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Evidence Guide: MSL974002 - Conduct geotechnical site investigations

Student: __________________________________________________

Signature: _________________________________________________

Tips for gathering evidence to demonstrate your skills

The important thing to remember when gathering evidence is that the more evidence the better - that is, the more evidence you gather to demonstrate your skills, the more confident an assessor can be that you have learned the skills not just at one point in time, but are continuing to apply and develop those skills (as opposed to just learning for the test!). Furthermore, one piece of evidence that you collect will not usualy demonstrate all the required criteria for a unit of competency, whereas multiple overlapping pieces of evidence will usually do the trick!

From the Wiki University

 

MSL974002 - Conduct geotechnical site investigations

What evidence can you provide to prove your understanding of each of the following citeria?

Prepare for on-site operations

  1. Identify the job, location, work instructions, appropriate sampling and test procedures and safety requirements
  2. Identify site hazards and identify appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety procedures that are specified for the job and materials used
  3. Record description of the job to be undertaken, compare with specification and report any variations
  4. Arrange for the collection, checking, stowing and transport of all tools, equipment and materials required at the site
  5. Ensure site access requirements, such as entry permits and safety inductions, have been organised
Identify the job, location, work instructions, appropriate sampling and test procedures and safety requirements

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Identify site hazards and identify appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety procedures that are specified for the job and materials used

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Record description of the job to be undertaken, compare with specification and report any variations

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arrange for the collection, checking, stowing and transport of all tools, equipment and materials required at the site

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ensure site access requirements, such as entry permits and safety inductions, have been organised

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arrange excavation of boreholes, test pits and/or trenches

  1. Identify the sampling/testing location
  2. Excavate or oversee excavation to the sampling and testing depth, minimising disturbance and potential contamination of the site
  3. Identify materials and record changes of strata, test results and other relevant information
  4. Ensure materials from different strata are kept separate
  5. Terminate the excavation at the appropriate depth and record the reason for termination
Identify the sampling/testing location

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Excavate or oversee excavation to the sampling and testing depth, minimising disturbance and potential contamination of the site

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Identify materials and record changes of strata, test results and other relevant information

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ensure materials from different strata are kept separate

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Terminate the excavation at the appropriate depth and record the reason for termination

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conduct site sampling

  1. Prepare and check sampling equipment and materials
  2. Take disturbed and undisturbed samples in accordance with workplace methods and procedures
  3. Label and record samples in accordance with workplace methods and procedures
  4. Recognise and record details of site conditions that may impact on sample integrity or site interpretation
Prepare and check sampling equipment and materials

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Take disturbed and undisturbed samples in accordance with workplace methods and procedures

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Label and record samples in accordance with workplace methods and procedures

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recognise and record details of site conditions that may impact on sample integrity or site interpretation

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conduct testing

  1. Prepare and conduct pre-use checks of test equipment
  2. Perform, or assist with performing, tests in accordance with test methods or workplace procedures
  3. Record test data in accordance with test methods or workplace procedures
  4. Recognise obvious errors or atypical data and take appropriate corrective actions
Prepare and conduct pre-use checks of test equipment

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Perform, or assist with performing, tests in accordance with test methods or workplace procedures

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Record test data in accordance with test methods or workplace procedures

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recognise obvious errors or atypical data and take appropriate corrective actions

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finalise site operations

  1. Backfill or seal any excavation and ensure that it is left in a safe and uncontaminated condition
  2. Reinstate surfaces disturbed by sampling or testing
  3. Clean all equipment (and vehicle, as necessary) avoiding environmental damage, stormwater contamination or spread of pests
  4. Check all equipment and materials prior to re-stowing them for safe transport
  5. Handle and transport samples in accordance with established practices
  6. Notify appropriate site personnel on completion of investigations and prior to leaving site
  7. Check serviceability of test equipment before storage on return to base
Backfill or seal any excavation and ensure that it is left in a safe and uncontaminated condition

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reinstate surfaces disturbed by sampling or testing

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clean all equipment (and vehicle, as necessary) avoiding environmental damage, stormwater contamination or spread of pests

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check all equipment and materials prior to re-stowing them for safe transport

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Handle and transport samples in accordance with established practices

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notify appropriate site personnel on completion of investigations and prior to leaving site

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check serviceability of test equipment before storage on return to base

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maintain records

  1. Maintain equipment records in accordance with established practices
  2. Complete site safety plans, equipment logs and test reports in accordance with workplace procedures
  3. Maintain confidentiality of workplace information
Maintain equipment records in accordance with established practices

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Complete site safety plans, equipment logs and test reports in accordance with workplace procedures

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maintain confidentiality of workplace information

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maintain a safe work environment

  1. Use safe work procedures and PPE to ensure personal safety and that of others
  2. Minimise environmental impacts of testing/sampling and generation of waste
  3. Collect and/or dispose of all waste in accordance with workplace procedures
Use safe work procedures and PPE to ensure personal safety and that of others

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minimise environmental impacts of testing/sampling and generation of waste

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Collect and/or dispose of all waste in accordance with workplace procedures

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessed

Teacher: ___________________________________ Date: _________

Signature: ________________________________________________

Comments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Instructions to Assessors

Evidence Guide

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Prepare for on-site operations

1.1

Identify the job, location, work instructions, appropriate sampling and test procedures and safety requirements

1.2

Identify site hazards and identify appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety procedures that are specified for the job and materials used

1.3

Record description of the job to be undertaken, compare with specification and report any variations

1.4

Arrange for the collection, checking, stowing and transport of all tools, equipment and materials required at the site

1.5

Ensure site access requirements, such as entry permits and safety inductions, have been organised

2

Arrange excavation of boreholes, test pits and/or trenches

2.1

Identify the sampling/testing location

2.2

Excavate or oversee excavation to the sampling and testing depth, minimising disturbance and potential contamination of the site

2.3

Identify materials and record changes of strata, test results and other relevant information

2.4

Ensure materials from different strata are kept separate

2.5

Terminate the excavation at the appropriate depth and record the reason for termination

3

Conduct site sampling

3.1

Prepare and check sampling equipment and materials

3.2

Take disturbed and undisturbed samples in accordance with workplace methods and procedures

3.3

Label and record samples in accordance with workplace methods and procedures

3.4

Recognise and record details of site conditions that may impact on sample integrity or site interpretation

4

Conduct testing

4.1

Prepare and conduct pre-use checks of test equipment

4.2

Perform, or assist with performing, tests in accordance with test methods or workplace procedures

4.3

Record test data in accordance with test methods or workplace procedures

4.4

Recognise obvious errors or atypical data and take appropriate corrective actions

5

Finalise site operations

5.1

Backfill or seal any excavation and ensure that it is left in a safe and uncontaminated condition

5.2

Reinstate surfaces disturbed by sampling or testing

5.3

Clean all equipment (and vehicle, as necessary) avoiding environmental damage, stormwater contamination or spread of pests

5.4

Check all equipment and materials prior to re-stowing them for safe transport

5.5

Handle and transport samples in accordance with established practices

5.6

Notify appropriate site personnel on completion of investigations and prior to leaving site

5.7

Check serviceability of test equipment before storage on return to base

6

Maintain records

6.1

Maintain equipment records in accordance with established practices

6.2

Complete site safety plans, equipment logs and test reports in accordance with workplace procedures

6.3

Maintain confidentiality of workplace information

7

Maintain a safe work environment

7.1

Use safe work procedures and PPE to ensure personal safety and that of others

7.2

Minimise environmental impacts of testing/sampling and generation of waste

7.3

Collect and/or dispose of all waste in accordance with workplace procedures

Required Skills and Knowledge

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Prepare for on-site operations

1.1

Identify the job, location, work instructions, appropriate sampling and test procedures and safety requirements

1.2

Identify site hazards and identify appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety procedures that are specified for the job and materials used

1.3

Record description of the job to be undertaken, compare with specification and report any variations

1.4

Arrange for the collection, checking, stowing and transport of all tools, equipment and materials required at the site

1.5

Ensure site access requirements, such as entry permits and safety inductions, have been organised

2

Arrange excavation of boreholes, test pits and/or trenches

2.1

Identify the sampling/testing location

2.2

Excavate or oversee excavation to the sampling and testing depth, minimising disturbance and potential contamination of the site

2.3

Identify materials and record changes of strata, test results and other relevant information

2.4

Ensure materials from different strata are kept separate

2.5

Terminate the excavation at the appropriate depth and record the reason for termination

3

Conduct site sampling

3.1

Prepare and check sampling equipment and materials

3.2

Take disturbed and undisturbed samples in accordance with workplace methods and procedures

3.3

Label and record samples in accordance with workplace methods and procedures

3.4

Recognise and record details of site conditions that may impact on sample integrity or site interpretation

4

Conduct testing

4.1

Prepare and conduct pre-use checks of test equipment

4.2

Perform, or assist with performing, tests in accordance with test methods or workplace procedures

4.3

Record test data in accordance with test methods or workplace procedures

4.4

Recognise obvious errors or atypical data and take appropriate corrective actions

5

Finalise site operations

5.1

Backfill or seal any excavation and ensure that it is left in a safe and uncontaminated condition

5.2

Reinstate surfaces disturbed by sampling or testing

5.3

Clean all equipment (and vehicle, as necessary) avoiding environmental damage, stormwater contamination or spread of pests

5.4

Check all equipment and materials prior to re-stowing them for safe transport

5.5

Handle and transport samples in accordance with established practices

5.6

Notify appropriate site personnel on completion of investigations and prior to leaving site

5.7

Check serviceability of test equipment before storage on return to base

6

Maintain records

6.1

Maintain equipment records in accordance with established practices

6.2

Complete site safety plans, equipment logs and test reports in accordance with workplace procedures

6.3

Maintain confidentiality of workplace information

7

Maintain a safe work environment

7.1

Use safe work procedures and PPE to ensure personal safety and that of others

7.2

Minimise environmental impacts of testing/sampling and generation of waste

7.3

Collect and/or dispose of all waste in accordance with workplace procedures

Evidence of competence in this unit must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria, and include demonstration of:

preparing for, safely conducting and concluding at least two (2) geotechnical site investigations

interpreting maps, site plans and drawings accurately

identifying and locating site services at sampling and testing sites

accurately identifying, interpreting and reporting site features and geotechnical conditions; soil, rock and fill materials

collecting representative samples and handling and transporting them in accordance with workplace procedures

performing basic in situ tests and site measurements (e.g. location and depth)

minimising environmental impacts and generation of waste while conducting site investigations

identifying and solving common site problems

seeking timely advice to deal with situations beyond own technical competence

providing accurate sampling and testing data, site information and work results within the expected timeframe

preparing test reports and maintaining accurate and complete records

efficiently setting up, checking, using and cleaning/maintaining tools and equipment

collecting, storing and disposing of waste in accordance with workplace procedures.

Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge of:

concepts, purposes and principles of geotechnical site investigations conducted as part of job role

site safety and management rules, including safety induction, risk assessments, controlled entry/exit to site and required personal protective equipment (PPE)

common site problems and recommended corrective actions

identification and classification of soil, rock and fill materials

uses and engineering properties of soil and rock materials

principles of representative sampling and testing

in situ testing methods used in job role

relevant hazards, work health and safety (WHS) and environment requirements.

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 management and environmental management

national work health and safety (WHS) standards and codes of practice, national measurement regulations and guidelines, and environmental legislation and regulations

standard methods for sampling and testing construction materials, such as soils, aggregates, concrete and asphalt

specific codes, guidelines, procedures and methods, such as:

AustRoads test methods, and State/Territory Road Authority test methods

National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) documents regarding construction materials testing (Field application document)

workplace documents, such as standard operating procedures (SOPs); quality and equipment manuals; calibration and maintenance schedules; material safety data sheets (MSDS) and safety procedures; material, production and product specifications; production and laboratory schedules; workplace recording and reporting procedures; waste minimisation and safe disposal procedures; and maps and site plans

sampling and testing procedures for specific sites, clients and samples

Common site problems

Common site problems include, but are not limited to, one or more of:

caving in of excavation walls

drilling difficulties

not knowing the requirements of the design engineer

not understanding the nature of the item being designed (e.g. retaining wall, piled structure and earthworks)

sample loss during retrieval

knowing when to stop a hole, or what and when to test and sample

misidentification of samples and sampling locations

equipment breakdown and breakage

environmental problems and issues, including site access, inclement weather, traffic, wildlife, vegetation and construction activities

Site hazards

Site hazards include, but are not limited to, one or more of:

solar radiation, dust and noise

manual handling of heavy materials and equipment

working in/on trenches, confined spaces, wet and uneven surfaces, heights and slopes

vehicular and pedestrian traffic

underground services, such as gas and electricity

working close to earth moving equipment, trucks and overhead loads

Safe work procedures

Safe work procedures include, but are not limited to, one or more of:

locating site services before investigations commence

use of signage, barriers, flashing lights and traffic control

use of PPE, such as hard hats, hearing protection, gloves, goggles, coveralls and safety boots

use of MSDS

use of machinery guards

recognising and observing hazard warnings and safety signs/barriers

handling and storing hazardous material and equipment in accordance with labels, MSDS, manufacturer instructions, and workplace procedures and regulations

labelling of samples, reagents and hazardous materials

regularly cleaning equipment and vehicles

following established manual handling procedures

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