MSL973024 Perform site investigation activities

Release: 1

MSL973024 Perform site investigation activities

Modification History

Release	Comments
Release 1	This version was released in MSL Laboratory Operations Training Package Release 2.0. Supersedes and equivalent to MSL973012 Perform site investigation activities. Foundation skill information added. Range of conditions removed. Assessment requirements amended.

Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge to prepare for and conduct activities, such as excavations, sampling and testing, as part of a site investigation team. Personnel are expected to identify common site problems and seek advice to deal with situations beyond their own technical competence.

This unit applies to laboratory assistants working under the close supervision of a senior technician in the construction, mining and drilling industry sectors.

No licensing or certification requirements exist at the time of publication. However, regulations and/or external accreditation requirements for laboratory operations exist, so local requirements should be checked. Relevant legislation, industry standards and codes of practice within Australia must also be applied.

Pre-requisite Unit

Nil

Competency Field

Testing

Elements and Performance Criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.	Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.
1	Prepare for on-site operations	1.1	Confirm details of the job, location, work instructions, appropriate sampling/test procedures and safety requirements with supervisor
1.2	Identify likely site hazards, personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety procedures that are specified for the job and materials used
1.3	Collect, check and stow all tools, equipment and materials required at the site
1.4	Confirm site access requirements, such as entry permits and participate in safety induction as required
2	Conduct excavation of boreholes, test pits and/or trenches	2.1	Confirm specified sampling/testing locations with supervisor
2.2	Excavate to the specified sampling/testing depth, minimising disturbance and potential contamination of the site
2.3	Ensure materials from different strata are kept separate
2.4	Identify materials and record changes of the strata and the test results
3	Conduct site sampling	3.1	Prepare and check sampling equipment and materials
3.2	Take disturbed and undisturbed samples as directed and in accordance with workplace methods and procedures
3.3	Label samples and record samples/site conditions in accordance with workplace methods and procedures
4	Conduct site testing	4.1	Conduct pre-use checks of test equipment
4.2	Perform basic tests as directed and in accordance with test methods or workplace procedures
4.3	Record data in accordance with test methods or workplace procedures
4.4	Recognise obvious errors or atypical data and seek advice
5	Complete site operations	5.1	Reinstate the site in accordance with instructions
5.2	Clean all equipment (and vehicle as necessary) avoiding environmental damage, stormwater contamination or spread of pests
5.3	Check all equipment and materials prior to re-stowing them for safe transport
5.4	Handle and transport samples in accordance with workplace procedures
5.5	Notify appropriate site personnel on completion of tasks and prior to leaving site (if unsupervised)
5.6	Check serviceability of test equipment before storage
6	Maintain records	6.1	Record details of site sampling, testing and material types in accordance with workplace procedures
6.2	Maintain confidentiality of workplace information in accordance with workplace procedures
7	Maintain a safe work environment	7.1	Use safe work procedures and PPE to ensure personal safety and that of others
7.2	Minimise environmental impacts of testing/sampling and generation of waste
7.3	Collect and/or dispose of all waste in accordance with workplace procedures

Foundation Skills

This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance.

Numeracy skills to:

interpret maps, site plans and drawings

recognise site features and soil, rock and fill materials

perform basic in situ tests and site measurements, including location and depth.

Other foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit.

Unit Mapping Information

Equivalent to MSL973012 Assist with geotechnical site investigations, Release 1.

Links

MSL Laboratory Operations Companion Volume Implementation Guide is available from VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=5c63a03b-4a6b-4ae5-9560-1e3c5f462baa