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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Prepare for sampling
  2. Conduct sampling and log samples
  3. Prepare samples for testing
  4. Address client issues
  5. Maintain a safe work environment

Range Statement

This field allows for different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included.

Standards, codes, procedures and/or workplace requirements

Standards, codes, procedures and/or workplace requirements include the latest version of one or more of:

Australian and international standards covering the requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories; laboratory safety; quality and environmental management; sampling of materials; and labelling, storage, handling and transport of hazardous materials

national work health and safety (WHS) standards and codes of practice, national environmental protection measures, and national measurement regulations and guidelines

specific codes, guidelines and procedures, such as National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accreditation requirements and principles of good laboratory practice (GLP)

workplace documents, such as SOPs; quality and equipment manuals; calibration and maintenance schedules; material safety data sheets (MSDS); safety procedures; material, production and product specifications; production and laboratory schedules; workplace recording and reporting procedures; waste minimisation and safe disposal procedures; and maps and site plans

sampling procedures for specific samples, sites and clients (labelling, preparation, storage, transport and disposal)

methods and procedures which may be written to meet workplace, client and/or regulatory/certifying body requirements

Materials sampled

Materials sampled include one or more of:

gas or air samples

water, groundwater, wastewater, stormwater, sludges and sewage

soil, sediments, rocks, concrete, quarry and mining material, solid wastes

raw materials, start, middle, end of production run samples, final products and materials used in production processes, such as flocculants

plants, animals and microbiological samples

Types of samples

Types of samples include one or more of:

grab samples

composite samples

quality control samples

research or one-off samples

environmental or survey samples

Sampling tools and equipment

Sampling tools and equipment include, but are not limited to, one or more of:

shovels, augers, chain saws, front-end loader, backhoe, excavator and drill rig

sampling frames, sampling tubes, dip tubes, spears, flexible bladders and syringes, sample thief, pumps and stainless steel bailers

sample bottles or containers, plastic containers and disposable buckets

access valves

auto samplers

traps and cages

sterile containers, pipettes, inoculating loops and disposable spoons

Maintenance of integrity of samples

Maintenance of integrity of samples includes one or more of:

use of appropriate containers and lids, sealing of sample containers

purging of sample lines and bores

decontamination of sampling tools between collection of consecutive samples

use of appropriate preservatives

temperature control, which may involve insulation of the container in foil or wet newspaper, cloth, sand or sawdust, and separation of the sample and coolant

transfer of sterile sample into sterile container

handling and transport of samples to avoid disturbance or damage

monitoring of storage conditions

workplace/legal traceability through appropriate sample labelling and records

Safety procedures

Safety procedures include, but are not limited to, one or more of:

use of biohazard containers and laminar flow cabinets

correct labelling of reagents and hazardous materials

use of PPE

handling, and storing hazardous materials and equipment in accordance with labels, MSDS, manufacturer instructions, and workplace procedures and regulations

regular cleaning and/or decontamination of equipment and work areas

machinery guards

signage, barriers, service isolation tags, traffic control and flashing lights

lock out and tag-out procedures

WHS and environmental management requirements

WHS and environmental management requirements include:

· complying with WHS and environmental management requirements at all times, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation. These requirements must not be compromised at any time

· applying standard precautions relating to the potentially hazardous nature of samples

accessing and applying current industry understanding of infection control issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and State and Territory Departments of Health, where relevant

Performance Evidence

Evidence of competence in this unit must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria, and include demonstration of:

using a range of site sampling plans, samples and sampling procedures

sampling from a range of sampling points and locations

obtaining samples that are representative of the source material in accordance with a sampling plan on at least three (3) occasions

obtaining at least three (3) different types of samples in accordance with sampling plans

collecting the specified quantity of sample to enable all processing and testing to occur and back-up samples to be stored

preparing samples for testing

labelling samples and sub-samples and maintaining the integrity and security of samples following workplace and/or legal traceability requirements

identifying atypical materials and samples and taking appropriate action

maintaining sampling equipment in appropriate condition

completing sampling records using workplace procedures

following safety regulations and work health and safety (WHS) procedures during sampling, transport and storage

following requirements for the disposal of waste and the preservation of the environment.

Knowledge Evidence

Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge of:

principles of representative sampling, including:

representative samples

preservation of integrity of samples

maintaining identification of samples relative to their source, workplace and legal traceability

cost-effectiveness of sampling

consistency of sampling procedures

sampling principles, including random, systematic and stratified sampling

characteristics of product/materials sampled as part of job role and likely contaminants

function of key sampling equipment/materials and principles of operation

sampling procedures covering labelling, preparation, storage, transport and disposal, workplace and/or legal traceability requirements

links between quality control, quality assurance, quality management systems and sampling procedures

workplace procedures dealing with legislative requirements for the handling, labelling and transport of hazardous goods

site and sampling hazards and the links between following WHS procedures and personal and environmental safety, particularly at high risk sites.