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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Prepare to classify site
   • Review job request and any accompanying documentation to identify purpose of site classification, proposed structure, client’s information needs and timeframe
   • Review relevant building codes or regulations, standards and workplace procedures for classifying site
   • Locate any previous site classifications conducted in same area
   • Review supplied site drawings, topography, borehole locations and logs, photographs and design plans for planned structure
   • Inspect supplied samples and investigation data for completeness and obvious errors
   • Confirm that investigation data meets depth requirements for the type of site and location
   • Liaise with client when supplied documentation, samples, investigation data and/or job request do not comply with workplace procedures and resolve any problems
2. Analyse site information and test results
   • Locate and assess site features, such as slope, structures, drainage, trees and vegetation or abnormal soil conditions that may affect site classification
   • Determine if fill is present on-site, whether controlled or uncontrolled, and its depth and extent
   • Determine bearing capacity of soil
   • Review shrink/swell or correlated clay index test results to determine soil reactivity
   • Review bore log data in conjunction with soil reactivity and calculate potential soil movement
   • Recognise obvious errors, insufficient or inconsistent data and limitations of test results
   • Arrange for, or conduct, additional sampling and/or testing to ensure reliable data for site classification, as required
3. Report site classification
   • Use standard symbols and descriptors to assign a valid site classification that accurately reflects soil reactivity, surface movement and any problematic features
   • Summarise field observations, calculations and test results used to determine site classification
   • Accurately describe site features that will affect the design of the proposed structure
   • Provide adequate data to inform footing system design
   • Authorise release of site classification report to the client, or forward the report to a signatory for review and release
4. Finalise site classification
   • Store client’s documentation, samples and test data, and site classification in accordance with workplace procedures
   • Maintain confidentiality of client information

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, and quality and environmental management national work health and safety (WHS) standards and codes of practice, national measurement regulations and guidelines, and environmental legislation and regulations specific codes, guidelines, standards and methods, such as: State/Territory Building Codes and Regulations AS 2870-2011 Residential slabs and footings AS 3798-2007 Guidelines on earthworks for commercial and residential developments AS 1726-1993 Geotechnical site investigations AS 1289 Set Methods of testing soils for engineering purposes 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
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 conducting at least five (5) site classifications from the following list of site classes: S, M, H1, H2, E and P

liaising with clients to clearly establish their requirements, information needs and to resolve any problems

interpreting and applying the relevant sections of standards, regulations, codes of practice and workplace procedures

accurately interpreting site maps, drawings, features, bore logs and test data

recognising soil characteristics and accurately classifying samples of gravel, sand, silt and clay

comparing the physical properties of samples with test results and expected values and recognising anomalous results

interpreting test results and field observations with close attention to detail and making logical conclusions

arranging for additional samples or sampling at different bore locations to address insufficient data or contaminated samples

arranging for repeat or additional laboratory tests to address inconsistent data or resolve anomalous results

performing accurate calculations, such as surface movement

seeking timely advice to deal with situations beyond own technical competence

providing site classification reports to clients in accordance with workplace procedures and within the expected timeframe

maintaining accurate and complete records of site classifications and confidentiality of client information.

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Knowledge Evidence

Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge of:

provisions and requirements of relevant standards, regulations and building codes relevant to site classifications performed as part of job role

importance of ethical/professional conduct of site classifications and legal implications of errors

engineering properties of soil and rock materials

information required for footing system design

methods of assigning a site classification

influences of topography, site preparation, structures and vegetation on classification decisions

in situ and laboratory test methods applicable to site classification

common calculations (e.g. surface movement) used in site classification

common sources of site misclassification, including:

misidentification of soil properties

non-recognition of fill or nature of fill

laboratory test results inconsistent with site observations and/or bore logs

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

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