Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge 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 applies 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.
No licensing or certification requirements exist at the time of publication. However, regulations and/or external accreditation requirements for laboratory operations exist, so local requirements should be checked. Relevant legislation, industry standards and codes of practice within Australia must also be applied.
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 | ||
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.
Competency Field
Testing