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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Interpret and schedule test requirements
  2. Receive and prepare samples
  3. Check equipment before use
  4. Test samples to determine chemical species or properties
  5. Process and interpret data
  6. Maintain a safe work environment
  7. Maintain laboratory records

Required Skills

Evidence Required

The Evidence Guide describes the underpinning knowledge and skills that must be demonstrated to prove competence

Critical aspects of competency

Competency must be demonstrated in the ability to perform consistently at the required standard In particular assessors should look to see that the candidate

interprets test methodsprocedures accurately

prepares and tests samples using procedures appropriate to the nature of sample

performs calibration checks if required

safely operates test equipmentinstruments to enterprise standards andor manufacturers specification

prepares calibration graphs and calculates results using appropriate units and precision

applies basic theoretical knowledge to interpret gross features of data and makes relevant conclusions

identifies atypical results as out of normal range or an artefact

traces and sources obvious causes of an artefact

communicates problems to a supervisor or outside service technician

records and communicates results in accordance with enterprise procedures

maintains security integrity traceability of samples subsamples test data and results and documentation

Underpinning knowledge

Competency includes the ability to apply and explain

chemical principles and concepts underpinning testprocedure such as

ions atoms molecules bonding and links to chemical properties

chemical reactions involving acidbase redox complex ion formation solubility and equilibrium

energy levels absorptionemission spectra

use of instruments for qualitative andor quantitative analysis

purpose of the tests

metrology andor separation techniques underpinning testprocedure

principles and concepts related to equipmentinstrument operation and testing

function of key components of the equipmentinstrument andor reagents

effects of modifying equipmentinstrument variables

sample preparation procedures

reagent maintenance and evaluation procedures

basic equipmentmethod troubleshooting procedures

use of calibration procedures

calculation steps to give results in appropriate units and precision

enterprise andor legal traceability requirements

relevant health safety and environment requirements

Assessment context and methods

This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or simulated workplace environment

The following assessment methods are suggested

review of test dataresults obtained by the candidate over a period of time to check accuracy consistency and timeliness of results

review of test records and workplace documentation completed by the candidate

observation of candidate conducting a range of chemical tests and procedures and sample preparation

feedback from peers and supervisors

oral or written questioning of chemical principles and concepts test methods and enterprise procedures

In all cases practical assessment should be supported by questions to assess underpinning knowledge and those aspects of competency which are difficult to assess directly Questioning techniques should suit the language and literacy levels of the candidate

Interdependent assessment of unit

This unit of competency may be assessed with

PMLDATAA Process and interpret data

PMLDATA400A Process and interpret data

PMLTESTB Prepare standardise and use solutions

PMLTEST402B Prepare, standardise and use solutions.

Resource implications

Resources may include

standard laboratory equipped with appropriate test equipmentinstruments standards and reagents

enterprise procedures and standard methods

This competency in practice

Manufacturing

Ultraviolet spectroscopy is a suitable method for determining the concentration of sulphanilamide in pharmaceutical preparations The ultraviolet absorption spectrum is pH dependent with the wavelength maximum different in acid and alkaline solutions Example a technician was conducting an analysis and noted that the wavelength maxima had moved from approximately nm to below nm After reviewing the procedure being used and checking for possible errors the technician found that an incorrect solvent had been used for the analysis The hydrochloric acid solvent was replaced with sodium hydroxide as per the standard method and the correct absorption spectrum was obtained

Environmental

A technician was asked to test water samples from a local lake over several days to determine the lakes nutrient levels following reports of algal blooms in the lake over the preceding weeks Heshe used a field colorimeter kit to determine both nitrates and orthophosphates using standard operating procedures SOPs Because the same colorimetric cells were used for the nitrate and orthophosphate tests they were carefully washed and rinsed with distilled water between all tests as specified in the SOP After reviewing the results from the first three days the technician noted that the first orthophosphate result which was done immediately after all the nitrate tests was much higher than subsequent orthophosphate tests which were all consistently low The technician argued that the high results for the first orthophosphate test may be due to cross contamination from trace amounts of reagents used in previous nitrate tests despite having closely followed the cleaningrinsing SOPs After discussion with hisher supervisor the technician modified the field procedures by using totally different colorimetric cells for the nitrate and orthophosphate tests For all subsequent tests no high orthophosphate results were obtained for the first sample As a result the laboratory supervisor amended the SOPs to incorporate this new requirement

Food processing

Regular checks are conducted on the percentage of salt in cheese at a dairy companys laboratory A technician checks the results from the airomatic salttitration equipment and if the results are abnormal notifies the supervisor before taking appropriate action After obtaining a high result for example the assistant notified the supervisor and then began checking the machine to identify a possible reason for the high reading Heshe found that the supply bottle of silver nitrate used in the test was almost empty This had resulted in less solution being pumped through the equipment than required leading to graph readings that indicated a high percentage of salt After replacing the silver nitrate bottle and recalibrating the equipment the assistant retested the cheese samples and found that they contained the expected salt

Key Competencies

The seven key competencies represent generic skills considered for effective work participation The bracketed numbering against each of the key competencies indicates the performance level required in this unit These are standalone levels and do not correspond to levels in the Australian Qualifications Framework AQF

Level represents the competence to undertake tasks effectively

Level represents the competence to manage tasks

Level represents the competence to use concepts for evaluating and reshaping tasks

Collecting analysing and organising information

Communicating ideas and information

Planning and organising activities

Working with others and in teams

Using mathematical ideas and techniques

Solving problems

Using technology

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Range Statement

The range of variables relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that will affect performance.

Where reference is made to industry Codes of Practice, and/or Australian/international standards, it is expected the latest version will be used.

All operations must comply with relevant standards, appropriate procedures and/or enterprise requirements. These procedures include or have been prepared from:

Australian and international standards, such as:

AS ISO/IEC 17025 General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories

ISO 9000 series Quality management and quality assurance standards

AS 2243.2 Safety in Laboratories - Chemical aspects

AS 2830.1 Good laboratory practice - Chemical analysis

AS 2162.1 General - Volumetric glassware

AS 2134.1 Flame atomic absorption spectrometry

AS 3753 Recommended practice for chemical analysis by ultraviolet/visible spectrophotometry

industry methods, such as RACI and/or AACC methods for inorganic constituents

Codes of Practice (such as GLP and GMP)

National Measurement Act

material safety data sheets (MSDSs)

standard operating procedures (SOPs)

quality manuals and equipment and procedure manuals

equipment startup, operation and shutdown procedures

calibration and maintenance schedules

data quality procedures

enterprise recording and reporting procedures

production and laboratory schedules

material, production and product specifications.

Preparation of samples may include processes, such as grinding, mulling, preparation of discs, digestion, dissolving, ashing, refluxing, extracting, filtration, evaporation, flocculation, precipitation, washing, drying and centrifugation.

Non instrumental test/procedures may include:

gravimetric analysis, such as:

loss on drying

suspended solids

ashes, such as sulphated and gravimetric assays (for example, sulphates and nitrogen in fertilisers)

Ni by dimethylglyoxime

bitumen content of asphaltic concrete

titrimetric analysis, such as:

acid/base determinations

complexiometric, such as water hardness, Fe by dichromate, binder content analysis

redox, such as precipitation of chlorides in water

dissolved oxygen (DO), chemical oxygen demand (COD), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD)

filtration, separation, solvent extraction techniques

corrosion testing, cement content, accelerated weathering.

Instrumental tests may include spectrometric, chromatography and electrochemical methods.

Types of instrumentation and instrumental techniques may include:

colorimetric, such as enzyme activity, chlorine in water, specific cations and anions

infrared, ultraviolet and visible spectrophotometry

other spectrometric techniques, such as:

fluorimetric analysis, flame atomic emission, flame atomic absorption spectrometry

fourier transform infrared

chromatographic techniques, such as:

column and thin layer analytical and preparative chromatography

paper, gas, liquid chromatography and HPLC for purity, raw material and formulation checks

ion chromatography for detection of nitrates, phosphates, sulphates, chlorides, bromides

gel filtration chromatography for purification of proteins

affinity chromatography for purification of immunoglobulins

electrochemical techniques, such as: pH, eH, conductivity, ion selective electrodes

electrophoretic techniques for DNA patterns and determination of protein purity

soil testing, such as:

moisture content

organic matter content

specific anions and cations

autoanalysers for determination of total P, total Kjeldahl N, orthophosphate, nitrite/nitrate, ammonia.

Chemical tests may include methods for:

control of starting materials, in-process materials and finished products

environmental monitoring

basic troubleshooting and/or problem solving within the scope of standard operating procedures (SOP) and enterprise processes.

Hazards may include:

chemicals, such as:

acids, for example, sulphuric, perchloric, hydrofluoric

heavy metals, pesticides

anions, for example, fluoride

hydrocarbons, for example, mono-aromatics

aerosols from broken centrifuge tubes, pipetting

sharps, broken glassware

flammable liquids and gases

cryogenics, such as dry ice and liquid nitrogen

fluids under pressure, such as hydrogen in gas liquid chromatography, acetylene in atomic absorption spectrometry

sources of ignition

high-temperature ashing processes

disturbance or interruption of services.

Hazard control measures may include:

ensuring access to service shut-off points

recognising and observing hazard warnings and safety signs

labelling of samples, reagents, aliquoted samples and hazardous materials

handling and storage of hazardous materials and equipment in accordance with labelling, materials safety data sheets and manufacturer's instructions

identifying and reporting operating problems or equipment malfunctions

cleaning and decontaminating equipment and work areas regularly using enterprise procedures

using personal protective clothing and equipment, such as gloves, safety glasses, coveralls

using containment facilities (PCII, PCIII and PCIV physical containment laboratories), containment equipment (biohazard containers, laminar flow cabinets, Class I, II and III biohazard cabinets) and containment procedures

reporting abnormal emissions, discharges and airborne contaminants, such as noise, light, solids, liquids, water/waste water, gases, smoke, vapour, fumes, odour and particulates to appropriate personnel.

Records may include:

test and calibration results

equipment use, maintenance and servicing history

faulty or unsafe equipment.

Health, safety and environment

All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent health, safety and environmental (HSE) requirements, which may be imposed through State or Federal legislation, and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between performance criteria and HSE requirements, the HSE requirements take precedence.

All operations assume the potential hazardous nature of samples and require standard precautions to be applied. Users should access and apply current industry understanding of infection control issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council and State and Territory Departments of Health. All operations are performed in accordance with standard operating procedures.