Modification History
Not applicable.
Unit Descriptor
Unit descriptor |
This unit of competency covers the ability to work closely with production personnel to conduct a routine trial to adjust formulations or develop products and processes following preliminary laboratory work. The unit covers monitoring critical process parameters, collecting and testing of samples and analysing results. The unit does not cover the planning and management of the trial, development of product briefs or the troubleshooting of equipment and production processes. |
Application of the Unit
Application of the unit |
This unit of competency is applicable to laboratory technicians and technical officers working in the manufacturing, biotechnology, construction materials, pharmaceutical and food processing industry sectors. All operations must comply with relevant standards, appropriate procedures and/or enterprise requirements. 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 |
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MSL974003A |
Perform chemical tests and procedures |
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OR |
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MSL974004A |
Perform food tests |
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OR |
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MSL974005A |
Perform physical tests |
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OR |
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MSL974010A |
Perform mechanical tests |
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 the trial |
1.1. Clarify trial objectives, specifications, documentation and reporting requirements 1.2. Identify the environmental, health, safety, and /or food safety hazards associated with the trial and the recommended control procedures 1.3. Determine the availability of resources and the need for any clearances, special safety and storage requirements 1.4. Review the recommended trial schedule to identify potential barriers/constraints and develop alternatives as necessary 1.5. Communicate and confirm all laboratory requirements with plant operators and personnel in related work areas and functions |
2. Participate in the trial |
2.1. Reconfirm trial details with all relevant personnel 2.2. Identify any last minute changes and delays and make appropriate adjustments 2.3. Liaise closely with production personnel to conduct the trial safely and efficiently 2.4. Collect required product samples for laboratory analysis and/or reference 2.5. Monitor critical process parameters and record required data 2.6. Monitor data to identify problems, significant process variations and/or unacceptable product 2.7. Recommend changes to production processes as required 2.8. Leave plant in condition suitable for routine production to recommence |
3. Assess and report trial outcomes |
3.1. Arrange for, or conduct, testing of product samples to check specifications 3.2. Analyse test results and relate properties of product samples to formulation details and processing methods 3.3. Identify and investigate out of specification or unacceptable outcomes, as required 3.4. Recommend possible modifications and/or opportunities for improvements within limits of role and responsibility 3.5. Document and report trial outcomes in accordance with enterprise procedures |
4. Maintain a safe work environment |
4.1. Use established safe work practices and personal protective equipment to ensure personal safety and that of other personnel 4.2. Minimise the generation of wastes and environmental impacts 4.3. Ensure the safe collection of laboratory and hazardous waste for subsequent disposal 4.4. Care for and store equipment and reagents as required |
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. Manufacturing A new manufacturing plant has been constructed to produce titanium dioxide (TiO2) for use in food and paint manufacture. An experienced laboratory technician is involved in the plant's commissioning process which has been designed by plant engineers. The commissioning involves trial operation of each section of the plant to achieve intermediate products, such as titanium tetra-chloride (TiCl4 ) of acceptable quality for use in subsequent stages. The technician provides input to the trials by collecting and testing samples, analysing the results and providing regular reports to the engineers. The importance of the technician's work cannot be overestimated. They have to work under tight time deadlines, quality requirements and the overall pressure of commissioning the plant on time and within budget. Food processing The laboratory is notified of an upcoming trial for sour cream using a new starter culture. A technician is assigned to perform the laboratory assessment of the trial. The technician discusses with the production supervisor about when the cream will be cultured. It is agreed that the technician will monitor the fermentation, collect samples, and coordinate testing of the final product. The technician obtains protective footwear and hearing protection to wear while in the production area. On the day of the trial the technician calibrates the process pH meter and monitors the pH of the vat as fermentation progresses. Once the desired pH is reached, the technician advises the production team to commence packing of the product. After collecting samples of the final product from the start, middle and end of packing, the technician records the sample details and distributes the sample for both internal and external laboratory testing. Final product results are collated by the technician, who reports any out of specification results to the quality and production departments. |
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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Product properties , process stages and unit operations involved in the trial |
Product properties, process stages and unit operations involved in the trial may include:
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Trial specifications |
Trial specifications may include:
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Hazards |
Hazards may include:
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Safety procedures and hazard control measures |
Safety procedures and hazard control measures may include:
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Resources |
Resources 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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