MSS027007A - Coordinate air quality management activities
Assessor Resource
MSS027007A Coordinate air quality management activities
Assessment tool
Version 1.0 Issue Date: April 2024
This unit of competency is applicable to environmental site coordinators, environmental managers and senior environmental officers working in a range of industry sectors, such as:
environmental services involved with sampling and monitoring of ambient air, indoor air and workplace air parameters
environmental compliance, auditing and inspection.
Note that the term ‘manager’ is used to refer to management of a function, project and/or program and does not necessarily imply line management.
This unit of competency covers the ability to oversee the day-to-day air quality management activities for a site, project or an ongoing program. Personnel are required to interpret and implement an air quality management plan, organise specified management activities, verify the quality of monitoring data and investigate and rectify unexpected or unacceptable results, monitor compliance with relevant air quality objectives or standards, and provide reports. They work under the supervision of an environmental scientist or engineer, site manager or enterprise environmental manager.
You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)
Prerequisites
MSS025009A
Perform sampling and testing of air OR
MSS025016A
Perform sampling and testing of stationary emissions
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:
planning and implementing the day-to-day air quality management activities for a site, project or ongoing program
explaining air quality management plans, procedures, sampling/monitoring methods and operation of monitoring equipment clearly and accurately
verifying the accuracy and completeness of air quality data, results and technical records
investigating unexpected or unacceptable air quality results in a logical and efficient manner
reporting air quality results, performance and opportunities for improvements in accordance with enterprise procedures
maintaining air quality records in accordance with legislative/licensing/enterprise requirements.
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:
MSS027011A Select, commission and maintain environmental monitoring instruments.
The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team.
sampling methods and description of monitoring set-up, access to monitoring, sampling and testing equipment
computer and relevant software or enterprise information management system.
Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are suggested:
review of air quality data files, results and records verified by the candidate
feedback from managers and site personnel regarding the candidate’s ability to safely coordinate day-to-day air quality management activities
review of reports and recommended improvements to air quality monitoring or management prepared by the candidate
questions to assess understanding of procedures governing the validation of data; acceptability of data/results; sources of air quality data variability, interferences and uncertainty; and relevant preventative or corrective actions
analysis of case studies/reports of relevant air quality management issues and incidents
observation of the candidate providing air quality management information and/or instruction to other personnel.
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:
accessing, interpreting and applying relevant legislative/regulatory requirements, standards, codes, guidelines and equipment manuals
explaining relevant air quality standards, sampling/monitoring methods, equipment operating procedures and enterprise air quality management actions clearly and concisely
verifying the accuracy and completeness of air quality data, results and technical records
using statistical tests (e.g. to determine data acceptability, estimate uncertainties, examine trends and infer relationships)
recognising unexpected or unacceptable data and results
analysing records of sampling, monitoring and/or calibration activities to identify potential causes of unacceptable/unexpected data and results
recommending appropriate preventative/corrective actions to control potential/actual non-conformances or incidents
solving complex technical problems, including identifying and rectifying instrument faults
responding effectively to complaints and requests for information
seeking advice when issues/problems are beyond scope of competence/responsibility
maintaining records and providing accurate, complete and timely reports
working safely and monitoring the safety of others
Required knowledge
Required knowledge includes:
types and properties of air pollutants relevant to job role, such as particulates, inorganic gases, organic gases, photochemical smog and greenhouse gases
legislative/regulatory requirements, standards, codes and guidelines dealing with air quality
air quality management terminology, concepts and principles
enterprise air quality management plans, procedures (and air quality issues, control measures and mitigation/management actions for site/project, if relevant)
detailed scientific and technical knowledge of the samples, sampling/monitoring methods, equipment, materials and instrumentation used to generate the air quality data, including calibration, fault-finding and troubleshooting
expected values for air quality parameters, relevant national environment protection measure standards and goals, or statutory environmental quality concentration limits or similar
problem-solving techniques and cause analysis
impacts of common human, environmental and/or meteorological factors on data quality
sources of interference, uncertainty, limitations of methods, purpose of reference conditions and sources of variability (e.g. stack conditions)
enterprise procedures for identifying assessing environmental risks/impacts, responding to complaints and environmental incidents, and record management and reporting air quality data
interpersonal communication, negotiation and conflict resolution techniques
relevant health, safety and workplace emergency response procedures
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 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/NZS 3580 series Methods for sampling and analysis of ambient air
AS 2365 series Methods for the sampling and analysis of indoor air
AS 2986 series Workplace air quality
National Environment Protection Measure (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
Air quality management activities
Air quality management activities will vary greatly with the type of site/project/program. They could involve either ambient air monitoring or source emission testing and may include:
determination of sampling point locations, sampling methods, number and type of samples, duration and frequency of sampling
specification of site sampling plans
specification of site equipment, such as instruments, and sampling ports/platforms to meet quality and safety requirements
arranging/conducting the set-up, calibration, (re)configuration, maintenance and troubleshooting of equipment
liaison with site personnel to coordinate process operations and sampling programs to ensure representative results
instruction and auditing of personnel to ensure monitoring, sampling and testing methods or procedures are followed
analysis and verification of results
investigation of unexpected and unacceptable results, including non-compliances
liaison/negotiation with regulators about licence conditions, and explanation of results and non-compliances
specification of air quality management actions for sites
site inspections to monitor the effectiveness of air quality management actions
Ambient air parameters
Ambient air parameters may include:
inorganic gases:
CO, CO2, NOx andSOx
acid gases
H2S
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, CO2 andNOx
radon
organic gases, such as:
formaldehyde
PAHs
organic oxidants and other photochemical smog compounds (e.g. PANs)
particulates, such as:
suspended matter (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:
contributions to regulatory agency reports (where required by permit, approval or licence conditions)
Air quality records
Air quality records may include:
digital photographs of air quality monitoring sites
data files
records required by permit, approval or licence conditions
records of monitoring equipment purchase, calibration, inspection, maintenance and service
records of complaints and government requests
records of air quality non-conformances, incidents, or significant impacts
contractor and supplier information
internal quality/environmental audit reports
electronic/hard copy correspondence
records of approved expenditure, orders
Air quality management actions
Air quality management actions will vary greatly with the type of site and industrial processes involved and may include:
use of adsorbers, filters and scrubbers
use of water and/or enclosing transfer points, operating equipment and discharge points to reduce dust
covering and/or watering stockpiles when not in use
keeping vehicle movements to engineered routes
using appropriate dust suppressants
limiting clearance/excavation areas to minimise ground disturbance
using mulch or vegetation cover to stabilise soils
prohibiting the burning of vegetation or waste
limiting or ceasing activities (e.g. dusty work) during unfavourable weather conditions (e.g. high wind)
use of wind breaks and wind fences to prevent migration of dust
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
Review legislative, regulatory and licensing requirements and approvals that apply to site/project/program
Review current air quality management plan, including objectives, known issues, specified management activities and any required changes
Review previous air quality records and reports, if available
Confirm that site set-up, sampling methods, instrumentation and enterprise procedures are in accordance with relevant standards and guidelines
Clarify own scope of responsibility/authority for achieving specific outcomes and the roles of other key personnel
Identify resources available to conduct air quality management activities
Develop a consolidated schedule to ensure all activities can be conducted efficiently with the available resources
Develop checklists/clear work instructions to enable personnel to perform assigned tasks efficiently and with minimal errors
Ensure that personnel who conduct sampling, monitoring and/or field testing are competent to undertake their assigned tasks
Ensure air sampling/monitoring/testing equipment is regularly calibrated and maintained and that adequate stocks of consumables are available
Ensure air samples are handled in accordance with the sampling method and chain of custody requirements and dispatched promptly for analysis
Arrange for source emission testing according to licence requirements (if relevant to site/project/program)
Conduct, or arrange for, regular site inspections to monitor the effectiveness of air quality management actions (if relevant to site/project/program)
Advise relevant personnel when specified air quality management actions are not being implemented effectively (if relevant to site/project/program)
Conduct, or arrange for, additional monitoring/inspections after atypical events, legitimate complaints or government requests
Identify relevant job instructions, data and technical records in enterprise information management system
Confirm that technical records provide sufficient information to ensure traceability/chain of custody for the monitoring activities involved
Compare data with expected values and identify any outliers
Inspect data records to identify any gaps and to check the integrity of data entry, transfers, alterations and calculations
Notify manager when data is incomplete or contains significant errors, and clarify what action to take
Compare results with expected values and/or relevant standards and identify any significant differences or trends
Check the reliability of results by examining data or results from other monitoring stations, repeat measurements and/or tests of duplicate samples
Assess the significance of any recorded atypical environmental or meteorological conditions
Check that all calculations are free from error
Check that estimations of uncertainty are reasonable and consistent with the sampling method, relevant standards or guidelines
Report results that meet enterprise data quality standards and are consistent with expectations
Examine records of pre-use checks and calibration performance to ensure that the sampling equipment, reagents/standards and/or monitoring/test instruments used meet specifications and enterprise requirements
Establish whether human, environmental and/or meteorological factors could have affected the reliability of results
Check for obvious sources of interference that may have occurred during measurements or analysis of samples
Retrieve stored samples (if available) and assess whether they are atypical or contaminated
Arrange for control tests using the same or new samples to check unexpected results, if relevant
Report unexpected results that meet enterprise data quality standards
Identify possible root causes of unacceptable results and appropriate preventative/corrective actions
Report investigation outcomes and recommendations for improvements in accordance with enterprise procedures
Seek manager’s advice when challenges are beyond own technical competence or when input from environmental specialists may be required
Provide regular reports about air quality performance including instances of potential/actual non-conformance and incidents and the actions taken in each case
Report opportunities and recommendations for improvements in air quality monitoring or management in accordance with enterprise procedures
Ensure all air quality records are legible, accurate and satisfy enterprise/legislative requirements
Store air quality records to enable easy access and review by authorised personnel in accordance with enterprise procedures
Regularly review air quality records to identify any significant trends and impacts
Identify any problems with the maintenance and security of air quality records and resolve them promptly.
Forms
Assessment Cover Sheet
MSS027007A - Coordinate air quality management activities
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Assessment Record Sheet
MSS027007A - Coordinate air quality management activities
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