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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Interpret and schedule test requirements
   • Review test request to identify samples to be tested, test method and equipment/instruments involved
   • Identify hazards and enterprise control measures associated with the sample, preparation/test methods and/or equipment
   • Plan work sequences to optimise throughput of multiple samples (if appropriate).
2. Receive samples and prepare test-pieces
   • Log samples using standard operating procedure
   • Record sample description, compare with specification and note and report discrepancies
   • Prepare test-pieces (and standards if appropriate) in accordance with mechanical testing requirements
   • Ensure traceability of samples from receipt to reporting of results
3. Check equipment before use
   • Set up equipment/instruments in accordance with test method requirements
   • Perform pre-use and safety checks in accordance with relevant enterprise and operating procedures
   • Identify faulty or unsafe components and equipment and report to appropriate personnel
   • Check equipment calibration using specified procedures (if applicable)
   • Quarantine out-of-calibration equipment/instruments
4. Test samples to determine mechanical properties
   • Operate equipment/instruments in accordance with test method requirements
   • Perform tests/procedures on all test-pieces and standards (if appropriate) in accordance with specified methods
   • Shut down equipment/instruments in accordance with operating procedures
5. Process and interpret data
   • Record test data noting atypical observations
   • Ensure calculated values are consistent with expectations
   • Record and report results in accordance with enterprise procedures
   • Interpret trends in data and/or results and report 'out-of-specification' or atypical results promptly to appropriate personnel
   • Determine if obvious procedure or equipment problems have led to atypical data or results
6. Maintain a safe work environment
   • Use established work practices and personal protective equipment to ensure personal safety and that of other laboratory personnel
   • Minimise the generation of wastes and environmental impacts
   • Ensure the safe collection of laboratory and hazardous waste for subsequent disposal
   • Care for and store equipment, used test-pieces and back-up samples as required
7. Maintain laboratory records
   • Enter approved data into laboratory information management system
   • Maintain confidentiality and security of enterprise information and laboratory data
   • Maintain equipment and calibration logs in accordance with enterprise procedures.

Required Skills

Evidence Required

The Evidence Guide describes the underpinning knowledge and skills that must be demonstrated to prove competence

Critical aspects of competency

Competency must be demonstrated in the ability to perform consistently at the required standard In particular assessors should look to see that the candidate

interprets test methodsprocedures accurately

prepares and tests samplestestpieces in accordance with specified methods

performs calibration checks if required

safely operates test equipmentinstruments to enterprise standards andor manufacturers specifications

applies basic knowledge of mechanical properties of materials to interpret gross features of data and make relevant conclusions

identifies atypical results such as out of normal range or an artefact

traces and sources obvious causes of an artefact

communicates problems to a supervisor or outside service technician

records and communicates results in accordance with enterprise procedures

maintains security integrity and traceability of samples testpieces test dataresults and documentation

Underpinning knowledge

Competency includes the ability to apply and explain

mechanical principles and concepts underpinning the testprocedure such as

matter interatomic and intermolecular forces states of matter

mass weight forces pressure energy

cohesiveadhesive forces friction slip resistance

elasticity hardness ductility malleability strength of materials elastic limit elastic moduli ultimate stress

electrical concepts including electric field voltage current resistance ACDC

use of instruments for qualitative andor quantitative analysis

purpose of tests

metrology techniques underpinning testprocedure

principles and concepts related to equipmentinstrument operation and testing

function of key components of the equipmentinstrument

effects on test of modifying equipmentinstrument variables

sample preparation procedures

basic equipmentmethod troubleshooting procedures

use of calibration procedures

calculation steps to give results in appropriate units and precision

enterprise andor legal traceability requirements

relevant health safety and environment requirements

Assessment context and methods

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

The following assessment methods are suggested

review of test dataresults obtained by the candidate over a period of time to check accuracy consistency and timeliness of results

review of test records and workplace documentation completed by the candidate

observation of candidate conducting a range of mechanical tests and sample preparation procedures

feedback from peers and supervisors

oral or written questioning of mechanical principles and concepts test methods and enterprise procedures

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 Questioning techniques should suit the language and literacy levels of the candidate

Interdependent assessment of unit

This unit of competency may be assessed with

PMLDATAA Process and interpret data

PMLDATA400A Process and interpret data.

Resource implications

Resources may include

standard laboratory equipped with appropriate test equipmentinstruments standards and materials

enterprise procedures and standard methods

This competency in practice

Construction materials

A technical assistant is responsible for compressive strength testing of concrete cylinders Typically there are to to be tested each day On arrival in the morning the assistant records the maximum and minimum temperatures of the curing tanks locates the particular cylinders to be tested and removes them from the tanks Heshe dries each cylinder weighs it and measures its diameter and length using a comparator gauge The ends are checked for excessive roughness and nonparallelism Heshe then starts the compression test machine and checks that the load pacer is set to the correct loading rate Heshe places a rubber cap on the finished end of each cylinder in turn and places it centrally on the platen of the load frame The assistant closes the protective screen applies load at the specified rate until failure occurs and records the maximum load After the cylinder has failed the assistant removes it from the platen and checks for invalid failure modes When this occurs eg a shear failure heshe puts the cylinder aside for further investigation Any debris is removed from the platen and the next cylinder is tested When all cylinders have been tested the assistant cleans away any material left on the compression machine and switches it off Heshe enters all the data in into the laboratory information management system LIMS which calculates the unit mass and ultimate compressive strength of each cylinder Finally the assistant reviews the data for unusual or unexpected results that may indicate an error

Manufacturing

A technician is asked to test a new polymeric material that is to be used to manufacture childrens toys The technician makes several representative test pieces and measures the elastic properties of the polymer as well as the durability of the polymer to flex many times without cracking Because the polymer is to be used in a toy the technician also dispatches samples of the polymer for chemical testing by a consulting laboratory to determine whether any toxic monomer could leach out if a child sucked the toy

Key Competencies

The seven key competencies represent generic skills considered for effective work participation The bracketed numbering against each of the key competencies indicates the performance level required in this unit These are standalone levels and do not correspond to levels in the Australian Qualifications Framework AQF

Level represents the competence to undertake tasks effectively

Level represents the competence to manage tasks

Level represents the competence to use concepts for evaluating and reshaping tasks

Collecting analysing and organising information	Communicating ideas and information	Planning and organising activities	Working with others and in teams	Using mathematical ideas and techniques	Solving problems	Using technology
Level	Level	Level	Level	Level	Level	Level

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Range Statement

The range of variables relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that will affect performance.

Where reference is made to industry Codes of Practice, and/or Australian/international standards, it is expected the latest version will be used.

All operations must comply with relevant standards, appropriate procedures and/or enterprise requirements. These procedures include or have been prepared from:

Australian and international standards, such as:

AS ISO/IEC 17025 General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories

AS 2243.6 Safety in Laboratories - Mechanical aspects

AS 1012 Methods of testing concrete

AS 1289 Methods of testing soils for engineering purposes

DIN EN ISO 5269 Pulps - Preparation of laboratory sheets for physical testing

ISO 9142 Adhesives

ISO 9000 series Quality management and quality assurance standards

Codes of Practice (such as GLP and GMP)

National Measurement Act

material safety data sheets (MSDSs)

standard operating procedures (SOPs)

quality manuals, equipment and procedures manuals

equipment startup, operation and shutdown procedures

calibration and maintenance schedules

data quality procedures

enterprise recording and reporting procedures

production and laboratory schedules

material, production and product specifications.

Preparation of samples and test-pieces may include processes, such as cutting, trimming or machining of specimens, etching.

Mechanical tests and procedures may include:

adhesive strength

elastic properties and strength of materials

slip resistance, friction

viscosity, torque

creep, endurance

abrasion, hardness, impact, indent, penetration resistance

pressure and/or vacuum testing using manometers, load cells.

Tests may include methods for:

control of starting materials, in-process materials and finished products

investigation of sources of construction materials

basic troubleshooting of enterprise processes.

Hazards may include:

microbiological organisms and agents associated with soil

chemicals, such as acids and solvents

sharps and hand tools

flammable liquids and gases

cryogenics, such as dry ice and liquid nitrogen

fluids under pressure, such as steam and industrial gases

sources of ignition

disturbance or interruption of services

crushing, entanglement, cuts associated with moving machinery or falling objects.

Hazard control measures may include:

ensuring access to service shut-off points

recognising and observing hazard warnings and safety signs

labelling of samples and hazardous materials

handling and storage for hazardous materials and equipment in accordance with labelling, materials safety data sheets and manufacturer's instructions

identifying and reporting operating problems or equipment malfunctions

cleaning equipment and work areas regularly using enterprise procedures

using personal protective clothing and equipment, such as hard hats, hearing protection, gloves, safety glasses, coveralls and safety boots

following established manual handling procedures

reporting abnormal emissions, discharges and airborne contaminants, such as noise, light, solids, liquids, water/waste water, gases, smoke, vapour, fumes, odour and particulates to appropriate personnel.

Records may include:

test and calibration results

equipment use, maintenance and servicing history

faulty or unsafe equipment.

Health, safety and environment

All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent health, safety and environmental (HSE) requirements, which may be imposed through State or Federal legislation, and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between performance criteria and HSE requirements, the HSE requirements take precedence.

All operations assume the potential hazardous nature of samples and require standard precautions to be applied. Users should access and apply current industry understanding of infection control issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council and State and Territory Departments of Health. All operations are performed in accordance with standard operating procedures.

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