List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1 | Confirm scope of air quality management activities with manager | 1.1 | Review legislative, regulatory and licensing requirements and approvals that apply to site/project/program. |
| 1.2 | Review current air quality management plan, including objectives, known issues, specified management activities and any required changes. |
| 1.3 | Review previous air quality records and reports, if available. |
| 1.4 | Confirm that site set-up, sampling methods, instrumentation and workplace procedures are in accordance with relevant standards and guidelines. |
| 1.5 | Clarify own scope of responsibility/authority for achieving specific outcomes and the roles of other key personnel. |
| 1.6 | Identify resources available to conduct air quality management activities. |
|
2 | Organise air quality management activities | 2.1 | Develop a consolidated schedule to ensure all activities can be conducted efficiently with the available resources. |
| 2.2 | Develop checklists/clear work instructions to enable personnel to perform assigned tasks efficiently and with minimal errors. |
| 2.3 | Ensure that personnel who conduct sampling, monitoring and/or field testing are competent to undertake their assigned tasks. |
| 2.4 | Ensure air sampling/monitoring/testing equipment is regularly calibrated and maintained and that adequate stocks of consumables are available. |
| 2.5 | Ensure air samples are handled in accordance with the sampling method and chain of custody requirements and dispatched promptly for analysis. |
| 2.6 | Arrange for source emission testing according to licence requirements (if relevant to site/project/program). |
| 2.7 | Conduct, or arrange for, regular site inspections to monitor the effectiveness of air quality management actions (if relevant to site/project/program). |
| 2.8 | Advise relevant personnel when specified air quality management actions are not being implemented effectively (if relevant to site/project/program). |
| 2.9 | Conduct, or arrange for, additional monitoring/inspections after atypical events, legitimate complaints or government requests. |
|
3 | Verify air quality data | 3.1 | Identify relevant job instructions, data and technical records in workplace information management system. |
| 3.2 | Confirm that technical records provide sufficient information to ensure traceability/chain of custody for the monitoring activities involved. |
| 3.3 | Compare data with expected values and identify any outliers. |
| 3.4 | Inspect data records to identify any gaps and to check the integrity of data entry, transfers, alterations and calculations. |
| 3.5 | Notify manager when data is incomplete or contains significant errors, and clarify what action to take. |
|
4 | Determine if results are acceptable and within expectation | 4.1 | Compare results with expected values and/or relevant standards and identify any significant differences or trends. |
| 4.2 | Check the reliability of results by examining data or results from other monitoring stations, repeat measurements and/or tests of duplicate samples. |
| 4.3 | Assess the significance of any recorded atypical environmental or meteorological conditions. |
| 4.4 | Check that all calculations are free from error. |
| 4.5 | Check that estimations of uncertainty are reasonable and consistent with the sampling method, relevant standards or guidelines. |
| 4.6 | Report results that meet workplace data quality standards and are consistent with expectations. |
|
5 | Investigate/rectify unexpected or unacceptable results | 5.1 | Examine records of pre-use checks and calibration performance to ensure that the sampling equipment, reagents/standards and/or monitoring/test instruments used meet specifications and workplace requirements. |
| 5.2 | Establish whether human, environmental and/or meteorological factors could have affected the reliability of results. |
| 5.3 | Check for obvious sources of interference that may have occurred during measurements or analysis of samples. |
| 5.4 | Retrieve stored samples (if available) and assess whether they are atypical or contaminated. |
| 5.5 | Arrange for control tests using the same or new samples to check unexpected results, if relevant. |
| 5.6 | Report unexpected results that meet workplace data quality standards. |
| 5.7 | Identify possible root causes of unacceptable results and appropriate preventative/corrective actions. |
| 5.8 | Report investigation outcomes and recommendations for improvements in accordance with workplace procedures. |
| 5.9 | Seek manager’s advice when challenges are beyond own technical competence or when input from environmental specialists may be required. |
|
6 | Keep management informed about air quality performance | 6.1 | Provide regular reports about air quality performance including instances of potential/actual non-conformance and incidents and the actions taken in each case. |
| 6.2 | Report opportunities and recommendations for improvements in air quality monitoring or management in accordance with workplace procedures. |
|
7 | Maintain air quality records | 7.1 | Ensure all air quality records are legible, accurate and satisfy workplace/legislative requirements. |
| 7.2 | Store air quality records to enable easy access and review by authorised personnel in accordance with workplace procedures. |
| 7.3 | Regularly review air quality records to identify any significant trends and impacts. |
| 7.4 | Identify any problems with the maintenance and security of air quality records and resolve them promptly. |
Evidence of competence in this unit must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria, and include demonstration of:
planning and implementing the day-to-day air quality management activities for at least one (1) site, project or ongoing program
accessing, interpreting and applying relevant legislative/regulatory requirements, standards, codes, guidelines and manuals
explaining relevant air quality standards and management plans, sampling/monitoring methods, equipment operating procedures and workplace air quality management actions
verifying the accuracy and completeness of air quality data, results and technical records
using statistical tests (e.g. to determine data acceptability, estimate uncertainties, examine trends and infer basic relationships)
investigating unexpected or unacceptable air quality results in a logical and efficient manner to identify possible root causes
seeking advice when issues/problems are beyond scope of competence/responsibility
recommending appropriate preventative/corrective actions to control potential/actual non-conformances or incidents
responding effectively to complaints and requests for information
providing accurate, complete and timely reports of air quality performance and identifying opportunities for improvements
maintaining air quality records in accordance with legislative/licensing/workplace requirements
working safely and monitoring the safety of others.
Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge of:
air quality management terminology, concepts and principles used in job role
types and properties of air pollutants relevant to job role, such as particulates, inorganic gases, organic gases, photochemical smog and greenhouse gases
legislative/regulatory requirements, standards, codes and guidelines dealing with air quality
workplace air quality management plans and procedures, common air quality issues, control measures and mitigation/management actions
detailed scientific and technical knowledge of the samples, sampling/monitoring methods, equipment, materials and instrumentation used to generate the air quality data, including calibration, fault-finding and troubleshooting
expected values for air quality parameters, relevant national environment protection measure standards and goals, or statutory environmental quality concentration limits or similar
problem-solving techniques and cause analysis
impacts of common human, environmental and/or meteorological factors on data quality
sources of interference, uncertainty, limitations of methods, purpose of reference conditions and sources of variability (e.g. stack conditions)
workplace procedures for identifying and assessing environmental risks/impacts, responding to complaints and environmental incidents, record management and reporting air quality data
interpersonal communication, negotiation and conflict resolution techniques
relevant hazards, health, safety and workplace emergency response procedures.
Judgement of competence must be based on holistic assessment of the evidence. Assessment methods must confirm consistency of performance over time, rather than a single assessment event.
This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace, or a simulated workplace environment. A simulated workplace environment must reflect realistic operational workplace conditions that cover all aspects of workplace performance, including the environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.
Foundation skills are integral to competent performance of the unit and should not be assessed separately.
Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.
Knowledge evidence may be collected concurrently with performance evidence or through an independent process such as workbooks, written assessments or interviews (provided a record is kept in each case).
Holistic assessment methods include:
review of air quality data files, results and records verified by the candidate
review of work schedules, checklists/clear work instructions, and air quality performance reports prepared by the candidate
feedback from manager and/or site personnel regarding the candidate’s ability to safely coordinate day-to-day air quality management activities
oral and/or written questions to assess the candidate’s understanding of procedures governing the validation of data; acceptability of data/results; sources of air quality data variability, interferences and uncertainty; and relevant preventative or corrective actions
analysis of case studies/reports of relevant air quality management issues and incidents relevant to the candidate’s job role.
Access is required to all instruments, equipment, materials, workplace documentation, procedures and specifications associated with this unit including, but not limited to:
site/project/program history
relevant legislation, codes and standards; workplace environmental management policies, plans, actions, procedures, checklists and equipment manuals; sampling methods and description of monitoring set-up
air quality data sets, records and reports; computer and relevant software or workplace information management system
air sampling and testing equipment.
Assessors must satisfy the assessor competency requirements that are in place at the time of the assessment as set by the VET regulator.
The assessor must demonstrate both technical competency and currency.
Technical competence can be demonstrated through:
relevant VET or other qualification/Statement of Attainment AND/OR
relevant workplace experience
Currency can be demonstrated through:
performing the competency being assessed as part of current employment OR
having consulted with an organisation providing environmental monitoring, management or technology related services about performing the competency being assessed within the last twelve months.