Required skills

Required skills include

collecting representative samples in accordance with a sampling plan

techniques to preserve the integrity of samples

identifying atypical materials and samples and taking appropriate action

maintaining sampling equipment

completing sampling records

working safely

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

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes

principles of representative samples

principles and procedures for random systematic and stratified sampling consistency of sampling procedures

preservation of the integrity of samples

maintaining identification of samples relative to their source

enterprise andor legal traceability requirements

cost effectiveness of sampling

characteristics of productmaterial to be sampled and likely contaminants

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

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

links between correct occupational health and safety OHS procedures and personal and environmental safety particularly at high risk sites

Specific industry

Additional knowledge requirements may apply for different industry sectors For exampleBiomedical and environmental services

specific legislation on biohazards

documentation procedures for the chain of custody for samples to be used as evidence or for blood transfusion

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

collect the specified quantity of sample to enable all processing and testing to occur and backup samples to be stored

obtain a sample that is representative of the bulk material

preserve the integrity of samples by closely adhering to procedures

label samples and subsamples to satisfy enterpriselegal traceability requirements

identify atypical materials and samples and take appropriate action

maintain sampling equipment in appropriate condition

complete sampling records using enterprise procedures

follow safety regulations and enterprise OHS procedures during sampling transport and storage

follow relevant legislative requirements for the disposal of waste and the preservation of the environment

Context of and specific resources for assessment

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

This unit of competency may be assessed with

MSLA Process and interpret data

MSL924001A Process and interpret data

MSLA Participate in laboratoryfield workplace safety

MSL943002A Participate in laboratory/field workplace safety

relevant MSAL series units of competency

relevant MSAL series units of competency relevant to the sampling

Resources may include

variety of sample types

sampling plans

a selection of sampling containers and sampling equipment

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested

inspection of samples collected by the candidate

review of sampling documentation completed by the candidate

feedback from peers customers and supervisors that sampling plans were followed

questioning to assess underpinning knowledge of representative sampling procedures

observation of the candidate taking a range of samples

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 to show its relevance in a workplace setting

Manufacturing

A metallurgical laboratory technician is very familiar with preparing representative samples for a range of final products in a steelmaking plant One day heshe is asked to sample a tonne smallparticle coal delivery which is believed to have a higher than acceptable sulphur content Having never prepared representative samples for such a large quantity of material the technician consulted their supervisor and developed an appropriate sampling plan The technician arranged for the operator of a small frontend loader to take buckets of coal from five equally spaced points around the pile The resulting material was then combined and mixed in one heap The technician coned and quartered the heap enough times to obtain a representative sample of about kg Heshe arranged for the unwanted material to be returned to the stockpile On return to the laboratory the technician crushed the sample and repeatedly coned and quartered the material to obtain an analytical portion

Environmental

A field technician trained in sampling natural water systems is asked to sample a bright yellow industrial wastewater discharge into a small creek The relevant sampling plan specifies that the samples should be collected where the waste water is well mixed near the centre of the creek and at the middepth point The technician also notes that the samples must be collected where turbulence is at a maximum so that the settling of solids is minimal On arrival at the site the technician locates where the wastewater is entering the creek Heshe moves downstream to where the waste water and creek water is well mixed and there is little apparent loss of the yellow suspended solids The technician dons the required personal protective equipment and uses a convenient bridge to collect a set of six samples and duplicates over a halfhour period using the equipment and procedures specified in the sampling plan Using a field notebook the technician records all information specified in the laboratorys chain of custody requirements and safety plan for handling potentially hazardous industrial waste

Codes of practice

Standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements

Basic principles of sampling

Materials sampled

Types of samples

Sampling tools and equipment

Maintenance of integrity of samples

Site and sampling hazards

Safety procedures

Occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental management requirements