Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Confirm scope of air quality management activities with manager

1.1

Review legislative, regulatory and licensing requirements and approvals that apply to site/project/program.

1.2

Review current air quality management plan, including objectives, known issues, specified management activities and any required changes.

1.3

Review previous air quality records and reports, if available.

1.4

Confirm that site set-up, sampling methods, instrumentation and workplace procedures are in accordance with relevant standards and guidelines.

1.5

Clarify own scope of responsibility/authority for achieving specific outcomes and the roles of other key personnel.

1.6

Identify resources available to conduct air quality management activities.

2

Organise air quality management activities

2.1

Develop a consolidated schedule to ensure all activities can be conducted efficiently with the available resources.

2.2

Develop checklists/clear work instructions to enable personnel to perform assigned tasks efficiently and with minimal errors.

2.3

Ensure that personnel who conduct sampling, monitoring and/or field testing are competent to undertake their assigned tasks.

2.4

Ensure air sampling/monitoring/testing equipment is regularly calibrated and maintained and that adequate stocks of consumables are available.

2.5

Ensure air samples are handled in accordance with the sampling method and chain of custody requirements and dispatched promptly for analysis.

2.6

Arrange for source emission testing according to licence requirements (if relevant to site/project/program).

2.7

Conduct, or arrange for, regular site inspections to monitor the effectiveness of air quality management actions (if relevant to site/project/program).

2.8

Advise relevant personnel when specified air quality management actions are not being implemented effectively (if relevant to site/project/program).

2.9

Conduct, or arrange for, additional monitoring/inspections after atypical events, legitimate complaints or government requests.

3

Verify air quality data

3.1

Identify relevant job instructions, data and technical records in workplace information management system.

3.2

Confirm that technical records provide sufficient information to ensure traceability/chain of custody for the monitoring activities involved.

3.3

Compare data with expected values and identify any outliers.

3.4

Inspect data records to identify any gaps and to check the integrity of data entry, transfers, alterations and calculations.

3.5

Notify manager when data is incomplete or contains significant errors, and clarify what action to take.

4

Determine if results are acceptable and within expectation

4.1

Compare results with expected values and/or relevant standards and identify any significant differences or trends.

4.2

Check the reliability of results by examining data or results from other monitoring stations, repeat measurements and/or tests of duplicate samples.

4.3

Assess the significance of any recorded atypical environmental or meteorological conditions.

4.4

Check that all calculations are free from error.

4.5

Check that estimations of uncertainty are reasonable and consistent with the sampling method, relevant standards or guidelines.

4.6

Report results that meet workplace data quality standards and are consistent with expectations.

5

Investigate/rectify unexpected or unacceptable results

5.1

Examine records of pre-use checks and calibration performance to ensure that the sampling equipment, reagents/standards and/or monitoring/test instruments used meet specifications and workplace requirements.

5.2

Establish whether human, environmental and/or meteorological factors could have affected the reliability of results.

5.3

Check for obvious sources of interference that may have occurred during measurements or analysis of samples.

5.4

Retrieve stored samples (if available) and assess whether they are atypical or contaminated.

5.5

Arrange for control tests using the same or new samples to check unexpected results, if relevant.

5.6

Report unexpected results that meet workplace data quality standards.

5.7

Identify possible root causes of unacceptable results and appropriate preventative/corrective actions.

5.8

Report investigation outcomes and recommendations for improvements in accordance with workplace procedures.

5.9

Seek manager’s advice when challenges are beyond own technical competence or when input from environmental specialists may be required.

6

Keep management informed about air quality performance

6.1

Provide regular reports about air quality performance including instances of potential/actual non-conformance and incidents and the actions taken in each case.

6.2

Report opportunities and recommendations for improvements in air quality monitoring or management in accordance with workplace procedures.

7

Maintain air quality records

7.1

Ensure all air quality records are legible, accurate and satisfy workplace/legislative requirements.

7.2

Store air quality records to enable easy access and review by authorised personnel in accordance with workplace procedures.

7.3

Regularly review air quality records to identify any significant trends and impacts.

7.4

Identify any problems with the maintenance and security of air quality records and resolve them promptly.