The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

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

Assessors should ensure that candidates can:

follow required policies and procedures to maintain the integrity of collected samples or equipment during transport

deal with customers effectively and courteously

work safely

maintain confidentiality and report problems, accidents and incidents in accordance with procedures.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

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

This unit of competency may be assessed with:

MSL943002A Participate in laboratory/field workplace safety.

Resources may include:

vehicle

enterprise procedures for the handling and transport of samples or equipment

communication devices

sample containers

containers for transporting samples and test/calibration equipment.

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested:

review of the job sheets or journal of completed activities

direct observation of work as a courier

the quality of review of results traceable to the transport of samples or equipment by candidate

oral or written questions to assess knowledge of the handling of unforseen circumstances

simulated role plays between a courier and personnel at a reception desk or customer pickup centre.

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.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required.

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

This competency in practice

Industry representatives have provided the case studies below to illustrate the practical application of this unit of competency and show its relevance in a workplace setting.

Calibration

Calibration laboratories must take special care to ensure that they do not damage test equipment during handling, testing or storage. Information relating to equipment requiring special handling, transport or storage conditions should be provided to those responsible for collecting and transporting the items.

A customer-orientated calibration laboratory offers a door to door calibration service to most of its clients. Once a week their driver arrives at a major facility and takes delivery of several precision measuring instruments. As always, the driver signs the acceptance note paying particular attention that all the items are recorded correctly, including listing all accessories and associated handbooks. But this time, two delicate items require unique transit cases to ensure they are stored and transported upright. Because the laboratory received prior notice, these cases were loaded into the van before setting off as well as a copy of the special transport and packaging instructions. The driver secures all the items in accordance with the accompanied written instructions to ensure their safe travel and minimise damage during transit. Upon return, the driver unloads the van and the instruments are acquitted by administration staff, inspected for damage and booked into the laboratory. The lab supervisor makes sure that their technicians are aware of the special handling requirements of the two delicate instruments.

Biotechnology

During transit, samples must be handled and maintained under conditions which will ensure that their potency and efficacy are maintained. A courier has been asked to transport vaccine samples from the airport to the enterprise for laboratory evaluation. The supervisor faxes the courier company detailed instructions regarding pickup and handling/storage conditions during transit. In this case, the samples are in insulated containers and the temperature is monitored and recorded continuously. The courier collects the samples, puts them in the coolest part of the vehicle, ensuring that the package will not be subject to any sudden jolts, and transports them to the enterprise. After the samples arrive they are checked by the enterprise and appropriate documentation completed.

Biomedical

At 8 am the courier commences the day shift. The shift supervisor identifies the collection centres to be visited. The courier takes the mobile phone from the charger and checks their pager. In the vehicle, the courier logs in the odometer reading, makes a mental note of the fuel level, checks the cooler boxes and other equipment and carefully drives out. Today, there are pickups from four private hospitals and 12 collecting centres in a 200 sq km zone. As they approach the first hospital, there is a call from base with instructions to collect a tissue biopsy and bring it back immediately. He/she asks the base contact to tell haematology that their 10 am specimen arrival will be 40 minutes late because of this unforseen diversion. Eventually, they complete the round, having remembered to replenish specimen collecting stock at each centre visited.

Environmental (1)

A technical assistant regularly handles and transports sensitive equipment over rough terrain in a 4WD vehicle. After reaching a field site, they are asked to transport expensive water monitoring equipment across an estuary in a small aluminium boat. The assistant notes that the equipment boxes are open to the weather and will need to be made waterproof. Because the water is choppy, the assistant adds extra packing material to cushion the most shock sensitive items. They choose to travel with the equipment rather than entrusting it to the local fisherman. Together, they carefully secure the items on the seats rather than placing them on the floor of the boat which is wet.

Environmental (2)

A waste management authority has sent one of their laboratory technicians to collect six containers that have been found by a member of the public on the verge of an industrial area service road. Given that the materials may be hazardous the technician assembles a full set of safety equipment. They also locate a laptop computer with MSDS information, a list of phone contacts for agencies responsible for handling hazardous materials and suitable containers for storing/transporting potentially hazardous materials. Upon arrival at the site, the technician locates six containers of concentrated sulphuric acid which are clearly labelled. The technician consults the MSDS for information on appropriate handling, storage and transportation procedures and follows them closely.

Required skills

Required skills include:

planning the picking up of items in conjunction with a supervisor

preparing a vehicle for the required journey

using communication devices so contact is possible between the courier, reception centre, and routine pickup locations

communicating effectively and courteously with individuals, customers, clients and reception staff

recording details of item exchange in relevant sections of chain of custody forms, as required

maintaining the integrity of collected samples or equipment during transport

containing and cleaning up spillage or breakages

using appropriate techniques and equipment to safely dispose of waste materials

maintaining confidentiality in all aspects of work

reporting of problems, accidents or incidents in accordance with enterprise procedures

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes:

the relationship between effective communication with clients and customers and enterprise business

the need for appropriate and timely transport

control measures for minimising exposure to hazardous materials and equipment

effect of changes in environmental conditions, vibration and shock on samples

procedures for the containment and cleanup of spillages and breakages

efficient waste containment and disposal practices

maintenance requirements of equipment used in the processes of handling and transporting samples

relevant health, safety and environment requirements

enterprise procedures for responding to emergencies

contact details for key personnel

Specific industry

Additional knowledge requirements may apply for different industry sectors. For example:Biomedical samples:

labile nature of biological and environmental samples

possible infectivity of biological materials

possible effects of exposure to radioactive materials

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Codes of practice

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

Standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements

Standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements may include:

Australian and international standards such as:

AS 1678 Emergency procedure guide -Transport

AS 1940-2004 Storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids

AS 4332-2004 The storage and handling of gases in cylinders

AS ISO 17025-2005 General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories

AS/NZS 2243 Set:2006 Safety in laboratories set

AS/NZS 4452:1997 The storage and handling of toxic substances

AS/NZS ISO 14000 Set:2005 Environmental management standards set

animal welfare legislation and codes of practice

Australia Post Guides

Australian Dangerous Goods Code

Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) Codes of Practice

International Air Transport Association (IATA) Regulations

material safety data sheets (MSDS)

occupational health and safety (OHS) national standards and codes of practice

Paperwork and documentation

Paperwork and documentation may include:

enterprise protocols regarding customer liaison and communication

vehicle log books

protocols for use of pagers, mobile telephones and two-way radios

precautions for safe handling and handling of specific materials (e.g. toxic, infective, radioactive and dangerous goods)

precautions for the transport of volatile and unstable fluids

incident/accident report forms

spillage and waste containment and disposal protocols and containment materials

Maintenance of the integrity of samples or test/calibration equipment

Maintenance of the integrity of samples or test/calibration equipment could involve:

use of appropriate sample containers (glass, plastic and opaque)

use of appropriate preservatives

wrapping container in foil to exclude light

temperature control, which may involve prevention of direct contact between the sample and coolant

use of appropriate equipment boxes (insulated, shockproof and waterproof)

restraint of containers to prevent movement

checking sample viability during transport while avoiding unnecessary handling

Hazards

Hazards may include:

biohazards, such as micro-organisms and agents associated with soil, air, water, blood and blood products, and human or animal tissue and fluids

chemicals, such as acids and hydrocarbons

sharps and broken glassware

manual handling of heavy sample bags and containers and equipment

Safety practices

Safety practices may include:

use of MSDS

use personal protective equipment, such as gloves, safety glasses, goggles and coveralls

use of biohazard containers

safe road/off road driving practices

correct labelling of hazardous materials

handling and storing hazardous material and equipment in accordance with labels, MSDS, manufacturer's instructions, and enterprise procedures and regulations

regular cleaning and/or decontaminating of equipment and vehicle

Occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental management requirements

OHS and environmental management requirements:

all operations must comply with enterprise OHS and environmental management requirements, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation - these requirements must not be compromised at any time

all operations assume the potentially hazardous nature of samples and require standard precautions to be applied

where relevant, users should access and apply current industry understanding of infection control issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and State and Territory Departments of Health