Elements and Performance Criteria
- Assist with preliminary site study
- Locate and review relevant legislative, regulatory and/or planning requirements and register for contaminated sites.
- Confirm the site location, scope and purpose of the investigation and assigned tasks with supervisor.
- Source and review available site data, including site history, geology, hydrogeology and meteorology data.
- Summarise information to assist with preparation of a site chronology and identification of gaps or inadequacies in data, potential contaminants and areas of possible contamination.
- Prepare for site activities
- Confirm the scope and purpose of sampling, testing and/or monitoring activities and data requirements with supervisor.
- Liaise with site controller to access site, identify locations of services and arrange for induction, clearances and/or permits, as necessary.
- Review risks posed by site contaminants and review the health and safety plan/safe work procedures specified for planned activities.
- Confirm the sampling/test methods, sampling/test points, numbers and types of samples and/or measurements with supervisor.
- Review specified sampling/test methods with close attention to the sequence of steps and details for each.
- Check the operation/calibration of required sampling equipment, test and/or monitoring instruments in accordance with relevant methods, standards and manufacturer instructions.
- Ensure all required reagents, solutions and/or calibration standards are obtained and ready for field use.
- Assemble and safely stow all sampling equipment, test instruments, materials, containers, safety equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Arrange suitable transport to, from and around site, as required.
- Assist with site inspection
- Conduct sampling as directed
- Locate sampling/test points and any services at the site.
- Work effectively with other site personnel during drilling excavation and/or survey operations to collect reliable samples, logs and measurements, as necessary.
- Follow specified procedures to minimise hazards and/or contamination of samples, self/others, equipment and environment.
- Collect and preserve required samples in accordance with sampling plan, relevant methods and/or standards.
- Record all information and label samples in accordance with traceability requirements.
- Record environmental conditions and/or atypical observations made during sampling that may impact on validity or integrity of samples.
- Store and transport all samples back to base in accordance with specified method, chain of custody requirements and relevant codes.
- Conduct field tests and/or monitoring as directed
- Obtain sample or sub-sample for designated field test.
- Check that all equipment, instruments, reagents and calibration standards are fit for purpose.
- Set up and calibrate instruments as necessary to ensure safe operation and valid results.
- Operate equipment/instruments in accordance with test method requirements.
- Follow specified procedures to minimise hazards and/or contamination of samples, self/others, equipment and environment.
- Perform required measurements and tests on all samples and standards, if appropriate, in accordance with specified methods.
- Keep accurate, complete and traceable records of all field observations and test results.
- Clean, decontaminate and/or dispose of contaminated equipment and materials
- Inspect equipment to assess the degree of contamination.
- Use specified procedures to remove material from the exposed outer surfaces of sampling/test equipment and PPE.
- Use specified procedures and reagents to neutralise, wash and/or rinse exposed surfaces.
- Collect rinsate blanks for analysis and preserve/store in accordance with specified procedure or standard.
- Stow items for transport only when thoroughly dry.
- Safely collect all debris and sullage from decontamination in accordance with relevant regulations and codes.
- Finalise site activities
- Arrange for the safe disposal of all hazardous wastes in accordance with relevant regulations and codes.
- Ensure all site observations, sampling/test data and results are accurately transferred to the workplace information management system.
- Store samples in accordance with method, chain of custody requirements and relevant codes, as necessary.
- Ensure samples are dispatched for analytical testing within recommended holding times.
- Process and interpret data
- Review test/monitoring data noting atypical observations.
- Calculate required quantities using relevant test method and ensure values are consistent with expectations.
- Estimate and document uncertainty of measurement in accordance with workplace procedures, if required.
- Record processed results in accordance with workplace procedures.
- Interpret trends in data and/or results and report atypical results promptly to appropriate personnel.
- Determine if obvious procedure or equipment problems have led to atypical data or results.
- Compare results with established threshold levels or environmental quality concentration limits, if relevant.
- Finalise reporting of results in accordance with workplace requirement.
- Maintain a safe work environment