Required skills

Required skills include

identifying and interpreting statutory requirements accurately

confirming type quantity and quality of data needed for defined monitoring activity

planning and preparing for field activities

undertaking reconnaissance and evaluating monitoring sites

observational skills including the ability to step back question and interpret those observations

assembling testing operating and closing down a fieldbased sound monitoring station

packaging and transporting supplies equipment and instruments into the field

identifying and establishing a secure field monitoring site according to defined criteria

using noise measurement instrumentation to obtain verifiable quantitative results

correcting and adjusting sound pressure level measurements and calculating required noise parameters

performing automatic and manual measurement and calibration procedures

responding effectively to problems changed or unforeseen circumstances

identifying and rectifying basic instrument faults

researching and summarising existing data and reports

seeking advice when issuesproblems are beyond scope of competenceresponsibility

communicating effectively and writingcompiling concise and accurate reports

working safely

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes

appropriate terminology for noise measurements

principles and concepts of the physics of sound the physiology of hearing and the measurement of environmental noise

function of key components and operating principles of noise measurement instrumentation

effects on test results of modifying equipmentinstrument variables

data processing procedures to convert measured values to final reportable data

specific legislation policies and codes of practice related to environmental noise measurement noise limits

procedures for maintaining storing and transporting noise measurement equipment and instrumentation

relevant health safety and environment requirements including field safety principles

Overview of assessment

Competency must be demonstrated in the ability to perform consistently at the required standard

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently apply the skills covered in this unit of competency in new and different situations and contexts Critical aspects of assessment and evidence include

demonstrating an understanding of the legislative and regulatory framework relevant to noise monitoring

using noise measurement terminology accurately

planning and conducting a noise survey to produce valid data

operating maintaining and calibrating noise measurement instrumentation to obtain reliable results

performing field tests in accordance with written instructionsenterprise procedures and obtaining reliable data

manipulating raw data to obtain corrected and adjusted data in the required format

applying basic principles of sound and noise science to evaluate noise data

providing accurate complete records of noise measurements field observations data and results

working safely

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated workplace environment

Assessment should emphasise a workplace context and procedures found in the candidates workplace

This unit of competency may be assessed with

MSSA Collect and evaluate meteorological data

MSS024007A Collect and evaluate meteorological data

MSLA Undertake environmental fieldbased monitoring

MSL974007A Undertake environmental field-based monitoring.

The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team

Resources may include

noise measuring equipment data loggers and telemetry equipment vehicles survey equipment cameras consumables and manuals

work program enterprise procedures codes of practice maps and field protocols

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested

review of noise measurements results and calculations provided by the candidate

feedback from peers and supervisors that the candidate consistently follows enterprise procedures and works safely

oral and written questioning to check the candidates understanding of the principles of noise measurement operation of noise instruments and processing of data

observation of the candidate performing a range of noise measurement tasks

review of workplace documentation completed by the candidate

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

The language literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required to undertake the unit of competency in a worklike environment

Guidance information for assessment

Codes of practice

Legislation, standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements

Principles of noise measurement

Purpose of noise measurement

Noise measurements and surveys

Noise monitoring instruments and ancillary equipment

Additional resources and equipment

Meteorological measurements

Enterprise procedures for field activities

Hazards

OHS and environmental management requirements