Required skills

Required skills include

interpreting test methods and procedures

sample preparation procedures

performing calibration checks

using instruments for qualitative andor quantitative analysis

maintaining and evaluating reagents

troubleshooting basic equipmentmethod

using calculation methods including appropriate units uncertainties balancing equations and the concentration of the solution given the chemical reaction for the titration

preparing calibration graphs and calculating results using appropriate units and precision

applying theoretical knowledge to interpret gross features of data and make relevant conclusions such as identifying atypical results as out of normal range or an artefact

tracing and sourcing obvious causes of an artefact

recording and communicating results in accordance with enterprise procedures

maintaining security integrity traceability of samples subsamples test data results and documentation

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes

chemical principles and concepts underpinning testprocedure

purpose of the tests

concepts of metrology

principles and concepts related to equipmentinstrument operation and testing

function of key components of the equipmentinstrument andor reagents

effects of modifying equipmentinstrument variables

use of calibration procedures

enterprise andor legal traceability requirements

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

interpret test methodsprocedures accurately

prepare and test samples using procedures appropriate to the nature of sample

perform calibration checks if required

safely operate test equipmentinstruments to enterprise standards andor manufacturers specification

prepare calibration graphs and calculate results using appropriate units and precision

apply basic theoretical knowledge to interpret gross features of data and make relevant conclusions

identify atypical results as out of normal range or an artefact

traces and source obvious causes of an artefact

communicate problems to a supervisor or outside service technician

record and communicate results in accordance with enterprise procedures

maintain security integrity traceability of samples subsamples test data and results and documentation

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 Prepare standardise and use solutions

MSL974001A Prepare, standardise and use solutions.

Resources may include

standard laboratory equipped with appropriate test equipmentinstruments standards and reagents

enterprise procedures and standard methods

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested

review of test dataresults obtained by the candidate over a period of time to check accuracy consistency and timeliness of results

review of test records and workplace documentation completed by the candidate

observation of candidate conducting a range of chemical tests and procedures and sample preparation

feedback from peers and supervisors

oral or written questioning of chemical principles and concepts test methods and enterprise 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 to show its relevance in a workplace setting

Manufacturing

Ultraviolet spectroscopy is a suitable method for determining the concentration of sulphanilamide in pharmaceutical preparations The ultraviolet absorption spectrum is pH dependent with the wavelength maximum different in acid and alkaline solutions Example a technician was conducting an analysis and noted that the wavelength maxima had moved from approximately nm to below nm After reviewing the procedure being used and checking for possible errors the technician found that an incorrect solvent had been used for the analysis The hydrochloric acid solvent was replaced with sodium hydroxide as per the standard method and the correct absorption spectrum was obtained

Environmental

A technician was asked to test water samples from a local lake over several days to determine the lakes nutrient levels following reports of algal blooms in the lake over the preceding weeks Heshe used a field colorimeter kit to determine both nitrates and orthophosphates using SOPs Because the same colorimetric cells were used for the nitrate and orthophosphate tests they were carefully washed and rinsed with distilled water between all tests as specified in the SOP After reviewing the results from the first three days the technician noted that the first orthophosphate result which was done immediately after all the nitrate tests was much higher than subsequent orthophosphate tests which were all consistently low The technician argued that the high results for the first orthophosphate test may be due to crosscontamination from trace amounts of reagents used in previous nitrate tests despite having closely followed the cleaningrinsing SOPs After discussion with hisher supervisor the technician modified the field procedures by using totally different colorimetric cells for the nitrate and orthophosphate tests For all subsequent tests no high orthophosphate results were obtained for the first sample As a result the laboratory supervisor amended the SOPs to incorporate this new requirement

Food processing

Regular checks are conducted on the percentage of salt in cheese at a dairy companys laboratory A technician checks the results from the airomatic salttitration equipment and if the results are abnormal notifies the supervisor before taking appropriate action After obtaining a high result for example the assistant notified the supervisor and then began checking the machine to identify a possible reason for the high reading Heshe found that the supply bottle of silver nitrate used in the test was almost empty This had resulted in less solution being pumped through the equipment than required leading to graph readings that indicated a high percentage of salt After replacing the silver nitrate bottle and recalibrating the equipment the assistant retested the cheese samples and found that they contained the expected salt

Codes of practice

Standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements

Sample preparation processes

Non-instrumental test/procedures

Instrumental tests

Types of instrumentation and instrumental techniques

Chemical principles and concepts

Chemical tests methods

Hazards

Hazard control measures:

Records

Occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental management requirements