Required skills

Required skills include

performingsimple calculations

preparing and interpreting straightforward tables graphs and charts

applying calculations in the workplace

coding recording and checking data accurately

presenting accurate results in the required format

recognising obvious trends in data

maintaining the confidentiality of data in accordance with workplace and regulatory requirements

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes

concepts of metrology

the international system of units SI

relevant scientific and technical terminology

procedures for coding entering storing retrieving and communicating data

procedures for verifying data and rectifying mistakes

conversion of units involving multiples and submultiples

significant figures estimation approximation rounding off

substitution of data in formulae

calculations involving fractions decimals proportions and percentages

procedures for maintaining and filing records security of data

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria required skills and knowledge range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Assessors should ensure that candidates can

accurately code check and record data in the required format

calculate simple scientific quantities

recognise obvious trends in data

maintain the confidentiality of data

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or simulated workplace environment

This unit may be assessed with technical units such as

MSLA Perform basic tests

MSL973001A Perform basic tests

MSLA Prepare working solutions

MSL973002A Prepare working solutions

MSLA Perform microscopic examination

MSL973007A Perform microscopic examination.

Resources may include

data sets and records

computer and relevant software or laboratory information system

relevant enterprise procedures

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested

review of data worksheets calculations graphs and tables prepared by the candidate

review of records transcribed maintained or stored by the candidate

feedback from supervisors and peers

observation of the candidate as they record data and perform calculations

questions to assess understanding of relevant procedures and trends in data

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

Access must be provided to appropriate learning andor assessment support when required

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

This competency in practice

Industry representatives have provided the case studies below to illustrate the practical application of this unit of competency and show its relevance in a workplace setting

Construction materials

A laboratory assistant is given soil samples and asked to test their moisture content by weighing each sample placing them in an oven for hours and then reweighing them The assistant performs the tests in accordance with the standard method and then calculates the water content by dividing the weight loss by the wet weight and multiplying by Heshe checks the results After entering them into the laboratory information management system LIMS they notice that they are consistently less than the previous results recorded for soils at the same site The assistant reports the discrepancy to the supervisor who checks whether the oven was operated at the required temperature The supervisor then discovers that the assistant has calculated the moisture content by dividing the weight loss by the wet weight instead of the dry weight The assistant recalculates the moisture content for the samples and notes that the results are now consistent with previous results

Manufacturing

On Friday a laboratory assistant performs the routine set of temperature pressure and humidity measurements at sites in a refinery They enter the data on a preprepared data sheet that also contains the data recorded for the previous days of that week The assistant checks the data for any significant variations to that recorded previously They notice that for site the temperature reading is C which is C below the expected value The assistant repeats the measurement and gets the same result After returning to the laboratory the assistant enters the data into the LIMS and reports the odd result to their supervisor The supervisor contacts the site manager and finds out that the pipeline at site has been isolated as part of unscheduled maintenance in that part of the site

Codes of practice

Standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements

Concepts of metrology

Data

Simple calculations

Obvious features and trends in data

Occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental management requirements