Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
23/07/2026 5:58 PM AWST

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Perform sampling and testing of water

Perform sampling and testing of water

Unit of competency
National Code
MSS024006
State Code
BAK90
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
22/06/2016
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
08/08/2016
Field of Education
019909 - Laboratory Technology
Original Release Date
08/08/2016
Nominal Hours
80
Description
This unit of competency covers the ability to sample natural, polluted and process water for both chemical and microbiological parameters and perform field measurements on them. This unit of competency is applicable to environmental technicians working in a range of industry sectors, such as environmental services (e.g. sampling and monitoring of water); clean water (e.g. catchments, supply and environmental flows); natural resource management; water treatment, storm and wastewater management; environmental compliance, auditing and inspection; solid and hazardous waste management; site remediation; management of contaminated sites; geotechnical services and civil engineering.While no specific licensing or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication, environmental monitoring and management activities are governed by relevant legislation, regulations and/or external accreditation requirements. Local requirements should be checked.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Confirm sampling and testing requirements
  • 1.1 Confirm the sampling location, number and type of samples, and timing and frequency of sampling from the workplace or client’s sampling plan.
  • 1.2 Check that all sampling and testing procedures are in accordance with client or workplace requirements, relevant standards and codes.
2 Prepare for water sampling
  • 2.1 Identify site and sampling hazards and review workplace safety procedures.
  • 2.2 Liaise with relevant personnel to arrange site access and all necessary clearances and/or permits.
  • 2.3 Select sampling equipment and conditions to achieve representative samples and preserve sample integrity during collection, storage and transit.
  • 2.4 Ensure all reagents, solutions, standards and blanks (as appropriate) are obtained and/or prepared ready for field use.
  • 2.5 Select field test equipment/instruments and check operation and calibration, as required, in accordance with procedures and manufacturer instructions.
  • 2.6 Assemble and check all sampling equipment, field test equipment, materials, containers and safety equipment.
  • 2.7 Arrange suitable transport to, from and/or around site as required.
3 Conduct sampling of water
  • 3.1 Locate sampling sites and, if required, services at the site.
  • 3.2 Conduct representative sampling in accordance with sampling plan and defined procedures for field and/or laboratory testing, as required.
  • 3.3 Ensure all controls, blanks and replicate samples are properly integrated into the sampling process.
  • 3.4 Record all information and label samples in accordance with traceability requirements.
  • 3.5 Record environmental conditions and any atypical observations made during sampling that may impact on sample representativeness or integrity.
  • 3.6 Transport all samples back to base according to workplace procedures and relevant codes.
  • 3.7 Distribute samples/sub-samples to required destinations for testing, maintaining sample integrity, traceability and chain of custody requirements, as necessary.
4 Conduct field testing of water
  • 4.1 Obtain sample or sub-sample for designated field test, or locate testing location for in-situ testing.
  • 4.2 Check equipment/instruments set-up and reagents and calibrate, as necessary, to ensure safe operation and valid results.
  • 4.3 Run quality control (QC) samples to check method validity.
  • 4.4 Operate equipment/instruments in accordance with test method requirements.
  • 4.5 Perform tests/procedures/observations on all samples, and standards, if appropriate, in accordance with specified methods.
  • 4.6 Record all field observations and results and ensure that they are accurately transferred to workplace information database.
5 Maintain a safe work environment
  • 5.1 Use defined safe work practices and personal protective equipment to ensure personal safety and that of others.
  • 5.2 Minimise the generation of waste.
  • 5.3 Rehabilitate sampling site to render it safe and minimise environmental impacts.
  • 5.4 Clean all equipment, containers, work area and vehicles according to workplace procedures.
  • 5.5 Check serviceability of all equipment before storage.
  • 5.6 Ensure the safe collection of all hazardous wastes for appropriate disposal.
No information
No information
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
D7760 MSS024006A Perform sampling and testing of water Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
OAF35 MSS024018 Perform sampling and testing of water Unit of competency