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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Interpret and schedule test requirements
  2. Receive and prepare samples
  3. Check equipment before use
  4. Test samples to determine chemical species or properties
  5. Process and interpret data
  6. Maintain a safe work environment
  7. Maintain laboratory records

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 chemical analysis by gravimetric, titrimetric, spectrometric, chromatographic and electrochemical techniques

specific codes, guidelines, procedures and methods, such as:

Association of Analytical Communities International (AOAC International) Official Methods of Analysis, Royal Australian Chemical Institute (RACI) and/or American Association of Cereal Chemists (AACC) methods for inorganic constituents

Australian code of good manufacturing practice for medicinal products (GMP), 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) 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 processes

Sample preparation processes include one or more of:

grinding

preparation of discs

digestion, dissolving, refluxing and mulling

precipitation, filtration, flocculation, evaporation and centrifugation

washing, drying, tracting and ashing

Non-instrumental tests or procedures

Non-instrumental tests or procedures include one or more of:

gravimetric analysis

titrimetric analysis

filtration, separation and solvent extraction techniques

corrosion testing, cement content and accelerated weathering

Instrumental tests

Instrumental tests include:

spectrometry, chromatography and electrochemistry

Types of instrumentation and instrumental techniques

Types of instrumentation and instrumental techniques include one or more of:

colorimetric techniques, such as enzyme activity, chlorine in water, specific cations and anions

infrared and ultraviolet-visible (UV-VIS) spectrophotometry

other spectrometric techniques, such as fluorimetric analysis, flame atomic emission and flame atomic absorption spectrometry, and fourier transform infrared

chromatographic techniques, such as column and thin layer analytical and preparative chromatography, gas or liquid chromatography, ion chromatography and gel filtration chromatography

electrochemical techniques, such as pH, eH, conductivity and ion-selective electrodes

electrophoretic techniques, such as for DNA patterns and determination of protein purity

soil testing techniques, such as moisture content, organic matter content, specific anions and cations, auto-analysers for determination of total P, total Kjeldahl N, orthophosphate, nitrite/nitrate and ammonia

Chemical test methods

Chemical test methods include one or more of:

control of starting materials, in-process materials and finished products

environmental monitoring

basic troubleshooting and/or problem solving within the scope of SOPs and workplace processes

Safe work practices

Safe work practices include:

ensuring access to service shut-off points

recognising and observing hazard warnings and safety signs

labelling of samples and hazardous materials

handling and storage for hazardous materials and equipment in accordance with labelling, MSDS and manufacturer instructions

identifying and reporting operating problems or equipment malfunctions

cleaning equipment and work areas regularly using workplace procedures

using PPE, such as hard hats, hearing protection, gloves, safety glasses, coveralls and safety boots

following established manual handling procedures

reporting abnormal emissions, discharges and airborne contaminants, such as noise, light, solids, liquids, water/wastewater, gases, smoke, vapour, fumes, odour and particulates to appropriate personnel

WHS and environmental management requirements

WHS and environmental management requirements:

· 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:

safely performing at least two (2) different chemical tests or procedures involving several measurement steps

safely conducting at least three (3) instrumental tests (the same or different)

interpreting chemical test methods and procedures accurately

preparing samples using at least three (3) different processes

maintaining and evaluating reagents

conducting pre-use and calibration checks on equipment, and quarantining out-of-calibration equipment and instruments

safely operating test equipment and instruments to workplace standards and manufacturer specifications

processing data, interpreting gross features of data/results and making relevant conclusions

preparing calibration graphs and calculating results using appropriate equations, units, uncertainties and precision

identifying atypical results as either out-of-normal range or an artefact

tracing and sourcing obvious causes of artefacts, tracking obvious test malfunctions for standardised procedures, and troubleshooting basic equipment and methods

communicating problems to a supervisor or outside service technician

recording and communicating results in accordance with workplace procedures

maintaining security, integrity and traceability of samples, sub-samples, test data, results and documentation

following workplace safety procedures.

Knowledge Evidence

Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge of:

relevant chemical principles and concepts, such as:

ions, atoms, molecules, bonding and links to chemical properties

Atomic Mass

Moles and Molarity

chemical formulae and balancing equations

chemical reactions involving acid/base, redox, complex ion formation, solubility and equilibrium

energy levels and absorption/emission spectra

purpose of the tests and/or procedures conducted

concepts of metrology, principles and concepts related to equipment and instrument operation, tests and/or procedures

function of key components of the equipment and instrument and reagents and effects of modifying equipment and instrument variables

calibration and basic equipment and method troubleshooting procedures

sample preparation procedures for the tests and/or procedures conducted

workplace and/or legal traceability requirements

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