Modification History
Not applicable.
Unit Descriptor
Unit descriptor |
This unit of competency covers the ability to interpret mechanical test requirements, prepare samples, conduct pre-use and calibration checks on equipment and perform routine mechanical tests. These tests will involve several measurement steps. The unit includes data processing and interpretation of results and tracking of obvious test malfunctions where the procedure is standardised. However, personnel are not required to analyse data, optimise tests/procedures for specific samples or troubleshoot equipment problems where the solution is not apparent. |
Application of the Unit
Application of the unit |
This unit of competency is applicable to laboratory or technical assistants and instrument operators working in the manufacturing, food and construction materials testing 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. Interpret and schedule test requirements |
1.1. Review test request to identify samples to be tested, test method and equipment/instruments involved 1.2. Identify hazards and enterprise control measures associated with the sample, preparation/test methods and/or equipment 1.3. Plan work sequences to optimise throughput of multiple samples, if appropriate |
2. Receive samples and prepare test pieces |
2.1. Log samples using standard operating procedures (SOPs) 2.2. Record sample description, compare with specification and note and report discrepancies 2.3. Prepare test pieces, and standards if appropriate, in accordance with mechanical testing requirements 2.4. Ensure traceability of samples from receipt to reporting of results |
3. Check equipment before use |
3.1. Set up equipment/instruments in accordance with test method requirements 3.2. Perform pre-use and safety checks in accordance with relevant enterprise and operating procedures 3.3. Identify faulty or unsafe components and equipment and report to appropriate personnel 3.4. Check equipment calibration using specified procedures, if applicable 3.5. Quarantine out-of-calibration equipment/instruments |
4. Test samples to determine mechanical properties |
4.1. Operate equipment/instruments in accordance with test method requirements 4.2. Perform tests/procedures on all test pieces and standards, if appropriate in accordance with specified methods 4.3. Shut down equipment/instruments in accordance with operating procedures |
5. Process and interpret data |
5.1. Record test data noting atypical observations 5.2. Ensure calculated values are consistent with expectations 5.3. Record and report results in accordance with enterprise procedures 5.4. Estimate and document uncertainty of measurement in accordance with enterprise procedures, if required 5.5. Interpret trends in data and/or results and report out of specification or atypical results promptly to appropriate personnel 5.6. Determine if obvious procedure or equipment problems have led to atypical data or results |
6. Maintain a safe work environment |
6.1. Use established work practices and personal protective equipment to ensure personal safety and that of other laboratory personnel 6.2. Minimise the generation of wastes and environmental impacts 6.3. Ensure the safe collection of laboratory and hazardous waste for subsequent disposal 6.4. Care for and store equipment, used test pieces and back-up samples as required |
7. Maintain laboratory records |
7.1. Enter approved data into laboratory information management system (LIMS) 7.2. Maintain confidentiality and security of enterprise information and laboratory data 7.3. Maintain equipment and calibration logs 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 to show its relevance in a workplace setting. Construction materials A technical assistant is responsible for compressive strength testing of concrete cylinders. Typically, there are 20 to 30 to be tested each day. On arrival in the morning the assistant records the maximum and minimum temperatures of the curing tanks, locates the particular cylinders to be tested and removes them from the tanks. She/he dries each cylinder, weighs it and measures its diameter and length using a comparator gauge. The ends are checked for excessive roughness and non-parallelism. She/he then starts the compression test machine and checks that the load pacer is set to the correct loading rate. She/he places a rubber cap on the finished end of each cylinder in turn and places it centrally on the platen of the load frame. The assistant closes the protective screen, applies load at the specified rate until failure occurs, and records the maximum load. After the cylinder has failed, the assistant removes it from the platen and checks for invalid failure modes. When this occurs (e.g. a shear failure) she/he puts the cylinder aside for further investigation. Any debris is removed from the platen and the next cylinder is tested. When all cylinders have been tested, the assistant cleans away any material left on the compression machine and switches it off. She/he enters all the data in into the laboratory information management system (LIMS) which calculates the unit mass and ultimate compressive strength of each cylinder. Finally, the assistant reviews the data for unusual or unexpected results that may indicate an error. Manufacturing A technician is asked to test a new polymeric material that is to be used to manufacture children's toys. The technician makes several representative test pieces and measures the elastic properties of the polymer as well as the durability of the polymer to flex many times without cracking. Because the polymer is to be used in a toy, the technician also dispatches samples of the polymer for chemical testing by a consulting laboratory to determine whether any toxic monomer could leach out if a child sucked the toy. |
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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Mechanical principles and concepts underpinning the test /procedure |
Mechanical principles and concepts underpinning the test/procedure may include:
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Preparation of samples and test pieces |
Preparation of samples and test pieces may include processes such as:
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Mechanical tests and procedures |
Mechanical tests and procedures may include:
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Tests |
Tests may include methods for:
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Hazards |
Hazards may include:
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Hazard control measures |
Hazard control measures may include:
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Records |
Records may include:
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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 |
Testing |
Competency field
Competency field |
Co-requisite units
Co-requisite units |
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