Elements and Performance Criteria

RANGE STATEMENT
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. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
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
Standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements
Standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements may include:
Australian and international standards such as:
AS 1678 Emergency procedure guide -Transport
AS 1940-2004 Storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids
AS 4332-2004 The storage and handling of gases in cylinders
AS ISO 17025-2005 General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories
AS/NZS 2243 Set:2006 Safety in laboratories set
AS/NZS 4452:1997 The storage and handling of toxic substances
AS/NZS ISO 14000 Set:2005 Environmental management standards set
animal welfare legislation and codes of practice
Australian Dangerous Goods Code
Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) Codes of Practice
basic sampling procedures (labelling, preparation, storage, transport and disposal)
basic test procedures (validated and authorised)
cleaning, hygiene and personal hygiene requirements
environmental requirements related to disposal of waste
first aid kit and survival manual
incident and accident/injury reports
instructions to comply with new legislation, standards, guidelines and codes
material safety data sheets (MSDS)
occupational health and safety (OHS) national standards and codes of practice
safety requirements for equipment, materials or products
written fieldwork procedures, standard operating procedures (SOPs) and operating manuals
Items of equipment
Items of equipment may include:
pH meters, dissolved oxygen probes, portable colourimeters, field microscopes, hand centrifuges, sieves and filters
chemical field test kits
environmental monitoring systems
equipment required for the collection of samples and animals
equipment required for ensuring the wellbeing of animals
equipment suitable for the safe collection and disposal of biological and non-biological wastes
basic first aid equipment
data loggers
communication systems, such as two-way radio and conventional codes and symbols for signalling
tools, vehicle recovery equipment and spare parts
navigation and communication equipment, including GPS
Hazards
Hazards may include:
solar radiation, dust and noise
personnel getting lost
incidents or emergencies, such as snake or animal bites
severe weather conditions
manual handling of heavy objects
vehicle and boat handling in rough/remote conditions
moving machinery and hand tools
driving vehicles in rough terrain and over long distances during day or night
Safety procedures
Safety procedures may include:
use of personal protective equipment, such as sunscreen, hats, safety glasses, gloves and safety boots
'stay with vehicle' and other basic survival techniques
use of a regular communication schedule
handling, storage and disposal of all hazardous materials/waste in accordance with MSDS, labels, and enterprise procedures and regulations
Occupational health and safety (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

EVIDENCE GUIDE
The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Assessors should ensure that candidates can:
perform all field activities according to enterprise procedures, legislative and environmental requirements, industry guidelines and codes of practice
complete all tasks efficiently and safely.

Context of and specific resources for assessment
This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or simulated workplace environment.
This unit of competency may be assessed with:
MSL913001A Communicate with other people
MSL913002A Plan and conduct laboratory/field work.
Resources may include:
enterprise procedures, regulations and codes of practice
relevant field equipment, samples, test kits and reagents.

Method of assessment
The following assessment methods are suggested:
review of performance with a focus on completing field activitiessafely and efficiently, collection of field samples and data, basic field survival skills, teamwork and accurate record keeping
paper exercises associated with organisation of fieldwork, fieldwork operations and basic field survival strategies
role plays based on possible accident and emergency situations requiring use of communication procedures and basic field survival strategies
oral or written questions.
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.
Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required.
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.

This competency in practice
Industry representatives have provided the case studies below to illustrate the practical application of this unit of competency and show its relevance in a workplace setting.
Environmental (1)
On a field trip to determine the biodiversity of an island fringing reef, a technical assistant assists with constructing a grid map of the study area. The assistant counts the number of six different species of plant in part of the grid, taking care to minimise the impact on the environment. He/she also accurately records the data on a map to show the location of each plant using a predetermined key.
Environmental (2)
A technical assistant is asked to pack and safely transport water sampling and monitoring equipment to a distant field site. Firstly, the assistant checks that all the equipment is in working order and that he/she is able to use and maintain it. Given that the technical assistant is licenced to operate a small boat and is a competent underwater diver, he/she also performs a simple underwater survey of macrophytes in a lake in the study area. The assistant follows standard safety and operating procedures and records the results on a grid map and in the daily log book.
Construction materials testing
A contract laboratory has assigned a team of three to conduct pavement investigations in a rural/remote region. The field assistant uses a checklist to assemble all the required equipment and supplies for a three day trip. The assistant checks the vehicle, toolkit and spares, communication equipment, GPS, water, first aid kit and personal protective equipment. He/she also checks that the generator, fuel, jackhammer,dynamic cone penetrometer (DCP), sample bags, measuring devices and camera are all present and in good working order. Because the team will be working away from base for three days, the assistant knows that it is vital that all items are present and stowed safely before he/she tells the team leader that the vehicle is ready for departure.