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

MSL974010A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Perform mechanical tests

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency MSL974010A - Perform mechanical tests
Description This unit of competency covers the ability to interpret mechanical test requirements, prepare samples, conduct pre-use and calibration checks on equipment and perform routine mechanical tests. These tests will involve several measurement steps. The unit includes data processing and interpretation of results and tracking of obvious test malfunctions where the procedure is standardised. However, personnel are not required to analyse data, optimise tests/procedures for specific samples or troubleshoot equipment problems where the solution is not apparent.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit of competency is applicable to laboratory or technical assistants and instrument operators working in the manufacturing, food and construction materials testing 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: 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
       
Element: Receive samples and prepare test pieces
  • Log samples using standard operating procedures (SOPs)
  • 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
       
Element: 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
       
Element: 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
       
Element: 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
  • Estimate and document uncertainty of measurement in accordance with enterprise procedures, if required
  • 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
       
Element: 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
       
Element: Maintain laboratory records
  • Enter approved data into laboratory information management system (LIMS)
  • Maintain confidentiality and security of enterprise information and laboratory data
  • Maintain equipment and calibration logs in accordance with enterprise procedures
       


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:

interpret test methods/procedures accurately

prepare and test samples in accordance with specified methods

perform calibration checks (if required)

safely operate test equipment/instruments to enterprise standards and/or manufacturer's specifications

apply basic knowledge of physical properties of materials to interpret gross features of data and make relevant conclusions

identify atypical results, such as out of normal range or an artefact

trace and source obvious causes of an artefact

communicate problems to a supervisor or outside service technician

record and communicate results in accordance with enterprise procedures

maintain security, integrity and traceability of samples, sub-samples, test data/results and documentation.

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:

MSL924001A Process and interpret data.

Resources may include:

standard laboratory equipped with appropriate test equipment/instruments, standards and materials

enterprise procedures and standard methods.

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested:

review of test data/results 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.

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 to show its relevance in a workplace setting.

Construction materials

A technical assistant is responsible for compressive strength testing of concrete cylinders. Typically, there are 20 to 30 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. She/he dries each cylinder, weighs it and measures its diameter and length using a comparator gauge. The ends are checked for excessive roughness and non-parallelism. She/he then starts the compression test machine and checks that the load pacer is set to the correct loading rate. She/he 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 (e.g. a shear failure) she/he 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. She/he 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 children's 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.


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:

using instruments for qualitative and/or quantitative analysis

interpreting test methods and procedures

sample preparation procedures

performing calibration checks

metrology techniques underpinning test/procedure including estimating uncertainty

using instruments for qualitative and/or quantitative analysis

maintaining and evaluating reagents

troubleshooting basic equipment/method

preparing calibration graphs and calculating results using appropriate units and precision

applying theoretical knowledge to interpret gross features of data and make relevant conclusions such as identifying atypical results as out of normal range or an artefact

tracing and sourcing obvious causes of an artefact

recording and communicating results in accordance with enterprise procedures

maintaining security, integrity, traceability of samples, sub-samples, test data, results and documentation

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes:

mechanical principles and concepts underpinning the test/procedure

purpose of tests

metrology techniques underpinning test/procedure

principles and concepts related to equipment/instrument operation and testing

function of key components of the equipment/instrument

effects on test of modifying equipment/instrument variables

sample preparation procedures

basic equipment/method troubleshooting procedures

calibration procedures

calculation steps to give results in appropriate units and precision

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 1012 Methods of testing concrete

AS 1289 Methods for testing soils for engineering purposes

AS ISO 1000-1998 The international system of units (SI) and its application

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 ISO 9000 Set:2008 Quality management systems set

ISO 5269 Pulps - Preparation of laboratory sheets for physical testing

ISO 9142:2003 Adhesives - Guide to the selection of standard laboratory ageing conditions for testing bonded joints

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

calibration and maintenance schedules

data quality procedures

enterprise recording and reporting procedures

equipment startup, operation and shutdown procedures

material safety data sheets (MSDS)

material, production and product specifications

national measurement regulations and guidelines

principles of good laboratory practice (GLP)

production and laboratory schedules

quality manuals, equipment and procedures manuals

SOPs

Mechanical principles and concepts underpinning the test/procedure

Mechanical principles and concepts underpinning the test/procedure may include:

matter, interatomic and intermolecular forces and states of matter

mass, weight, forces, pressure and energy

cohesive/adhesive forces, friction and slip resistance

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

electrical concepts, including electric field, voltage, current, resistance and AC/DC

elasticity, hardness, strength of materials, plasticity, permeability and dispersion

Preparation of samples and test pieces

Preparation of samples and test pieces may include processes such as:

cutting

trimming

machining

etching

Mechanical tests and procedures

Mechanical tests and procedures may include:

adhesive strength

elastic properties and strength of materials

slip resistance and friction

viscosity and torque

creep and endurance

abrasion, hardness, impact, indent and penetration resistance

pressure and/or vacuum testing using manometers and load cells

Tests

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

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 and cuts associated with moving machinery or falling objects

Hazard control measures

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, MSDS 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

Records may include:

test and calibration results

equipment use, maintenance and servicing history

faulty or unsafe equipment

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
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 
Log samples using standard operating procedures (SOPs) 
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 
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 
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 
Record test data noting atypical observations 
Ensure calculated values are consistent with expectations 
Record and report results in accordance with enterprise procedures 
Estimate and document uncertainty of measurement in accordance with enterprise procedures, if required 
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 
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 
Enter approved data into laboratory information management system (LIMS) 
Maintain confidentiality and security of enterprise information and laboratory data 
Maintain equipment and calibration logs in accordance with enterprise procedures 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

MSL974010A - Perform mechanical tests
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

MSL974010A - Perform mechanical tests

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: