Required skills

Required skills include

planning and preparing for field activities

communicating effectively with site personnel and negotiating access and support

observational and descriptive skills

recognising hazards assessing risks and using appropriate safe work methodsequipment

collecting representative samples of stationary source emissions in accordance with a sampling planprocedures standards or instructions

using appropriate techniques to preserve the integrity of samples and transport them safely

demonstrating correct and safe use of stack sampling equipment and analysers including setup preuse checks calibration and performance checks

using stack testing equipmentanalysers to obtain reliable quantitative results

identifying and rectifying basic instrument faults

identifying atypical data and samples and taking appropriate action

solving technical problems and responding effectively to changedunforeseen circumstances

seeking advice when issuesproblems are beyond scope of competenceresponsibility

maintaining cleaning decontaminating sampling equipment

completing accurate records of sampling test data and results

writingcompiling concise and accurate reports

following requirements for the disposal of waste and the preservation of the environment

working safely

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes

specific legislation policies standards and codes of practice related to air qualitypollution and monitoring of stationary source emissions

terminology for atmospheric science sampling and testing of stationary source emissions

properties of air pollutants such as

particulates eg inorganics and organics and metals

inorganic gases eg CO CO NOx SOx ammonia acid rain and halogens

volatile organics

localised meteorology and dispersion of air pollutants

ideal gas behaviour principles of fluid flow through ducts and effects of bends and orifices

principles of stationary source emissions sampling particles common gases and compounds and associated sampling equipment

stack dimensions source parameters and the selection of sampling planes number and location of sampling points

isokinetic conditions and effect of fluctuations in source parameters on results

principles of emission monitoring particles and common gases and associated analysers

function of key components operating principles of common stack samplinganalyser trains

common procedureequipment problems leading to atypical dataresults

common process problems leading to atypical test results eg high oxygen readings may indicate a hole in the stack

labelling and traceability of samples and management of large volumes of data

hazards and risks associated with stationary source emissions

safe work methods and equipment requirements for safe work platforms and services eg AS Fixed platforms walkways stairways and ladders Design construction and installation personal protective equipment relevant health safety and environment requirements and procedures

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 for air quality

using accurate terminology to describe air quality parameters and stack samplingtesting

interpreting and applying stack samplingmonitoring plans samplingtest methods and standards

operating maintaining andor calibrating stack sampling and testing equipment to obtain representative stack samples and produce consistently valid and accurate results

interpreting gross features of data identifying atypical results and making relevant conclusions

calculating results using appropriate unitsprecision

providing accurate complete records of sampling and testing observations data and results

working safely and follow relevant legislative requirements for the disposal of waste and the preservation of the environment

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

MSLA Perform chemical tests and procedures

MSL974003A Perform chemical tests and procedures

MSSA Perform sampling and testing of air

MSS025009A Perform sampling and testing of air.

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

Resources may include

Vehicles stack samplingtest equipment analysers reagents gases safety equipment camera consumables logbooks and data loggers and computers

safety procedures samplingtest methods standards and equipment manuals

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested

inspection of stack samples collected by the candidate

review of stack measurements test results calculations and observations produced by the candidate

review of samplingtesting records and reports completed by the candidate

feedback from supervisor about the candidates ability to consistently apply enterprise procedures and work safely

oral and written questioning to check the candidates understanding of the principles of stack samplingtesting operation of stack sampling equipment test instrumentsanalysers and processing of data

observation of the candidate performing a range of stack sampling and testing tasks

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

Information about the site, industrial activities and emissions

Air pollutants

Stack tests

Hazards

Safety procedures

Safety equipment

Stack sampling and testing equipment

Sampling/measurement system performance tests

OHS and environmental management requirements