Required skills

Required skills include

accessing interpreting and applying relevant legislativeregulatory requirements standards codes guidelines and equipment manuals

explaining relevant air quality standards samplingmonitoring methods equipment operating procedures and enterprise air quality management actions clearly and concisely

verifying the accuracy and completeness of air quality data results and technical records

using statistical tests eg to determine data acceptability estimate uncertainties examine trends and infer relationships

recognising unexpected or unacceptable data and results

analysing records of sampling monitoring andor calibration activities to identify potential causes of unacceptableunexpected data and results

recommending appropriate preventativecorrective actions to control potentialactual nonconformances or incidents

solving complex technical problems including identifying and rectifying instrument faults

responding effectively to complaints and requests for information

seeking advice when issuesproblems are beyond scope of competenceresponsibility

maintaining records and providing accurate complete and timely reports

working safely and monitoring the safety of others

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes

types and properties of air pollutants relevant to job role such as particulates inorganic gases organic gases photochemical smog and greenhouse gases

legislativeregulatory requirements standards codes and guidelines dealing with air quality

air quality management terminology concepts and principles

enterprise air quality management plans procedures and air quality issues control measures and mitigationmanagement actions for siteproject if relevant

detailed scientific and technical knowledge of the samples samplingmonitoring methods equipment materials and instrumentation used to generate the air quality data including calibration faultfinding and troubleshooting

expected values for air quality parameters relevant national environment protection measure standards and goals or statutory environmental quality concentration limits or similar

problemsolving techniques and cause analysis

impacts of common human environmental andor meteorological factors on data quality

sources of interference uncertainty limitations of methods purpose of reference conditions and sources of variability eg stack conditions

enterprise procedures for identifying assessing environmental risksimpacts responding to complaints and environmental incidents and record management and reporting air quality data

interpersonal communication negotiation and conflict resolution techniques

relevant health safety and workplace emergency response 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

planning and implementing the daytoday air quality management activities for a site project or ongoing program

explaining air quality management plans procedures samplingmonitoring methods and operation of monitoring equipment clearly and accurately

verifying the accuracy and completeness of air quality data results and technical records

investigating unexpected or unacceptable air quality results in a logical and efficient manner

reporting air quality results performance and opportunities for improvements in accordance with enterprise procedures

maintaining air quality records in accordance with legislativelicensingenterprise requirements

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 Select commission and maintain environmental monitoring instruments

MSS027011A Select, commission and maintain environmental monitoring instruments.

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

Resources may include

siteprojectprogram history

relevant legislation codes standards enterprise environmental management policies plans actions procedures checklists and equipment manuals

air quality data sets records and reports

sampling methods and description of monitoring setup access to monitoring sampling and testing equipment

computer and relevant software or enterprise information management system

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested

review of air quality data files results and records verified by the candidate

feedback from managers and site personnel regarding the candidates ability to safely coordinate daytoday air quality management activities

review of reports and recommended improvements to air quality monitoring or management prepared by the candidate

questions to assess understanding of procedures governing the validation of data acceptability of dataresults sources of air quality data variability interferences and uncertainty and relevant preventative or corrective actions

analysis of case studiesreports of relevant air quality management issues and incidents

observation of the candidate providing air quality management information andor instruction to other personnel

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

Air quality management activities

Ambient air parameters

Indoor air parameters

Occupational (workplace) air parameters

Sampling equipment

Testing equipment

Air quality reports

Air quality records

Air quality management actions

OHS and environmental management requirements