This unit of competency is applicable to environmental technicians in a range of industry sectors, such as:
environmental services involved with sampling and monitoring of ambient air, indoor air and workplace air parameters
occupational hygiene
environmental compliance, auditing and inspection.
This unit of competency covers the ability to collect and test gaseous and particulate components in ambient, indoor and occupational air. Personnel will normally work within an existing sampling or monitoring plan. They will continually monitor levels of risk, apply specified safe working procedures and use prescribed safety equipment. Note that sampling and testing of odours is covered in MSS025010A Assist with odour source assessment and MSS025011A Assist with odour field assessment.
You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)
Prerequisites
Not applicable.
Employability Skills
Not applicable.
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.
Overview of assessment
Competency must be demonstrated in the ability to perform consistently at the required standard.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently apply the skills covered in this unit of competency in new and different situations and contexts. Critical aspects of assessment and evidence include:
demonstrating an understanding of the legislative and regulatory framework relevant to air quality
using air quality measurement terminology accurately
interpreting and applying site air sampling/monitoring plans and procedures
collecting reliable, representative air samples in accordance with methods/procedures
operating, maintaining and calibrating air quality measurement instrumentation to produce consistently valid and accurate results
interpreting gross features of data, identifying atypical results as out-of-normal range or an artefact and making relevant conclusions
calculating results using appropriate units/precision
providing accurate, complete records of sampling and testing observations, data and results
working safely and follow relevant legislative requirements for the disposal of waste and the preservation of the environment.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated workplace environment.
Assessment should emphasise a workplace context and procedures found in the candidate’s workplace.
MSS025016A Perform sampling and testing of stationary emissions.
The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team.
Resources may include:
vehicles, survey equipment, air sampling/monitoring equipment, cameras, consumables and manuals
work program, enterprise procedures, codes of practice, maps and field protocols.
Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are suggested:
inspection of air samples collected by the candidate
review of air quality measurements, test results, calculations and observations produced by the candidate
review of sampling/testing records completed by the candidate
feedback from peers and supervisors about the candidate’s ability to consistently apply enterprise procedures and work safely
oral and written questioning to check the candidate’s understanding of the principles of air quality sampling/testing, operation of air sampling equipment, test instruments and processing of data
observation of the candidate performing a range of air sampling and testing tasks.
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.
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.
Guidance information for assessment
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:
planning and preparing for field activities
observational and descriptive skills
collecting representative samples in accordance with a sampling plan and method
using appropriate techniques to preserve the integrity of samples
demonstrating correct and safe use of field/laboratory instruments and/or equipment, including calibration
using air quality measurement instrumentation to obtain verifiable, quantitative results
identifying and rectifying basic instrument faults
identifying atypical data and samples and taking appropriate action
maintaining sampling equipment
completing accurate records of sampling, test data and results
communicating effectively and writing/compiling concise and accurate reports
responding effectively to changed or unforeseen circumstances
seeking advice when issues/problems are beyond scope of competence/responsibility
following requirements for the disposal of waste and the preservation of the environment
working safely
Required knowledge
Required knowledge includes:
appropriate terminology for atmospheric science, air measurement and air pollution
the structure, circulation and composition of the atmosphere
atmospheric stability, lapse rates and inversions
localised meteorology and dispersion of air pollutants
Legislation, standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements may include:
federal legislation, such as
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
state/territory government legislation and regulations and local government by-laws, policies, and plans dealing with:
land use, acquisition, planning and protection
environmental protection
pollution and contaminated sites
Australian and international standards, such as:
AS ISO 14050:1999 Environmental management - Vocabulary
AS/NZS ISO 14000 Basic set:2007 Environmental management basic set
AS 2365 series Methods for the sampling and analysis of indoor air
AS 2986 series Workplace air quality
AS/NZS 3580 series Methods for sampling and analysis of ambient air
AS/NZS 2922 Guide for the siting of sampling units (air monitoring)
National Environment Protection Measure (NEPM) (Ambient Air Quality)
enterprise sampling and monitoring protocols
equipment manuals and warranties, supplier catalogue and handbooks
government policy (e.g. environmental protection and impact assessment)
material safety data sheets (MSDS)
occupational health and safety (OHS) national standards and codes of practice
site-specific requirements
Ambient air parameters
Ambient air parameters may include:
inorganic gases:
CO and CO2
NOx,
SOx
acid gases
hydrogen sulfide
ozone
fluorides
organic gases:
methane and non-methane hydrocarbons
poly-aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
organic oxidants and other photochemical smog compounds (e.g. poly-aromatic nitrates (PANs))
air toxics:
benzene, toluene and xylenes
formaldehyde
Benzo(a)pyrene (PAH marker)
particulates:
deposited matter
suspended matter (PM10, PM2.5 and PM1)
particulate fluorides
lead
Indoor air parameters
Indoor air parameters may include:
inorganic gases, such as:
CO and CO2
NOx
radon
organic gases such as:
formaldehyde
poly-aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
organic oxidants and other photochemical smog compounds e.g. poly-aromatic nitrates (PANs)
particulates such as:
PM10, PM2.5, and PM1
microorganisms and spores
Occupational (workplace) air parameters
Occupational (workplace) air parameters may include:
chemicals listed in the ‘Adopted National Exposure Standards for Atmospheric Contaminants in the Occupational Environment’. Concentration levels for action are:
Enterprise procedures for field activities may include:
field notebooks or log books
standard operating procedures covering fieldwork, sampling and testing
equipment operating manuals, calibration procedures, instrument fault-finding procedures and general maintenance and repair procedures
emergency, first aid and survival procedures
requirements related to protection of the environment
incident/accident/injury report forms
Additional equipment
Additional equipment may include:
navigation and communication equipment (e.g. compass, maps, GPS, two-way radio and mobile phone)
electric generators and power leads
calibration gases
data loggers
first aid equipment
Hazards
Hazards may include:
solar radiation, dust and noise
exposure to toxic gases
electrical hazards
accidents, emergencies and incidents, such as snake, insect or animal bites
exposure to severe weather conditions
manual handling of heavy objects
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 consumables, 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
Review available site information, such as site plan, sampling/testing locations and history of sampling/testing
Confirm the scope and purpose of air sampling/testing and data requirements
Confirm sampling methods, locations, numbers and types of samples, and duration/frequency of sampling from enterprise or client’s sampling plan
Check that all air sampling/testing procedures are in accordance with client or enterprise requirements, relevant standards and guidelines
Identify site and sampling/testing hazards and review enterprise safety procedures
Liaise with relevant personnel to arrange site access and obtain all clearances and/or permits, as necessary
Review field sampling procedures and sample preparation methods required for specific laboratory tests
Select sampling equipment and conditions to achieve representative samples and preserve sample integrity during collection, storage and transit
Ensure all reagents, solutions, standards and blanks (as appropriate) are obtained and/or ready for field use
Select field test equipment/instruments and check operation and calibration, as required, in accordance with procedures and manufacturer instructions
Assemble, check, stow all sampling equipment, field test equipment, materials, containers and safety equipment
Arrange suitable transport to, from and around site, as required
Locate sampling sites and, if required, services at the site
Conduct representative sampling in accordance with sampling plan and defined procedures for field and/or laboratory testing
Ensure all controls, blanks and replicate samples are properly integrated into the sampling process
Record all information and label samples in accordance with traceability requirements
Record environmental conditions and any atypical observations made during sampling that may impact on sample representativeness or integrity
Transport all samples back to base according to enterprise procedures and relevant guidelines
Take sufficient measurements of all samples and standards, if appropriate, to obtain reliable data
Obtain sample or subsample for designated field test or locate established locations for in-situ testing
Set up, check/calibrate and operate equipment, instruments, reagents, gases and in accordance with test methods/procedures and manufacturer instructions
Perform tests, procedures and any observations in accordance with specified methods/procedures
Record all field/laboratory observations and results and ensure that they are accurately transferred to enterprise information management system
Review test data noting atypical observations
Ensure calculated values are consistent with expectations
Estimate and document uncertainty of measurement in accordance with enterprise procedures, if required
Record processed results in accordance with enterprise procedures
Interpret trends in data and/or results and report out-of-specification or atypical results promptly to appropriate personnel
Determine if obvious procedure or equipment problems have led to atypical data or results
Compare results with established air quality standards, statutory environmental quality concentration limits or similar, if relevant
Finalise reporting of results in accordance with enterprise requirements
Rehabilitate sampling site to render it safe and to minimise environmental impact
Clean all equipment, containers, work area and vehicles according to enterprise procedures
Check serviceability of all equipment before storage
Use defined safe work practices and personal protective equipment to ensure personal safety and that of others
Minimise the generation of wastes and environment impacts
Ensure the safe collection of all hazardous wastes for appropriate disposal
Forms
Assessment Cover Sheet
MSS025009A - Perform sampling and testing of air
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
MSS025009A - Perform sampling and testing of air
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