Required skills

Required skills include

conducting site and laboratory operations and analysingtest results and observationsto assign a site classification

reading and interpreting maps drawings specifications and codes of practice

conducting subsurface explorations and log strata

conducting insitu testing for site classification purposes

conducting disturbed and undisturbed sampling

recording project details in writing by sketching and photography

conducting laboratory testing for site classification purposes

observing interpreting and reporting atypical situations

communicating problems to appropriate personnel

reporting results to clients using enterprise procedures

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes

engineering properties of soil and rock materials

insitu and laboratory test methods applicable to site classification

methods of assigning a site classification

mathematical principles and processes used in site classification

provisions and requirements of relevant codes

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

conduct site and laboratory operations and analyse test results and observationsto assign a site classification

read and interpret maps drawings specifications and codes of practice

conduct subsurface explorations and log strata

conduct insitu testing for site classification purposes

conduct disturbed and undisturbed sampling

record project details in writing by sketching and photography

conduct laboratory testing for site classification purposes

observe interpret and report atypical situations

communicate problems to appropriate personnel

report results to clients using enterprise procedures

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 Provide information to customers

MSL915001A Provide information to customers

MSLA Supervise laboratory operations in workfunctional area

MSL916003A Supervise laboratory operations in work/functional area.

Resources may include

access to building sites site tools equipment and materials

standard construction materials testing laboratory samples equipment materials test methods and enterprise procedures

access to more than one workplace or simulated learning environment if the primary workplace or learning environment is unable to provide a suitable range of equipment

Method of assessment

It is strongly recommended that assessment is conducted 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

The following assessment methods are suggested

review of site classifications and other enterprise documentation prepared by the candidate

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

feedback from peers and supervisors

use of suitable simulation andor a range of case studiesscenarios

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 testing

A geotechnical consultancy company has been contracted to perform a site investigation for the purpose of determining the classification of a building site The client is a structural engineer who will use the information to design a block of townhouses for the site The company manager assigns a senior technician to the project along with an experienced tester to perform the site work A second tester will perform the laboratory testing The senior technician is a signatory for all tests for which the organisation is NATA accredited They obtain a map of the area and establish that there is no local information available on conditions in the immediate vicinity There are no buried services to be damaged during the investigation They brief the field tester on the project specifying the number and suggested locations of boreholes as well as the sampling and testing requirements The field tester performs the site investigation by drilling power auger holes logging and sampling the strata and performing dynamic cone penetrometer DCP tests They push tubes to obtain undisturbed samples of material that they classify as high plasticity clay They note the presence of uncontrolled fill in one corner of the site and take several photographs with a digital camera

When the site investigation is completed the senior technician inspects the field logs notes and photographs and then specifies an appropriate testing program including shrinkswell tests on the high plasticity clay Using the shrinkswell test result they calculate the characteristic surface movement and after reviewing all the data assign a P classification in accordance with AS Residential slabs and footings Construction They then prepare a report to the client including a description of the site the extent and nature of the investigation test results and bore logs and the site classification Finally all documentation relating to the project is filed and stored as a complete record in accordance with NATA quality assurance and liability requirements After review by the company manager the results of the investigation are communicated to the client

Codes of practice

Standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements

Tools and equipment

Typical problems

Occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental management requirements