Modification History
Not applicable.
Unit Descriptor
Unit descriptor |
This unit of competency covers the ability to analyse a series of test results and data to detect potential or actual non-conformances, assess their significance and recommend preventative or corrective actions. The unit assumes personnel will have access to enterprise quality assurance procedures based on Australian and/or international standards. This unit of competency does not cover the adaptation or development of test methods or procedures. |
Application of the Unit
Application of the unit |
This unit of competency is applicable to technical officers, technical specialists and laboratory supervisors in all industry sectors. Industry representatives have provided case studies to illustrate the practical application of this unit of competency and to show its relevance in a workplace setting. These can be found at the end of this unit of competency under the section 'This competency in practice'. |
Licensing/Regulatory Information
Not applicable.
Pre-Requisites
Prerequisite units |
||
MSL924001A |
Process and interpret data |
|
Employability Skills Information
Employability skills |
This unit contains employability skills. |
Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content
Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency. |
Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide. |
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT |
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Verify accuracy of data and technical records |
1.1. Retrieve and collate all relevant data files and technical records for the specified time interval, tests or product range or project 1.2. Inspect data records to check the integrity of data entry, alterations, transfers and calculations 1.3. Confirm that technical records contain sufficient information to provide an audit trail for the tests involved |
2. Assess the quality of data/results |
2.1. Use charts and tables to determine whether data/results are within specified limits 2.2. Analyse data trends and results for blanks, duplicates and/or check samples to detect systematic uncertainties 2.3. Use statistical tests and enterprise procedures to check data acceptability 2.4. Check that estimations of uncertainties are reasonable and consistent with test method, client or product specification requirements 2.5. Identify results that cannot be reconciled with technical records and/or expected outcomes |
3. Identify potential causes for unacceptable results |
3.1. Review user checks and calibration performance records to confirm that equipment/ instrument meets test specifications 3.2. Check for obvious sources of interferences that may have occurred during measurements 3.3. Review technical records to identify human or environmental factors that could affect reliability of results 3.4. Review records of sample collection and preparation to confirm chain of custody requirements and adherence to sampling procedures 3.5. Check that any documented deviations from sampling procedures and/or test methods were technically justified and authorised 3.6. Check the condition of sampling equipment and/or stored samples if available/appropriate |
4. Report findings to relevant personnel |
4.1. Summarise the quality of test results and data 4.2. Document potential sources or instances of non-conforming work and assess their significance 4.3. Recommend appropriate preventative/corrective actions to improve sampling, testing and/or calibration activities 4.4. Prepare reports in a format and style consistent with their intended use and enterprise guidelines |
Required Skills and Knowledge
REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE |
This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit. |
Required skills |
Required skills include:
|
Required knowledge |
Required knowledge includes:
|
Evidence Guide
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:
|
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:
Resources may include:
|
Method of assessment |
The following assessment methods are suggested:
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 to show their relevance in a workplace setting. Manufacturing The person conducting final quality assurance activities is responsible for ensuring that the results of each calibration or test carried out by the laboratory are reported accurately, unambiguously, clearly and objectively in accordance with specific instructions in the test or calibration method. Test reports and calibration certificates are checked for mistakes, including the correct transfer of data from original worksheets and to ensure all relevant information is documented and is the result of valid measurements. Quality inspectors are also ultimately responsible to their clients for the quality of work produced by outsourced subcontractors. Environmental A laboratory regularly collects carbon monoxide (CO) data as part of an air monitoring program. The laboratory operates several remote air sampling sites that take CO samples every three seconds using standard methods. The measurements are stored in data loggers and downloaded to the laboratory's computer every 24 hours. Using a standard software package, the laboratory technician generates 1 hour and 24 hour averages for each site. They then graph the results over a one year period and use the appropriate Australian Air Quality Standard to determine exceedances for the 1 hour and 24 hour averages. To ensure that any exceedances are genuine, the technician carefully checks factors, such as equipment calibration procedures, seasonal variations in data, artefacts, equipment downtime and maintenance of monitoring equipment over the past year. The verified data and exceedances are reported and compared with previous years' exceedances to determine long term trends in air quality at the sampling sites. |
Range Statement
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:
|
Technical records |
Technical records consist of data and information generated during sampling, testing and/or calibrations which indicate whether quality or process parameters have been achieved. They may include:
|
Charts , tables and statistical tests |
Charts, tables and statistical tests may include:
|
Instrument calibration / performance records |
Instrument calibration/performance records may include:
|
Sources of interferences |
Sources of interferences may include:
|
Human and environmental factors |
Human and environmental factors may include:
|
Sample preparation problems |
Sample preparation problems could result from:
|
Preventative /corrective actions |
Preventative/corrective actions could include:
|
Occupational health and safety (OHS ) and environmental management requirements |
OHS and environmental management requirements:
|
Unit Sector(s)
Unit sector |
Maintenance |
Competency field
Competency field |
Co-requisite units
Co-requisite units |
||