• MSL974009A - Undertake field-based, remote-sensing monitoring

Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

MSL974009A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Undertake field-based, remote-sensing monitoring

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency MSL974009A - Undertake field-based, remote-sensing monitoring
Description This unit of competency covers the ability to organise and undertake a defined field-based, remote-sensing monitoring activity. This may include assembling, setting up and checking appropriate monitoring equipment on-site, sampling, data collection and storage, equipment and system maintenance, and associated field testing and laboratory analysis. This unit of competency does not cover developing specific monitoring protocols or detailed design and/or construction of instruments, buildings, structures associated with the remote-sensing monitoring activities.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit of competency is applicable to technical, field and environmental officers working in the environmental services, geotechnical, construction materials testing and mining industry sectors.Industry representatives have provided case studies to illustrate the practical application of this unit of competency and to show its relevance in a workplace setting. These are found at the end of this unit of competency under the section 'This competency in practice'.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities
Slides
PPT
Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Confirm monitoring requirements with supervising staff
  • Clarify the purpose, objectives and the preferred site for the remote-sensing activities
  • Review all emergency and risk assessments, safety and environmental requirements and data quality procedures for the field activities
  • Clarify details of all field parameters to be monitored and the preferred monitoring and data quality procedures
  • Confirm final data formats will suit stakeholders who receive or use the data
  • Clarify details of any statutory requirements that apply to the site and associated field activities
  • Review existing remote-sensing monitoring protocols, and siting standards or associated in-house requirements which relate to the field activities
       
Element: Assemble remote-sensing field monitoring system
  • Identify required instruments, equipment and consumables and associated maintenance and replacement procedures
  • Identify site access, services and security requirements and any site constraints
  • Complete all administrative requirements and obtain appropriate approvals
  • Confirm required instrument calibration and data storage, handling and transfer systems
  • Field-check site suitability for monitoring activities and define alternative sites as necessary
  • Assemble remote-sensing monitoring system and check all components under laboratory conditions
       
Element: Organise and establish the remote-sensing monitoring site
  • Identify, and confirm with senior staff, all resources required for operation of monitoring system in the field
  • Confirm that all safety, emergency and risk assessment requirements and data quality procedures have been correctly applied to the field activities
  • Ensure correct packaging and transportation of equipment and instruments to defined field site
  • Establish remote monitoring station
  • Test operation of total system under field conditions
       
Element: Operate and maintain monitoring site
  • Undertake regular or emergency inspections of the site according to set procedures
  • Undertake calibration checks according to written instructions
  • Inspect and maintain all instruments, equipment and data systems and organise replacement of defective items
  • Perform all field and laboratory activities safely and with minimal impact on the environment
  • Document all site visits and associated actions
  • Review the total monitoring activity on a regular basis and implement any required modifications or improvements
       
Element: Close down field monitoring activities
  • Confirm decision to close down site and finalise all data requirements with supervising staff
  • Dismantle monitoring system and arrange checking, packaging and transportation of all equipment and instruments back to base
  • Close down site in accordance with enterprise and environmental requirements
  • Hand back site and inform all relevant authorities
  • Test, decontaminate, if required and store all equipment appropriately
  • Document all close-down actions
       


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

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:

demonstrate understanding of purpose and objectives of the monitoring, including:

information and analysis required

end users of information

significance of outcomes for broader programs

communicate effectively and efficiently with staff and other relevant parties

identify and interpret statutory requirements accurately

confirm type, quantity and quality of data needed for defined monitoring activity

demonstrate ability to assemble test, operate and close down a field-based, remote-sensing monitoring system under laboratory/field conditions

undertake reconnaissance and evaluate monitoring sites

identify and establish a secure field monitoring site according to defined criteria

demonstrate ability to appropriately package and transport supplies, equipment and instruments into the field

negotiate with staff and stakeholders and reach satisfactory agreements, where possible

respond effectively to changed or unforeseen circumstances.

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:

MSL935004A Maintain instruments and equipment.

Resources may include:

vehicles, monitoring and communication equipment, consumables and manuals

work program, enterprise procedures, codes of practice and field protocols.

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested:

review of data and results obtained by the candidate

feedback from supervisors and peers

observation of work carried out under laboratory conditions with a focus on:

automatic and manual sampling and instrument calibration procedures

assembling, checking and operation remote-sensing monitoring systems

recording, storing, analysing and presenting basic monitoring data

observation of work carried out in the field with a focus on:

identification of monitoring site according to defined criteria

identification and recording of required services and security requirements for the site

identification and recording of potential environmental impacts associated with operation of a defined monitoring site

simulation exercises with a focus on:

accident and emergency situations

basic environmental impact assessment of a field site

loss of communication system and implementation of alternative procedures

demonstration of calibration, use, and general maintenance of monitoring equipment

oral and/or written questions to assess underpinning knowledge.

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 study below to illustrate the practical application of this unit of competency and to show its relevance in a workplace setting.

Environmental

A report by an environmental consultant indicates that a major regional city requires two remote-sensing air quality monitoring stations to adequately meet its air quality monitoring objectives. In conjunction with senior staff, a senior technical officer is instructed to relocate the existing monitoring station in the central business district, as it does not meet the new Australian standard for locationing and siting of such a monitoring station and to develop a new station in an outer suburban area.

The two remote-sensing monitoring stations must meet all siting and location standards, operate unsupervised for up to seven days, produce data in a form suitable for direct inclusion into the Territory's State of Environment Report, and meet all statutory and enterprise requirements. The technical officer is required to clearly identify and document the above requirements, negotiate with all relevant authorities regarding siting, supply of services, access and security, as well as design, assemble and establish the remote-sensing monitoring system. Ongoing operation, maintenance and annual evaluation are also the responsibility of the senior technical officer in conjunction with senior staff.


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

Required skills include:

assembling, testing, operating and closing down a field-based, remote-sensing monitoring system under laboratory/field conditions

automatic and manual sampling and calibration procedures

communicatingand negotiating effectively and efficiently with staff and other relevant parties

identifying and interpreting statutory requirements accurately

confirming type, quantity and quality of data needed for defined monitoring activity

undertaking reconnaissance and evaluating monitoring sites

identifying and establishing a secure field monitoring site according to defined criteria

packaging and transporting supplies, equipment and instruments into the field

responding effectively to changed or unforeseen circumstances

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes:

purpose and objectives of the monitoring, including:

information and analysis required

end users of information

significance of outcomes for broader programs

terminology relevant to field monitoring activities

field monitoring aims and objectives

remote-sensing monitoring protocols

statutory requirements regarding monitoring activities

technical capabilities and limitations of remote-sensing equipment and instruments

fundamentals of field-based, remote-sensing monitoring systems

fundamentals of field instrument fault identification and rectification procedures

data storage, analysis and presentation procedures

data quality procedures

field safety requirements and emergency plans

environmental requirements regarding field activities

enterprise and/or legal traceability requirements

relevant health, safety and environment requirements

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

AS/NZS 2243 Set:2006 Safety in laboratories set

AS/NZS 4501 Set:2008 Occupational clothing set

Australian code of good manufacturing practice for medicinal products (GMP)

Australian Dangerous Goods Code

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

calibration procedures

data quality procedures

enterprise sampling and monitoring protocols

equipment manuals and warranties, supplier catalogues and handbooks

equipment operating manuals

field protocols, procedures, note books and log books

general maintenance and repair procedures

government policy (e.g. sustainable development and impact assessment)

incident/accident/injury report forms

instrument fault finding procedures

material safety data sheets (MSDS)

national environment protection measures

National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Guidelines

national measurement regulations and guidelines

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

principles of good laboratory practice (GLP)

remote-sensing monitoring protocols

requirements related to protection of the environment

site-specific requirements

specific environmental standards

standard operating procedures (SOPs)

Therapeutic Goods Regulations 1009

Remote-sensing monitoring activities

Remote-sensing monitoring activities may include:

meteorology (e.g. temperature, humidity and wind)

geology/mining (e.g. movement of structures, vibration and blast shock waves)

hydrology (water flow and water depth in catchment)

environmental (e.g. air quality, water quality and noise)

civil engineering (e.g. temperature, displacement and/or hydrostatic pressure on structures and movement of ions in structures)

Communication and/or consultation strategies

Communication and/or consultation strategies may include:

face-to-face

telephone

written documents

meetings

Purpose of field monitoring activities

Purpose of field monitoring activities may include:

single or multiple site monitoring

component of enterprise environmental management plan

remote-sensing monitoring of physical/chemical and mechanical/geotechnical parameters

monitoring of consolidation of soils, foundations

monitoring the durability of structures (e.g. roads)

requirement to comply with statutory requirements

requirement to comply with industry sampling/monitoring protocols/codes of practice

Related plans and procedures

Related plans and procedures may include:

risk assessments

safety and accident/injury plans

emergency plans and procedures, and access to nearest medical services

environmental impact assessment procedures

pollution prevention procedures

first aid and survival procedures

Hazards

Hazards may include:

solar radiation, dust and noise

personnel getting lost

accidents, emergencies and incidents, such as snake, insect or animal bites

exposure to severe weather conditions

manual handling of heavy objects

power tools, generators and moving machinery

vehicle and boat handling in rough/remote conditions

Safety procedures and control measures

Safety procedures and control measures may include:

use of personal protective equipment, such as sunscreen, hats, safety glasses, gloves, coveralls and safety boots

'stay with vehicle' and other survival techniques

regular communication schedule

global positioning system (GPS), maps and aerial photos

handling, storage and disposal of all hazardous materials/waste in accordance with MSDS, labels, enterprise procedures, codes and regulations

Administrative requirements and appropriate approvals

Administrative requirements and appropriate approvals may include:

travel requisitions

authority for use of vehicles and equipment

permits

insurance

Instruments and equipment

Instruments and equipment may include:

navigation and communication equipment (e.g. compass, maps, GPS, two-way radio and mobile phone)

sampling and autosampling equipment for air, water, storm water, waste water and sewage

instruments that measure air pollutants (e.g. oxides of carbon, oxides of sulphur, oxides of nitrogen, hydrocarbons and particulates (PM10, PM2.5 total suspended, ozone))

instruments that measure water quantity and/or hydrological parameters (e.g. flow, dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, pH, turbidity, nitrates, phosphates and temperature)

instruments that measure meteorological parameters (e.g. pressure, minimum and maximum temperature, wet and dry bulb temperatures, humidity, rainfall, and wind speed and direction)

instruments that measure sound pressure levels (e.g. noise or sound pressure meter)

instruments that measure displacement or durability of civil engineering structures, consolidation (e.g. load cells, inclinometers, pieziometers, strain gauges and accelerometers)

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

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Clarify the purpose, objectives and the preferred site for the remote-sensing activities 
Review all emergency and risk assessments, safety and environmental requirements and data quality procedures for the field activities 
Clarify details of all field parameters to be monitored and the preferred monitoring and data quality procedures 
Confirm final data formats will suit stakeholders who receive or use the data 
Clarify details of any statutory requirements that apply to the site and associated field activities 
Review existing remote-sensing monitoring protocols, and siting standards or associated in-house requirements which relate to the field activities 
Identify required instruments, equipment and consumables and associated maintenance and replacement procedures 
Identify site access, services and security requirements and any site constraints 
Complete all administrative requirements and obtain appropriate approvals 
Confirm required instrument calibration and data storage, handling and transfer systems 
Field-check site suitability for monitoring activities and define alternative sites as necessary 
Assemble remote-sensing monitoring system and check all components under laboratory conditions 
Identify, and confirm with senior staff, all resources required for operation of monitoring system in the field 
Confirm that all safety, emergency and risk assessment requirements and data quality procedures have been correctly applied to the field activities 
Ensure correct packaging and transportation of equipment and instruments to defined field site 
Establish remote monitoring station 
Test operation of total system under field conditions 
Undertake regular or emergency inspections of the site according to set procedures 
Undertake calibration checks according to written instructions 
Inspect and maintain all instruments, equipment and data systems and organise replacement of defective items 
Perform all field and laboratory activities safely and with minimal impact on the environment 
Document all site visits and associated actions 
Review the total monitoring activity on a regular basis and implement any required modifications or improvements 
Confirm decision to close down site and finalise all data requirements with supervising staff 
Dismantle monitoring system and arrange checking, packaging and transportation of all equipment and instruments back to base 
Close down site in accordance with enterprise and environmental requirements 
Hand back site and inform all relevant authorities 
Test, decontaminate, if required and store all equipment appropriately 
Document all close-down actions 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

MSL974009A - Undertake field-based, remote-sensing monitoring
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:


Assessment Record Sheet

MSL974009A - Undertake field-based, remote-sensing monitoring

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: