Elements and Performance Criteria
- Confirm stack sampling/testing requirements with supervisor
- Confirm the site location, scope and purpose of stack sampling/testing, relevant standards and data requirements
- Review available information about the site, its industrial processes, details of sampling/testing locations and any previous sampling/testing results for emissions
- Select possible sampling/analyser train configurations to suit type and likely concentration of particulate matter, plant/stack conditions and/or gases of interest
- Check that selected sampling/test methods are in accordance with statutory, client or enterprise requirements, relevant standards and guidelines
- Assist with site liaison
- Liaise with site controller to access site
- Arrange for induction training, clearances and/or permits, as necessary
- Clarify site health and safety hazards/risks, safe work procedures/methods and availability of safe work platform
- Negotiate access to stack during suitable process operating conditions for sampling/testing and to minimise impact on normal operations
- Negotiate access to site equipment, services, materials and support personnel, as necessary
- Confirm schedule for stack sampling/testing activities
- Prepare for stack sampling/testing
- Review site hazards, risks, specified safe work methods
- Review approved health and safety plan covering site sampling/testing activities
- Review sampling/testing procedures and methods and equipment configurations with close attention to the sequence of steps and details for each
- Select sampling equipment and test instruments and check their operation/calibration in accordance with relevant methods, standards and manufacturer instructions
- Ensure all conditioning reagents, solutions and calibration gases, as appropriate, are obtained and ready for field use
- Prepare and store filters appropriate for the likely physical and chemical nature of the gases and particulates and in accordance with sampling/test method
- Assemble and safely stow all sampling equipment, test instruments, materials, containers and safety equipment
- Arrange suitable transport to, from and around site as required
- Assist with site inspection and preliminary tests
- Locate the site controller and re-confirm access and suitability of stack conditions
- Inspect work platform and check for safe access to existing sampling access holes and electrical services
- Transport all required equipment and materials to work platform, check they are fit for purpose and rectify, as necessary
- Record the dimensions of the stack and conduct preliminary determinations of temperature, velocity, pressure and moisture content values using relevant methods
- Assess suitability/compliance of sampling plane
- Assess whether the operating environment will impact on safety or reliability of sampling/testing and make modifications or alternative arrangements as directed
- Confirm numbers of samples, sampling positions and times, sampling/test methods and equipment configurations for sampling and in-situ measurements
- Conduct sampling and in-situ tests
- Set up sampling/analyser train with appropriate sensors, probes, nozzle, conditioning components and detectors in accordance with method
- Allow sufficient time for the system to stabilise
- Calibrate analyser in accordance with test method
- Operate equipment with close attention to each method step and to maintaining the isokinetic or required sampling/test conditions for each sampling point
- Conduct regular leak checks, purging and system performance tests in accordance with method to ensure reliable results
- Carefully collect, label and store each sample to minimise loss or contamination and ensure traceability
- Accurately record measurements, environmental conditions and any atypical observations that may impact on validity/integrity of samples or test results
- Finalise stack sampling/testing
- Safely disassemble, clean/decontaminate and restow all equipment and materials for transport to base
- Transport all samples back to base as soon as practicable and in accordance with enterprise procedures, test methods or relevant standards
- Ensure all field observations, calibration data, measurements, calculations and results are accurately transferred to enterprise information database
- Distribute samples for laboratory analysis within specified holding times, if required
- Process and interpret data
- Review test 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 enterprise procedures, if required
- Record processed results in accordance with enterprise 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 air quality standards, statutory environmental quality concentration limits or similar, if relevant
- Finalise reporting of results in accordance with enterprise requirement
- Maintain a safe work environment
- Clean all equipment, containers, work area and vehicles according to enterprise procedures
- Check serviceability of all equipment before storage
- Use defined safe work practices and personal protective equipment to ensure personal safety and that of others
- Minimise the generation of wastes and environment impacts
- Ensure the safe collection of all hazardous wastes for appropriate disposal