The range of variables relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that will affect performance.
Where reference is made to industry Codes of Practice, and/or Australian/international standards, it is expected the latest version will be used.
Personnel usually have access to information, such as:
enterprise procedures for specific client measurements at particular sites
maps and site plans
material safety data sheets (MSDS) and safety procedures
enterprise recording and reporting procedures.
Hazards may include:
solar radiation, dust and noise
wildlife, such as snakes, spiders, domestic animals
biohazards, such as micro-organisms and agents associated with soil, air, water
chemicals, such as acids and hydrocarbons
manual/handling of heavy equipment or materials
crushing, entanglement, cuts associated with moving machinery
falling objects, uneven surfaces, heights, slopes, wet surfaces, trenches, confined spaces
vehicle handling in rough terrain, boat handling in rough or flowing water
vehicular or pedestrian traffic
Safety practices may include:
use of material safety data sheets (MSDSs)
use personal protective equipment, such as hard hats, hearing protection, gloves, safety glasses, goggles, face-guards, coveralls, gown, body suits, respirators, safety boots
correct labelling of hazardous materials
handling and storing hazardous material and equipment in accordance with labels, MSDS, manufacturer's instructions, enterprise procedures and regulations
regular cleaning and/or decontaminating of equipment
machinery guards
signage, barriers, service isolation tags, traffic control, flashing lights
lockout and tagout procedures
Measurements could include the use of instruments and/or kits to test:
pH, specific ions, such as iron in water using dipsticks
dissolved oxygen (DO)
electrical conductivity (EC)
Other measurements could include:
sound (for example, dB level, dBA)
light levels, illumination
basic production/process parameters (for example, flow, temperature, pressure, mass, depth)
simple surveys (for example, number of trees in quadrant)
background radiation (for example, Geiger counter)
dimensions
meteorological measurements (for example, temperature, rainfall, wind)
Common measuring equipment could include:
tape measure, rulers, micrometers calipers, water level indicators
balances
meter/probe systems (for example, dissolved oxygen (DO), electrical conductivity (EC) )
analogue and digital meters (for example, voltage, current, resistance, pressure, temperature, barometers, anemometers, hygrometers)
dipsticks or spot test kits
clocks, timing devices.
Services may include:
water supply, gas, electricity
telecommunications
irrigation, stormwater, drainage, sewerage systems
production plant.
Appropriate corrective actions may include:
logical check of equipment set-up
check of calibration, zero error, drift for basic instruments
careful re-reading of procedures
repeat measurements
seek advice.
Minimising environmental impacts may involve:
disposal of surplus, spent or purged materials
recycling of wastes
responsible driving to avoid damage to vegetation and fauna
cleaning of vehicles to prevent transfer of pests and contaminants.
Health, safety and environment
All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent health, safety and environmental (HSE) requirements, which may be imposed through State or Federal legislation, and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between performance criteria and HSE requirements, the HSE requirements take precedence.
All operations assume the potentially hazardous nature of samples and require standard precautions to be applied. Users should access and apply current industry understanding of infection control issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council and State and Territory Departments of Health. All operations are performed in accordance with standard operating procedures.