Elements describe the essential outcomes.

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

1

Ensure safe work practices 

1.1

Organise and perform risk assessments to identify hazards and analyse risks associated with planned practical activities

1.2

Select and implement appropriate controls for identified risks and monitor their effectiveness

1.3

Ensure preparation and conduct of practical activities are performed in accordance with relevant regulations, codes, guidelines and workplace procedures

1.4

Select, fit and use personal protective equipment (PPE) and ensure that it is used by students and teachers

1.5

Ensure materials and equipment are handled, prepared, stored and disposed of safely

1.6

Address incidents and emergencies as they arise

2

Plan work schedule 

2.1

Plan schedule of classes and demonstrations in consultation with teaching staff to ensure timely delivery

2.2

Communicate effectively with staff and students using appropriate negotiation and conflict resolution skills

2.3

Prioritise work activities and manage time to meet deadlines

2.4

Modify work plan to deal with contingencies as they arise

3

Organise experiments and demonstrations 

3.1

Collect materials and equipment from appropriate sources

3.2

Perform pre-use checks, prepare material and equipment and organise ready for use

3.3

Demonstrate practical skills, techniques and use of materials and equipment, as required

3.4

Organise clean-up operations and recycling or disposal of waste

3.5

Trial experiments and demonstrations and recommend variations or alternatives

4

Manage resources 

4.1

Operate practical activities within approved budgets

4.2

Maintain and control stocks of materials and equipment

4.3

Maintain storerooms, preparation areas and laboratories fit for purpose

4.4

Evaluate and select materials and equipment and make recommendations for purchase

4.5

Order, receive and store materials and equipment using workplace procedures

4.6

Organise quotes and bookings for transport and accommodation for field trips, as necessary

4.7

Service and/or repair laboratory equipment where feasible

4.8

Arrange for the servicing or repair of equipment by appropriate personnel or accredited service agents, as necessary

This field allows for different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included.

Standards, codes, procedures and/or workplace requirements  

Standards, codes, procedures and/or workplace requirements include the latest version of one or more of:

• Australian and international standards, guidelines and codes covering safety in laboratories; occupational protective equipment; labelling of workplace substances; storage, handling and transport of dangerous goods; environmental management; physical containment levels and facility types
• national WHS standards, animal welfare legislation and codes of practice, and permits for wildlife capture and handling
• gene technology regulations
• principles of good laboratory practice (GLP)

Hazards  

Hazards associated with practical science classes and demonstrations include, but are not limited to, one or more of:

• electric shock
• microbiological organisms and agents associated with soil, air, water, blood and blood products, and human or animal tissue and fluids
• solar radiation, dust and noise, and exposure to extreme weather conditions
• snake, insect and animal bites
• chemicals, such as acids, heavy metals, pesticides and hydrocarbons
• radiation, such as alpha, beta, gamma and X-ray
• aerosols from broken centrifuge tubes and pipetting
• sharps, broken glassware and hand tools
• cryogenics, such as dry ice and liquid nitrogen
• fluids under pressure, such as steam, hydrogen in gas liquid chromatography and acetylene in atomic absorption spectrometry
• sources of ignition, high temperature processes and flammable liquids
• disturbance or interruption of services
• occupational overuse syndrome
• slips, trips and falls, manual handling, working at heights and working in confined spaces, crushing, entanglement and cuts associated with moving machinery or falling objects
• vehicle and boat handling

Risk control measures  

Risk control measures include, but are not limited to, one or more of:

• ensuring access to service shut-off points
• recognising and observing hazard warnings and safety signs
• labelling of samples, reagents, aliquoted samples and hazardous materials
• using PPE, such as hats, hearing protection, gloves, safety glasses, coveralls, gowns, body suits, respirators and safety boots
• handling and storing hazardous materials and equipment in accordance with labelling, material safety data sheets (MSDS) and manufacturer's instructions
• applying containment procedures through the use of appropriate equipment, such as biohazard containers, laminar flow cabinets, Class I, II and III biohazard cabinets, and Class PCII and PCIII physical containment facilities
• cleaning and decontaminating equipment and work areas regularly using workplace procedures
• following established manual handling procedures
• identifying and reporting operating problems or equipment malfunctions
• reporting abnormal emissions, discharges and airborne contaminants, such as noise, light, solids, liquids, water/wastewater, gases, smoke, vapour, fumes, odour and particulates to appropriate personnel

Risk assessment  

Risk assessment includes:

• identifying and analysing the risk, and considering potential consequences in terms of exposure and hazard and likelihood of each
• assessing the effectiveness of existing controls
• determining level of risk, comparing with pre-established criteria for tolerance (or as low as reasonably achievable) and ranking of risks requiring control

Typical materials  

Typical materials include, but are not limited to, one or more of:

• live flora and fauna, such as plant specimens
• animals, such as rats, bacteria, algae, insects and fungi
• blood and blood products, human or animal tissue and fluids
• distilled water, reagents, chemicals, disinfectants, detergents, agar media and plates
• consumable items, such as syringes, pipette tips and weigh boats
• oils/lubricants, fuels, industrial gases and cryogenics, such as dry ice and liquid nitrogen
• equipment spares, such as fuses, bulbs and batteries
• teaching aids, such as textbooks and videos
• reference samples and standards

Typical equipment  

Typical equipment includes, but is not limited to, one or more of:

• analytical instruments, such as ultraviolet-visible (UV-VIS) and atomic absorption spectrometers (AAS), gas chromatography (GC) and high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC)
• containment equipment, such as fume hoods, biohazard containers and biological safety cabinets, and animal cages
• general equipment, such as autoclaves, ultrasonic cleaners, dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, ovens, microwave ovens, incubators, gas cylinders and muffle furnaces
• specialised equipment, such as microtomes and tissue processors, cell counters and staining machines, light and fluorescence microscopes, pH meters and ion selective electrodes
• bench equipment, such as thermometers, balances, blenders, centrifuges and separating equipment, water baths, hotplates, mantles, burners, glassware (burettes, pipettes), plastic ware, glass, plastic and quartz cuvettes
• teaching aids, such as technology players and computers

Incidents and emergencies  

Incidents and emergencies include one or more of:

• workplace injury and accidents
• biological and chemical spills
• leakage of radioactivity
• fire, bomb and security threats

Contingencies  

Contingencies include one or more of:

• new information
• urgent requests
• modified activities
• changed situations
• late instructions
• substitution of materials or equipment

Sources of materials and equipment  

Sources of materials and equipment include one or more of:

• land and sea-based field trips
• botanic gardens and parks
• abattoirs
• commercial suppliers
• blood banks

Resource management  

Resource management includes one or more of:

• preparation of operational plans, schedules and budgets
• handling of petty cash and reconciliation of bank statements, and use of a workplace credit card
• contacting suppliers and completing order requisition forms

WHS and environmental management requirements  

WHS and environmental management requirements include:

·  complying with WHS and environmental management requirements at all times, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation. These requirements must not be compromised at any time

·  applying standard precautions relating to the potentially hazardous nature of samples

• accessing and applying current industry understanding of infection control issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and State and Territory Departments of Health, where relevant