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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Prepare for measurements
  2. Perform measurements
  3. Finalise measurements
  4. Maintain a safe work environment

Required Skills

Required skills

Required skills include

performing a variety of measurements at a range of sitesfollowing procedures

making measurements with minimal environmental impact

accuratelyreading scalesdisplays for a wide range of values

recording data which is legible free of errors and uses appropriate accuracy precision and units

demonstrating enterprise andor legal traceability requirements

liaising with others to access sites and perform measurements efficiently

recognising own limitations and the seeking timely advice

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes

key terminology and concepts such as analogue digital accuracy precision traceability uncertainty and chain of custody

purpose of the measurements

concepts of metrology

the international system of units SI

the function of key equipmentmaterials and principles of operation

hazards risks and enterprise safety procedures associated with routine measurements undertaken

enterprise procedures dealing with

measurements

waste management cleanup and spillage

handling transport and storage of dangerous goods

relevant health safety and environmental requirements

Evidence Required

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

follow procedures when performing a variety of measurements at a range of sites

work safely and with minimal environmental impact

liaise with people effectively and courteously

maintain confidentiality and report problems and incidents in accordance with procedures

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 Collect routine site samples

MSL952001A Collect routine site samples.

Resources may include

access to a variety of sites

measurement and safety procedures

a selection of measuring equipment and documentation

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested

review of the quality of data and documentation provided by the candidate

observation of the candidate performing a range of measurements

feedback from supervisors and clients that relevant procedures were followed

oralwritten questioning about measurement procedures

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

Manufacturing and construction materials testing

A laboratory assistant is required to conduct daily routine site measurements around the plant Each day they contact the engineering department to arrange for an engineer to accompany them to operate all mechanical systems eg valves and pitcovers associated with collection of samples andor site measurements The laboratory assistant locates the required safety equipment ensures that all measurement equipment is operational and precalibrated and dons appropriate personal protective equipment They record site measurements directly in the plant monitoring log book along with any comments concerning plant operating conditions Upon returning to the laboratory they enter this information into the laboratory information management system LIMS The laboratory assistant then cleans and stores all equipment used in the routine site measurements

Environmental

A field assistant is part of a team examining the rehabilitation of a mine site They help to construct a grid map of the study area The assistant is given identification photo cards for six species of plant and asked to count the number of each species in part of the grid taking care to minimise environmental impact They then record the data on a map using a predetermined key

Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

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

Standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements

Standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements may include:

Australian and international standards, such as:

AS ISO 1000-1998 The international system of units (SI) and its application

AS ISO 17025-2005 General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories

AS/NZS ISO 14000 Set:2005 Environmental management standards set

AS/NZS ISO 9000 Set:2008 Quality management systems set

enterprise procedures for specific client measurements at particular sites

enterprise recording and reporting procedures

equipment manuals

equipment startup, operation and shutdown procedures

maps and site plans

material safety data sheets (MSDS) and safety procedures

material, production and product specifications

national measurement regulations and guidelines

occupational health and safety (OHS) national standards and codes of practice

standard operating procedures (SOPs)

Concepts of metrology

Concepts of metrology may include:

that all measurements are estimates

measurements belong to a population of measurements of the measured parameters

repeatability

precision

accuracy

significant figures

sources of error

uncertainty

traceability

Hazards

Hazards may include:

solar radiation, dust and noise

wildlife, such as snakes, spiders and domestic animals

biohazards, such as micro-organisms and agents associated with soil, air and water

chemicals, such as acids and hydrocarbons

manual/handling of heavy equipment or materials

crushing, entanglement and cuts associated with moving machinery

falling objects, uneven surfaces, heights, slopes, wet surfaces, trenches and confined spaces

vehicle handling in rough terrain and boat handling in rough or flowing water

vehicular or pedestrian traffic

Safety practices

Safety practices may include:

use of MSDS

use personal protective equipment, such as hard hats, hearing protection, gloves, safety glasses, goggles, face-guards, coveralls, gowns, body suits, respirators and 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 tag-out procedures

Measurements

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

Other measurements may include:

sound (e.g. dB level and dBA)

light levels and illumination

basic production/process parameters (e.g. flow, temperature, pressure, mass and depth)

simple surveys (e.g. number of trees in quadrant)

background radiation (e.g. Geiger counter)

dimensions

meteorological measurements (e.g. temperature, rainfall and wind)

Common measuring equipment

Common measuring equipment may include:

tape measure, rulers, micrometers callipers and water level indicators

balances

meter/probe systems (e.g. DO and EC)

analogue and digital meters (e.g. voltage, current, resistance, pressure, temperature, barometers, anemometers and hygrometers)

dipsticks or spot test kits

clocks and timing devices

Services

Services may include:

water supply, gas and electricity

telecommunications

irrigation, stormwater, drainage and sewerage systems

production plant

Appropriate corrective actions

Appropriate corrective actions may include:

logical check of equipment setup

check of calibration, zero error and drift for basic instruments

careful re-reading of procedures

repeat measurements

seek advice

Minimising environmental impacts

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

Occupational health and safety (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 samples 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