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:

relate field and laboratory data for the generation of meaningful results

identify and classify animal and plantspecies for scientific and experimental purposes

maintain the viability of species during experimentation

monitor the physiology and interactions of plants and animals and their environments

take representative samples for analysis

work safely for the protection of self and co-workers

communicate appropriately with customers and be aware of cultural and social contexts

not contaminate sterile environments or specimens

dispose of wastes carefully for the protection of those who may handle and process wastes and to minimise contamination of the environment.

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

MSL974007A Undertake environmental field-based monitoring.

Resources may include:

equipment and resources for investigating the physiology of plants and animals in the laboratory

enterprise procedures, sampling plans, test methods and equipment manuals

computers and programs for simulated experiments or data analysis.

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested:

review of data/results obtained by the candidate over time to ensure accuracy, consistency and timeliness of results

inspection of records and workplace documentation completed by the candidate

observation of the candidate processing specimens and/or conducting analyses

review of computer and literature research of data to support an experiment

questioning about procedures that form part of experiments in progress

review of case studies prepared by the candidate, such as:

relating field and laboratory data in an environmental impact statement

preservation of plant species and placement in a herbarium

plant propagation in a variety of controlled environments

maintenance of cultures of protozoans or invertebrates.

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 to show its relevance in a workplace setting.

Environmental (1)

A technical officer has been asked to preserve plant specimens and compile a report of classified species using material and data collected during a recent visit to a decommissioned open cut mine site and its adjacent areas. The supervising ecologist has been asked to advise the mine owner about replacement planting to restore the mine site in sympathy with its locality. The technical officer records descriptions of features of each specimen. They use this data to classify the species by referring to the field report, atlases and specimens in the reference herbarium. They then prepare each specimen for drying and preservation in readiness for labelling and cataloguing. To compile the report, the technical officer prepares a map of the area to be regenerated. The map details the topographic features and illustrates possible species which could be planted. To assist the landscape contractors, the technical officer advises where the required species can be purchased and the type of soils required for growth.

Environmental (2)

A technical officer, who worked for a large aluminium smelter, was asked to examine some grapevine leaves that a local farmer argued were affected by fluoride emissions from the plant. Initially, the leaves were subjected to a detailed microscopic examination using standard procedures developed by the company covering the effect of gaseous pollutants (such as ozone and fluoride) on major natural and/or agricultural plants. The preliminary findings suggested that the leaves were affected by a fungi rather than fluoride. However, given the sensitive nature of the issue, they checked with the supervisor and arranged to send the affected leaves to a nearby university for a second opinion. This additional study also concluded that the impact on the leaves was not due to fluoride.

Required skills

Required skill include:

communicating scientific and technical concepts and terminology accurately to supervisors, peers and clients

maintaining the viability of specimens

identifying and classifying species

taking representative samples for analysis

relating field and laboratory data for the generation of meaningful results

working safely for the protection of self and co-workers

disposing of wastes carefully for the protection of those who may handle and process wastes and to minimise contamination of the environment

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes:

growth requirements of organisms that are subjects of laboratory or greenhouse culture or propagation

general anatomy of plants and animals that is useful as classification data

processes that are essential for preservation of plant and animal material for use as reference material

relationships between field and laboratory data that are useful in giving commentary on the integrity or distress in biological environments

rationale for selection of techniques used to monitor the experimental environment and the effects of variables on organisms in the experimental environment

uses of environmental impact statements that incorporate the results of field and laboratory analyses

enterprise and/or legal 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/NZS ISO 9000 Set:2008 Quality management systems set

AS ISO 17025-2005 General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories

AS/NZS 2243 Set:2006 Safety in laboratories set

animal welfare legislation and codes of practice

OHS national standards and codes of practice

national environment protection measures

Guide to physical containment levels and facility types

Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) Export Control (Orders) Regulations 1982

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

enterprise procedures, standard operating procedures (SOPs) and operating manuals

validated and authorised test procedures

laboratory sampling procedures for labelling, preparation, storage, transport and disposal

safety procedures to minimise contraction of zoonoses

safety requirements for equipment, materials or products

quality system and continued improvement processes

incident and accident/injury reports

schematics, work flows and laboratory layouts

stock records and inventory

waste minimisation, disposal protocols and environment protection procedures

Items of equipment, reagents, specimens and systems for botanical and zoological techniques

Items of equipment, reagents, specimens and systems for botanical and zoological techniques may include:

dissecting, stereo and other microscopes

hand lenses

dissecting equipment

balances and scales

calipers, rules and measuring tapes

pH meters, dissolved oxygen probes and other potentiometric equipment

spectrometers

physiological monitors for temperature and respiration

monitors for experimental variables, such as temperature and humidity

hand-held microtomes and microtome knives (non-disposable or disposable)

tissue processors

incubators, water baths and controlled environment chambers

greenhouse

volumetric glassware and measuring devices

general laboratory glassware and equipment identified with an anatomical pathology laboratory

chemicals for preparation of nutrient and culture requirements

chemicals for tests of plant and animal physiology and pathology

reference material for quality control and quality assurance systems

computer or other classification keys

laboratory information management systems (LIMS), databases, record and filing systems, including specimen accessioning

Communication

Communication may include:

scientists

field workers

local government professionals or representatives of state/territory authorities, such as environmental protection agencies

supervisors and managers (laboratory, quality and customer service)

clients

Hazards

Hazards may include:

microbiological organisms and agents, associated with soil, air, water, blood and blood products, and human or animal tissue and fluids

solar radiation, dust and noise

chemicals, such as acids, solvents and stains

sharps and broken glassware

flammable liquids and gases

fluids under pressure, such as steam and industrial gases

disturbance or interruption of services

Safe work practices

Safe work practices may include:

ensuring access to service shut-off points

recognising and observing hazard warnings and safety signs

labelling of samples, reagents, aliquoted samples and hazardous materials

handling and storage of hazardous materials and equipment in accordance with labelling, material safety data sheets (MSDS) and manufacturer's instructions

identifying and reporting operating problems or equipment malfunctions

cleaning and decontaminating equipment and work areas regularly using enterprise procedures

using personal protective equipment, such as gloves, safety glasses, coveralls, gowns, hearing protection and safety boots

using containment facilities (PCII, PCIII and PCIV physical containment laboratories), containment equipment (biohazard containers, laminar flow cabinets, Class I, II and III biohazard cabinets) and containment procedures

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

Disposal of biohazardous wastes

Disposal of biohazardous wastes may include:

collection for sterilisation by autoclaving (e.g. autoclaving of microbiological plates)

appropriate storage (e.g. of waste containing radioactive isotopes)

use of biohazard waste containers

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