MSS024022

Perform environmental biological techniques

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Receive microbiological samples 

1.1

Check samples and accompanying documentation in accordance with workplace procedures.

1.2

Log samples and record sufficient details to enable accurate tracking and chain of custody.

1.3

Distribute samples for local testing or dispatch samples to other testing facilities, as necessary.

1.4

Store samples appropriately where testing or transport is to be delayed.

2

Prepare for safe microbiological work and aseptic applications 

2.1

Select work area and equipment required for the safe handling of materials that may contain microorganisms of specified risk groups.

2.2

Wear protective clothing, replacing it when contamination is suspected.

2.3

Apply correct disinfection procedures to work areas before and after use.

2.4

Locate relevant emergency equipment for timely response to microbiological accidents.

2.5

Apply standard precautions when handling biological materials.

2.6

Minimise the production and release of aerosols, using biological safety cabinets, where necessary.

2.7

Clean up spills, and report all spills and suspected incidents to supervisor.

2.8

Wash hands before and after laboratory work and when contamination is suspected.

2.9

Ensure the safe collection and disposal of biohazardous materials and other laboratory wastes in accordance with workplace procedures.

3

Process samples for direct examination 

3.1

Prepare thin smears of samples for subsequent staining to enable microscopic identification of cells.

3.2

Prepare liquid films of specimens for direct observation of cell structure.

3.3

Prepare samples to concentrate material for subsequent staining or microscopy.

4

Prepare pure cultures for microbiological work and aseptic applications 

4.1

Select culture media to maximise growth of microorganisms and cells.

4.2

Inoculate media aseptically, applying techniques suitable for purpose of culture.

4.3

Incubate inoculated media in conditions to optimise growth of organisms and cells.

4.4

Subculture on suitable media to optimise production of pure cultures.

5

Perform environmental microbiological analyses 

5.1

Identify major microorganisms and groups of microorganisms in air, water and soil samples.

5.2

Count cells in undiluted samples to indicate the dilution necessary to reliably count organisms in culture.

5.3

Prepare serial dilutions of samples aseptically for culture and colony counting.

5.4

Count colonies for calculating number of viable organisms per unit volume.

5.5

Count microorganisms in samples and cultures using spectrometric and electronic methodologies, where relevant.

5.6

Estimate and document uncertainty of measurement in accordance with workplace procedures, where relevant.

5.7

Use rapid detection techniques to monitor the presence of microorganisms in water.

5.8

Use indicator organisms to estimate the likely presence of other pathogenic species.

6

Examine test data for legislative compliance 

6.1

Confirm data are the result of valid measurements.

6.2

Report details of sampling/testing procedures and quality assurance in accordance with legislative requirements.

6.3

Report data in the required format with the appropriate accuracy, precision, statistic type and units.

6.4

Compare data with specified assessment criteria.

6.5

Comment on any significant data trends and identify the possible causes or implications.

6.6

Identify atypical or out-of-range results and the risk and/or instances of potential/actual non-compliance.

6.7

Confirm all unexpected findings with supervisor.

7

Maintain records 

7.1

Enter approved data and results into workplace information management system.

7.2

Maintain instrument logs as required by accreditation checklists.

7.3

Maintain security and confidentiality of all client information, data, test results and records.

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.

Legislation, standards, codes, procedures and/or workplace requirements include the latest version of one or more of: 

• federal legislation such as the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act
• state/territory government legislation and regulations and local government by-laws, policies, and plans dealing with land use, acquisition, planning and protection; environmental protection; nature conservation; wildlife/plant protection; prevention of cruelty to animals and quarantine
• legislation, standards and codes of practice for work health and safety (WHS)
• adopted national exposure standards for atmospheric contaminants in the occupational environment (NOHSC:1003)
• Australian and international standards covering safety in laboratories (AS/NZS 2243.3:2010 Safety in laboratories - Microbiological safety and containment); water microbiology (AS/NZS 4276 Water microbiology series); examination of waters for Legionellae (AS/NZS 3896:2008 Waters - Examination for Legionella spp. including Legionella pneumophila); selection of containers and preservation of water samples for microbiological analysis (AS 2031-2012 Water quality - Sampling for microbiological analysis); and air-handling and water systems of buildings - microbial control (AS/NZS 3666 Air-handling and water systems of buildings series)
• international guidelines and methods, such as Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council and Agriculture and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand 2000, Australian guidelines for water quality monitoring and reporting, National Water Quality Management Strategy No. 7, ANZECC & ARMCANZ, Canberra
• American Public Health Association (APHA) Handbook - Water and wastewater analysis
• registration/licensing and/or accreditation requirements
• workplace documents, such as standard operating procedures (SOPs); work schedules; quality management procedures; data quality procedures; sampling/monitoring procedures; validated/authorised test procedures; safety data sheets (SDS) and safety procedures; equipment manuals; recording and reporting procedures; cleaning, hygiene, personal hygiene requirements; waste minimisation, containment, processing and safe disposal procedures.

Environmental microbiological tests include one or more of: 

• identification of major groups of environmentally significant organisms, such as:

• bacteria, Cyanobacteria, Corynebacteria, Legionella pneumophila, Lactobacillus, Rhizobia, hydrocarbon utilising bacteria, and sulfite reducing bacteria
• Total Coliforms, Faecal Coliforms, Escherichia coli, Enterococci andFaecal Streptococci
• Archaea
• Aspergillus
• micro-algae, blue-green algae
• anaerobic protozoa
• indicator microorganisms and their role in predicting likely infectious agents
• enumeration of organisms, and use of counting chambers

• use of selective and enriched media and their role in identification and enumeration of microorganisms, such as:
• MacConkey’s agar (Coliforms)

• BG11 (Cyanobacteria)
• yeast mannitol agar (Rhizobium)
• lactose broth
• ammonium salts
• nutrient agars
• tryptic soy agar
• biochemical tests, such as IMViC (indole, methyl red, Voges-Proskauer and citrate)
• use of antibiotics, such as cycloheximide (detection of bacteria in presence of yeasts and mould)
• micro-toxicity testing
• microbial activity in soils.

Equipment, materials and systems include one or more of: 

• protective and physical containment facilities and equipment for safe handling of microorganisms, including personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves, gowns, masks and safety glasses, and gloves for working with extremes of heat and cold
• carbon dioxide cabinets and incubators
• transfer equipment, such as inoculating loops, pipettes (quantitative and qualitative), flasks, tubes and spatulas
• liquid nitrogen containers for cell storage
• filtration membranes
• microscopes with bright field and other relevant illumination systems and stereomicroscopes
• counting chambers for micro-enumeration
• colony counting devices
• Bunsen burners and bench incinerators
• incubators and water baths
• anaerobic jars, fermentation chambers, continuous culture systems and other devices for controlling growth environments of microorganisms
• laboratory information management systems (LIMS), databases, record and filing systems
• stains, media, reagents and biological materials necessary for laboratory testing
• laboratory glassware and measuring equipment
• disinfecting and sterilising solutions and equipment, such as ultraviolet (UV) lamps
• materials suitable for the safe containment, collection, processing and disposal of biological and non-biological wastes
• autoclaves.

Legislative compliance includes: 

• comparison and interpretation of data in comparison with assessment criteria, limits and other regulatory requirements, such as:

• exposure standards for atmospheric contaminants in the occupational environment
• guidelines for drinking water
• allowable pollution index for public recreation areas
• discharge of sewage and allowable contamination levels
• drawing conclusions about air quality, water quality, and the condition of ecosystems

Use of microorganisms in bioremediation, agriculture and industrial processes includes one or more of: 

• treatment of wastewater (especially in sewage)
• sulphite reducing bacteria
• remediation of oil spills using microorganisms, such as HCB, pseudomonas
• production of eco-friendly fuels, such as ethanol

WHS and environmental management requirements include: 

• compliance with relevant federal/state/territory WHS legislation at all times
• assuming that samples are potentially hazardous and applying standard precautions
• accessing and applying current industry understanding of infection control issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and state/territory Departments of Health, where relevant.