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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 physical 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 physical tests

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

Preparation of samples

Preparation of samples includes one or more of:

drying, washing, grinding, sieving, melting and moisture conditioning

cutting, trimming or machining of test specimens, and etching

Physical tests and procedures

Physical tests and procedures include one or more of:

precise measurement of position, orientation and dimensions, such as:

3-D set-up of manufacturing tools using inclinometers, verniers and laser

thickness using vernier, X-ray and gamma ray

particle size using sieving and laser

dimensional stability involving expansion, contraction and weathering

movement using strain gauge and accelerometer

mass, density and specific gravity and related tests, such as:

moisture/density relationship, loose and compacted density

reactivity to moisture, Atterberg limits, and shrink/swell index

thermal tests, such as:

thermal conductivity and coefficients of expansion (e.g. linear and volume)

calorimetry, (e.g. specific heat and latent heat), and combustion properties (e.g. enthalpy and energy content)

viscosity and melt flow index

drying times

thermal stability of products

optical tests, such as:

flatness and surface finish

refractive index and optical rotation

transmission/absorption of filters and colour matching of products

acoustic measurements, such as:

amplitude and frequency, absorption, reflection and transmission, intensity, attenuation and loudness (dB)

electrical tests, such as:

conductance, resistance and insulation, and temperature dependence of dielectrics

magnetic tests, such as:

permeability, retentivity, hysteresis loss and coercivity, and intrinsic induction

Tests

Tests include methods for one or more of:

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

investigation of sources of construction materials

basic troubleshooting of workplace processes

Safe work practices

Safe work practices include, but are not limited to, one or more of:

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/waste water, gases, smoke, vapour, fumes, odour and particulates, to appropriate personnel

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:

safely performing at least five (5) physical tests or procedures which involve several measurement steps

interpreting physical test methods and procedures accurately

preparing samples using at least three (3) different processes

conducting pre-use and calibration checks on equipment, and quarantining out-of-calibration equipment/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, such as out-of-normal range or an artefact

tracing and sourcing obvious causes of artefacts, tracking of obvious test malfunctions of 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 physical principles and concepts, such as:

matter, interatomic and intermolecular forces

mechanical concepts, such as mass and weight; forces, friction, slip resistance, cohesive/adhesive forces; pressure, hydrostatic pressure; fluid flow; viscosity and energy

properties of gases, pressure/volume/temperature, density, diffusion and compressibility

thermal concepts, such as expansion, thermal conductivity, coefficients of expansion; changes of state, energy content, enthalpy change and endothermic and exothermic processes

electromagnetic spectrum, primary/secondary colours, reflection, refraction, diffraction and interference of light

electrical concepts, such as electric field, voltage, current, resistance and AC/DC, and electrical safety

electromagnetic concepts, such as magnetic field and flux, and electromagnetic induction

acoustic concepts, such as wave properties, amplitude, frequency and loudness (dB)

mechanical concepts, such as elasticity, hardness, material strength, plasticity, permeability and dispersion

purpose of tests or procedures conducted

concepts of metrology, principles and concepts related to equipment and instrument operation, and test or procedure

function of key components of equipment/instrument and effects on the test of modifying equipment and instrument variables

sample preparation procedures

calibration and basic equipment and method troubleshooting procedures

workplace and legal traceability requirements

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