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 operations in accordance with laboratory and/or enterprise procedures, and appropriate legislative requirements

accurately measure, calculate and record batch quantities, concentrations and other relevant parameters

evaluate properties of the mixture by inspection and standard test methods

recognise and report problems and atypical situations to relevant personnel.

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:

MSL952002A Handle and transport samples or equipment

MSL954001A Obtain representative samples in accordance with sampling plan

MSL973001A Perform basic tests.

Resources may include:

standard facility with appropriate tools, equipment and materials

enterprise procedures, MSDS and product formulation/specifications.

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested:

analysis of trial batches prepared by the candidate over a period of time to ensure accurate and consistent work is obtained within required timelines

inspection of workplace documentation completed by the candidate

feedback from peers and supervisors

use of suitable simulation and/or a range of case studies/scenarios.

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 study below to illustrate the practical application of this unit of competency and show its relevance in a workplace setting.

Construction materials

A laboratory assistant works for a concrete manufacturer. A client requires concrete for a specific project that cannot be supplied using existing standard mixes. The manufacturer must use special aggregates and cement to meet the durability and strength specifications for the project. The laboratory manager obtains quantities of the materials for evaluation purposes. The assistant tests the aggregates to determine their grading properties. From these results, he/she designs a mix to satisfy the project specifications using a standard design method. The mix requires the use of pozzolanic materials and admixtures that were obtained from the suppliers.

The manager provides the assistant with the batch quantities required to produce one cubic metre of concrete. To test the mix design, the assistant will produce a 20litre batch in the laboratory. He/she calculates that this quantity will provide sufficient material for the required tests, without undue waste. He/she calculates the quantity of each material required for the trial batch. The assistant selects and prepares the tools and equipment she needs to mix, sample and test the concrete. He/she wears overalls, safety boots and glasses, and uses a barrier cream. He/she measures out the quantities required for the trial batch, charges the mixer and allows it to mix for the specified time. He/she then discharges the concrete onto a suitable surface. He/she checks its slump, cohesiveness and air content, recording the data on standard enterprise forms. The manager inspects the concrete, and decides that it is over-sanded and has excessive slump. He/she adjusts the batch quantities and draws up amended values. He/she disposes of the excess concrete and cleans the equipment and tools.

He/she then mixes a new batch using the amended figures. This process continues until the manager is satisfied with the concrete quality. He/she then mixes a larger batch so that he/she can prepare specimens for testing its hardened-state properties.

Required skills

Required skills include:

performing simple calculations

making accuratemeasurements of volume and mass

representative sampling

working safely with equipment and hazardous materials

working safely in laboratory and field conditions

setting up and maintaining tools and equipment

using tools and equipment to perform basic sampling and testing techniques

observing and recording information on testing and sampling

handling, transporting and storing materials

observing interpreting and reporting atypical situations

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes:

the international system of units (SI)

concepts of metrology

the properties of mixing materials and how they affect the properties of the final product

hazards involved with materials and equipment involved

representative sampling

uses of various materials/enterprise products

basic testing methods for relevant materials

enterprise traceability requirements

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 ISO 1000-1998 The international system of units (SI) and its application

enterprise recording and reporting procedures

enterprise sampling procedures for specific samples, sites and clients

equipment manuals

equipment startup, operation and shutdown procedures

maps and site plans

material safety data sheets (MSDS)

material, production and product/formulation specifications

national measurement regulations and guidelines

production and laboratory schedules

safety procedures

standard operating procedures (SOPs)

Materials, tools and equipment

Materials, tools and equipment may include:

soils, concrete, asphalt, aggregates, polymers, ceramics, metals, foodstuffs and solvents

ovens, sieves, balances, volumetric measures and mixers

hand tools, including shovels, scoops and spatulas

consumables, including sample bags and labels

documentation, including specifications, manufacturers' handbooks and worksheets

test equipment appropriate to the various materials

Simple calculations

Simple calculations may include:

proportion, ratio and percentage for batch quantities

concentrations

other relevant parameters

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

Typical problems

Typical problems may include:

not following SOPs

measurement errors

calculation errors

materials of unreliable quality

insufficient mixing

poor sampling procedures

equipment breakdown and breakage

Hazards

Hazards may include:

electric shock

biohazards, such as microbiological organisms and agents associated with soil, air and water

solar radiation, dust and noise

chemicals

sharps, broken glassware and hand tools

flammable liquids and gases

fluids under pressure

manual handling heavy objects

crushing, entanglement and cuts associated with moving machinery or falling objects

Safety procedures

Safety procedures may include:

recognising hazard warnings and safety signs

use of personal protective equipment, such as hard hats, hearing protection, sunscreen lotion, gloves, safety glasses, goggles, face guards, coveralls and safety boots

use of MSDS

following established manual handling procedures

regular cleaning and/or decontaminating of equipment and work areas

ensuring access to service shut-off points

identifying and reporting operating problems or equipment malfunctions

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