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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Procure suitable instruments
  2. Commission new instruments
  3. Train instrument operators
  4. Maintain instruments fit for purpose

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.

Legislation, regulations, standards, codes, workplace procedures and requirements include the latest version of one or more of:

federal legislation, such as the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, Australian Heritage Council Act, Native Title Act and National Environmental Protection Measures

state/territory government legislation and local government by-laws, policies, regulations and plans dealing with land use, acquisition, planning and protection; environmental protection; cultural/heritage protection; vegetation management; nature conservation and wildlife/plant protection; water, water management; soil conservation; pollution and contaminated sites; fisheries, forestry and mining operations

legislation, standards and codes of practice for work health and safety (WHS)

Australian and international standards covering environmental management (e.g. AS/NZS ISO 14000 Basic Set:2007 Environmental Management Basic Set); sampling, testing and/or monitoring of air, water, soils, noise and stationary source emissions

industry methods and guidelines

registration/licensing and/or accreditation requirements

site/project-specific information, such as applicable legislative requirements and approval requirements; work schedules; industrial processes; environmental management plans; monitoring/inspection procedures and management actions to prevent/control environmental impacts or risks; methods for sampling and in-field testing; procedures for recording, processing, presenting and reporting data; job hazard analyses; safe work procedures and work method statements

workplace documents, such as standard operating procedures (SOPs); equipment manuals and warranties; supplier catalogue and handbooks; safety data sheets (SDS); waste minimisation, containment, processing and safe disposal procedures.

Environmental monitoring instruments include one or more of:

water quality measuring instruments, such as:

specific meters or multi-probes for measuring water parameters, such as dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, pH, turbidity, nitrates, phosphates and temperature

field test kits to determine water parameters, such as dissolved gases, chemical anions and cations, heavy metals, E. coli and biological oxygen demand (BOD)

portable colorimeters and field microscopes

air monitoring instruments, such as:

air sampling pumps, flow meters and sampling trains

continuous gas monitors

tapered element oscillating microbalance (TEOM)

portable gas monitors and analysers

weather stations

odour monitoring instruments, such as dynamic olfactometers

noise monitoring instruments, such as:

type 1 and type 2 portable sound level meters

integrating and non-integrating sound level meters

noise dose meters

statistical analysers

sound monitoring stations

data loggers, recorders, telemetry equipment and global positioning system (GPS)

radiation instruments and survey meters, such as:

Geiger-Muller (beta and gamma)

scintillation (alpha, beta and gamma).

Environmental management plans include one or more of:

an aim, vision and workplace policy statement

roles and responsibilities

potential environmental issues

actions to avoid, remedy and mitigate the issues

procedures and forms to minimise and manage specific environmental impacts and risks

quality management plans

communication and training requirements

monitoring schedules, sampling/test procedures, and analysis and notification requirements (e.g. exceedance values and quality triggers)

auditing and reporting requirements.

Environmental monitoring programs include surveys, sampling and measurements for one or more of:

establishing baseline or quality parameters

determining trends in parameters

investigating causes for changes in parameters

identifying and quantifying contamination at specific locations

identifying sources of possible/actual contamination

determining the effectiveness of environmental management plans, actions and control measures

determining the effectiveness of remediation activities.

Specifications and features of instruments include one or more of:

types of sampling and/or measurements to be performed

parameters or analytes of interest

detector type, sensitivity and detection limits

response time

linearity

estimated uncertainty for each range

single or multi-probe functions

ease of interfacing with data loggers and computers

power and battery requirements

size, weight, robustness and portability

instrument operating conditions.

Regular instrument checks and minor maintenanceinclude one or more of:

cleaning

battery checks and replacement

zero, span and range checks

use of one or more references to check calibration/response in each range

adjustment of calibration if authorised to do so

simple fault-finding using instrument manual, error codes and recommended remedial actions.

Required instrument records include details of:

purchase records, warranties and service agreements for instruments

instrument calibration status

instrument inspection (faults, servicing and repairs)

instrument use (operator, time/date, location)

instrument maintenance schedule and records.

WHS and environmental management requirements include:

compliance with relevant federal/state/territory WHS legislation at all times

assuming that samples are potentially hazardous and applying standard precautions

accessing and applying current industry understanding of infection control issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and state/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:

selecting, commissioning and maintaining at least one (1) environmental monitoring instrument

training at least one (1) operator to use a monitoring instrument safely and reliably

determining the required specifications for a monitoring instrument after consideration of its intended use

locating, interpreting and comparing technical information for available instrument options

liaising with suppliers to clarify instrument suitability and availability

selecting suitable instruments on the basis of factors, such as intended use (fixed/portable, laboratory/field); suitable range, accuracy, sensitivity and response time; robustness, serviceability and advantages/disadvantages/limitations

seeking advice/assistance with evaluating and procuring instruments if beyond own technical competence/responsibility

arranging for instrument procurement in accordance with workplace procedures

conducting instrument pre-use and calibration checks, troubleshooting common faults and conducting basic repairs

safely operating environmental monitoring instruments to obtain reliable data

interpreting manuals and writing operating instructions for monitoring instruments

developing and delivering an appropriate training program for instrument operators using established adult learning principles

maintaining accurate and complete records of instrument calibration, use, maintenance and operator training

working safely and monitoring the safety of others.

Knowledge Evidence

Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge of:

environmental monitoring terms and concepts, and measurement parameters used in job role

workplace procedures/methods for conducting surveys, monitoring, sampling and in-situ measurements used in job role

instrumentation terms and concepts, such as operating voltage, accuracy, response time, sensitivity, detection limit, linearity and instrument uncertainty

characteristics, capabilities, limitations, function of key components and operating principles for monitoring instruments used in the workplace

role and importance of regular calibration and pre-use checks and maintenance

common instrument faults, troubleshooting, recommended remedial actions and repairs

common instrument operator errors

adult learning principles, such as:

explaining aims and objectives of training program and linking learning with work tasks

sequencing learning activities, presenting new information in manageable chunks and reinforcing important points

providing opportunities to practise new skills and solve common problems

using questions to check understanding and providing regular, constructive feedback

relevant hazards, health, safety and workplace emergency response procedures.