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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 and quality management

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

standard methods for basic tests

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

Sample preparation

Sample preparation processes include one or more of:

sub-sampling or splitting using procedures, such as riffling, coning and quartering, manual and mechanical splitters

diluting samples

physical treatments, such as ashing, dissolving, filtration, sieving, centrifugation and comminution

moulding, casting or cutting specimens

Typical basic tests carried out by laboratory/field assistants

Typical basic tests carried out by laboratory/field assistants include, but are not limited to, one or more of:

visual/optical tests of appearance, such as colour, texture, identity, turbidity and refractive index (alcohol content and Baume/Brix)

physical tests, such as:

density, specific gravity and compacted density

moisture content and water activity

particle size, particle shape and size distribution

chemical tests, such as:

gravimetric, colorimetric, electrical conductivity (EC) and pH

specific ions using dipsticks and kits

nutrients (e.g. nitrates and orthophosphates) using kits

ashes, including sulphated ashes

biological/environmental tests, such as:

pH, oxygen reduction potential (ORP), dissolved oxygen (DO) and EC

E coli using test kits, and surface hygiene/presence of microbes

packaging tests, such as:

tearing resistance, bursting strength and impact resistance

permeability and/or leakage

mechanical tests, such as:

Emerson class

concrete slump

Measurements

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

simple ground surveys

meteorological parameters, such as wind direction/strength, rainfall, maximum/minimum temperature, humidity and solar radiation

simple background radiation survey

production/process parameters, such as temperature, flow and pressure

gas levels in a confined space

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:

accurately interpreting workplace procedures and standard methods

preparing samples using at least three (3) different processes

performing at least five (5) basic tests or measurements using standard methods and procedures

checking test equipment before use

completing all tests within the required timeline without sacrificing safety, accuracy or quality

demonstrating close attention to the accuracy and precision of measurements and the data obtained

calculating simple quantities using appropriate equations, units, uncertainties and precision

recording and presenting results accurately and legibly

maintaining the security, integrity and traceability of all samples, data/results and documentation

following procedures for working safely and minimising environmental impacts.


Knowledge Evidence

Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge of:

concepts of metrology, including:

all measurements are estimates

measurements belong to a population of measurements of the measured parameters

precision, accuracy and significant figures

sources of error, uncertainty and repeatability

traceability

international system of units (SI)

purpose of tests performed as part of job role and principles of the standard methods/specifications used

function of key components of the test equipment, pre-use equipment and safety checks

sources of uncertainty in measurement and methods for control

workplace and/or legal traceability requirements

interpretation and recording of test result, including simple calculations

procedures for recognising and reporting of unexpected or unusual results

relevant hazards, work health safety (WHS) and environment requirements.