The range of variables relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that will affect performance.
Where reference is made to industry Codes of Practice, and/or Australian/international standards, it is expected the latest version will be used.
This unit of competence describes work conducted by laboratory assistants, generally working under the guidance of a senior technician, scientific officer, laboratory supervisor/manager. Operations are performed in accordance with laboratory and/or enterprise procedures, and appropriate legislative requirements. These procedures and requirements can include or be prepared from:
industry Codes of Practice
environmental legislation and regulations
standard operating procedures (SOPs)
equipment manuals
equipment start-up, operation and shutdown procedures
calibration and maintenance schedules
quality manuals
enterprise recording and reporting procedures
production and laboratory schedules
material, production and product specifications.
Materials, tools and equipment used may include:
soils, concrete, asphalt, aggregates, polymers, ceramics, metals, foodstuffs, solvents
ovens, sieves, balances, volumetric measures, mixers
hand tools, including shovels, scoops, spatulas
consumables, including sample bags, labels
documentation, including specifications, manufacturers' handbooks, worksheets
test equipment appropriate to the various materials.
Typical skills may include:
working safely with equipment and hazardous materials
working safely in laboratory conditions
setting up and maintaining tools and equipment
using tools and equipment to perform basic sampling techniques
using tools and equipment to perform basic testing techniques
basic calculations
observing and recording information on testing and sampling
making basic measurements of volume and mass
handling and storing materials appropriately.
Typical problems may include:
not following standard operating procedures
measurement errors
calculation errors
materials of unreliable quality
insufficient mixing
poor sampling procedures
equipment breakdown and breakage.
Hazards may include:
electric shock
biohazards, such as microbiological organisms and agents associated with soil, air, water
solar radiation, dust, noise
chemicals
sharps, broken glassware and hand tools
flammable liquids and gases
fluids under pressure
manual handling heavy objects
crushing, entanglement, cuts associated with moving machinery or falling objects.
Safety procedures may include:
recognising hazard warnings and safety signs
use of personal protective equipment, such as hard hats, hearing protection, sunscreen lotion, gloves, safety glasses, goggles, face guards, coveralls, safety boots
use of material safety data sheets (MSDS)
following established manual handling procedures
regular cleaning and/or decontaminating of equipment and work areas
ensuring access to service shut off points
identifying and reporting operating problems or equipment malfunctions.
Health, safety and environment
All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent health, safety and environmental (HSE) requirements, which may be imposed through State or Federal legislation, and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between performance criteria and HSE requirements, the HSE requirements take precedence.
All operations assume the potentially hazardous nature of samples and require standard precautions to be applied. Users should access and apply current industry understanding of infection control issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council and State and Territory Departments of Health. All operations are performed in accordance with standard operating procedures.