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Evidence Guide: MSS024006A - Perform sampling and testing of water

Student: __________________________________________________

Signature: _________________________________________________

Tips for gathering evidence to demonstrate your skills

The important thing to remember when gathering evidence is that the more evidence the better - that is, the more evidence you gather to demonstrate your skills, the more confident an assessor can be that you have learned the skills not just at one point in time, but are continuing to apply and develop those skills (as opposed to just learning for the test!). Furthermore, one piece of evidence that you collect will not usualy demonstrate all the required criteria for a unit of competency, whereas multiple overlapping pieces of evidence will usually do the trick!

From the Wiki University

 

MSS024006A - Perform sampling and testing of water

What evidence can you provide to prove your understanding of each of the following citeria?

Confirm sampling and testing requirements

  1. Confirm the sampling location, number and type of samples, and timing and frequency of sampling from the enterprise or client’s sampling plan
  2. Check that all sampling and testing procedures are in accordance with client or enterprise requirements, relevant standards and codes
Confirm the sampling location, number and type of samples, and timing and frequency of sampling from the enterprise or client’s sampling plan

Completed
Date:

Teacher:
Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

Completed
Date:

Teacher:
Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prepare for water sampling

  1. Identify site and sampling hazards and review enterprise safety procedures
  2. Liaise with relevant personnel to arrange site access and, if appropriate, all necessary clearances and/or permits
  3. Select sampling equipment and conditions to achieve representative samples and preserve sample integrity during collection, storage and transit
  4. Ensure all reagents, solutions, standards and blanks (as appropriate) are obtained and/or prepared ready for field use
  5. Select field test equipment/instruments and check operation and calibration, as required, in accordance with procedures and manufacturer instructions
  6. Assemble and check all sampling equipment, field test equipment, materials, containers and safety equipment
  7. Arrange suitable transport to, from and/or around site as required
Identify site and sampling hazards and review enterprise safety procedures

Completed
Date:

Teacher:
Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

Completed
Date:

Teacher:
Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

Completed
Date:

Teacher:
Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

Completed
Date:

Teacher:
Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

Completed
Date:

Teacher:
Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

Completed
Date:

Teacher:
Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

Completed
Date:

Teacher:
Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conduct sampling of water

  1. Locate sampling sites and, if required, services at the site
  2. Conduct representative sampling in accordance with sampling plan and defined procedures for field and/or laboratory testing, as required
  3. Ensure all controls, blanks and replicate samples are properly integrated into the sampling process
  4. Record all information and label samples in accordance with traceability requirements
  5. Record environmental conditions and any atypical observations made during sampling that may impact on sample representativeness or integrity
  6. Transport all samples back to base according to enterprise procedures and relevant codes
  7. Distribute samples/sub-samples to required destinations for testing, maintaining sample integrity, traceability and chain of custody requirements, as necessary
Locate sampling sites and, if required, services at the site

Completed
Date:

Teacher:
Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

Completed
Date:

Teacher:
Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

Completed
Date:

Teacher:
Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Record all information and label samples in accordance with traceability requirements

Completed
Date:

Teacher:
Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

Completed
Date:

Teacher:
Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

Completed
Date:

Teacher:
Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distribute samples/sub-samples to required destinations for testing, maintaining sample integrity, traceability and chain of custody requirements, as necessary

Completed
Date:

Teacher:
Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conduct field testing of water

  1. Obtain sample or sub-sample for designated field test, or locate testing location for in-situ testing
  2. Check equipment/instruments set-up and reagents and calibrate, as necessary, to ensure safe operation and valid results
  3. Run quality control (QC) samples to check method validity
  4. Operate equipment/instruments in accordance with test method requirements
  5. Perform tests/procedures/observations on all samples, and standards, if appropriate, in accordance with specified methods
  6. Record all field observations and results and ensure that they are accurately transferred to enterprise information database
Obtain sample or sub-sample for designated field test, or locate testing location for in-situ testing

Completed
Date:

Teacher:
Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check equipment/instruments set-up and reagents and calibrate, as necessary, to ensure safe operation and valid results

Completed
Date:

Teacher:
Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Run quality control (QC) samples to check method validity

Completed
Date:

Teacher:
Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operate equipment/instruments in accordance with test method requirements

Completed
Date:

Teacher:
Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Perform tests/procedures/observations on all samples, and standards, if appropriate, in accordance with specified methods

Completed
Date:

Teacher:
Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Record all field observations and results and ensure that they are accurately transferred to enterprise information database

Completed
Date:

Teacher:
Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maintain a safe work environment

  1. Use defined safe work practices and personal protective equipment to ensure personal safety and that of others
  2. Minimise the generation of waste
  3. Rehabilitate sampling site to render it safe and minimise environmental impacts
  4. Clean all equipment, containers, work area and vehicles according to enterprise procedures
  5. Check serviceability of all equipment before storage
  6. Ensure the safe collection of all hazardous wastes for appropriate disposal
Use defined safe work practices and personal protective equipment to ensure personal safety and that of others

Completed
Date:

Teacher:
Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minimise the generation of waste

Completed
Date:

Teacher:
Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rehabilitate sampling site to render it safe and minimise environmental impacts

Completed
Date:

Teacher:
Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

Completed
Date:

Teacher:
Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check serviceability of all equipment before storage

Completed
Date:

Teacher:
Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ensure the safe collection of all hazardous wastes for appropriate disposal

Completed
Date:

Teacher:
Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessed

Teacher: ___________________________________ Date: _________

Signature: ________________________________________________

Comments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Instructions to Assessors

Evidence Guide

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:

planning and preparing for sample collection

interpreting and correctly applying sampling, testing and data quality procedures

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

obtaining reliable, representative water samples

obtaining valid and reliable field test data

preparing calibration graphs and calculating results using appropriate units and precision

identifying atypical results as out-of-normal range or an artefact

completing sampling records using enterprise procedures

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:

MSS024003A Apply an understanding of environmental principles to site issues

MSL974003A Perform chemical tests and procedures

MSL974007A Undertake environmental field-based monitoring.

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, water sampling and 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 water samples collected by the candidate

review of water sampling and testing records completed by the candidate

feedback from peers and supervisors that the candidate consistently follows enterprise procedures, sampling/testing procedures and works safely

oral and written questioning to check underpinning knowledge of water sampling and testing procedures, use of equipment and normal ranges

review of other workplace documentation completed by the candidate.

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

Required Skills and Knowledge

Required skills

Required skills include:

planning and preparing for field activities

site observational and descriptive skills

researching and summarising existing data and reports

communicating effectively and writing/compiling concise and accurate reports

field sampling and monitoring procedures, including pre-treatment, containers, preservation, storage, labelling and traceability

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

identifying and rectifying basic instrument faults

collecting representative samples in accordance with a sampling plan

using appropriate techniques to preserve the integrity of samples

identifying atypical materials and samples and taking appropriate action

maintaining sampling equipment

completing sampling records

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

working safely for the protection of self and others

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

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes:

appropriate scientific terminology for water chemistry, biology and microbiology

the hydrologic cycle

fundamentals of aquatic chemistry, including:

physical and chemical properties of water

chemical equilibria in natural, polluted and process waters

biogeochemical processes in freshwater and marine systems

water analytical environmental chemistry

environmental contaminants in water (fate, transport and bioaccumulation)

fundamentals of hydrobiology, including:

aquatic and benthic flora and fauna

aquatic microorganisms

marine, estuarine and freshwater ecosystems

stratification and eutrophication in water bodies

aquatic microbiology

principles of representative sampling

principles and procedures for random, systematic and stratified sampling, including consistency of sampling procedures

preservation of the integrity of samples

maintaining identification of samples relative to their source

enterprise and/or legal traceability requirements

cost-effectiveness of sampling

common characteristics of water to be sampled and likely contaminants

links between quality control, quality assurance, quality management systems and sampling procedures

enterprise procedures dealing with legislative requirements for the handling, labelling and transport of hazardous goods

links between correct occupational health and safety (OHS) procedures and personal and environmental safety particularly at high risk sites

Range Statement

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

Australian Heritage Council Act 2003

Native Title Act 1993

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

land use, acquisition, planning and protection

environmental protection

cultural/heritage protection

vegetation management

nature conservation and wildlife/plant protection

water and water management

soil conservation

pollution and contaminated sites

fisheries, forestry and mining operations

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/NZS 2031:2001 Selection of containers and preservation of water samples for microbiological analysis

AS 3550 series - Water analysis

AS/NZS 4276 series - Water microbiology

AS/NZS 5667 series - Water quality: sampling

US Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) Methods and guidance for the analysis of water

American Public Health Association (APHA) Standard methods for the examination of waters and wastewaters

ANZECC Guidelines for fresh and marine water quality

Australian guidelines for water quality monitoring and reporting

enterprise sampling and monitoring protocols

equipment manuals and warranties, supplier catalogue and handbooks

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

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

material safety data sheets (MSDS)

site-specific requirements

specific environmental standards

Common field test parameters

Common field test parameters may include:

pH

electrical conductivity

dissolved oxygen

salinity

temperature

turbidity

Secchi disk depth

Laboratory test parameters

Laboratory test parameters (many of which may also be measured in the field) may include:

total suspended solids

volatile suspended solids

nitrogen (nitrate, organic, ammonia and Kjeldahl)

phosphorus (total and soluble reactive)

chlorophyll and phaeophytin

total organic carbon (TOC)

biological oxygen demand (BOD)

chemical oxygen demand (COD)

silica

metals (total and dissolved)

organic and inorganic pollutants

microorganisms

Enterprise procedures for field activities

Enterprise procedures for field activities may include:

use of 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

Equipment

Equipment may include:

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

survey equipment

sampling equipment and containers, and animal cages

parameter specific meter or multi-probes (e.g. dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, pH, turbidity, nitrates, phosphates and temperature)

field test kits to determine such parameters as dissolved gases, chemical anions and cations, heavy metals, E. coli and BOD

portable colorimeters and field microscopes

filters and sieves

soil monitoring kits

data loggers

first aid equipment

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

vehicle and boat handling in rough/remote conditions

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