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Evidence Guide: MSS025011A - Assist with odour field assessment

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

 

MSS025011A - Assist with odour field assessment

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

Clarify site monitoring requirements with supervisor

  1. Examine available information about the site’s history, current activities/processes, previous odour assessments, topography, prevalent meteorological conditions and complaint records
  2. Visit the site with supervisor to clarify issues with the proponent and community representatives, as appropriate
  3. Collect and review information about site process operations and conditions
  4. Identify potential odour sources at the site and current controls
  5. Identify suitable locations in the surrounding areas for impact assessments by panellists and community observers
  6. Review relevant legislative, regulatory and licensing requirements or enterprise procedures/test methods
Examine available information about the site’s history, current activities/processes, previous odour assessments, topography, prevalent meteorological conditions and complaint records

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Visit the site with supervisor to clarify issues with the proponent and community representatives, as appropriate

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Collect and review information about site process operations and conditions

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Identify potential odour sources at the site and current controls

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Identify suitable locations in the surrounding areas for impact assessments by panellists and community observers

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Review relevant legislative, regulatory and licensing requirements or enterprise procedures/test methods

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prepare for field monitoring

  1. Select or design appropriate monitoring strategies in consultation with supervisor
  2. Confirm details of relevant odour monitoring plans, need for site permits, access to the site and nearby locations, and/or community concerns with supervisor
  3. Confirm data format and quality requirements
  4. Review relevant standards and/or specified enterprise procedures/test methods
  5. Draft/revise community survey, questionnaire and/or field record forms and seek supervisor and client approvals prior to use
  6. Assemble required monitoring equipment and check that all items are fit for purpose and calibrated correctly
  7. Ensure that all required supplies and equipment are transported safely to and from the field
Select or design appropriate monitoring strategies in consultation with supervisor

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Confirm details of relevant odour monitoring plans, need for site permits, access to the site and nearby locations, and/or community concerns with supervisor

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Confirm data format and quality requirements

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Review relevant standards and/or specified enterprise procedures/test methods

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Draft/revise community survey, questionnaire and/or field record forms and seek supervisor and client approvals prior to use

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assemble required monitoring equipment and check that all items are fit for purpose and calibrated correctly

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ensure that all required supplies and equipment are transported safely to and from the field

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manage odour complaints

  1. Use survey/questionnaires to collect information about community odour perceptions and verify complaints
  2. Record and report community concerns in accordance with enterprise procedures
  3. Assist with provision of authorised information about odour perception, sources, possible health effects and details of current/planned monitoring to community members
Use survey/questionnaires to collect information about community odour perceptions and verify complaints

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Record and report community concerns in accordance with enterprise procedures

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assist with provision of authorised information about odour perception, sources, possible health effects and details of current/planned monitoring to community members

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prepare standardised or in-house odour panellists

  1. Confirm the specifications for panellists with supervisor, and client as necessary
  2. Conduct standardised selection to determine odour threshold and ongoing olfactometry performance of individuals for supra-threshold levels
  3. Conduct standardised or in-house selection to assess and compare sensitivity against internal criteria
  4. Select panellists in consultation with supervisor
  5. Train selected panellists in the use of objective odour observation techniques, odour descriptors, olfactometry procedures and test equipment (with site visit and odour identification when possible)
  6. Record the process and results used to establish and maintain a register of reliable panellists
Confirm the specifications for panellists with supervisor, and client as necessary

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conduct standardised selection to determine odour threshold and ongoing olfactometry performance of individuals for supra-threshold levels

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conduct standardised or in-house selection to assess and compare sensitivity against internal criteria

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Select panellists in consultation with supervisor

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Train selected panellists in the use of objective odour observation techniques, odour descriptors, olfactometry procedures and test equipment (with site visit and odour identification when possible)

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Record the process and results used to establish and maintain a register of reliable panellists

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prepare community volunteer observers

  1. Confirm the specifications for community volunteer observers with supervisor
  2. Explain the details of the requested task to community volunteer observers in consultation with supervisor
  3. Conduct observer selection using enterprise procedures
  4. Select observers in consultation with supervisor
  5. Train selected observers in the use of objective odour observation techniques, tools, odour descriptors and test equipment in accordance with the enterprise recording tools and objectives
  6. Record the process and results used to establish and maintain a register of reliable observers
Confirm the specifications for community volunteer observers with supervisor

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Explain the details of the requested task to community volunteer observers in consultation with supervisor

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conduct observer selection using enterprise procedures

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Select observers in consultation with supervisor

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Train selected observers in the use of objective odour observation techniques, tools, odour descriptors and test equipment in accordance with the enterprise recording tools and objectives

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Record the process and results used to establish and maintain a register of reliable observers

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conduct field monitoring with panellists and observers

  1. Check that process/meteorological conditions are consistent with monitoring design conditions and report any deviations
  2. Set up monitoring conditions for panellists and observers and check equipment to ensure reliable operation
  3. Ensure that panellists fully understand the test procedures
  4. Prepare reference for field measurements with the selected panel in accordance with standardised method or enterprise procedures
  5. Conduct monitoring in accordance with standard method or enterprise procedures
  6. Monitor panellist’s performance for indications of odour fatigue, adaption of their senses to the surrounding ambient air and/or bias
  7. Identify and report any defects or abnormalities in monitoring conditions
  8. Analyse the conduct of the measurements and reliability of results before confirming data acceptability
Check that process/meteorological conditions are consistent with monitoring design conditions and report any deviations

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Set up monitoring conditions for panellists and observers and check equipment to ensure reliable operation

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ensure that panellists fully understand the test procedures

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prepare reference for field measurements with the selected panel in accordance with standardised method or enterprise procedures

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conduct monitoring in accordance with standard method or enterprise procedures

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monitor panellist’s performance for indications of odour fatigue, adaption of their senses to the surrounding ambient air and/or bias

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Identify and report any defects or abnormalities in monitoring conditions

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Analyse the conduct of the measurements and reliability of results before confirming data acceptability

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maintain a safe work environment

  1. Ensure safety through the use of specified safety equipment, safe work procedures and personal protective clothing
  2. Handle all samples and equipment in accordance with enterprise safety procedures
  3. Minimise generation of waste and environmental impacts
  4. Collect and dispose of all wastes safely
  5. Report hazards and incidents to designated personnel using enterprise procedures
Ensure safety through the use of specified safety equipment, safe work procedures and personal protective clothing

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Handle all samples and equipment in accordance with enterprise safety procedures

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minimise generation of waste and environmental impacts

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Collect and dispose of all wastes safely

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Report hazards and incidents to designated personnel using enterprise procedures

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Record data and report results

  1. Record details of the testing process and data in accordance with standard method or enterprise procedures
  2. Process monitoring and meteorological data and report results in accordance with standard method or enterprise procedures
  3. Record approved data in accordance with specified format and quality requirements
  4. Maintain confidentiality and security of enterprise information and data
Record details of the testing process and data in accordance with standard method or enterprise procedures

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Process monitoring and meteorological data and report results in accordance with standard method or enterprise procedures

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Record approved data in accordance with specified format and quality requirements

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maintain confidentiality and security of enterprise information and data

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 context. Critical aspects of assessment and evidence include:

accurately interpreting client requests, enterprise procedures and legislative/regulatory requirements

selecting suitable field panellists and/or community observers under supervision

communicating effectively with clients, observers, panellists and community members

using olfactometry equipment to obtain reliable data

managing odour field panellists and community observers

processing odour data and confirming its acceptability

communicating the significance of results, including the discussion of any errors and/or unexpected variation to appropriate personnel

reporting results and completing all records in the required format and timeframe

working safely for the protection of self and others.

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:

MSS025002A Assess the environmental risk or impact of a project activity or process

MSS025004A Provide environmental information to customers

MSS025010A Assist with odour source assessment.

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

Resources may include:

odour measuring equipment

equipment, materials and reagents for field measurements

enterprise procedures, standard test methods and equipment manuals.

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested:

review of odour data, results and records prepared by the candidate

feedback from peers and supervisors that the candidate consistently follows enterprise procedures, standard test methods and works safely

feedback from clients, observers, panellists about the candidate’s handling of enquiries and information

oral/written questioning associated with odour measurements, calculations, a simulated case study about regulatory field assessment and community surveys

observation of the candidate conducting olfactometry testing and/or instructing observers/panellists.

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:

listening and communicating effectively with clients, panellists and community members

negotiating with stakeholders to reach satisfactory agreements, where possible

organising laboratory (for potential panellists selection) and field activities efficiently

interpreting and analysing information, procedures and attending closely to detail

providing accurate information about odours and odour monitoring, and instructing community odour observers and olfactometry panellists

applying odour monitoring procedures (e.g. traceability of measurements)

using monitoring equipment and olfactometry instruments correctly and safely, and identifying and rectifying basic equipment faults

responding effectively to changed or unforeseen circumstances

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

working safely for the protection of self and others, especially when transporting and managing panellists in the field

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes:

chemical/process engineering relevant to site

terminology, such as olfactometry, odour threshold, odour intensity, hedonic tone, odour character or quality, odour nuisance, dilution to threshold, odour concentration, odour units (ou), and commonly used odour descriptors

regulatory/licensing requirements that apply to site

nature of odour complaints, possible health effects, typical community concerns and environmental issues about odour

use/design of questionnaires to collect reliable information

calculating flow rates, dilution factors, odour emission rates and uncertainties

basic principles of atmospheric chemistry, odorous compound families and meteorology

enterprise procedures and test methods for odour monitoring

set-up and operation of dynamic olfactometer in the laboratory for panellists selection, function of key components, simple troubleshooting and calibration checks

likely causes of variation in odour results and their control

enterprise procedures for the recording of field data

reporting requirements, protocols for the confidentiality and security of information and communicating with the community and media

relevant health, safety and environment requirements

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

The Environmental Protection Act 1986

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

land use, acquisition, planning and protection

environmental protection

Australian and international standards, such as:

AS/NZS 4323.3:2001 Stationary source emissions - Determination of odour concentration by dynamic olfactometry

VDI 3940-2:2006 Measurement of odour impact by field inspection - Measurement of the impact frequency of recognizable odours - plume measurement

VDI 3940-3:2010 Measurement of odour impact by field inspection - Determination of odour intensity and hedonic odour tone

VDI 3882-1:1992 Olfactometry - determination of odour intensity

SAA HB 9 Occupational personal protection

data quality procedures

enterprise procedures for monitoring and checking calibration of dynamic olfactometers

equipment manuals and warranties, supplier catalogue and handbooks

material safety data sheets (MSDS)

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

Odour nuisance

Odour nuisance involves the cumulative effects of odour on people and may include:

perceived intensity and offensiveness of odour

perceived duration and frequency of occurrence

difficulty in coping with the odour at a specific time and location

a belief that the odour has a negative effect on their wellbeing and health

Odour sources and geometries

Odour sources may include:

wastewater treatment plants and sludge ponds

solid waste recycling plants

landfill and landfill gas treatment plants

chemical plants

composting operations, food and by-product processing, such as rendering and tanning plants

agriculture/livestock facilities, such as poultry and pig farming, cattle feedlots and mushroom farms

Odour source geometries may include:

point, area, volume and fugitive sources

Information about the site and industrial activities

Information about the site and industrial activities collected by air quality scientists and engineers may include:

location of site and nearby buildings, topography and meteorological records

complaints, previous odour assessments at site and nearby locations

other industrial activities or potential odour sources in the surrounding area

industrial process inputs/outputs, flow diagram and process flowchart

unit operations and typical variability, and nominal and upset conditions

pollution control equipment and techniques for industrial processes

air emission control systems, such as scrubbers, bag filters, stacks and bio filters

forced or natural ventilation within odorous buildings

parameters of emission sources, such as location, geometry, and release parameters for processes

operational conditions and period of operation

batch or continuous operation for units upstream from the emission source

predictable variations in process conditions, production rates and weather interaction

Odour monitoring plans

Odour monitoring plans may include:

monitoring protocol with details of purpose, duration and scope (parts of the community involved, available resources, detailed procedures and data quality requirements)

site map showing key community features, plant boundaries, possible/confirmed odour sources, topography, and most exposed or likely future sensitive receptors

field monitoring with panellist/observer locations (e.g. addresses, global positioning system (GPS) coordinates), and periods of measurement

data collection forms (e.g. observer/panellist locations, intensity levels measurements, weather conditions, odour descriptors, and observer comments and identifier)

Complaint records

Complaint records may include:

date and time of the complaint and complainant details

odour characteristic and weather conditions

actions undertaken to verify the complaint

actions undertaken to fix the issue

back communication/information to complainant

Community observer questionnaires

Community observer questionnaires may include:

use of standard terminology and questions to avoid/minimise bias

telephone interviews

newspaper notices inviting responses

diaries to collect data, such as odour strength, characteristics, date, time and location of detection, wind speed and direction, and physical reactions (e.g. itchy eyes and difficulty breathing)

face-to-face interviews with community members

Odour monitoring equipment

Odour monitoring equipment may include:

dynamic olfactometers for laboratory use when preparing panellists

reference material, such as n-butanol

torch, stopwatch and GPS

anemometer and thermometer

Pre-use checks of odour monitoring equipment

Pre-use checks of odour monitoring equipment may include:

cleanliness of reusable items

range, accuracy, precision and lowest detection limit (LDL) for dynamic olfactometer prior to preparing panellists

n-butanol storage

cleanliness of the measurement room of the olfactometry laboratory

batteries for torch, stopwatch, GPS, anemometer and thermometer

Selection and training for field and internal panellists and community observers

Selection and training for field panellists for regulatory requests may include:

use of the reference material (n-butanol) to determine odour threshold and performance of individuals in relation to normative values

use of standard dynamic olfactometry procedures

odour intensity ranking test

triangle test

odour descriptor assignation

training with odours relevant to survey objectives

effects of alertness, attention, fatigue, health status, suggestibility (imagining an odour) and variability/inconsistency of the odour detection in the field

odour panel calibration results (AS/NZS 4323.3:2001 Stationary source emissions - Determination of odour concentration by dynamic olfactometry) and traceability of the panellist tests

Selection and training for internal (in reference with the plant) field panellists may include:

internal procedures that may include n-butanol pens, odour descriptor assignation with an odour wheel, odour intensity ranking test, and triangle test

training with odours relevant to survey objectives

basic weather data descriptions

effects of alertness, attention, fatigue, health status, suggestibility (imagining an odour) and variability/inconsistency of the odour detection in the field

effects of ‘adaptation’ (reduced perceptibility) due to internal panellists’ workplace location

Selection and training for community volunteer observers may include:

procedures that may include n-butanol pens, odour descriptor assignation with an odour wheel

training with odours relevant to survey objectives

selection criteria, such as location, availability, known health problems with symptoms impacting on olfactory sense, and relevant previous training/work

use of ‘objective’ odour observation techniques

basic weather data descriptions

use of information recording forms

effects of alertness, attention, fatigue, health status, variability/inconsistency of the odour detection in the field and suggestibility (imagining an odour)

Odour monitoring data

Odour monitoring data may include:

odour source conditions at time of the assessment

field odour measurement data, such as identification of the field panellist/community observer; date, time, duration and location of the assessment; operational process conditions if available; intensity and odour characteristic reference scale used for the test; diaries or observation record sheets from community observers; table with all panellist’s and observer’s observations; meteorological conditions at the time of the assessment; any atypical conditions in the area of the assessment; processing data and interpretation; and reporting

Odour control strategies

Odour control strategies may include:

physical, such as adsorption, absorption, photo ionisation, masking and neutralisation

chemical, such as scrubbing, oxidation and incineration

biological, such as biofiltration using bacteria

combined, such as bioscrubbers

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