Elements and Performance Criteria

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the Performance Criteria, is detailed below. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs if the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.
Laboratory record systems may include:
laboratory record sheets
computer database
laboratory information management systems
Preservation techniques may include:
refrigeration
freezing
chemical addition
storage in the dark
Organisational and statutory requirements may include:
Australian and International Standards such as AS 2830 Good Laboratory Practice
codes of practice
standard operating procedures
equipment manuals
equipment start up, operation and shutdown procedures
calibration and maintenance schedules
quality manuals
enterprise recording and reporting procedures
production and laboratory schedules
material safety data sheets
material, production and product specifications
sections of the occupational health and safety legislation
organisational safety rules and procedures
relevant state and federal legislation
Samples preparation may include:
sub-sampling
dilution
digestion
filtration
Pre-use and safety checks may include:
checklist of required equipment and reagents
instrument check out procedures
electrical safety test and tag currency
calibration status
battery condition
use-by date for reagents
Test methods include:
gravimetric analysis, such as:
suspended solids
total solids
spectrophotometric analysis, such as:
iron
aluminium
manganese
volumetric analysis and dilutions, such as:
alkalinity
hardness
test methods may also include:
potentiometric analysis, such as:
ion selective electrodes
redox potential
colorimetric analysis, such as:
pH
chlorine residual
microscope techniques
jar testing
Calculations may include:
total suspended solids
total solids
alkalinity
hardness
dilution ratios
concentration of standard solutions
Safety equipment may include:
fume hood
safety shield
safety shower and eye wash fountain
personal protective equipment such as:
safety glasses
face shields
gloves
dust masks

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The candidate should demonstrate the ability to perform laboratory tests and procedures including:
labelling samples for testing
registering samples and storing correctly
preparing samples for testing according to the specified test method
selecting the correct equipment and checking equipment performance
conducting tests according to specifications
maintaining a safe work environment
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Access to the workplace and resources including:
documentation that should normally be available in a water industry organisation
relevant codes, standards, and government regulations
Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.
Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required.
Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.
Validity and sufficiency of evidence requires that:
competency will need to be demonstrated over a period of time reflecting the scope of the role and the practical requirements of the workplace
where the assessment is part of a structured learning experience the evidence collected must relate to a number of performances assessed at different points in time and separated by further learning and practice
a decision of competence only taken at the point when the assessor has complete confidence in the person's competence over time and in various contexts
all assessment that is part of a structured learning experience must include a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary evidence
where assessment is for the purpose of recognition (RCC/RPL), the evidence provided will need to be authenticated and show that it represents competency demonstrated over a period of time
assessment can be through simulated project-based activity and must include evidence relating to each of the elements in this unit
In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge. Questioning will be undertaken in a manner appropriate to the skill levels of the operator, any cultural issues that may affect responses to the questions, and reflecting the requirements of the competency and the work being performed.