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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Prepare for trial batch mixing
   • Identify the job, materials, appropriate procedures and safety requirements
   • Record description of the job to be undertaken, compare with specification and report any variations
   • Select and prepare tools, equipment and materials in accordance with job requirements
   • Confirm the properties and quantities of materials to be used
   • Confirm that the required materials are available and ready for use
2. Mix trial batch for evaluation
   • Measure out quantities of materials ready for mixing
   • Mix the materials according to established procedures
   • Discharge the mixture ready for inspection and testing according to established procedures
   • Record details of the mix and any observations according to established procedures
3. Evaluate properties of the mixture by inspection and standard test methods
   • Obtain representative samples of the mix for testing
   • Use established procedures and metrology concepts to perform specified tests and calculations
   • Handle and transport samples in accordance with established procedures
   • Label samples and record details in accordance with established procedures
4. Clean equipment and dispose of materials
   • Clean mixing, measuring, sampling and testing equipment after use
   • Return unused materials to storage
   • Dispose of excess materials safely and ethically
5. Maintain records
   • Record data in accordance with established procedures
   • Maintain equipment records in accordance with established procedures
   • Maintain confidentiality of workplace information
6. Maintain a safe work environment
   • Use established safe work practices and personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure personal safety and that of other laboratory personnel
   • Minimise the generation of wastes and environmental impacts
   • Ensure safe disposal of laboratory and hazardous wastes
   • 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 management and environmental management, sampling of materials and international system of units (SI) 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; calibration and maintenance schedules; material safety data sheets (MSDS); safety procedures; material, production and product/formulation specifications; production and laboratory schedules; workplace recording and reporting procedures; waste minimisation and safe disposal procedures; and maps and site plans sampling procedures for specific samples, sites and clients (labelling, preparation, storage, transport and disposal) and standard test methods
Safety procedures	Safety procedures include, but are not limited to, one or more of: ensuring access to service shut-off points recognising hazard warning and safety signs, barriers, service isolation tags, traffic control and flashing lights, and lockout and tag out procedures using PPE handling, labelling and storing hazardous material and equipment in accordance with labels, MSDS, manufacturer instructions, and workplace procedures and regulations following established manual handling procedures regular cleaning and/or decontamination of equipment and work area use of machinery guards identifying and reporting operating problems or equipment malfunctions
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 · accessing and applying current industry understanding of infection control issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and State and Territory Departments of Health, where relevant

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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:

preparing and evaluating at least three (3) different trial batches of materials

performing operations in accordance with laboratory and/or workplace procedures, and appropriate legislative requirements

accurately measuring, calculating and recording batch quantities, concentrations and other relevant parameters

performing simple calculations, including:

proportion, ratio and percentage for batch quantities

concentrations

other relevant parameters

performing representative sampling of trial batches

evaluating properties of batch mixtures by inspection and standard test methods

safely setting up, operating and maintaining tools and equipment in accordance with workplace procedures

safely handling, transporting and storing materials in accordance with workplace procedures

recognising and reporting problems and atypical situations to relevant personnel.

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Knowledge Evidence

Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge of:

concepts of metrology, including:

all measurements are estimates

measurements belong to a population of measurements of the measured parameters

precision, accuracy and significant figures

sources of error, uncertainty and repeatability

traceability

international system of units (SI)

nature of batch materials and products used in job role

properties of mixing materials and how they affect the properties of the final product

principles and importance of representative sampling

principles of the standard test methods and specifications used for evaluating batch materials in job role

typical problems, including:

not following standard operating procedures (SOPs)

measurement errors

calculation errors

materials of unreliable quality

insufficient mixing

poor sampling procedures

equipment breakdown and breakage

workplace traceability requirements

relevant hazards, work health and safety (WHS) and environment requirements.

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