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
ISO 9000 series Quality management and quality assurance standards
AS 2243.2 Safety in Laboratories - Chemical aspects
AS 2830.1 Good laboratory practice - Chemical analysis
AS 2162.1 General - Volumetric glassware
AS 2134.1 Flame atomic absorption spectrometry
AS 3753 Recommended practice for chemical analysis by ultraviolet/visible spectrophotometry
industry methods, such as RACI and/or AACC methods for inorganic constituents
Codes of Practice (such as GLP and GMP)
National Measurement Act
material safety data sheets (MSDSs)
standard operating procedures (SOPs)
quality manuals and equipment and procedure 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 may include processes, such as grinding, mulling, preparation of discs, digestion, dissolving, ashing, refluxing, extracting, filtration, evaporation, flocculation, precipitation, washing, drying and centrifugation.
Non instrumental test/procedures may include:
gravimetric analysis, such as:
loss on drying
suspended solids
ashes, such as sulphated and gravimetric assays (for example, sulphates and nitrogen in fertilisers)
Ni by dimethylglyoxime
bitumen content of asphaltic concrete
titrimetric analysis, such as:
acid/base determinations
complexiometric, such as water hardness, Fe by dichromate, binder content analysis
redox, such as precipitation of chlorides in water
dissolved oxygen (DO), chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD)
filtration, separation, solvent extraction techniques
corrosion testing, cement content, accelerated weathering.
Instrumental tests may include spectrometric, chromatography and electrochemical methods.
Types of instrumentation and instrumental techniques may include:
colorimetric, such as enzyme activity, chlorine in water, specific cations and anions
infrared, ultraviolet and visible spectrophotometry
other spectrometric techniques, such as:
fluorimetric analysis, flame atomic emission, flame atomic absorption spectrometry
fourier transform infrared
chromatographic techniques, such as:
column and thin layer analytical and preparative chromatography
paper, gas, liquid chromatography and HPLC for purity, raw material and formulation checks
ion chromatography for detection of nitrates, phosphates, sulphates, chlorides, bromides
gel filtration chromatography for purification of proteins
affinity chromatography for purification of immunoglobulins
electrochemical techniques, such as: pH, eH, conductivity, ion selective electrodes
electrophoretic techniques for DNA patterns and determination of protein purity
soil testing, such as:
moisture content
organic matter content
specific anions and cations
autoanalysers for determination of total P, total Kjeldahl N, orthophosphate, nitrite/nitrate, ammonia.
Chemical tests may include methods for:
control of starting materials, in-process materials and finished products
environmental monitoring
basic troubleshooting and/or problem solving within the scope of standard operating procedures (SOP) and enterprise processes.
Hazards may include:
chemicals, such as:
acids, for example, sulphuric, perchloric, hydrofluoric
heavy metals, pesticides
anions, for example, fluoride
hydrocarbons, for example, mono-aromatics
aerosols from broken centrifuge tubes, pipetting
sharps, broken glassware
flammable liquids and gases
cryogenics, such as dry ice and liquid nitrogen
fluids under pressure, such as hydrogen in gas liquid chromatography, acetylene in atomic absorption spectrometry
sources of ignition
high-temperature ashing processes
disturbance or interruption of services.
Hazard control measures may include:
ensuring access to service shut-off points
recognising and observing hazard warnings and safety signs
labelling of samples, reagents, aliquoted samples and hazardous materials
handling and storage of 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 and decontaminating equipment and work areas regularly using enterprise procedures
using personal protective clothing and equipment, such as gloves, safety glasses, coveralls
using containment facilities (PCII, PCIII and PCIV physical containment laboratories), containment equipment (biohazard containers, laminar flow cabinets, Class I, II and III biohazard cabinets) and containment 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.