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:

select test methods, operating parameters and test ranges to suit the material and its intended use

prepare and orient test pieces precisely

safely set up, start up and shut down equipment

maintain close attention to measurement procedures, accuracy and precision during lengthy complex tests

calculate/determine required engineering properties with appropriate accuracy, precision and units

recognise atypical data/results and trace artefacts and problems with procedures or equipment

record and report data/results in accordance with enterprise procedures

maintain security, integrity and traceability of all samples, test pieces and documentation.

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:

MSL925001A Analyse data and report results.

Resources may include:

engineering materials testing laboratory with appropriate test equipment, instruments and samples

SOPs and test methods.

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested:

review of results obtained by the candidate over a period of time to ensure accurate and consistent results are obtained within required timelines

inspection of testing records and workplace documentation completed by the candidate

observation of candidate conducting a range of complex tests on engineering materials

feedback from clients, peers and supervisors

oral or written questioning.

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 to show its relevance in a workplace setting.

Construction materials

A consulting company is investigating a possible dam site and needs to assess a particular soil in the foundation. They request a geotechnical testing authority to determine the permeability of the soil. A senior technician checks the client request and inspects the soil sample, noting that it is plastic, clay and fissured. He/she checks the dam design parameters and notes that the overburden pressure will be 500 kPa.

The senior technician uses a triaxial permeability test using a constant head configuration. He/she trims a cylindrical test piece, determines the sample's bulk density and uses the trimmings to determine its moisture content. The test piece is mounted in a triaxial test cell and the equipment carefully de-aired. All pressure gauges, regulators and transducers are checked and the equipment is leak tested. A confining stress is applied and after allowing the sample to come to equilibrium, it is back saturated. The cell pressure is increased to 500 kPa and as the sample consolidates, the technician monitors the sample volume change and pore water pressure. A differential pressure is applied in stages and the water flow through the sample is optimised. After reaching a steady state the flow rate is monitored to determine the sample permeability.

After taking sufficient readings to ensure a valid measurement, the senior technician prepares plots of permeability and time and reports the steady state values. After completing the test, he/she shuts down the equipment in the recommended sequence, cleans and restores all items. He/she then removes the test piece and determines the after-test moisture content.

Required skills

Required skills include:

interpreting client requests, complex tests and sample preparation methods accurately

applying enterprise procedures

planning work sequences involving multiple/parallel tasks

interpreting safety information, such as material safety data sheets (MSDS) and working safely

checking and using test equipment in accordance with enterprise procedures

maintaining concentration and applying multi-stage test methods accurately

estimating/calculating scientific quantities (e.g. total and effective stress, strain and pressure)

using calibration charts

interpreting significant features of data and graphs and making logical conclusions

identifying atypical data, errors and unexpected results and tracing any obvious causes

recording and presenting results accurately and legibly

maintaining security, integrity and traceability of all samples/test pieces, data/results and technical records

cleaning and maintaining equipment

seeking advice from a supervisor

communicating with clients or outside service technician

demonstrating a professional approach and positive company/organisation image

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes:

complex test methods routinely used in job role, including:

purpose and principles of test

relationship between the engineering properties and uses of construction materials

key sample preparation stages

key treatment/measurement stages

calculation steps to give results in appropriate units and precision

expected values for sample type

sources of uncertainty and methods for their control

principles and concepts underpinning the test method, such as:

stress, strain, pressure, total and effective stress, fatigue, creep, failure modes of materials, strength/consolidation of materials and permeability

electrical safety concepts including voltage, current, resistance, conductors/insulators and AC/DC

principles and concepts related to equipment/instrument operation including the function of key components and effects on test of modifying variables

pre-use checks and operating procedures for test equipment/instruments routinely used in job role

basic equipment/method troubleshooting procedures

enterprise and/or legal traceability requirements for samples, test pieces, test data and results

procedures for recording and reporting test results, calculations, test observations and unexpected or atypical results and equipment problems

health, safety and environmental management requirements relevant to job role

confidentiality requirements relevant to job role

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/IEC 17025 General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories

AS 1289 Methods of testing soils for engineering

AS 1012 Methods of testing concrete

AS 2981 Methods of sampling and testing asphalt

DIN 19683 series - Soil testing in agricultural hydrology - Physical laboratory tests

ISO/IEC Guide 98-3:2008 Uncertainty of measurement - Part 3 Guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement (GUM)

National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) supplementary requirements for the relevant field of testing

NATA technical notes and guides

MSDS

standard operating procedures (SOPs)

quality manuals, equipment and procedures manuals

equipment startup, operation and shutdown procedures

calibration and maintenance schedules

enterprise recording and reporting procedures

production and laboratory schedules

material, production and product specifications

Preparation of samples

Preparation of samples may include:

moisture conditioning and compaction of soil

trimming to required size and shape

orientation of test pieces

polishing

curing concrete test pieces

Test methods and procedures

Test methods and procedures may include:

consolidation of soil (e.g. one-dimensional and triaxial)

shear testing of soil and rock (e.g. total stress, effective stress, direct stress and triaxial stress)

permeability of soil, rock and concrete (e.g. falling head and constant head)

California Bearing Ratio (CBR) (4 point)

fatigue and creep of metals, polymers and concrete

wheel tracking in asphalt

stiffness and creep of asphalt

Hazards

Hazards may include:

microbiological organisms and agents associated with soil

chemicals, such as acids and solvents

sharps and hand tools

flammable liquids and gases

cryogenics, such as dry ice and liquid nitrogen

fluids under pressure such as steam and industrial gases and hydraulics

disturbance or interruption of services

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

Hazard control measures

Hazard control measures may include:

ensuring access to service shut-off points

recognising and observing hazard warnings and safety signs

labelling of samples, hazardous materials and equipment

machinery guards

handling and storage for hazardous materials and equipment in accordance with labelling, MSDS and manufacturer's instructions

identifying and reporting operating problems or equipment malfunctions

cleaning equipment and work areas regularly using enterprise procedures

using personal protective clothing and equipment, such as hard hats, hearing protection, gloves, safety glasses, coveralls and safety boots

following established manual handling procedures

reporting abnormal emissions, discharges and airborne contaminants such as noise, light, solids, liquids, water/waste water, gases, smoke, vapour, fumes, odour and particulates to appropriate personnel

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