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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Interpret and schedule test requirements
   • Access relevant job instructions from laboratory information management system (LIMS)
   • Interpret test request to confirm samples to be tested, the test method and equipment involved
   • Identify hazards and workplace controls associated with the sample, preparation methods, reagents and/or equipment
   • Assemble all required equipment and materials
   • Plan work sequences for optimum efficiency and/or throughput of multiple samples
2. Prepare samples or test pieces
   • Retrieve samples and/or test pieces from storage and record their general appearance
   • Check the accuracy and completeness of accompanying labels and documentation to ensure traceability
   • Check that the storage/curing conditions of samples and/or test pieces were appropriate
   • Compare samples and/or test pieces with test specifications, record observations and report discrepancies
   • Prepare samples and/or test pieces in accordance with appropriate test method
   • Conduct preliminary measurements to establish initial dimensions and test conditions as necessary
3. Check test equipment before use
   • Set up test equipment/instruments in accordance with test method
   • Perform pre-use and safety checks in accordance with workplace procedures
   • Identify faulty or unsafe equipment/instruments and report to appropriate personnel
   • Check calibration status of instruments and report any out-of-calibration items to appropriate personnel
4. Conduct test to determine sample properties
   • Perform each treatment/measurement stage of the test method precisely and in the correct sequence
   • Record all data, observations and any factors that may impact on the quality of results
   • Recognise obvious errors or atypical data and take appropriate corrective actions
   • Seek advice to deal with any situation beyond own technical competence
   • Shut down test equipment/instruments in accordance with workplace procedures
5. Process and interpret data
   • Check data for accuracy and completeness
   • Perform required calculations and ensure results are consistent with expected values for the sample type
   • Record and report results with the appropriate accuracy, precision and units
   • Interpret trends in data and/or results and report out of specification or unexpected results promptly to appropriate personnel
   • Determine if obvious procedure or equipment problems have led to unexpected data or results
6. Maintain laboratory records
   • Enter approved data and test results into LIMS
   • Maintain confidentiality and security of workplace information and test results
   • Maintain technical/administrative records and test reports in accordance with workplace procedures
7. Maintain a safe work environment
   • Use safe work procedures and personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure personal safety and that of others
   • Minimise generation of wastes and environmental impacts of testing
   • Collect and/or dispose of all waste in accordance with environmental/quarantine requirements and workplace procedures
   • Care for and store equipment, used test pieces and back-up samples in accordance with workplace procedures

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 national work health and safety (WHS) standards and codes of practice, national measurement regulations and guidelines, and environmental legislation and regulations standard methods for sampling and testing construction materials, such as soils, aggregates, concrete and asphalt specific codes, guidelines, procedures and methods, such as: AustRoads test methods and State/Territory Road Authority test methods National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) documents regarding construction materials testing (Field application document) workplace documents, such as standard operating procedures (SOPs); quality and equipment manuals; calibration and maintenance schedules; material safety data sheets (MSDS) and safety procedures; material, production and product specifications; production and laboratory schedules; workplace recording and reporting procedures; waste minimisation and safe disposal procedures; maps and site plans sampling and testing procedures for specific sites, clients and samples
Tests	Tests include, but are not limited to, one or more of: testing of concrete, such as: drying shrinkage chlorides and sulphates chloride ion penetration stiffness testing of cement, such as: air permeability setting times normal consistency testing of soils, such as: moisture-density relationships California Bearing Ratio (CBR) (1 point) unconfined compressive strength quick tri-axial stress (total stress parameters) permeability (e.g. drainage material) hydrometer analysis shrink/swell tests (site classification) testing of asphalt, such as: Marshall stability/flow skid tests testing of bitumen seals, such as: viscosity penetration softening point flash point testing of aggregates, such as: 10% fines, wet-dry strength variation <2 micron test sodium sulphate soundness Los Angeles Abrasion Washington degradation polished aggregate friction value
Samples and test pieces	Samples and test pieces include, but are not limited to, one or more of: samples of aggregates, soil, rock, concrete, road pavement and binders disturbed and undisturbed samples
Safe work procedures	Safe work procedures 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/barriers using machinery guards labelling of samples, reagents and hazardous materials cleaning equipment and work areas regularly using recommended procedures handling and storing hazardous material and equipment in accordance with labels, MSDS, manufacturer instructions, and workplace procedures and regulations following established manual handling procedures for tasks involving manual handling use of PPE, such as hard hats, hearing protection, gloves, goggles, safety glasses, coveralls, respirators and safety boots reporting abnormal emissions, discharges and airborne contaminants, such as noise, light, solids, liquids, water/wastewater, gases, smoke, vapour, fumes, odour and particulates, to appropriate personnel
WHS and environmental management requirements	WHS and environmental management requirements: · 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 preparing at least three (3) different laboratory samples or test pieces and conducting multi-stage tests on them to determine their properties

accurately interpreting client's test requests, test methods, workplace procedures and safety information

planning efficient work sequences involving multiple/parallel tasks

checking, operating, cleaning, maintaining and storing test equipment in accordance with workplace procedures

safely conducting laboratory-based acceptance tests in accordance with workplace procedures and test methods to provide reliable data within the required timeframe

processing data and recording and reporting results accurately and legibly

estimating and calculating scientific quantities, such as stress, strain and stiffness

interpreting gross features of data and graphs (e.g. Mohr circles) and making logical conclusions

identifying atypical data, errors and unexpected results, tracing any obvious causes and taking corrective action

maintaining security, integrity and traceability of all samples/test pieces, data/results and technical records

seeking advice from a supervisor when needed

communicating with clients or outside service technician in accordance with workplace procedures

minimising environmental impacts, including safe collection, storage and appropriate disposal of waste.

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Knowledge Evidence

Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge of:

relationship between properties and uses of construction materials

details of construction materials test methods routinely used in job role, including:

purpose and principles of test

relationship between the properties and uses of construction materials

sample preparation procedures

key treatment/measurement stages

calculation steps to give results in appropriate units and precision

expected values for sample type

sources of uncertainty and methods for their control

principles and concepts underpinning the test method, such as:

mass, weight, forces, pressure, energy, density, friction and slip resistance

elasticity, hardness, strength of materials, plasticity, permeability and dispersion

electrical safety concepts, including voltage, current, resistance, conductors/insulators and AC/DC

chemical ions, pH and solubility

principles and concepts related to equipment/instrument operation and testing, including the function of key components and effects on test of modifying variables

pre-use checks and operating procedures for test equipment/instruments routinely used in job role

basic equipment/method troubleshooting procedures

corrective actions, including:

checking accuracy of data entry and transcription

logical checking of equipment set-up

checking calibration, zero error and drift for basic instruments

careful re-reading of procedures

repeating test measurements

seeking advice

procedures for ensuring traceability of samples, test pieces, test data and results

procedures for recording and reporting test results, calculations, test observations and unexpected or atypical results and equipment problems

confidentiality requirements

hazards associated with construction material testing, relevant work health and safety (WHS) and environmental management requirements.

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