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.
This unit of competency describes the work conducted by supervised laboratory assistants who perform a range of basic tests and measurements.
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
AS/NZS 2243.2 Chemical aspects
AS 2243.6 Mechanical aspects
AS 2243.10 Storage of chemicals
AS 2830 Good laboratory practice
Codes of Practice (such as GLP and GMP)
material safety data sheets (MSDSs) and safety procedures
standard operating procedures (SOPs)
equipment manuals
equipment startup, operation and shutdown procedures
calibration and maintenance schedules
quality manuals
enterprise recording and reporting procedures
production and laboratory schedules
material, production and product specifications.
Codes of Practice.
Preparation of samples can include:
sub-sampling or splitting using procedures, such as: riffling, coning and quartering, manual and mechanical splitters
diluting samples
physical treatments, such as ashing, dissolving, filtration, sieving, centrifugation and comminution
moulding, casting or cutting specimens.
Typical tests carried out by laboratory/field assistants could include:
visual/optical tests of appearance, colour, texture, identity, turbidity, refractive index (alcohol content, Baume/Brix)
physical tests, such as:
density, specific gravity, compacted density
moisture content, water activity
particle size, particle shape, size distribution
chemical tests, such as:
gravimetric
colorimetric
electrical conductivity (EC), pH
specific ions using dipsticks and kits
nutrients (for example nitrates, orthophosphates) using basic kits
ashes, including sulphated ashes
biological/environmental tests, such as:
pH, oxygen reduction potential (ORP), dissolved oxygen (DO), electrical conductivity
E coli using test kits
surface hygiene/presence of microbes
packaging tests, such as:
tearing resistance, bursting strength, impact resistance
permeability and/or leakage
mechanical tests, such as:
Emerson class
concrete slump
Other measurements may include:
simple ground surveys
meteorological parameters, such as: wind direction/strength, rainfall, max./min. temperature, humidity, solar radiation
simple background radiation survey
production/process parameters, such as temperature, flow, pressure
gas levels in a confined space.
Common measuring equipment may include:
dimension apparatus
dissolved oxygen (DO), electrical conductivity (EC)
analogue and digital meters, charts/recorders
basic chemical and biological test kits
dipsticks and site test kits (for example, HACK)
timing devices
temperature measuring devices, such as thermometers, thermocouples.
Hazards may include:
electric shock
biohazards, such as microbiological organisms and agents associated with soil, air, water, blood and blood products, human or animal tissue and fluids
solar radiation, dust, noise
chemicals, such as: sulphuric acid, fluorides, hydrocarbons
aerosols
sharps, broken glassware and hand tools
flammable liquids
dry ice and liquid nitrogen
fluids under pressure
sources of ignition
occupational overuse syndrome, slips, trips and falls
manual handling, working at heights and in confined spaces
crushing, entanglement, cuts associated with moving machinery or falling objects.
Enterprise controls to address hazards may include:
use of material safety data sheets (MSDS)
use of signage, barriers and service isolation tags
use of personal protective equipment, such as hard hats, hearing protection, sunscreen lotion, gloves, safety glasses, goggles, face guards, coveralls, gown, body suits, respirators and safety boots
use of appropriate equipment, such as biohazard containers and cabinets, laminar flow cabinets
recognising and observing hazard warnings and safety signs
labelling of samples, reagents, aliquoted samples and hazardous materials
handling and storage of all hazardous materials and equipment in accordance with labelling, materials safety data sheets and manufacturer's instructions, enterprise procedures and regulations
cleaning and decontaminating equipment and work areas regularly using recommended procedures
following established manual handling procedures for tasks involving manual handling.
Minimising environmental impacts may involve:
recycling of non-hazardous waste, such as chemicals, batteries, plastic, metals, glass
appropriate disposal of hazardous waste
correct disposal of excess sample/test material
correct storage and handling of hazardous chemicals.
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 potentially 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.