Modification History
Not applicable.
Unit Descriptor
Unit descriptor |
This unit of competency covers the ability to collect samples at field or production sites using specified equipment and standard or routine procedures. |
Application of the Unit
Application of the unit |
This unit of competency is applicable to production operators, field assistants and laboratory assistants 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 are 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 |
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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. Prepare for sampling |
1.1. Confirm the purpose, priority and scope of the sampling request 1.2. Liaise with relevant personnel to arrange site access and all necessary clearances/permits 1.3. Identify site hazards and review enterprise safety procedures 1.4. Confirm what samples are to be collected, from where, how and when 1.5. Assemble all specified sampling equipment, safety equipment, materials and containers 1.6. Conduct pre-use and cleanliness checks of all items to ensure they are fit for purpose 1.7. Check all items against given inventory and stow them to ensure safe transport |
2. Conduct sampling |
2.1. Locate sampling points and services at the site 2.2. Remove security devices, such as locks and covers as required 2.3. Seek advice if the required samples cannot be collected or if procedures require modification 2.4. Select and use required sampling equipment in accordance with given procedures 2.5. Closely follow sampling procedures to obtain required samples and maintain their integrity 2.6. Record all labelling information in accordance with enterprise/legal traceability requirements 2.7. Record sample appearance, environmental conditions and any other factors that may impact on sample integrity 2.8. Replace security devices, such as locks and covers as required |
3. Finalise sampling |
3.1. Follow enterprise procedures for the cleaning/decontamination of equipment and vehicle as necessary 3.2. Check all equipment, materials and samples against inventory and stow for safe transport 3.3. Liaise with relevant personnel to restore normal production and/or services as necessary 3.4. Maintain integrity of samples during transportation 3.5. Deliver samples to the required collection point and complete all documentation to ensure traceability 3.6. On return, check and document serviceability of equipment before storage |
4. Maintain a safe work environment |
4.1. Use established work practices and personal protective equipment to ensure personal safety and that of others 4.2. Minimise environmental impacts of sampling and generation of waste 4.3. Dispose of all waste in accordance with enterprise procedures |
Required Skills and Knowledge
REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE |
This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit. |
Required skills |
Required skills include:
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Required knowledge |
Required knowledge includes:
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Evidence Guide
EVIDENCE GUIDE |
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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. |
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Overview of assessment |
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Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit |
Assessors should ensure that candidates can:
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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:
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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 show its relevance in a workplace setting. Construction materials testing A laboratory assistant takes daily tar samples from the company's retort which is used to heat tar to reduce its moisture content. The purpose of this sampling program and subsequent testing is to ensure that the water content of the hot tar is at a safe level before the tar is transferred to a road tanker and used for road construction. Serious accidents can occur during the transfer or use of tar as high water content can cause an explosion due to escape of steam. One day, the retort operator was running behind schedule and tried to convince the laboratory assistant that the water content of the tar was the same as yesterday and didn't need to be tested. The laboratory assistant was able to explain that a high water content could lead to a serious explosion and burns for the operator. Environmental A new field assistant was collecting samples of environmental run-off during wet weather. To successfully complete the activity, the assistant made sure that they included a sample thief, pipette, or similar to extract the sample, a container with a secure lid, and an indelible marker to write on the label. In addition, the assistant remembered to take sealable, waterproof plastic bags in which to put the containers once the samples were collected and a spare bag to protect the field notebook from rain damage. Manufacturing A production operator has been given the task of collecting samples of the recent batches of blended products, prior to drumming and customer delivery. In addition, the operator is required to sample the bulk raw materials stored on-site, and the drummed blend ingredients, including some powdered pigments. The operator knows that the lab needs the blend samples first and after putting on chemical gloves and safety glasses, accesses each sample point on each of the blend tanks. Because the products are under pressure in the tank manifold, it is important to guard against splashes. Some of the products are flammable hydrocarbons, so the operator ensures that static leads are connected from the tank to the sample vessel during pouring. To sample the drummed product, a sample thief is used and again, safety glasses and chemical gloves are important. The pigments present a dust hazard when being sampled, so the operator applies a protective mask over their nose and mouth, to prevent ingestion while they use a small purpose-built shovel to empty the contents into the sample container. |
Range Statement
RANGE STATEMENT |
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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. |
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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:
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Site hazards |
Site hazards may include:
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Safety procedures |
Safety procedures may include:
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Types of samples |
Types of samples may include:
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Materials sampled |
Materials sampled may include:
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Sampling tools and equipment |
Sampling tools and equipment may include:
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Maintenance of integrity of samples |
Maintenance of integrity of samples could include:
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Services |
Services may include:
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Minimising environmental impacts |
Minimising environmental impacts may involve:
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Occupational health and safety (OHS ) and environmental management requirements |
OHS and environmental management requirements:
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Unit Sector(s)
Unit sector |
Sampling |
Competency field
Competency field |
Co-requisite units
Co-requisite units |
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