail

collecting samples in accordance with enterprise procedures and legislative requirements

storing andmaintaining samples in accordance with special requirements for continued wellbeing, viability and integrity of sample

maintaining accurate and complete data records and checklists

working safely and in accordance with environmental requirements

cleaning equipment and collecting and disposing of wastes in accordance with safety and environmental requirements

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes:

terms used to describe the relevant industry sector's field equipment, materials, samples and specimens

enterprise procedures relating to sample collection, maintenance and storage

enterprise procedures relating to field testing

specific legislation and codes of practice related to sample and animal collection (if relevant in the industry sector)

principles of safety relating to fieldwork, such as use of LPG, operation of generators and use of protective clothing

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 1678 Emergency procedure guide -Transport

AS 1940-2004 Storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids

AS 4332-2004 The storage and handling of gases in cylinders

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 4452:1997 The storage and handling of toxic substances

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

animal welfare legislation and codes of practice

Australian Dangerous Goods Code

Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) Codes of Practice

basic sampling procedures (labelling, preparation, storage, transport and disposal)

basic test procedures (validated and authorised)

cleaning, hygiene and personal hygiene requirements

environmental requirements related to disposal of waste

first aid kit and survival manual

incident and accident/injury reports

instructions to comply with new legislation, standards, guidelines and codes

material safety data sheets (MSDS)

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

safety requirements for equipment, materials or products

written fieldwork procedures, standard operating procedures (SOPs) and operating manuals

Items of equipment

Items of equipment may include:

pH meters, dissolved oxygen probes, portable colourimeters, field microscopes, hand centrifuges, sieves and filters

chemical field test kits

environmental monitoring systems

equipment required for the collection of samples and animals

equipment required for ensuring the wellbeing of animals

equipment suitable for the safe collection and disposal of biological and non-biological wastes

basic first aid equipment

data loggers

communication systems, such as two-way radio and conventional codes and symbols for signalling

tools, vehicle recovery equipment and spare parts

navigation and communication equipment, including GPS

Hazards

Hazards may include:

solar radiation, dust and noise

personnel getting lost

incidents or emergencies, such as snake or animal bites

severe weather conditions

manual handling of heavy objects

vehicle and boat handling in rough/remote conditions

moving machinery and hand tools

driving vehicles in rough terrain and over long distances during day or night

Safety procedures

Safety procedures may include:

use of personal protective equipment, such as sunscreen, hats, safety glasses, gloves and safety boots

'stay with vehicle' and other basic survival techniques

use of a regular communication schedule

handling, storage and disposal of all hazardous materials/waste in accordance with MSDS, labels, and enterprise procedures and regulations

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