Elements and Performance Criteria
- Confirm soil sampling and testing requirements with supervisor
- Review available site information, such as site plan, sampling/testing locations and history of sampling/testing.
- Confirm the sampling locations, numbers and types of samples, timing and frequency of sampling from workplace or client’s sampling plan.
- Check that all sampling/testing procedures are in accordance with client or workplace requirements, relevant standards and guidelines.
- Prepare for soil sampling
- Identify site and sampling hazards and review workplace safety procedures.
- Liaise with relevant personnel to arrange site access and obtain all clearances and/or permits, as necessary.
- Select sampling equipment and conditions to achieve representative samples and to preserve sample integrity during collection, storage and transit.
- Select field test equipment/instruments and check operation and calibration, as required, in accordance with procedures and manufacturer instructions.
- Assemble and check all sampling equipment, field test equipment, materials, containers and safety equipment.
- Arrange suitable transport to, from and around site, as required.
- Conduct sampling and log soil samples
- Locate sampling points and any services at the site.
- Work effectively with other site personnel during drilling and excavation operations to collect and log reliable samples, as necessary.
- Conduct representative sampling in accordance with sampling plan and defined procedures for field and/or laboratory testing, as required.
- Record all information and label samples in accordance with traceability requirements.
- Record environment and any conditions or atypical observations made during sampling that may impact on sample representativeness or integrity.
- Transport all samples back to base according to workplace procedures and relevant codes.
- Prepare soil samples for testing
- Prepare sub-samples and back-up sub-samples that are representative of the source.
- Label all sub-samples to ensure traceability and store in accordance with workplace procedures.
- Follow defined preparation and safety procedures to limit hazards or contamination to samples, self, work area and environment.
- Distribute sub-samples to required destinations for testing, maintaining sample integrity, traceability and chain of custody requirements.
- Conduct physical and chemical soil tests in the field
- Obtain sample or sub-sample for designated field test.
- Check that all equipment, instruments and reagents are fit for purpose.
- Set up and calibrate instruments, as necessary, to ensure safe operation and valid results.
- Operate equipment/instruments in accordance with test method requirements.
- Perform tests/procedures/observations on all samples and standards, if appropriate, in accordance with specified methods
- Record all field observations and results and ensure that they are accurately transferred to workplace information management system.
- Conduct physical and chemical soil tests in the laboratory
- Obtain sample or sub-sample for designated laboratory test.
- Check that all equipment, instruments and reagents are fit for purpose.
- Set up and calibrate instruments, as necessary, to ensure safe operation and valid results.
- Operate equipment/instruments in accordance with test method requirements.
- Perform tests/procedures on all samples, blanks and standards, if appropriate, in accordance with specified methods..
- Record test data noting atypical observations
- Process the data for samples, standards and blanks in accordance with workplace procedures.
- Enter approved information into workplace information management system.
- Review results and assess soil suitability for specific purposes
- Maintain a safe work environment
- Rehabilitate sampling site to render it safe and to minimise environmental impact.
- Clean all equipment, containers, work area and vehicles according to workplace procedures.
- Check serviceability of all equipment before storage.
- Use defined safe work practices and personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure personal safety and that of others.
- Minimise the generation of wastes and environment impacts.
- Ensure the safe collection of all hazardous wastes for appropriate disposal.