Application
The unit of competency covers the ability to reduce given mineral samples to representative client samples and analytical portions that meet client requirements for analysis. Personnel are also required to recognise problems and invalid preparation steps and take appropriate corrective actions.
This unit of competency is applicable to technical assistants working in the mineral assay and construction materials testing sectors.
While no specific licensing or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication, laboratory operations are governed by relevant legislation, regulations and/or external accreditation requirements. Local requirements should be checked.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. | ||
1 | Interpret and schedule client requirements | 1.1 | Review client request to identify sample/analysis requirements, preparation methods and equipment involved |
1.2 | Inspect samples, compare with specifications, record and report any discrepancies | ||
1.3 | Liaise with client when samples and/or request forms do not comply with workplace procedures | ||
1.4 | Identify hazards, safety equipment and safe work procedures specified for the sample, preparation methods, reagents and equipment | ||
1.5 | Plan parallel work sequences to optimise throughput of multiple sets of samples | ||
1.6 | Assemble all required equipment materials, reagents and check they are fit for purpose | ||
2 | Prepare client samples for analysis | 2.1 | Estimate safe times for the preparation of required sample portions |
2.2 | Split samples to obtain representative sub-samples as required | ||
2.3 | Safely operate comminution equipment | ||
2.4 | Monitor texture of the samples as an indicator of particle size and adjust milling times accordingly | ||
2.5 | Monitor sample compaction and build up of residues on equipment and rectify as necessary | ||
2.6 | Record preparation difficulties that may impact on quality or cause additional client costs | ||
2.7 | Report any departure from preparation methods or client specifications | ||
2.8 | Label client samples and record chain of custody information | ||
2.9 | Store all client samples in accordance with workplace procedures | ||
3 | Use non-destructive methods to prepare laboratory portions for analysis | 3.1 | Examine the recommended preparation method to identify critical steps that will affect the quality of analytical results |
3.2 | Closely follow each preparation step with particular attention to safety, precision and minimisation of cross-contamination of samples | ||
3.3 | Monitor parameters that indicate completion or failure of each preparation step | ||
3.4 | Analyse and record invalid preparation steps and take corrective action before repeating the procedure | ||
3.5 | Present laboratory portions for analysis in appropriate containers with all required chain of custody documentation | ||
4 | Maintain a safe work environment | 4.1 | Apply established safe work practices and use personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure personal safety and that of other laboratory personnel |
4.2 | Minimise the generation of waste and environmental impacts | ||
4.3 | Ensure the safe disposal of all hazardous waste and spent/surplus samples | ||
4.4 | Clean, care for and store equipment and reagents as required |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence of competence in this unit must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria, and include demonstration of:
safely reducing at least three (3) types of mineral samples to representative samples and preparing analytical portions of each that meet client requirements for analysis:
representative
free of contamination
of specified quantity and particle size
ready for analysis
interpreting and closely following preparation methods
achieving the required sample throughput
recognising problems and invalid preparation steps and taking appropriate corrective actions
recognising limitations and seeking timely advice
minimising rework, waste and environmental impact
completing preparation and production documentation accurately
maintaining equipment/reagents and disposing of all waste, surplus and spent samples according to workplace procedures
recognising hazards and using specified safety equipment and safe work procedures at all times.
Evidence of Knowledge
Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge of:
geological properties of samples used in job role, including sulphides, oxides and silicates
terminology, including homogeneous, heterogeneous, integrity and segregation
distribution of common analytes in a matrix
chemical reactions associated with common preparation methods used in job role
effects of reagents on the element of interest
reaction and recovery rates, solubility and equilibria
tracking analytes of interest during changes of state
critical preparation steps that determine analytical accuracy and precision, including:
monitoring drying (incipient and total)
mixing to ensure homogeneity before sub-sampling
suitability of reagents for purpose (e.g. dryness)
accurate operation of dispensers and balances
critical/non-critical volumes and critical reagent quantities
temperature control during digests
loss of solution prior to/after mixing
type and acid strength in final solutions
mechanical loss of digest (sputtering, residues on glassware/plastic ware and filtering)
function of key components and operating procedures for sample preparation equipment
calculation steps in preparation methods (e.g. serial dilution)
use of non-international system of units (SI) units (ppm, ppb) and SI units, and conversions
workplace and/or legal traceability requirements
relevant hazards, work health and safety (WHS) and environmental requirements, including use of material safety data sheets (MSDS) and antidotes for specific hazards, such as hydrofluoric acid and cyanide.
Assessment Conditions
Judgement of competence must be based on holistic assessment of the evidence. Assessment methods must confirm consistency of performance over time, rather than a single assessment event.
This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated workplace environment. A simulated workplace environment must reflect realistic operational workplace conditions that cover all aspects of workplace performance, including the environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.
Foundation skills are integral to competent performance of the unit and should not be assessed separately.
Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.
Knowledge evidence may be collected concurrently with performance evidence or through an independent process, such as workbooks, written assessments or interviews (provided a record is kept in each case).
This unit of competency may be assessed with:
MSL924001 Record and present data
MSL943002 Participate in laboratory or field workplace safety
Holistic assessment methods include:
sizing checks and grind performance for samples prepared by candidate
review of quality control performance and analytical results traceable to samples prepared by the candidate
review of preparation and production documentation prepared by the candidate
feedback from supervisors and/or clients about the candidate’s ability to safely prepare mineral samples that meet client requirements
observation of the candidate preparing mineral samples for analysis
oral or written questions about preparation methods, critical steps, typical problems and corrective actions.
Access is required to instruments, equipment, materials, workplace documentation, procedures and specifications associated with this unit, including, but not limited to:
a variety of mineral samples, sample preparation methods, reagents, sample containers and labels
client requests/documentation, such as client profile; sample identification and sample receipts; required preparation methods, storage and analyses; and service charges
sample preparation equipment, such as splitters (e.g. riffles and rotary dividers), mills (e.g. ball, ring and rod), bowls (e.g. chrome-steel, tungsten-carbide and zirconia) and tumblers, crushers (e.g. cone, jaw and roll), grinders and disc pulverisers, sieves, ovens and muffle furnaces
laboratory equipment, such as ultrasonic baths, centrifuges and vacuum and pressure filtration, volumetric glassware/plastic ware and dispensers, analytical balances and auto-samplers
safety equipment and safe work procedures.
Assessors must satisfy the assessor competency requirements that are in place at the time of the assessment as set by the VET regulator.
The assessor must demonstrate both technical competence and currency.
Technical competence can be demonstrated through:
relevant VET or other qualification/Statement of Attainment AND/OR
relevant workplace experience.
Currency can be demonstrated through:
performing the competency being assessed as part of current employment OR
having consulted with a laboratory about performing the competency being assessed within the last twelve months.
Foundation Skills
This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance.
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
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; quality and environmental management; sampling of specific ores and particulate materials; and labelling, storage, handling and transport of hazardous materials national work health and safety (WHS) standards and codes of practice, national environmental protection measures, and national measurement regulations and guidelines specific codes, guidelines and procedures, such as National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accreditation requirements and principles of good laboratory practice (GLP) workplace documents, such as standard operating procedures (SOPs); quality and equipment manuals; maintenance schedules; material safety data sheets (MSDS); safety procedures; material, production and product specifications; production and laboratory schedules; workplace recording and reporting procedures; and waste minimisation and safe disposal procedures sampling procedures for specific samples, sites and clients (labelling, preparation, storage, transport and disposal), and published preparation methods |
Materials sampled | Materials sampled include, but are not limited to, one or more of: solids, such as rocks, minerals, soils, sands and stream sediments pulverised core and other drill samples, such as rotary air blast (RAB), reverse circulation (RC) and aircore samples powder concentrates dump samples and grab samples |
Sample preparation methods | Sample preparation methods include one or more of: sorting, boxing and drying sieving primary crushing (e.g. 10 mm, 2 mm) fine pulverising (e.g. 100 micron, 75 micron) partial digestion requiring separation (e.g. aqua regia) complete digestion (e.g. multi-acid digest) non-destructive (e.g. LIF, Li2B4O7 disks) solvent extraction (e.g. di isobutyl ketone dibK) |
Hazards | Hazards include, but are not limited to, one or more of: dust, silica and fibrous materials asbestiform minerals chemicals, such as hydrofluoric acid, bromine, perchloric acid, aqua regia and cyanide lead-based compounds, free-mercury and nickel compounds noise and vibration crushing, entanglement and cuts associated with moving machinery manual handling of heavy loads, such as sample bags, containers, racks and trolleys heat exhaustion/stress and fatigue |
Safe work procedures | Safe work practices include, but are not limited to, one or more of: ensuring access to service shut-off points recognising and observing hazard warnings and safety signs labelling of samples and hazardous materials using direct extraction and fume hoods using guards for moving machinery parts providing noise insulation following established manual handling procedures regularly cleaning equipment and work areas using workplace procedures reporting of abnormal emissions and airborne contaminants to appropriate personnel using PPE, such as masks, gloves, boots, goggles, coats, ear muffs and safety boots |
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 |
Sectors
Competency Field
Sampling