Application
This unit of competency describes the ability to perform tasks associated with the organisation of fieldwork and field surveys. It also covers basic field survival skills and collection of samples in the field. This unit of competency does not include gaining clearance for animal trapping, tagging, keeping or experimentation. It does not cover animal handling techniques.
This unit of competency is applicable to laboratory and field assistants working in the environmental, mining, construction materials testing and rural industry sectors.
Personnel covered by this unit of competency are supervised by scientific or technical officers. Though a supervisor may not always actually be present, the individual will follow standard operating procedures (SOPs) that clearly describe the permitted scope of practice.
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 | Assist with organisation of fieldwork | 1.1 | Purchase supplies and equipment as specified by senior staff |
1.2 | Assemble supplies and equipment and check against inventory | ||
1.3 | Pack supplies and equipment appropriately for safe transport | ||
2 | Support field operations | 2.1 | Check unpacked items against inventory |
2.2 | Store supplies and equipment as specified | ||
2.3 | Restock supplies as necessary | ||
2.4 | Collect and/or dispose of waste in accordance with workplace and environmental requirements | ||
3 | Assist with field activities | 3.1 | Assemble equipment and materials for fieldwork as directed |
3.2 | Collect samples in accordance with workplace procedures, animal care and ethics, and other legislative requirements | ||
3.3 | Store samples in accordance with special requirements for continued wellbeing, viability or integrity of sample | ||
3.4 | Perform simple field measurements as directed | ||
3.5 | Collect and maintain records of site data as directed | ||
4 | Demonstrate basic field survival skills | 4.1 | Follow specified safety procedures |
4.2 | Follow specified survival procedures in the event of emergencies and accidents | ||
4.3 | Wear suitable clothing as protection against solar radiation, extreme temperatures and impact injury | ||
5 | Assist with the completion of fieldwork | 5.1 | Pack supplies, equipment and samples appropriately for safe return to workplace |
5.2 | Check and clean used equipment to prevent deterioration and contamination | ||
5.3 | Check that the condition of vehicles, equipment and materials comply with environmental/quarantine requirements for preventing transfer of pests | ||
5.4 | Return supplies and equipment to storage at workplace location | ||
5.5 | Conduct a stocktake of equipment and supplies for replenishment where required | ||
5.6 | Assist with the dispatch of collected samples for laboratory analysis, as necessary | ||
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:
performing tasks associated with the organisation and conduct of fieldwork and/or field surveys on at least two (2) occasions
performing all field activities according to workplace procedures, legislative and environmental requirements, industry guidelines and codes of practice
organising, packing/unpacking and stowing materials and equipment with close attention to detail
collecting samples in the field
performing simple field measurements
storing and maintaining samples in accordance with special requirements for continued wellbeing, viability and integrity of the sample
cleaning equipment and collecting and disposing of wastes in accordance with safety and environmental requirements
maintaining accurate and complete data records and checklists
using basic field survival strategies
working safely and in accordance with environmental requirements.
Evidence of Knowledge
Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge of:
terms used to describe the relevant industry sector's field equipment, materials, samples and specimens
workplace procedures relating to collection, maintenance and storage of samples and field testing relevant to job role
specific legislation and codes of practice related to sample and animal collection (if relevant in the industry sector)
safety and survival procedures and environmental management requirements relevant to fieldwork conducted as part of job role
operating procedures for vehicles and equipment used in fieldwork conducted as part of job role, such as use of liquid petroleum gas (LPG), generators and communication gear
procedures for controlling fieldwork hazards relevant to job role, such as:
solar radiation, dust and noise
personnel getting lost
incidents or emergencies, such as snake or animal bites
severe weather conditions
manual handling of heavy objects
vehicle and boat handling in rough/remote conditions
moving machinery and hand tools
driving vehicles in rough terrain and over long distances during day or night.
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:
MSL913001 Communicate with other people
MSL913002 Plan and conduct laboratory/field work
Holistic assessment methods include:
feedback from supervisors and team members about the candidate’s performance in the field
review of the candidate’s responses to scenarios associated with organisation of fieldwork, fieldwork operations and basic field survival strategies
review of the candidate’s responses during simulated accident and emergency situations requiring use of communication procedures and basic field survival strategies
observation of candidate preparing for and/or conducting fieldwork
oral/written questions about workplace procedures for the efficient organisation and safe conduct of fieldwork.
Access is required to instruments, equipment, materials, workplace documentation, procedures and specifications associated with this unit, including, but not limited to:
equipment required for field activities, such as vehicles, navigation and communication equipment, survey equipment, sampling equipment, containers and animal cages, field test kits and instruments, safety equipment and consumables
work program, workplace procedures, codes of practice and field protocols and manuals.
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, national and international standards, guidelines and codes covering the requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories; laboratory safety; occupational protective equipment; labelling of workplace substances; storage, handling and transport of dangerous goods; and environmental management national work health and safety (WHS) standards and codes of practice, and national environmental protection measures industry specific codes, regulations and guidelines, such as animal welfare legislation and codes of practice; Australian Dangerous Goods Code, and Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) Codes of Practice workplace documents, such as SOPs; data quality procedures; equipment manuals and warranties, supplier catalogue and handbooks, calibration and maintenance schedules, material safety data sheets (MSDS), safety procedures, first aid and survival manuals, incident/accident/injury report forms, survey/laboratory schedules, workplace recording and reporting procedures, waste minimisation and safe disposal procedures, and cleaning/hygiene requirements fieldwork instructions, basic sampling procedures (labelling, preparation, storage, transport and disposal), basic test procedures (validated and authorised), specific environmental standards and site-specific requirements |
Safety and survival procedures | Safety and survival procedures include, but are not limited to, one or more of: using personal protective equipment (PPE), including sunscreen, hats, safety glasses, gloves, safety boots and hearing protection handling, labelling and storing hazardous material and equipment in accordance with labels, MSDS, manufacturer instructions and workplace procedures and regulations regular cleaning and/or decontamination of equipment using two-way radio and satellite phone and a regular communication schedule map reading, use of compass and global positioning system (GPS) 'stay with vehicle' in the event of accident or emergency |
WHS and environmental management requirements | WHS and environmental management requirements: · 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
Testing