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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Confirm the requirements of the display and plan the work
  2. Work safely according to the legal and regulatory framework
  3. Collect plants and animal material
  4. Preserve plant and animal material
  5. Display plant and animal material

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, guidelines and codes covering safety in laboratories; occupational protective equipment; labelling of workplace substances; storage, handling and transport of dangerous goods; environmental management; biological safety cabinets, and physical containment levels and facility types

national work health and safety (WHS) standards, animal welfare legislation and codes of practice, and permits for wildlife capture and handling

specific codes, regulations, guidelines, procedures and methods, such as gene technology regulations, Australian Dangerous Goods Code, animal welfare legislation and codes of practice, Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) Import Guidelines, and principles of good laboratory practice (GLP)

Staff

Staff include, but are not limited to, one or more of:

curator

conservator

design exhibition project officer

project manager

Requirements of a display plan

Requirements of a display plan include, but are not limited to, one or more of:

purpose (public display or part of a collection for research purposes)

length of time (permanent or temporary)

accessibility (static or interactive)

type (diorama, live or preserved specimens and additions to existing showcase)

two- or three-dimensional

exclusion of pests

specific features of the specimen to be demonstrated

lighting that is sympathetic to the conservation of the specimen

security (particularly for valuable, vulnerable or irreplaceable specimens)

user-friendliness for both visitors and maintenance staff

Collection

Collection includes, but is not limited to, one or more of:

collecting live specimens from the wild

accessing specimens from existing collections in the base or other institutions

netting, trapping and light traps

use of euthanasia techniques, such as shooting, stunning, anaesthetics, gases and chemicals

Identification

Identification includes, but is not limited to, one or more of:

collection access number

tags and labels on existing specimens

use of field guides, keys and taxonomic charts

collaboration with experts

Suitability of specimen

Suitability of specimen includes, but is not limited to, one or more of:

whole or part

sex, age and breeding condition

type and characteristics

level of preservation

whether dead or alive

inclusion of features for identification, such as flowers, fruit, roots and leaves

Data to be recorded

Data to be recorded includes, but is not limited to, one or more of:

collection information such as location, time, date, collector, behaviour, environment, depth, altitude, weather and habitat

reference photographs of the environment in the field

reference drawings to characterise colour and shape

identification number, collection access number, collection database and catalogue details

characteristics of the specimen, such as:

standard measurements (mass, length and size)

plumage characteristics (age, pattern and colour)

flesh characteristics (skin tone, naked flesh texture and internal organs)

sex

X-rays and scans

manual or electronic data

Samples

Samples include, but are not limited to, one or more of:

DNA

tissue

bone fragments

stomach contents

Preparation for preservation

Preparation for preservation includes, but is not limited to, one or more of:

treatment of the specimen (dissection, mounting, pinning, use of backing boards, fixing, staining, colour retention, latex injection and vascular preservation)

preparation of the display (painting, making of wet boxes, choice of vessel and storage fluid, planning of mould sections and lay up)

maceration of tissue from skeletons by sand, invertebrates, cold or warm water, enzymes, physical removal or chemical treatment

Preservation

Preservation includes, but is not limited to, one or more of:

temporary (freezing)

wet (whole mounts in formalin and tissue staining)

dry (freeze and air drying), pressing, taxidermy, including exhibition quality mounts, study skins, tanning and plastination techniques, such as dry mounting of seeds, bird skins, pin mounted invertebrates and pressing of plants

skeletal involving maceration, degreasing, bleaching, articulation and mounting or sectioning (e.g. whale skeletons)

mould and cast (alignate, plaster, stone plaster, polyester, latex, silicone, Vinamould, gelatine, urethane elastomers, glass and carbon fibre), such as for fish, amphibians and reptiles

embedding by encapsulation in clear plastic or resin using wet or dry techniques

Detailing of specimens

Detailing of specimens includes, but is not limited to, one or more of:

cleaning

touch up

addition of false eyes

Conservation

Conservation involves:

minimisation of deterioration which can be caused by pests, light and/or humidity

Workplace safety procedures

Workplace safety 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

using material safety data sheets (MSDS)

labelling of samples, reagents, aliquoted samples and hazardous materials

handling and storage of all hazardous materials and equipment in accordance with labelling, MSDS and manufacturer instructions

identifying and reporting operating problems or equipment malfunctions

cleaning and decontaminating equipment and work areas regularly using recommended procedures

using PPE, such as hearing protection, sunscreen lotion, gloves, safety glasses, face guards, coveralls, gowns 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

following established procedures for handling animals

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

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 collecting and preserving five (5) different examples of animal and plant material for display

assisting clients to clarify their display requirements

selecting appropriate collection, preservation and display techniques to suit particular display requirements

recognising, identifying and collecting suitable animal and plant specimens

storing and transporting specimens safely while maintaining their wellbeing, viability and/or integrity, as appropriate

preserving and preparing animal and plant specimens for a range of display purposes

assembling and conserving the display items

preparing displays that meet client and security requirements

complying with all legislative, regulatory and workplace requirements

keeping records to provide chain of custody of specimens and samples through collection, storage, preservation and display

following workplace safety procedures.