Google Links

Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Interpret and schedule test requirements
   • Review test request and sample documentation to identify required test parameters and intended use of bulk material
   • Identify hazards and workplace control measures associated with the sample, preparation/testing methods and equipment
   • Inspect samples, compare with specifications, record and report discrepancies
   • Liaise with client when samples and/or request forms do not comply with workplace procedures
   • Match required parameters with suitable test methods, available equipment and instrument specifications
   • Plan parallel work sequences to optimise throughput of multiple sets of samples, as required
2. Prepare and measure test specimens
   • Prepare test specimens in accordance with test method
   • Conduct preliminary measurements to establish initial dimensions and conditions
   • Store test specimens and residual sample materials to maintain their integrity
3. Check equipment before use
   • Set up equipment/instruments in accordance with test method
   • Perform pre-use and safety checks in accordance with workplace procedures and manufacturer specifications
   • Identify faulty or unsafe components and equipment and report to appropriate personnel
   • Check calibration status of equipment and quarantine out-of-calibration or faulty items
4. Test samples
   • Position and secure test specimen in test equipment/instrument
   • Conduct preliminary measurements to determine optimum test conditions and instrument settings
   • Perform each measurement stage in sequence, terminating each stage at the appropriate end point
   • Record all test measurements, observations and factors that may impact on quality of results
   • Remove test piece and conduct post-test measurements
   • Shut down equipment and store used test pieces in accordance with workplace procedures
5. Process and analyse data
   • Confirm data is the result of valid measurements
   • Perform required calculations and ensure results are consistent with estimations and expectations
   • Record results with the appropriate accuracy, precision and units
   • Estimate and document uncertainty of measurement in accordance with workplace procedures, if required
   • Analyse trends in data and/or results and report out-of-specification or atypical results promptly to appropriate personnel
   • Troubleshoot procedure or equipment problems which have led to atypical data or results
6. Maintain a safe work environment
   • Use established safe work practices to ensure personal safety and that of other laboratory personnel
   • Minimise the generation of wastes and environmental impact
   • Ensure the safe disposal of laboratory wastes
   • Clean, care for and store equipment and consumables in accordance with workplace procedures
7. Maintain laboratory records
   • Enter approved data and results into laboratory information management system (LIMS)
   • Maintain security and confidentiality of workplace information and laboratory data
   • Maintain equipment and calibration logs 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 and environmental management, and uncertainty of measurement 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 andasphalt specific codes, guidelines, procedures and methods, such as: AustRoads test methods, and State/Territory Road Authority test methods National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) supplementary requirements for the relevant field of testing, and NATA technical notes and guides 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
Preparation of samples	Preparation of samples includes, but is not limited to, one or more of: moisture conditioning and compaction of soil trimming to required size and shape orientation of test pieces polishing curing concrete test pieces
Test methods and procedures	Test methods and procedures include, but are not limited to, one or more of: consolidation of soil (e.g. one-dimensional and triaxial) shear testing of soil and rock (e.g. total stress, effective stress, direct stress and triaxial stress) permeability of soil, rock and concrete (e.g. falling head and constant head) California Bearing Ratio (CBR) (4 point) fatigue and creep of metals, polymers and concrete wheel tracking in asphalt stiffness and creep of asphalt
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 workplace 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 personal protective equipment (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 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

---

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 test specimens and performing complex, multi-stage mechanical tests on them

accurately interpreting client requests, complex tests and sample preparation methods, and safety information

planning work sequences involving multiple/parallel tasks

selecting test methods, operating parameters and test ranges to suit the material and its intended use

creating test conditions that suit the material’s intended use

preparing and orientating test pieces precisely

safely setting up, checking and using, cleaning and maintaining equipment in accordance with workplace procedures

optimising measurement procedures and recognising critical measurement points during the tests

maintaining close attention to measurement procedures, accuracy and precision during lengthy complex tests

calculating and determining required engineering properties with appropriate accuracy, precision and units (e.g. total and effective stress, strain and pressure)

using calibration charts

recording and reporting data and results accurately and legibly in accordance with workplace procedures

interpreting significant features of data and graphs and making logical conclusions

recognising atypical data, errors and unexpected results and tracing artefacts and troubleshooting problems with procedures or equipment

maintaining security, integrity and traceability of all samples, test pieces and documentation

seeking timely advice from a supervisor

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

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

---

Knowledge Evidence

Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge of:

details of complex, multi-stage mechanical test methods routinely used in job role, including:

purpose and principles of test

relationship between the engineering properties and uses of construction materials

key sample preparation stages

key treatment and 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 test methods, such as:

stress, strain, pressure, total and effective stress, fatigue, creep, failure modes of materials, strength/consolidation of materials and permeability

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

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 and method troubleshooting procedures

workplace and legal traceability requirements for 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.

---