Assessor Resource

MSS027008A
Coordinate noise management activities

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 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, monitoring and/or control of noise

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 noise management activities for a site, project or ongoing program. Personnel are required to interpret and implement a noise monitoring plan, organise specified monitoring activities, verify the quality of monitoring data and investigate and rectify unexpected or unacceptable results, monitor compliance with relevant noise standards/limits, 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

MSS025008A

Monitor and evaluate noise


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 noise management activities for a site, project or ongoing program

explaining noise monitoring plans, monitoring methods operation of monitoring instruments and noise control/reduction strategies clearly and accurately

verifying the accuracy and completeness of noise data, results and technical records

investigating unexpected or unacceptable noise results in a logical and efficient manner

reporting noise results, performance and opportunities for improvements in accordance with enterprise procedures

maintaining noise 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.

Resources may include:

site/project/program history

relevant legislation, codes, standards, enterprise environmental management policies, plans, actions, procedures, checklists and equipment manuals

noise data sets, records and reports, and noise control/reduction strategies

monitoring methods and description of monitoring set-up, access to monitoring instruments

computer and relevant software or enterprise information management system.

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested:

review of noise 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 noise monitoring activities

review of reports and recommended improvements to noise monitoring or noise control/reduction prepared by the candidate

questions to assess understanding of procedures governing the validation of data; acceptability of data/results; sources of noise data variability, interferences and uncertainty; and relevant preventative or corrective actions

analysis of case studies/reports of relevant noise management issues and incidents

observation of the candidate providing information and/or instruction to other personnel about noise monitoring and/or control and reduction strategies.

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:

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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 noise standards and/or statutory limits, monitoring methods, equipment operating procedures and enterprise noise control/reduction actions clearly and concisely

verifying the accuracy and completeness of data, results and technical records

using statistical tests (e.g. to determine data acceptability, estimate uncertainties, examine trends and infer basic relationships)

recognising unexpected or unacceptable data and results

analysing records of monitoring activities, including pre-use checks and calibration, 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 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:

terminology, concepts and principles associated with sound, noise measurement, noise control and reduction

legislative/regulatory requirements, standards, codes and guidelines dealing with environmental and/or occupational noise

noise measurement parameters and associated measurement methods (relevant to job role)

enterprise noise monitoring plans, procedures (and noise issues, noise control devices and noise reduction actions for site/project, if relevant)

detailed scientific and technical knowledge of the monitoring methods and instrumentation used to generate the noise data, including calibration, simple fault-finding and troubleshooting

expected values for noise parameters, relevant standards, and statutory noise 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 and sources of variability

enterprise procedures for identifying/assessing environmental risks/impacts, responding to complaints and environmental incidents, and record management and reporting noise 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

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

occupational health and safety (OHS)

Australian and international standards, such as:

AS 1055.1:1997 Acoustics - Description and measurement of environmental noise -General procedures

AS 1055.2:1997 Acoustics - Description and measurement of environmental noise - Application to specific situations

AS 1055.3:1997 Acoustics - Description and measurement of environmental noise -Acquisition of data pertinent to land use

AS IEC 61672.1:2004 Electroacoustics - Sound level meters - Specifications

AS IEC 61672.2 Electroacoustics - Sound level meters - Pattern evaluation tests

AS IEC 60942:2004 Electroacoustics - Sound calibration

Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) or government departmental guidelines and manuals, such as:

Noise Measurement Manual (QLD EPA)

A Guide to Measurement and Analysis of Noise (VIC EPA)

Noise Guide for Local Government (NSW)

equipment manuals and warranties, supplier catalogue and handbooks

government policy (e.g. sustainable development and impact assessment)

OHS national standards and codes of practice

site specific requirements

specific environmental standards

Noise management activities

Noise management activities may include:

assessing compliance with a statutory condition, such as a licence

investigation of a noise complaint

noise impact assessment studies

long-term monitoring programs

occupational hygiene monitoring

noise surveys

assessing effectiveness of noise control devices and reduction measures

Principles and concepts associated with noise measurement

Principles and concepts associated with noise measurement may include:

noise terminology:

sound and noise,

frequency, pitch and wavelength

sound power and acoustic energy

sound pressure and sound pressure level

sound intensity

noise measurement units (dBA and others)

frequency weighting curves

adding and subtracting sound levels

physiology of hearing

perception of noise (e.g. ‘offensive’ and ‘intrusive’ noise)

sources of noise

typical noise levels

types of noise:

continuous

intermittent

impulsive

point sources and line sources

Noise measurements and surveys

Noise measurements and surveys may include:

techniques for conducting sound and noise level measurements, such as:

sound power and sound pressure level measurements

frequency analysis and weighting networks (including at least A and Lin)

techniques for measuring different noise types, including steady noise, discretely varying noise, impulsive noise, industrial, road, traffic, rail traffic and air traffic

background noise level (LA90)

day and night sound levels (LDN)

measuring noise exposure, including equivalent continuous sound level (Leq)

time weighted exposure measurement (LAeqT)

common errors in sound level measurement, including mishandling of equipment, wind, humidity, temperature, reflected and absorbed sound and background noise

effects of meteorological conditions on noise

effects of topography and built structures on noise

data processing techniques, such as:

calculation of combined sound levels using graphical and mathematical equation techniques

background noise calculations

statistical analysis, including LAeq, LA10, LA50, and LA90

characterisation of noise by octave band analysis

calculation of individual noise exposure

noise mapping

noise rating curves

sound attenuation with distance and mathematical calculation of associated quantities

using a wide range of instruments, instrument functions and displays, such as:

sampling rate

optimum level range, sensitivity and self-generated noise

measurement time intervals, integration and averaging

response rates for sound meters, including fast, slow, impulse and peak

hold features

overload and under-range indications

threshold levels

data transfer and interfacing

calibration and reference checks of sound level meters, including both electrical and acoustic

Noise monitoring instruments and ancillary equipment

Noise monitoring instruments and ancillary equipment may include:

type 1 and type 2 portable sound level meters

integrating and non-integrating sound level meters

noise dose meters

sound level calibrators

octave analysers

statistical analysers, data loggers and recorders

telemetry equipment

sound monitoring stations

microphones

wind shields

Additional resources and equipment

Additional resources and equipment may include:

meteorological instruments, such as:

thermometers

hygrometers

barometers

anemometers

digital cameras

global positioning system (GPS) equipment

site plans, maps and aerial photographs

noise measurement and survey forms

personal protective equipment

Meteorological measurements

Meteorological measurements may include:

temperature

relative humidity

barometric pressure

wind speed and direction

Noise control/reduction actions

Noise control/reduction actions will vary greatly with the type of site and industrial processes involved and may include:

(re)design of work practices to minimise noise emissions, such as:

increase distance between noise generator and sensitive receiver

re-orient equipment to direct noise away from sensitive area

schedule operations so that noisy equipment is used separately rather than concurrently

use ‘quiet’ work practices (e.g. requiring trucks to turn off rather than idling for long periods)

substitute noisy equipment for quieter equipment (e.g. improved fan design, vibrating pile drivers and hydraulic crushers)

install specific noise reduction devices, such as equipment silencers and mufflers, noise barriers and enclosures, and installation of sound insulation

consult with nearby receivers, especially if ‘one-off’ or rare noise generating activities are to be conducted outside standard hours

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 field work 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 noise monitoring plan, including objectives, known issues, specified management activities and any required changes 
Review previous noise monitoring records and reports, if available 
Confirm that noise monitoring sites, sampling and measurement 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 noise 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 monitoring are competent to undertake their assigned tasks 
Ensure noise monitoring equipment is regularly calibrated and maintained and that adequate stocks of consumables are available 
Conduct, or arrange for, regular site inspections to monitor the effectiveness of noise control/reduction actions (if relevant to site/project/program) 
Advise relevant personnel when specified noise control/reduction 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 for the monitoring activities involved 
Compare monitoring 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, relevant standards and/or statutory limits and identify any significant differences or trends 
Check the reliability of results by examining data/results from repeat measurements or other monitoring sites 
Assess the significance of any documented observations of atypical environmental or meteorological conditions 
Check that all adjusted data and calculations are free from error 
Check that estimations of uncertainty are reasonable and consistent with the relevant standard, if relevant 
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 monitoring 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 errors in measurement positions and/or techniques 
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 noise performance including instances of potential/actual non-conformance and incidents and the actions taken in each case 
Report opportunities and recommendations for improvements in noise monitoring or management in accordance with enterprise procedures 
Ensure all noise records are legible, accurate and satisfy enterprise/legislative requirements 
Store noise records to enable easy access and review by authorised personnel in accordance with enterprise procedures 
Regularly review noise records to identify any significant trends and impacts 
Identify any problems with the maintenance and security of noise records and resolve them promptly 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

MSS027008A - Coordinate noise management activities
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Assessment Record Sheet

MSS027008A - Coordinate noise management activities

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