Unit of competency
Modification History
Release 1. Supersedes and is equivalent to MSS025011A Assist with odour field assessment
Application
This unit of competency covers the ability to assist air quality scientists and engineers with assessing impacts of odours from sites on the surrounding community and the effectiveness of odour abatement systems. Personnel use odour monitoring plans and workplace procedures or standardised methods to conduct olfactometry measurements in the field using olfactometry panellists and community volunteer observers.
This unit of competency is applicable to environmental technicians working in a range of industry sectors, such as environmental services (e.g. sampling and monitoring of air, odours and air quality consultancy); environmental compliance, auditing and inspection; chemical, food and by-product process manufacturing; solid waste management; water treatment and wastewater management; agricultural/livestock activities; landfill operations; rendering operations.
While no specific licensing or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication, environmental monitoring and management activities are governed by relevant legislation, regulations and/or external accreditation requirements. Local requirements should be checked.
Pre-requisite Unit
Nil
Competency Field
Monitoring
Unit Sector
Environmental
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes. |
Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
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1 |
Clarify site monitoring requirements with supervisor |
1.1 |
Examine available information about the site’s history, current activities/processes, previous odour assessments, topography, prevalent meteorological conditions and complaint records. |
1.2 |
Visit the site with supervisor to clarify issues with the proponent and community representatives, as appropriate. |
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1.3 |
Collect and review information about site process operations and conditions. |
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1.4 |
Identify potential odour sources at the site and current controls. |
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1.5 |
Identify suitable locations in the surrounding areas for impact assessments by panellists and community observers. |
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1.6 |
Review relevant legislative, regulatory and licensing requirements or workplace procedures/test methods. |
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2 |
Prepare for field monitoring |
2.1 |
Select or design appropriate monitoring strategies in consultation with supervisor. |
2.2 |
Confirm details of relevant odour monitoring plans, need for site permits, access to the site and nearby locations, and/or community concerns with supervisor. |
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2.3 |
Confirm data format and quality requirements. |
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2.4 |
Review relevant standards and/or specified workplace procedures/test methods. |
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2.5 |
Draft/revise community survey, questionnaire and/or field record forms and seek supervisor and client approvals prior to use. |
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2.6 |
Assemble required monitoring equipment and check that all items are fit for purpose and calibrated correctly. |
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2.7 |
Ensure that all required supplies and equipment are transported safely to and from the field. |
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3 |
Manage odour complaints |
3.1 |
Use survey/questionnaires to collect information about community odour perceptions and verify complaints. |
3.2 |
Record and report community concerns in accordance with workplace procedures. |
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3.3 |
Assist with provision of authorised information about odour perception, sources, possible health effects and details of current/planned monitoring to community members. |
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4 |
Prepare standardised or in-house odour panellists |
4.1 |
Confirm the specifications for panellists with supervisor and client, as necessary. |
4.2 |
Conduct standardised selection to determine odour threshold and ongoing olfactometry performance of individuals for supra-threshold levels. |
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4.3 |
Conduct standardised or in-house selection to assess and compare sensitivity against internal criteria. |
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4.4 |
Select panellists in consultation with supervisor. |
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4.5 |
Train selected panellists in the use of objective odour observation techniques, odour descriptors, olfactometry procedures and test equipment (with site visit and odour identification when possible). |
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4.6 |
Record the process and results used to establish and maintain a register of reliable panellists. |
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5 |
Prepare community volunteer observers |
5.1 |
Confirm the specifications for community volunteer observers with supervisor. |
5.2 |
Explain the details of the requested task to community volunteer observers in consultation with supervisor. |
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5.3 |
Conduct observer selection using workplace procedures. |
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5.4 |
Select observers in consultation with supervisor. |
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5.5 |
Train selected observers in the use of objective odour observation techniques, tools, odour descriptors and test equipment in accordance with the workplace recording tools and objectives. |
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5.6 |
Record the process and results used to establish and maintain a register of reliable observers. |
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6 |
Conduct field monitoring with panellists and observers |
6.1 |
Check that process/meteorological conditions are consistent with monitoring design conditions and report any deviations. |
6.2 |
Set up monitoring conditions for panellists and observers and check equipment to ensure reliable operation. |
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6.3 |
Ensure that panellists fully understand the test procedures. |
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6.4 |
Prepare reference for field measurements with the selected panel in accordance with standardised method or workplace procedures. |
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6.5 |
Conduct monitoring in accordance with standard method or workplace procedures. |
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6.6 |
Monitor panellist’s performance for indications of odour fatigue, adaption of their senses to the surrounding ambient air and/or bias. |
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6.7 |
Identify and report any defects or abnormalities in monitoring conditions. |
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6.8 |
Analyse the conduct of the measurements and reliability of results before confirming data acceptability. |
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7 |
Maintain a safe work environment |
7.1 |
Ensure safety through the use of specified safety equipment, safe work procedures and personal protective clothing. |
7.2 |
Handle all samples and equipment in accordance with workplace safety procedures. |
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7.3 |
Minimise generation of waste and environmental impacts. |
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7.4 |
Collect and dispose of all wastes safely. |
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7.5 |
Report hazards and incidents to designated personnel using workplace procedures. |
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8 |
Record data and report results |
8.1 |
Record details of the testing process and data in accordance with standard method or workplace procedures. |
8.2 |
Process monitoring and meteorological data and report results in accordance with standard method or workplace procedures. |
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8.3 |
Record approved data in accordance with specified format and quality requirements. |
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8.4 |
Maintain confidentiality and security of workplace information and data. |
Foundation Skills
This section describes those required skills (language, literacy and numeracy) that are essential to performance.
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range of Conditions
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. |
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Legislation, regulations, standards, codes, workplace procedures and requirements include the latest version of one or more of: |
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Odour nuisance includes one or more of: |
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Odour sources include one or more of: |
Odour source geometries include point, area, volume and fugitive sources. |
Site information includes one or more of: |
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Odour monitoring plans include: |
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Complaint records include one or more of: |
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Community observer questionnaires include one or more of: |
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Odour monitoring equipment includes one or more of: |
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Pre-use checks of odour monitoring equipment include: |
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Selection and training for field panellists for regulatory requests include one or more of: |
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Selection and training for internal field panellists include one or more of: |
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Selection and training for community volunteer observers include one or more of: |
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Odour monitoring data include: |
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Odour control strategies include one or more of: |
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WHS and environmental management requirements include: |
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Unit Mapping Information
Release 1. Supersedes and is equivalent to MSS025011A Assist with odour field assessment
Links
Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=5b04f318-804f-4dc0-9463-c3fb9a3fe998