Required skills

Required skills include

interpreting maps site plans and drawings

identifying and locating site services sampling and testing sites eg global positioning system GPS

setting up checking using and cleaningmaintaining tools and equipment

taking representative samples handling and transporting samples

identifying soil rock and fill materials

observing interpreting and reportingsite features and geotechnical conditions

performing basic in situ tests and site measurements eg location and depth

maintaining accurate and complete records

communicating problems to appropriate personnel

driving safely on and offroad

working safely on construction sites aroundheavy equipment and earthmoving plant

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes

the basic concepts purposes and principles of geotechnical site investigation

identification and classification of materials

engineering properties of soil and rock materials

representative sampling and testing

uses of soil and rock materials in engineering and construction

insitu testing methods

relevant health safety and environment requirements

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

identify and locate site services sampling and testing sites and recognise site problems

use tools and equipment effectively and efficiently

collect representative samples and handle and transportthem correctly

record sampling and testing information

identify and describe materials accurately

observe interpret and report geotechnical conditions

communicate problems to appropriate personnel and seek advice

record and communicate work results

work safely

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or simulated workplace environment through observation over time The timeframe must allow for adequate assessment of operation under all normal and a range of abnormal conditions Where this is not practical additional assessment techniques must be used

This unit of competency may be assessed with

MSLA Handle and transport samples or equipment

MSL952002A Handle and transport samples or equipment

MSLA Obtain representative samples in accordance with sampling plan

MSL954001A Obtain representative samples in accordance with sampling plan

MSLA Perform basic tests

MSL973001A Perform basic tests.

Resources may include

access to sites tools and equipment

enterprise procedures sampling plans test methods and equipment manuals

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested

review of work outputs over a period of time to ensure accurate and consistent work is obtained within required timelines

examples of completed workplace documentation

feedback from peers and supervisors

oral or written questioning

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 study below to illustrate the practical application of this unit of competency and to show its relevance in a workplace setting

Construction materials

A geotechnical consultancy company is carrying out the investigation for the construction of an industrial complex involving building pads and roadways A contract drilling company has been hired to carry out auger drilling for the building pad foundations The drill rig will be used to perform standard penetration tests in some boreholes to determine bearing capacities Undisturbed sample tubes will be pushed to obtain samples for consolidation testing in the laboratory

A senior technician is in charge of site activities and arranges for a drill rig Shehe plans a program of drilling sampling and testing A laboratory assistant is allocated to carry out the majority of site activities These include overseeing drilling testing and sampling operations Heshe is provided with a markedup plan of the site showing borehole locations so that heshe can direct where to drill The senior technician makes site visits every second day to oversee the work

The drilling contractor operates the drill rig takes tube samples performs the standard penetration tests and cases the hole if required as directed by the senior technician The assistant records and samples the soil profile seals the sample tubes with wax and labels them Heshe also records the SPT readings and bags and labels the material from the splitspoon sampler Each borehole is capped to prevent access by unauthorised persons so that the assistant can record standing water level hours after the hole has been drilled Heshe wears a helmet safety boots and earmuffs while working near the rig Heshe covers up and wears sunscreen while working in the sun and drinks large quantities of water

The assistant also excavates hand auger holes to a depth of one metre at regular intervals in the proposed roadways to obtain samples for California Bearing Ratio CBR tests Adjacent to each heshe performs a dynamic cone penetrometer test to two metres to assess the insitu material Heshe records the logs of the auger holes and the test results on the companys standard data sheets and backfills each auger hole immediately after sampling

Heshe reports each days activities to the senior technician using the companys standard summary form Heshe is confident to identify soil types thus minimising the need for laboratory testing of the samples taken Based on the field logs crosssections of the site can be drawn so that the designer can assess its geotechnical characteristics and determine the extent of any further investigations

Codes of practice

Standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements

Site hazards

Safety procedures

Tools and equipment

Common site problems

Occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental management requirements