Elements and Performance Criteria

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 pickup and transport of samples and/or test/calibration equipment. The unit also describes skills and knowledge required of a courier who may or may not collect samples. Sample collection is covered in other units of competency.

The worker would have access to
enterprise protocols regarding customer liaison and communication
vehicle log books
protocols for use of pagers, mobile telephones and two-way radios
material safety data sheets (MSDSs)
precautions for safe handling and handling of specific materials (for example, toxic, infective, radioactive, dangerous goods)
precautions for the transport of volatile and unstable fluids
incident/accident report forms
spillage and waste containment and disposal protocols and containment materials.

Maintenance of the integrity of samples or test/calibration equipment could involve
use of appropriate sample containers (glass, plastic, opaque)
use of appropriate preservatives
wrapping container in foil to exclude light
temperature control, which may involve prevention of direct contact between the sample and coolant
use of appropriate equipment boxes (insulated, shockproof, waterproof)
restraint of containers to prevent movement
checking sample viability during transport while avoiding unnecessary handling

Hazards may include
biohazards, such as micro-organisms and agents associated with soil, air, water, blood and blood products, human or animal tissue and fluids
chemicals, such as acids and hydrocarbons
sharps, broken glassware
manual handling of heavy sample bags and containers and equipment

Safety practices may include
use of material safety data sheets (MSDSs)
use personal protective equipment, such as gloves, safety glasses, goggles, coveralls
use of biohazard containers
safe road/off road driving practices
correct labelling of hazardous materials
handling and storing hazardous material and equipment in accordance with labels, MSDS, manufacturer's instructions, enterprise procedures and regulations
regular cleaning and/or decontaminating of equipment and vehicle
Where a laboratory routinely posts or couriers samples or equipment for testing, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Dangerous Goods Regulations and Australia Post Regulations must be met.

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.

The Evidence Guide describes the underpinning knowledge and skills that must be demonstrated to prove competence.
Critical aspects of competency

Competency must be demonstrated in the ability to perform consistently at the required standard. In particular, assessors should look to see that the candidate:

plans the picking up of items in conjunction with a supervisor
prepares the vehicle for the required journey
checks communication devices so contact is possible between the courier, reception centre, and routine pickup locations (as necessary)
deals with individuals, customers, clients and reception staff effectively and courteously
records details of item exchange in relevant sections of chain of custody forms (as required)
maintains the integrity of collected samples or equipment during transport
contains and cleans up spillage or breakages
uses appropriate techniques and equipment to safely dispose of waste materials
maintains confidentiality in all aspects of work
reports problems, accidents or incidents in accordance with enterprise procedures.

Underpinning knowledge

Competency includes the ability to apply and explain:

the relationship between effective communication with clients and customers and enterprise business
the need for appropriate and timely transport
control measures for minimising exposure to hazardous materials and equipment
effect of changes in environmental conditions, vibration, shock on samples
procedures for the containment and cleanup of spillages and breakages
need for efficient waste containment and disposal practices
need for maintenance of equipment used in the processes of handling and transporting samples.
relevant health, safety and environment requirements.

Knowledge is also required of:

enterprise procedures for responding to emergencies
contact details for key personnel.

Specific industry

Additional knowledge requirements may apply for different industry sectors. For example, for biomedical samples:

labile nature of biological and environmental samples
possible infectivity of biological materials
possible effects of exposure to radioactive materials.

Assessment context and methods

This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or simulated workplace environment. The following assessment methods are suggested:

review of the job sheets or journal of completed activities
direct observation of work as a courier
the quality of review of results traceable to the transport of samples or equipment by candidate
oral or written questions to assess knowledge of the handling of unforseen circumstances
simulated role plays between a courier and personnel at a reception desk or customer pickup centre.
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. Questioning techniques should suit the language and literacy levels of the candidate.

Interdependent assessment of unit

This unit of competency may be assessed with:

PMLOHS302A Participate in laboratory/field workplace safety.

Resource implications

Resources may include:

vehicle
enterprise procedures for the handling and transport of samples or equipment
communication devices
sample containers
containers for transporting samples and test/calibration equipment.

This competency in practice
Calibration laboratories must take special care to ensure that they do not damage test equipment during the handling, testing or storage. Information relating to equipment requiring special handling, transport or storage conditions should be provided to those responsible for collecting and transporting the items.
A customer-orientated calibration laboratory offers a door to door calibration service to most of its clients. Once a week their driver arrives at a major facility and takes delivery of several precision measuring instruments. As always, the driver signs the acceptance note paying particular attention that all the items are recorded correctly, including listing all accessories and associated handbooks. But this time, two delicate items require unique transit cases to ensure they are stored and transported upright. Because the laboratory received prior notice, these cases were loaded into the van before setting off as well as a copy of the special transport and packaging instructions. The driver secures all the items in accordance with the accompanied written instructions to ensure their safe travel and minimise damage during transit. Upon return, the driver unloads the van and the instruments are acquitted by administration staff, inspected for damage and booked into the laboratory. The lab supervisor makes sure that their technicians are aware of the special handling requirements of the two delicate instruments.
During transit, samples must be handled and maintained under conditions which will ensure that their potency and efficacy are maintained. A courier has been asked to transport vaccine samples from the airport to the enterprise for laboratory evaluation. The supervisor faxes the courier company detailed instructions regarding pickup and handling/storage conditions during transit. In this case, the samples are in insulated containers and the temperature is monitored and recorded continuously.
The courier collects the samples, puts them in the coolest part of the vehicle, ensuring that the package will not be subject to any sudden jolts, and transports them to the enterprise. After the samples arrive they are checked by the enterprise and appropriate documentation completed.
At 8 am the courier commences the day shift. The shift supervisor identifies the collection centres to be visited. The courier takes the mobile phone from the charger and checks their pager. In the vehicle, the courier logs in the odometer reading, makes a mental note of the fuel level, checks the cooler boxes and other equipment and carefully drives out. Today, there are pickups from four private hospitals and 12 collecting centres in a 200 sq km zone. As they approach the first hospital, there is a call from base with instructions to collect a tissue biopsy and bring it back immediately. He/she asks the base contact to tell haematology that their 10 am specimen arrival will be 40 minutes late because of this unforseen diversion. Eventually, they complete the round, having remembered to replenish specimen collecting stock at each centre visited.
A technical assistant regularly handles and transports sensitive equipment over rough terrain in a 4WD vehicle. After reaching a field site, they are asked to transport expensive water monitoring equipment across an estuary in a small aluminium boat. The assistant notes that the equipment boxes are open to the weather and will need to be made waterproof. Because the water is choppy, the assistant adds extra packing material to cushion the most shock sensitive items. They choose to travel with the equipment rather than entrusting it to the local fisherman. Together, they carefully secure the items on the seats rather than placing them on the floor of the boat which is wet.
A Waste Management Authority has sent one of their laboratory technicians to collect six containers that have been found by a member of the public on the verge of an industrial area service road. Given that the materials may be hazardous the technician assembles a full set of safety equipment. They also locate a laptop computer with Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) information, a list of phone contacts for agencies responsible for handling hazardous materials and suitable containers for storing/transporting potentially hazardous materials. Upon arrival at the site, the technician locates six containers of concentrated sulphuric acid which are clearly labelled. The technician consults the MSDS for information on appropriate handling, storage and transportation procedures and follows them closely.

The seven key competencies represent generic skills considered for effective work participation. The bracketed numbering against each of the key competencies indicates the performance level required in this unit. These are stand-alone levels and do not correspond to levels in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).
Level (1) represents the competence to undertake tasks effectively
Level (2) represents the competence to manage tasks
Level (3) represents the competence to use concepts for evaluating and reshaping tasks.
Communicating ideas and information
(1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
(1)

Planning and organising activities
(1)

Working with others and in teams
(1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
(1)

Solving problems
(1)

Using technology
(1)