Unit of competency

Modification History

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.

Pre-requisite Unit

Nil

Competency Field

Testing

Elements and Performance Criteria

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.

Unit Mapping Information

Equivalent to MSL973005 Assist with fieldwork, Release 1.

Links

MSL Laboratory Operations Companion Volume Implementation Guide is available from VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=5c63a03b-4a6b-4ae5-9560-1e3c5f462baa

Assessment requirements

Modification History

Performance Evidence

There must be evidence the candidate has completed the tasks outlined in the elements and performance criteria of this unit, and:

• effectively and appropriately assisted to conduct 2 fieldwork activities or field surveys in different locations.

Knowledge Evidence

There must be evidence the candidate has knowledge of:

• terms used to describe the relevant industry sector's field equipment, materials, samples and specimens
• 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
• safety and survival procedures:

• 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 and manufacturer instructions
• 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)

• procedures for controlling fieldwork hazards relevant to job role:

• 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

• awareness of environmental sustainability issues as they relate to the work task
• legal, ethical and work health and safety (WHS) requirements specific to the work task.

Assessment Conditions

Skills must have been demonstrated in the workplace or in a simulated environment that reflects workplace conditions and contingencies. The following conditions must be met for this unit:

• use of suitable facilities, equipment and resources, including:

• equipment required for field activities: 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 NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.

Links

MSL Laboratory Operations Companion Volume Implementation Guide is available from VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=5c63a03b-4a6b-4ae5-9560-1e3c5f462baa