Required skills

Required skills include

listening and communicating effectively with clients and panellists

negotiating with stakeholders and reaching satisfactory agreements where possible

organising field sampling and laboratory testing activities efficiently

interpreting and analysing information procedures and attending closely to detail

providing accurate information about odours and odour monitoring instructing odour olfactometry panellists

applying odour sampling and monitoring procedures eg labelling storing transporting and traceability of samples

using sampling equipment eg preuse checks and olfactometry instruments correctly and safely and identifyingrectifying basic equipment faults

responding effectively to changed or unforeseen circumstances

seeking advice when issuesproblems are beyond scope of competenceresponsibility

working safely for the protection of self and others

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes

understanding of chemicalprocess engineering relevant to site

terminology such as olfactometry odour threshold odour intensity hedonic tone odour character or quality odour nuisance dilution to threshold odour concentration odour units ou and commonly used odour descriptors

calculating flow rates dilution factors odour emission rates and uncertainties

regulatorylicensing requirements that apply to site

nature of odour complaints possible health effects typical community concerns and environmental issues about odour

basic principles of atmospheric chemistry odorous compound families meteorology

enterprise procedures and test methods for odour sampling and monitoring

setup and operation of sampling equipment and dynamic olfactometers in the laboratory function of key components simple troubleshooting and calibration checks

control of the olfactory testing environment eg conditions that can dull sensitivity

likely causes of variation in odour results and their control

reporting requirements protocols for the confidentiality and security of information and communicating with the community and media

relevant health safety and environment requirements

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

accurately interpreting client requests enterprise procedures and legislativeregulatory requirements

selecting suitable panellists under supervision

communicating effectively with clients and panellists

collecting and preparing odour samples in accordance with standard methods or enterprise procedures

using olfactometry equipment to obtain reliable data

processing odour data and confirming its acceptability

communicating the significance of odour results including the discussion of any errors andor unexpected variation to appropriate personnel

reporting results and completing all records in the required format and timeframe

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 Assess the environmental risk or impact of a project activity or process

MSS025002A Assess the environmental risk or impact of a project activity or process

MSSA Provide environmental information to customers

MSS025004A Provide environmental information to customers

MSSA Assist with odour field assessment

MSS025011A Assist with odour field assessment.

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

Resources may include

odour sampling and measuring equipment

standard laboratory with facilities equipment materials and reagents for required measurements

enterprise procedures standard test methods and equipment manuals

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested

review of odour data results and records prepared by the candidate

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

feedback from clients and panellists about the candidates handling of enquiries and information

oralwritten questioning associated with odour sampling odour measurements and calculations

observation of the candidate collecting odour samples and conducting olfactometry testing andor instructing panellists

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

Odour sources and geometries

Information about the site and industrial activities

Complaint records

Odour sampling/monitoring plans

Odour sampling and laboratory monitoring equipment

Pre-use checks of sampling and monitoring equipment

Selection and training for laboratory panellists

Odour laboratory condition requirements

Odour monitoring data

Odour control strategies

Occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental management requirements