- NWP218B - Perform and record sampling
NWP218B
Perform and record sampling
Application
This unit supports the attainment of skills and knowledge required for field and operational staff with specific responsibility for collecting grab or composite water samples.
Prerequisites
Not applicable.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1Prepare for water quality sampling. | 1.1 Confirm required samples, procedures for sampling and sampling locations according to organisational requirements. 1.2 Select sampling equipment according to specified samples required and appropriate sample preservation methods. 1.3 Identify, check and prepare materials, equipment and resources required to satisfy job plan according to organisational requirements. 1.4 Plan sampling work activities to comply with sampling plan and organisational requirements. |
2Conduct water quality sampling. | 2.1 Collect samples ensuring that sample types, sampling locations and sampling times comply with sampling plan. 2.2 Maintain integrity of samples during sampling and label sample containers according to organisational requirements. 2.3 Follow approved safety procedures to limit hazards and contamination to self, work area and environment. |
3Record sampling data. | 3.1 Record required information according to legislative and organisational requirements. 3.2 Report observations or measurements outside organisational guidelines or specifications for further action. |
Required Skills
This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit. |
Required skills: prepare, collect, label and preserve water samples dispose of waste and spent samples correctly produce reports and logs plan work activities work effectively as part of a team perform task-related calculations identify and obtain resources follow plans and instructions apply procedures and standards communicate work requirements use literacy skills in regard to verbal and written communication in the workplace use personal protective equipment |
Required knowledge: types and purposes of water samples procedures and techniques for water sampling water sample preparation, including: prevention of contamination volume of sample appropriate containers preservation location selection location maintenance equipment transportation documentation procedures for water samples disposal procedures for waste and excess water samples task-related calculations legislative and organisational policies, procedures and standards communication systems work planning processes effects of weather and conditions on work hazards associated with collection of water samples |
Evidence Required
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, the range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package. | |
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit | The candidate should demonstrate the ability to perform basic water sampling by: planning and preparing for water sampling tasks collecting samples according to sampling plan maintaining integrity of water samples recording all required information |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Access to the workplace and resources including: documentation that should normally be available in a water industry organisation relevant codes, standards and government regulations Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities. Access must be provided to appropriate learning and assessment support when required. Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed. Validity and sufficiency of evidence requires that: competency will need to be demonstrated over a period of time reflecting the scope of the role and the practical requirements of the workplace where the assessment is part of a structured learning experience the evidence collected must relate to a number of performances assessed at different points in time and separated by further learning and practice a decision of competence should only be made when the assessor has complete confidence in the person's competence over time and in various contexts all assessment that is part of a structured learning experience must include a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary evidence where assessment is for the purpose of recognition (RCC/RPL), the evidence provided will need to be authenticated and show that it represents competency demonstrated over a period of time assessment can be through simulated project-based activity and must include evidence relating to each of the elements in this unit In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge. Questioning will be undertaken in a manner appropriate to the skill levels of the operator and cultural issues that may affect responses to the questions, and will reflect the requirements of the competency and the work being performed. |
Range Statement
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. Add any 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. | |
Samples may include: | grab, composite or flow-weighted composite samples for: microbiological testing testing for chemical and physical characteristics |
Organisational requirements may include: | standard operating procedures Australian standards, for example AS/NZSÂ 5667 Water quality - sampling state Environment Protection Authority sampling guidelines legislative requirements OHS |
Sampling equipment may include: | buckets or wide-mouthed containers depth samplers sample dippers sterile sample containers: plastic glass test-specific, such as acid washed weighted sample bottles dip tubes composite and discrete automatic samplers |
Sample preservation methods may include: | refrigeration freezing chemical addition, such as acidification shielding from direct sunlight filtration |
Planning sampling work activities may include: | interpretation of instructions and directions timelines interaction and communication with team members and individuals customer service requirements |
Sampling locations may include: | raw water supply, including: surface water groundwater water distribution and treatment systems wastewater collection and treatment systems |
Records may include: | sample records, field detail sheets or chain of custody forms, including information such as: time sample was taken details of person collecting sample sample point volume of sample data gathered at time of collection pre-treatment preservation instructions to transporters |
Sectors
Not applicable.
Competency Field
Common.
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills.
Licensing Information
Not applicable.