Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge to supervise and direct geotechnical site investigations based on observation and testing. The unit involves confirming the scope of the investigation, liaising with site personnel and coordinating geotechnical sampling and testing activities, collecting reliable data and reporting results. Personnel are also expected to interpret results in the field, provide reliable advice to clients, recognise and rectify obvious errors or unexpected results and troubleshoot common problems.
This unit applies to technical officers working in the construction materials testing sector. This unit of competency is typically performed by experienced technicians or engineering paraprofessionals, who often supervise, or direct less experienced technical personnel.
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 | Plan geotechnical investigation | 1.1 | Identify the job, consult with stakeholders and obtain relevant information, including the purpose and scope of the investigation |
1.2 | Conduct desktop study of existing site information | ||
1.3 | Inspect the site to determine the characteristics of the project | ||
1.4 | Design inspection, sampling and testing program in accordance with specifications | ||
1.5 | Select human and physical resources required for the job | ||
1.6 | Conduct risk assessment and control risk | ||
1.7 | Brief support personnel on job-specific requirements | ||
1.8 | Ensure ongoing liaison with stakeholders during project | ||
2 | Establish on-site operations | 2.1 | Consult with project personnel to determine methods of communication, roles, responsibilities and expectations of each party, including identification of potential problems and conflicts |
2.2 | Arrange deployment of personnel and resources to site | ||
2.3 | Arrange for the physical location of services, as required, and reconcile test locations | ||
3 | Coordinate geotechnical sampling and testing | 3.1 | Ensure sampling and testing is conducted in accordance with project requirements |
3.2 | Ensure test data and observations are recorded in accordance with workplace practices | ||
3.3 | Review the progress of sampling and testing against the project schedule and provide any feedback to client | ||
3.4 | Review samples and field data and schedule testing | ||
3.5 | Ensure the finalisation of site operations according to project brief or relevant standard | ||
4 | Analyse project data and report to client | 4.1 | Report test results to site superintendent at specified intervals |
4.2 | Analyse project data and provide regular reports to the client using the agreed format | ||
5 | Maintain workplace records | 5.1 | Record entries on report forms or into a laboratory information management system accurately calculating, recording or transcribing data as required |
5.2 | Ensure traceability of sample from receipt to reporting of results | ||
6 | Promote a safe work environment | 6.1 | Promote the use of safe work procedures and personal protective equipment (PPE) |
6.2 | Minimise environmental impacts of testing/sampling and generation of waste | ||
6.3 | Promote the collection and disposal of all waste in accordance with workplace procedures | ||
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