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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Interpret and schedule client requirements
   • Review client request to identify sample/analysis requirements, preparation methods and equipment involved
   • Inspect samples, compare with specifications, record and report any discrepancies
   • Liaise with client when samples and/or request forms do not comply with workplace procedures
   • Identify hazards, safety equipment and safe work procedures specified for the sample, preparation methods, reagents and equipment
   • Plan parallel work sequences to optimise throughput of multiple sets of samples
   • Assemble all required equipment materials, reagents and check they are fit for purpose
2. Prepare client samples for analysis
   • Estimate safe times for the preparation of required sample portions
   • Split samples to obtain representative sub-samples as required
   • Safely operate comminution equipment
   • Monitor texture of the samples as an indicator of particle size and adjust milling times accordingly
   • Monitor sample compaction and build up of residues on equipment and rectify as necessary
   • Record preparation difficulties that may impact on quality or cause additional client costs
   • Report any departure from preparation methods or client specifications
   • Label client samples and record chain of custody information
   • Store all client samples in accordance with workplace procedures
3. Use non-destructive methods to prepare laboratory portions for analysis
   • Examine the recommended preparation method to identify critical steps that will affect the quality of analytical results
   • Closely follow each preparation step with particular attention to safety, precision and minimisation of cross-contamination of samples
   • Monitor parameters that indicate completion or failure of each preparation step
   • Analyse and record invalid preparation steps and take corrective action before repeating the procedure
   • Present laboratory portions for analysis in appropriate containers with all required chain of custody documentation
4. Maintain a safe work environment
   • Apply established safe work practices and use personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure personal safety and that of other laboratory personnel
   • Minimise the generation of waste and environmental impacts
   • Ensure the safe disposal of all hazardous waste and spent/surplus samples
   • Clean, care for and store equipment and reagents as required

Range Statement

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.
Standards, codes, procedures and/or workplace requirements	Standards, codes, procedures and/or workplace requirements include the latest version of one or more of: Australian and international standards covering the requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories; laboratory safety; quality and environmental management; sampling of specific ores and particulate materials; and labelling, storage, handling and transport of hazardous materials national work health and safety (WHS) standards and codes of practice, national environmental protection measures, and national measurement regulations and guidelines specific codes, guidelines and procedures, such as National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accreditation requirements and principles of good laboratory practice (GLP) workplace documents, such as standard operating procedures (SOPs); quality and equipment manuals; maintenance schedules; material safety data sheets (MSDS); safety procedures; material, production and product specifications; production and laboratory schedules; workplace recording and reporting procedures; and waste minimisation and safe disposal procedures sampling procedures for specific samples, sites and clients (labelling, preparation, storage, transport and disposal), and published preparation methods
Materials sampled	Materials sampled include, but are not limited to, one or more of: solids, such as rocks, minerals, soils, sands and stream sediments pulverised core and other drill samples, such as rotary air blast (RAB), reverse circulation (RC) and aircore samples powder concentrates dump samples and grab samples
Sample preparation methods	Sample preparation methods include one or more of: sorting, boxing and drying sieving primary crushing (e.g. 10 mm, 2 mm) fine pulverising (e.g. 100 micron, 75 micron) partial digestion requiring separation (e.g. aqua regia) complete digestion (e.g. multi-acid digest) non-destructive (e.g. LIF, Li2B4O7 disks) solvent extraction (e.g. di isobutyl ketone dibK)
Hazards	Hazards include, but are not limited to, one or more of: dust, silica and fibrous materials asbestiform minerals chemicals, such as hydrofluoric acid, bromine, perchloric acid, aqua regia and cyanide lead-based compounds, free-mercury and nickel compounds noise and vibration crushing, entanglement and cuts associated with moving machinery manual handling of heavy loads, such as sample bags, containers, racks and trolleys heat exhaustion/stress and fatigue
Safe work procedures	Safe work practices include, but are not limited to, one or more of: ensuring access to service shut-off points recognising and observing hazard warnings and safety signs labelling of samples and hazardous materials using direct extraction and fume hoods using guards for moving machinery parts providing noise insulation following established manual handling procedures regularly cleaning equipment and work areas using workplace procedures reporting of abnormal emissions and airborne contaminants to appropriate personnel using PPE, such as masks, gloves, boots, goggles, coats, ear muffs and safety boots
WHS and environmental management requirements	WHS and environmental management requirements include: · complying with WHS and environmental management requirements at all times, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation. These requirements must not be compromised at any time · applying standard precautions relating to the potentially hazardous nature of samples

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Performance Evidence

Evidence of competence in this unit must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria, and include demonstration of:

safely reducing at least three (3) types of mineral samples to representative samples and preparing analytical portions of each that meet client requirements for analysis:

representative

free of contamination

of specified quantity and particle size

ready for analysis

interpreting and closely following preparation methods

achieving the required sample throughput

recognising problems and invalid preparation steps and taking appropriate corrective actions

recognising limitations and seeking timely advice

minimising rework, waste and environmental impact

completing preparation and production documentation accurately

maintaining equipment/reagents and disposing of all waste, surplus and spent samples according to workplace procedures

recognising hazards and using specified safety equipment and safe work procedures at all times.

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Knowledge Evidence

Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge of:

geological properties of samples used in job role, including sulphides, oxides and silicates

terminology, including homogeneous, heterogeneous, integrity and segregation

distribution of common analytes in a matrix

chemical reactions associated with common preparation methods used in job role

effects of reagents on the element of interest

reaction and recovery rates, solubility and equilibria

tracking analytes of interest during changes of state

critical preparation steps that determine analytical accuracy and precision, including:

monitoring drying (incipient and total)

mixing to ensure homogeneity before sub-sampling

suitability of reagents for purpose (e.g. dryness)

accurate operation of dispensers and balances

critical/non-critical volumes and critical reagent quantities

temperature control during digests

loss of solution prior to/after mixing

type and acid strength in final solutions

mechanical loss of digest (sputtering, residues on glassware/plastic ware and filtering)

function of key components and operating procedures for sample preparation equipment

calculation steps in preparation methods (e.g. serial dilution)

use of non-international system of units (SI) units (ppm, ppb) and SI units, and conversions

workplace and/or legal traceability requirements

relevant hazards, work health and safety (WHS) and environmental requirements, including use of material safety data sheets (MSDS) and antidotes for specific hazards, such as hydrofluoric acid and cyanide.

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