Assessor Resource

MSS025010A
Assist with odour source assessment

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


This unit of competency is applicable to environmental technicians working in a range of industry sectors, such as:

environmental services (e.g. sampling and monitoring of air, odours and air quality consultancy)

environmental compliance, auditing and inspection

chemical, food and by-product process manufacturing

solid waste management

water treatment and wastewater management

agricultural/livestock activities

landfill operations

rendering operations.

This unit of competency covers the ability to assist air quality scientists and engineers with assessing odour emissions from sites and the effectiveness of odour abatement systems. Personnel use site sampling and monitoring plans, enterprise procedures and/or standardised methods to collect odour samples and conduct olfactometry measurements using panellists in the laboratory. Note that odour field assessment using olfactometry panellists and community volunteer observers is covered in 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:

accurately interpreting client requests, enterprise procedures and legislative/regulatory requirements

selecting suitable panellists under supervision

communicating effectively with clients and panellists

collecting and preparing odour samples in accordance with standard methods or enterprise procedures

using olfactometry equipment to obtain reliable data

processing odour data and confirming its acceptability

communicating the significance of odour results, including the discussion of any errors and/or unexpected variation to appropriate personnel

reporting results and completing all records in the required format and timeframe

working safely.

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.

This unit of competency may be assessed with:

MSS025002A Assess the environmental risk or impact of a project activity or process

MSS025004A Provide environmental information to customers

MSS025011A Assist with odour field assessment.

The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team.

Resources may include:

odour sampling and measuring equipment

standard laboratory with facilities, equipment, materials and reagents for required measurements

enterprise procedures, standard test methods and equipment manuals.

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested:

review of odour data, results and records prepared by the candidate

feedback from peers and supervisors that the candidate consistently follows enterprise procedures, standard test methods and works safely

feedback from clients and panellists about the candidate’s handling of enquiries and information

oral/written questioning associated with odour sampling, odour measurements and calculations

observation of the candidate collecting odour samples and conducting olfactometry testing and/or instructing panellists.

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:

listening and communicating effectively with clients and panellists

negotiating with stakeholders and reaching satisfactory agreements, where possible

organising field sampling and laboratory testing activities efficiently

interpreting and analysing information, procedures and attending closely to detail

providing accurate information about odours and odour monitoring, instructing odour olfactometry panellists

applying odour sampling and monitoring procedures (e.g. labelling, storing, transporting and traceability of samples)

using sampling equipment (e.g. pre-use checks) and olfactometry instruments correctly and safely, and identifying/rectifying basic equipment faults

responding effectively to changed or unforeseen circumstances

seeking advice when issues/problems are beyond scope of competence/responsibility

working safely for the protection of self and others

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes:

understanding of chemical/process engineering relevant to site

terminology, such as olfactometry, odour threshold, odour intensity, hedonic tone, odour character or quality, odour nuisance, dilution to threshold, odour concentration, odour units (ou), and commonly used odour descriptors

calculating flow rates, dilution factors, odour emission rates and uncertainties

regulatory/licensing requirements that apply to site

nature of odour complaints, possible health effects, typical community concerns and environmental issues about odour

basic principles of atmospheric chemistry, odorous compound families, meteorology

enterprise procedures and test methods for odour sampling and monitoring

set-up and operation of sampling equipment and dynamic olfactometers in the laboratory, function of key components, simple troubleshooting and calibration checks

control of the olfactory testing environment (e.g. conditions that can dull sensitivity)

likely causes of variation in odour results and their control

reporting requirements, protocols for the confidentiality and security of information and communicating with the community and media

relevant health, safety and environment requirements

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

Legislation, standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements

Legislation, standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements may include:

federal legislation, such as:

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

The Environmental Protection Act 1986

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/NZS 4323.3:2001 Stationary source emissions - Determination of odour concentration by dynamic olfactometry

AS/NZS 4323.4:2009 Stationary source emissions - Area source sampling - Flux chamber technique

SAA HB 9 Occupational personal protection

data quality procedures

enterprise procedures for sampling, monitoring, checking calibration of dynamic olfactometers

equipment manuals and warranties, supplier catalogue and handbooks

material safety data sheets (MSDS)

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

Odour sources and geometries

Odour sources may include:

waste water treatment plants, sludge ponds

solid waste recycling plants

landfill and landfill gas treatment plants

chemical plants

composting operations, food and by-product processing, such as rendering and tanning plants

agriculture/livestock facilities, such as poultry and pig farming, cattle feedlots and mushroom farms

Odour source geometries may include:

point, area, volume and fugitive sources

Information about the site and industrial activities

Information about the site and industrial activities collected by air quality scientists and engineers may include:

location of site and nearby buildings, topography and meteorological records

complaints, and previous odour assessments at site and nearby locations

other industrial activities or potential odour sources in the surrounding area

industrial process inputs/outputs, flow diagram and process flowchart

unit operations and typical variability, nominal and upset conditions

pollution control equipment and techniques for industrial processes

air emission control systems, such as scrubbers, bag filters, stacks and bio filters

forced or natural ventilation within odorous buildings

parameters of emission sources, such as location, geometry, and release parameters for processes

operational conditions and period of operation

batch or continuous operation for units upstream from the emission source

predictable variations in process conditions, production rates and weather interaction

Complaint records

Complaint records may include:

date and time of the complaint, and complainant details

odour characteristic and weather conditions

actions undertaken to verify the complaint

actions undertaken to fix the issue

back communication/information to complainant

Odour sampling/monitoring plans

Odour sampling/monitoring plans may include:

monitoring protocol with details of purpose, duration, scope, available resources, detailed procedures and data quality requirements

site map showing key community features, plant boundaries, possible/confirmed odour sources and topography

monitoring at the source with sampling locations, sampling conditions (process and meteorology), type of sampling, coding and numbers of samples

data collection forms (e.g. source location, geometry, operational conditions, sampling strategy and design deviations)

Odour sampling and laboratory monitoring equipment

Odour sampling and laboratory monitoring equipment may include:

sampling bags, such as Teflon, Tedlar and Nalophan

portable wind tunnel sampling systems

fluxhood/fluxchamber/isolation chamber sampling systems

sorbent sampling tubes and stainless steel canisters for collecting volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

tubing, pumps, carbon filters and diluter

sweep gases for sample collection, such as nitrogen

tracer gas for calibration, such as carbon monoxide (CO)

reference material, such as 1-butanol

dynamic olfactometers for laboratory use

Pre-use checks of sampling and monitoring equipment

Pre-use checks of sampling and monitoring equipment may include:

cleanliness of reusable items

leak testing of sample bags, preparation of VOC canisters and sampling equipment

pump pressures and flow rate of sweep gases calibration checks

olfactometer (range, accuracy, precision and lowest detection limit (LDL))

n-butanol storage

cleanliness of the measurement room of the olfactometry laboratory

Selection and training for laboratory panellists

Selection and training for laboratory panellists may include:

use of the reference material (n-butanol) to determine odour threshold and performance of individuals in relation to normative values

use of standard dynamic olfactometry procedures

effects of alertness, attention, fatigue and health status

odour descriptor assignation

odour panel calibration results (AS/NZS 4323.3:2001 Stationary source emissions - Determination of odour concentration by dynamic olfactometry) and traceability of the panellist tests

Odour laboratory condition requirements

The odour testing environment in the laboratory requires an odour-free environment and includes:

no stray source odours (e.g. renovation, furniture, equipment and stored chemicals)

effective ventilation with filtered air conditioning

temperature control

no direct sunlight exposure

noise-free room

Odour monitoring data

Odour monitoring data may include:

emission source characteristics, such as air velocity, dimensions of a vent or area, temperature, humidity, partial pressure, adjustments made for high temperature and/or high pressure and/or high humidity flows, and ventilation rates

sampling data, such as sampling start/end times, type of equipment, sampling location within the source, meteorological and process conditions, ambient temperature, pressure and humidity, diluter use and dynamic dilution rate, sampling flow rates, and any deviations from the requirements of the standard or internal procedure

laboratory measurement data, such as identification of the panellist, temperature of the room, date and time of the measurement, chemical analyser and olfactometer operational parameters, odour panel calibration result, set of dilutions over the measurements rounds, average dilution for the panel at the odour threshold, odour concentration result and uncertainty, and any deviation from the requirements of the standard or internal procedure

Odour control strategies

Odour control strategies may include:

physical, such as adsorption, absorption, photo ionisation, masking and neutralisation

chemical, such as scrubbing, oxidation and incineration

biological, such as biofiltration using bacteria

combined, such as bioscrubbers

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

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
Examine available information about the site’s history, current activities/processes, previous odour assessments, topography, prevalent meteorological conditions and complaint records 
Visit the site with supervisor to clarify issues with the proponent and community representatives, as appropriate 
Collect and review information about site process operations and conditions 
Identify potential odour sources at the site and current controls 
Review relevant legislative, regulatory and licensing requirements or enterprise procedures/test methods 
Select, or design, appropriate sampling and monitoring strategies in consultation with supervisor 
Confirm details of relevant odour sampling/monitoring plans, need for site permits and access to the site 
Confirm data format and quality requirements 
Review relevant standards and/or specified enterprise procedures/test methods 
Assemble required sampling and monitoring equipment and check that all reusable items are clean, fit for purpose and calibrated correctly 
Ensure that all required supplies and equipment are transported safely to and from the site 
Confirm the specifications for panellists with supervisor, and client as necessary 
Conduct standardised selection to determine odour threshold and ongoing olfactometry performance of individuals 
Conduct standardised or in-house selection to assess and compare sensitivity against internal criteria 
Select panellists in consultation with supervisor 
Train selected panellists in the use of objective odour observation techniques, odour descriptors, olfactometry procedures and test equipment 
Record the process and results used to establish and maintain a register of reliable panellists 
Check that process/meteorological conditions are consistent with sampling design conditions and report any deviations 
Set up sampling equipment and conduct pre-use checks to ensure reliable operation 
Collect samples in accordance with standard methods or enterprise procedures 
Store samples for subsequent analysis to ensure their ongoing integrity and traceability 
Identify and report any defects or abnormalities in samples 
Record all sample information in accordance with standard methods or enterprise procedures 
Set up dynamic olfactometer and related equipment and conduct pre-use checks to ensure reliable operation 
Ensure that panellists fully understand the test procedures 
Conduct tests in accordance with standard method 
Monitor panellist’s performance for indications of odour fatigue, adaption of their senses to the surrounding ambient air and/or bias 
Analyse the conduct of the measurements and reliability of results before confirming data acceptability 
Ensure safety through the use of specified safety equipment, safe work procedures and personal protective clothing 
Handle all samples and equipment in accordance with enterprise safety procedures 
Minimise generation of waste and environmental impacts 
Collect and dispose of all wastes safely 
Report hazards and incidents to designated personnel using enterprise procedures 
Record details of the testing process and data in accordance with standard method or enterprise procedures 
Process data and report results in accordance with standard method or enterprise procedures 
Record approved data in accordance with specified format and quality requirements 
Maintain confidentiality and security of enterprise information and data 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

MSS025010A - Assist with odour source assessment
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

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Result: Competent Not yet competent

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Assessment Record Sheet

MSS025010A - Assist with odour source assessment

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

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Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

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