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Evidence Guide: MSS024006 - Perform sampling and testing of water

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

 

MSS024006 - Perform sampling and testing of water

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

Confirm sampling and testing requirements

  1. Confirm the sampling location, number and type of samples, and timing and frequency of sampling from the workplace or client’s sampling plan.
  2. Check that all sampling and testing procedures are in accordance with client or workplace requirements, relevant standards and codes.
Confirm the sampling location, number and type of samples, and timing and frequency of sampling from the workplace or client’s sampling plan.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check that all sampling and testing procedures are in accordance with client or workplace requirements, relevant standards and codes.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prepare for water sampling

  1. Identify site and sampling hazards and review workplace safety procedures.
  2. Liaise with relevant personnel to arrange site access and all necessary clearances and/or permits.
  3. Select sampling equipment and conditions to achieve representative samples and preserve sample integrity during collection, storage and transit.
  4. Ensure all reagents, solutions, standards and blanks (as appropriate) are obtained and/or prepared ready for field use.
  5. Select field test equipment/instruments and check operation and calibration, as required, in accordance with procedures and manufacturer instructions.
  6. Assemble and check all sampling equipment, field test equipment, materials, containers and safety equipment.
  7. Arrange suitable transport to, from and/or around site as required.
Identify site and sampling hazards and review workplace safety procedures.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liaise with relevant personnel to arrange site access and all necessary clearances and/or permits.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Select sampling equipment and conditions to achieve representative samples and preserve sample integrity during collection, storage and transit.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ensure all reagents, solutions, standards and blanks (as appropriate) are obtained and/or prepared ready for field use.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Select field test equipment/instruments and check operation and calibration, as required, in accordance with procedures and manufacturer instructions.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assemble and check all sampling equipment, field test equipment, materials, containers and safety equipment.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arrange suitable transport to, from and/or around site as required.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conduct sampling of water

  1. Locate sampling sites and, if required, services at the site.
  2. Conduct representative sampling in accordance with sampling plan and defined procedures for field and/or laboratory testing, as required.
  3. Ensure all controls, blanks and replicate samples are properly integrated into the sampling process.
  4. Record all information and label samples in accordance with traceability requirements.
  5. Record environmental conditions and any atypical observations made during sampling that may impact on sample representativeness or integrity.
  6. Transport all samples back to base according to workplace procedures and relevant codes.
  7. Distribute samples/sub-samples to required destinations for testing, maintaining sample integrity, traceability and chain of custody requirements, as necessary.
Locate sampling sites and, if required, services at the site.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conduct representative sampling in accordance with sampling plan and defined procedures for field and/or laboratory testing, as required.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ensure all controls, blanks and replicate samples are properly integrated into the sampling process.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Record all information and label samples in accordance with traceability requirements.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Record environmental conditions and any atypical observations made during sampling that may impact on sample representativeness or integrity.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transport all samples back to base according to workplace procedures and relevant codes.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distribute samples/sub-samples to required destinations for testing, maintaining sample integrity, traceability and chain of custody requirements, as necessary.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conduct field testing of water

  1. Obtain sample or sub-sample for designated field test, or locate testing location for in-situ testing.
  2. Check equipment/instruments set-up and reagents and calibrate, as necessary, to ensure safe operation and valid results.
  3. Run quality control (QC) samples to check method validity.
  4. Operate equipment/instruments in accordance with test method requirements.
  5. Perform tests/procedures/observations on all samples, and standards, if appropriate, in accordance with specified methods.
  6. Record all field observations and results and ensure that they are accurately transferred to workplace information database.
Obtain sample or sub-sample for designated field test, or locate testing location for in-situ testing.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check equipment/instruments set-up and reagents and calibrate, as necessary, to ensure safe operation and valid results.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Run quality control (QC) samples to check method validity.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operate equipment/instruments in accordance with test method requirements.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Perform tests/procedures/observations on all samples, and standards, if appropriate, in accordance with specified methods.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Record all field observations and results and ensure that they are accurately transferred to workplace information database.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maintain a safe work environment

  1. Use defined safe work practices and personal protective equipment to ensure personal safety and that of others.
  2. Minimise the generation of waste.
  3. Rehabilitate sampling site to render it safe and minimise environmental impacts.
  4. Clean all equipment, containers, work area and vehicles according to workplace procedures.
  5. Check serviceability of all equipment before storage.
  6. Ensure the safe collection of all hazardous wastes for appropriate disposal.
Use defined safe work practices and personal protective equipment to ensure personal safety and that of others.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minimise the generation of waste.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rehabilitate sampling site to render it safe and minimise environmental impacts.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clean all equipment, containers, work area and vehicles according to workplace procedures.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check serviceability of all equipment before storage.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:		 Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ensure the safe collection of all hazardous wastes for appropriate disposal.

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

Confirm sampling and testing requirements

1.1

Confirm the sampling location, number and type of samples, and timing and frequency of sampling from the workplace or client’s sampling plan.

1.2

Check that all sampling and testing procedures are in accordance with client or workplace requirements, relevant standards and codes.

2

Prepare for water sampling

2.1

Identify site and sampling hazards and review workplace safety procedures.

2.2

Liaise with relevant personnel to arrange site access and all necessary clearances and/or permits.

2.3

Select sampling equipment and conditions to achieve representative samples and preserve sample integrity during collection, storage and transit.

2.4

Ensure all reagents, solutions, standards and blanks (as appropriate) are obtained and/or prepared ready for field use.

2.5

Select field test equipment/instruments and check operation and calibration, as required, in accordance with procedures and manufacturer instructions.

2.6

Assemble and check all sampling equipment, field test equipment, materials, containers and safety equipment.

2.7

Arrange suitable transport to, from and/or around site as required.

3

Conduct sampling of water

3.1

Locate sampling sites and, if required, services at the site.

3.2

Conduct representative sampling in accordance with sampling plan and defined procedures for field and/or laboratory testing, as required.

3.3

Ensure all controls, blanks and replicate samples are properly integrated into the sampling process.

3.4

Record all information and label samples in accordance with traceability requirements.

3.5

Record environmental conditions and any atypical observations made during sampling that may impact on sample representativeness or integrity.

3.6

Transport all samples back to base according to workplace procedures and relevant codes.

3.7

Distribute samples/sub-samples to required destinations for testing, maintaining sample integrity, traceability and chain of custody requirements, as necessary.

4

Conduct field testing of water

4.1

Obtain sample or sub-sample for designated field test, or locate testing location for in-situ testing.

4.2

Check equipment/instruments set-up and reagents and calibrate, as necessary, to ensure safe operation and valid results.

4.3

Run quality control (QC) samples to check method validity.

4.4

Operate equipment/instruments in accordance with test method requirements.

4.5

Perform tests/procedures/observations on all samples, and standards, if appropriate, in accordance with specified methods.

4.6

Record all field observations and results and ensure that they are accurately transferred to workplace information database.

5

Maintain a safe work environment

5.1

Use defined safe work practices and personal protective equipment to ensure personal safety and that of others.

5.2

Minimise the generation of waste.

5.3

Rehabilitate sampling site to render it safe and minimise environmental impacts.

5.4

Clean all equipment, containers, work area and vehicles according to workplace procedures.

5.5

Check serviceability of all equipment before storage.

5.6

Ensure the safe collection of all hazardous wastes for appropriate disposal.

Required Skills and Knowledge

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

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

1

Confirm sampling and testing requirements

1.1

Confirm the sampling location, number and type of samples, and timing and frequency of sampling from the workplace or client’s sampling plan.

1.2

Check that all sampling and testing procedures are in accordance with client or workplace requirements, relevant standards and codes.

2

Prepare for water sampling

2.1

Identify site and sampling hazards and review workplace safety procedures.

2.2

Liaise with relevant personnel to arrange site access and all necessary clearances and/or permits.

2.3

Select sampling equipment and conditions to achieve representative samples and preserve sample integrity during collection, storage and transit.

2.4

Ensure all reagents, solutions, standards and blanks (as appropriate) are obtained and/or prepared ready for field use.

2.5

Select field test equipment/instruments and check operation and calibration, as required, in accordance with procedures and manufacturer instructions.

2.6

Assemble and check all sampling equipment, field test equipment, materials, containers and safety equipment.

2.7

Arrange suitable transport to, from and/or around site as required.

3

Conduct sampling of water

3.1

Locate sampling sites and, if required, services at the site.

3.2

Conduct representative sampling in accordance with sampling plan and defined procedures for field and/or laboratory testing, as required.

3.3

Ensure all controls, blanks and replicate samples are properly integrated into the sampling process.

3.4

Record all information and label samples in accordance with traceability requirements.

3.5

Record environmental conditions and any atypical observations made during sampling that may impact on sample representativeness or integrity.

3.6

Transport all samples back to base according to workplace procedures and relevant codes.

3.7

Distribute samples/sub-samples to required destinations for testing, maintaining sample integrity, traceability and chain of custody requirements, as necessary.

4

Conduct field testing of water

4.1

Obtain sample or sub-sample for designated field test, or locate testing location for in-situ testing.

4.2

Check equipment/instruments set-up and reagents and calibrate, as necessary, to ensure safe operation and valid results.

4.3

Run quality control (QC) samples to check method validity.

4.4

Operate equipment/instruments in accordance with test method requirements.

4.5

Perform tests/procedures/observations on all samples, and standards, if appropriate, in accordance with specified methods.

4.6

Record all field observations and results and ensure that they are accurately transferred to workplace information database.

5

Maintain a safe work environment

5.1

Use defined safe work practices and personal protective equipment to ensure personal safety and that of others.

5.2

Minimise the generation of waste.

5.3

Rehabilitate sampling site to render it safe and minimise environmental impacts.

5.4

Clean all equipment, containers, work area and vehicles according to workplace procedures.

5.5

Check serviceability of all equipment before storage.

5.6

Ensure the safe collection of all hazardous wastes for appropriate disposal.

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

sampling natural, polluted and/or process water for both chemical and microbiological parameters and conducting field-testing of samples on at least two (2) occasions

accurately interpreting a sampling plan, relevant standards and codes and associated sampling, testing and data quality procedures

selecting and checking all required field equipment, instruments and materials and safely transporting them to and from site

safely setting-up and using field instruments and/or equipment, including field calibration

obtaining reliable, representative water samples in accordance with sampling plan and close attention to any pre-treatment, containers, preservation, storage, labelling and traceability requirements

obtaining and recording valid and reliable field test data in accordance with test methods

accurately recording site features, environmental conditions and any observations that may impact on reliability of field data

identifying atypical results as out-of-normal range or an artefact

identifying and rectifying basic instrument faults

calculating results using appropriate units and precision

checking the acceptability of environmental data using specified quality tests or procedures

completing field records, presenting and reporting results in accordance with workplace procedures

seeking advice when issues/problems are beyond scope of competence/responsibility

transporting, cleaning, maintaining and storing field equipment in accordance with workplace procedures

following procedures for working safely and minimising environmental impacts/waste.

Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge of:

scientific terminology used in job role covering water chemistry, biology and microbiology

hydrologic cycle

fundamentals of aquatic chemistry, including:

physical and chemical properties of water

chemical equilibria in natural, polluted and process waters

biogeochemical processes in freshwater and marine systems

water analytical environmental chemistry

environmental contaminants in water (fate, transport and bioaccumulation)

fundamentals of hydrobiology, including:

aquatic and benthic flora and fauna

aquatic microorganisms

marine, estuarine and freshwater ecosystems

stratification and eutrophication in water bodies

aquatic microbiology

principles of representative sampling

principles and procedures for random, systematic and stratified sampling, including consistency of sampling procedures

preservation of the integrity of samples

maintaining identification of samples relative to their source

workplace and/or legal traceability requirements

cost-effectiveness of sampling

common characteristics of water to be sampled and likely contaminants

links between quality control, quality assurance, quality management systems and sampling procedures

workplace procedures dealing with legislative requirements for the handling, labelling and transport of hazardous goods

relevant hazards; health and safety and site environmental management requirements; importance of personal and environmental safe work procedures particularly at high risk sites.

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.

Legislation, regulations, standards, codes, workplace procedures and requirements include the latest version of one or more of:

federal legislation, such as the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act and National Environmental Protection Measures

state/territory government legislation and local government by-laws, policies, regulations and plans dealing with land use; environmental protection; cultural/heritage sites; vegetation management; nature conservation and wildlife/plant protection; water and water management; soil conservation; pollution and contaminated sites; fisheries, forestry and mining operations

legislation, standards and codes of practice for work health and safety (WHS)

Australian and international standards covering environmental management such as AS/NZS ISO 14000 Basic Set:2007 Environmental Management Basic Set, and the sampling and analysis of water, such as AS/NZS 2031, AS 3550 series, AS/NZS 4276 series, AS/NZS 5667 series

industry methods and guidelines, such as US Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) Methods and guidance for the analysis of water; American Public Health Association (APHA) Standard methods for the examination of waters and wastewaters; ANZECC Guidelines for fresh and marine water quality; and Australian guidelines for water quality monitoring and reporting

registration/licensing and/or accreditation requirements

site-specific requirements; workplace procedures for sampling, monitoring and in-field testing; recording, processing, presenting and reporting data

workplace documents, such as standard operating procedures (SOPs), work schedules, recording and reporting procedures, equipment manuals and warranties, supplier catalogue and handbooks; safety data sheets (SDS) and safety procedures; waste minimisation, containment, processing and safe disposal procedures.

Common field test parameters include one or more of:

pH

electrical conductivity

dissolved oxygen

salinity

temperature

turbidity

Secchi disk depth.

Laboratory and/or field test parameters include one or more of:

total suspended solids

volatile suspended solids

nitrogen (nitrate, organic, ammonia and Kjeldahl)

phosphorus (total and soluble reactive)

chlorophyll and phaeophytin

total organic carbon (TOC)

biological oxygen demand (BOD)

chemical oxygen demand (COD)

silica

metals (total and dissolved)

organic and inorganic pollutants

microorganisms.

Workplace procedures for field activities include one or more of:

use of field notebooks or log books

SOPs covering fieldwork, sampling and testing

equipment operating manuals, calibration procedures, instrument fault-finding procedures and general maintenance and repair procedures

emergency, first aid and survival procedures

requirements related to protection of the environment

incident/accident/injury report forms.

Equipment includes one or more of:

navigation and communication equipment (e.g. compass, maps, global positioning system (GPS), two-way radio and mobile phone)

survey equipment

data loggers

sampling equipment and containers, filters and sieves and animal cages

parameter specific meter or multi-probes (e.g. dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, pH, turbidity, nitrates, phosphates and temperature)

field test kits to determine such parameters as dissolved gases, chemical anions and cations, heavy metals, E. coli and BOD

portable colorimeters and field microscopes

soil monitoring kits

first aid equipment.

Hazards include one or more of:

solar radiation, dust and noise

personnel getting lost

accidents, emergencies and incidents, such as snake, insect or animal bites

exposure to severe weather conditions

manual handling of heavy objects

vehicle and boat handling in rough/remote conditions.

WHS and environmental management requirements include:

compliance with relevant federal/state/territory WHS legislation at all times

assuming that samples are potentially hazardous and applying standard precautions

accessing and applying current industry understanding of infection control issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and state/territory Departments of Health, where relevant.