1

Confirm air sampling and testing requirements with supervisor

1.1

Review available site information, such as site plan, sampling/testing locations and history of sampling/testing

1.2

Confirm the scope and purpose of air sampling/testing and data requirements

1.3

Confirm sampling methods, locations, numbers and types of samples, and duration/frequency of sampling from enterprise or client’s sampling plan

1.4

Check that all air sampling/testing procedures are in accordance with client or enterprise requirements, relevant standards and guidelines

2

Prepare for air sampling and testing

2.1

Identify site and sampling/testing hazards and review enterprise safety procedures

2.2

Liaise with relevant personnel to arrange site access and obtain all clearances and/or permits, as necessary

2.3

Review field sampling procedures and sample preparation methods required for specific laboratory tests

2.4

Select sampling equipment and conditions to achieve representative samples and preserve sample integrity during collection, storage and transit

2.5

Ensure all reagents, solutions, standards and blanks (as appropriate) are obtained and/or ready for field use

2.6

Select field test equipment/instruments and check operation and calibration, as required, in accordance with procedures and manufacturer instructions

2.7

Assemble, check, stow all sampling equipment, field test equipment, materials, containers and safety equipment

2.8

Arrange suitable transport to, from and around site, as required

3

Conduct sampling of air

3.1

Locate sampling sites and, if required, services at the site

3.2

Conduct representative sampling in accordance with sampling plan and defined procedures for field and/or laboratory testing

3.3

Ensure all controls, blanks and replicate samples are properly integrated into the sampling process

3.4

Record all information and label samples in accordance with traceability requirements

3.5

Record environmental conditions and any atypical observations made during sampling that may impact on sample representativeness or integrity

3.6

Transport all samples back to base according to enterprise procedures and relevant guidelines

4

Conduct field and laboratory testing of air

4.1

Take sufficient measurements of all samples and standards, if appropriate, to obtain reliable data

4.2

Obtain sample or subsample for designated field test or locate established locations for in-situ testing

4.3

Set up, check/calibrate and operate equipment, instruments, reagents, gases and in accordance with test methods/procedures and manufacturer instructions

4.4

Perform tests, procedures and any observations in accordance with specified methods/procedures

4.5

Record all field/laboratory observations and results and ensure that they are accurately transferred to enterprise information management system

5

Process and interpret air data

5.1

Review test data noting atypical observations

5.2

Ensure calculated values are consistent with expectations

5.3

Estimate and document uncertainty of measurement in accordance with enterprise procedures, if required

5.4

Record processed results in accordance with enterprise procedures

5.5

Interpret trends in data and/or results and report out-of-specification or atypical results promptly to appropriate personnel

5.6

Determine if obvious procedure or equipment problems have led to atypical data or results

5.7

Compare results with established air quality standards, statutory environmental quality concentration limits or similar, if relevant

5.8

Finalise reporting of results in accordance with enterprise requirements

6

Maintain a safe work environment

6.1

Rehabilitate sampling site to render it safe and to minimise environmental impact

6.2

Clean all equipment, containers, work area and vehicles according to enterprise procedures

6.3

Check serviceability of all equipment before storage

6.4

Use defined safe work practices and personal protective equipment to ensure personal safety and that of others

6.5

Minimise the generation of wastes and environment impacts

6.6

Ensure the safe collection of all hazardous wastes for appropriate disposal

Required skills

Required skills include:

planning and preparing for field activities

observational and descriptive skills

collecting representative samples in accordance with a sampling plan and method

using appropriate techniques to preserve the integrity of samples

demonstrating correct and safe use of field/laboratory instruments and/or equipment, including calibration

using air quality measurement instrumentation to obtain verifiable, quantitative results

identifying and rectifying basic instrument faults

identifying atypical data and samples and taking appropriate action

maintaining sampling equipment

completing accurate records of sampling, test data and results

communicating effectively and writing/compiling concise and accurate reports

responding effectively to changed or unforeseen circumstances

seeking advice when issues/problems are beyond scope of competence/responsibility

following requirements for the disposal of waste and the preservation of the environment

working safely

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes:

appropriate terminology for atmospheric science, air measurement and air pollution

the structure, circulation and composition of the atmosphere

atmospheric stability, lapse rates and inversions

localised meteorology and dispersion of air pollutants

air pollutants, such as:

particulates (inorganics, organics and metals)

inorganic gases (CO, CO2, NOx, SOx, ammonia, acid rain, halogens and ozone)

organic gases (hydrocarbons; oxygen, halogens, sulfur and nitrogen containing organics)

photochemical smog, greenhouse gases and ozone depletion

principles of air quality sampling and analysis, methods and standards

function of key components and operating principles of common air quality instruments

specific legislation, policies and codes of practice related to air pollution and air quality monitoring

field sampling and monitoring procedures, including labelling and traceability

relevant health, safety and environment requirements, including field safety principles

Overview of assessment

Competency must be demonstrated in the ability to perform consistently at the required standard.

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

Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently apply the skills covered in this unit of competency in new and different situations and contexts. Critical aspects of assessment and evidence include:

demonstrating an understanding of the legislative and regulatory framework relevant to air quality

using air quality measurement terminology accurately

interpreting and applying site air sampling/monitoring plans and procedures

collecting reliable, representative air samples in accordance with methods/procedures

operating, maintaining and calibrating air quality measurement instrumentation to produce consistently valid and accurate results

interpreting gross features of data, identifying atypical results as out-of-normal range or an artefact and making relevant conclusions

calculating results using appropriate units/precision

providing accurate, complete records of sampling and testing observations, data and results

working safely and follow relevant legislative requirements for the disposal of waste and the preservation of the environment.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

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

Assessment should emphasise a workplace context and procedures found in the candidate’s workplace.

This unit of competency may be assessed with:

MSL974003A Perform chemical tests and procedures

MSL974009A Undertake field-based remote sensing

MSS025016A Perform sampling and testing of stationary emissions.

The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team.

Resources may include:

vehicles, survey equipment, air sampling/monitoring equipment, cameras, consumables and manuals

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

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested:

inspection of air samples collected by the candidate

review of air quality measurements, test results, calculations and observations produced by the candidate

review of sampling/testing records completed by the candidate

feedback from peers and supervisors about the candidate’s ability to consistently apply enterprise procedures and work safely

oral and written questioning to check the candidate’s understanding of the principles of air quality sampling/testing, operation of air sampling equipment, test instruments and processing of data

observation of the candidate performing a range of air sampling and testing tasks.

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.

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.

Guidance information for assessment

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

Legislation, standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements

Legislation, standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements may include:

federal legislation, such as

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999

state/territory government legislation and regulations and local government by-laws, policies, and plans dealing with:

land use, acquisition, planning and protection

environmental protection

pollution and contaminated sites

Australian and international standards, such as:

AS ISO 14050:1999 Environmental management - Vocabulary

AS/NZS ISO 14000 Basic set:2007 Environmental management basic set

AS 2365 series Methods for the sampling and analysis of indoor air

AS 2986 series Workplace air quality

AS/NZS 3580 series Methods for sampling and analysis of ambient air

AS/NZS 2922 Guide for the siting of sampling units (air monitoring)

National Environment Protection Measure (NEPM) (Ambient Air Quality)

enterprise sampling and monitoring protocols

equipment manuals and warranties, supplier catalogue and handbooks

government policy (e.g. environmental protection and impact assessment)

material safety data sheets (MSDS)

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

site-specific requirements

Ambient air parameters

Ambient air parameters may include:

inorganic gases:

CO and CO2

NOx,

SOx

acid gases

hydrogen sulfide

ozone

fluorides

organic gases:

methane and non-methane hydrocarbons

poly-aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)

organic oxidants and other photochemical smog compounds (e.g. poly-aromatic nitrates (PANs))

air toxics:

benzene, toluene and xylenes

formaldehyde

Benzo(a)pyrene (PAH marker)

particulates:

deposited matter

suspended matter (PM10, PM2.5 and PM1)

particulate fluorides

lead

Indoor air parameters

Indoor air parameters may include:

inorganic gases, such as:

CO and CO2

NOx

radon

organic gases such as:

formaldehyde

poly-aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)

organic oxidants and other photochemical smog compounds e.g. poly-aromatic nitrates (PANs)

particulates such as:

PM10, PM2.5, and PM1

microorganisms and spores

Occupational (workplace) air parameters

Occupational (workplace) air parameters may include:

chemicals listed in the ‘Adopted National Exposure Standards for Atmospheric Contaminants in the Occupational Environment’. Concentration levels for action are:

peak

short term exposure limit (STEL)

time weighted average (TWA)

Sampling equipment

Sampling equipment may include:

gas sample bags

gas sample bottles/containers

gas pipettes

gas syringes

air sampling pumps

sampling manifolds

passive diffusion samplers

impingers (with absorption solutions)

solid adsorbents

colour detection tubes

coated and uncoated filters

sampling trains in continuous gas monitors

pitot tubes

high volume samplers

dichotomous samplers

gas flow meters

Testing equipment

Testing equipment may include:

continuous gas monitors:

ultraviolet (UV) absorption (e.g. ozone)

chemiluminescence (e.g. NOx)

pulsed fluorescence (e.g. (SOx)

non-dispersive infrared (e.g. CO)

flame ionisation detection (FID) (e.g. methane)

photo ionisation detection (PID)

integrating nephelometer methodologies (e.g. suspended particulates)

oxygen sensors (e.g. zirconia)

gas chromatographs

mass spectrometers

atomic absorption spectrophotometers

infrared spectrophotometers

UV-visible spectrophotometers

tapered element oscillating microbalance (TEOM)

beta gauges

particle counters

portable (handheld) gas monitors

Enterprise procedures for field activities

Enterprise procedures for field activities may include:

field notebooks or log books

standard operating procedures covering fieldwork, sampling and testing

equipment operating manuals, calibration procedures, instrument fault-finding procedures and general maintenance and repair procedures

emergency, first aid and survival procedures

requirements related to protection of the environment

incident/accident/injury report forms

Additional equipment

Additional equipment may include:

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

electric generators and power leads

calibration gases

data loggers

first aid equipment

Hazards

Hazards may include:

solar radiation, dust and noise

exposure to toxic gases

electrical hazards

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

exposure to severe weather conditions

manual handling of heavy objects

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 consumables, 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