Take samples and measurements for quality assurance purposes

Overview

This Standard is about organising and sequencing activities and taking samples and measurements for quality assurance purposes. The samples and measurements taken are used to monitor the quality of the treatment processes outputs. It may require travel to different sampling and measurement locations.

This Standard is suitable for operatives at water, waste water and sludge treatment processing plants and for water distribution samplers.

Performance Criteria

You must be able to:

  1. check that the condition of the equipment and how it is stored conform to manufacturers' specifications and employers' procedures
  2. check that the sample containers and labels are suitable for the work which is planned
  3. assemble the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that it is suitable for the work schedule
  4. check that there is provision to dispose of waste materials safely
  5. resolve any difficulties connected to travelling to different sampling and measurement locations
  6. use equipment to take the sample and containers to transport the sample in line with the organisation’s procedures
  7. follow the organisation’s procedures and legal requirements for lone working
  8. handle materials, equipment and samples in line with current regulation and company policy
  9. clean equipment after use and before returning it to storage as specified in employers’ procedures
  10. store equipment and materials to be re-used in the designated place(s) as specified in employers’ procedures
  11. enter and exit the sampling and measurement locations in line with the organisation’s procedures
  12. prepare containers, reagents and any portable or other equipment, making sure that reagents are within date
  13. take samples and measurements at the position and time specified in the organisation’s procedures
  14. label samples according to the organisation’s procedures
  15. take samples and measurements in line with hygiene and safety requirements
  16. dispose of any waste in the designated place and in line with the organisation’s procedures and current legislation
  17. deliver samples to the designated person or place
  18. plan and register work in line with the organisation’s procedures
  19. take samples and measurements in line with the organisation’s procedures
  20. access, exit and move around the sampling locations in line with the organisation’s procedures
  21. work efficiently and to make the best use of time and resources
  22. maintain records of successful and aborted activities in line with the organisations’ procedures and in the  format for audit and quality assurance purposes
  23. report any defective or unsafe sampling and measuring equipment to the designated person in line with the organisation’s procedures
  24. record and report results of measurements which are outside the expected range to the designated people in line with the organisation’s procedures

 

Knowledge & Understanding

You need to know and understand:

  1. the organisation’s quality assurance procedures, and the factors which can affect the quality of sampling and measurement work
  2. the organisation’s roles and responsibilities for containing negative impacts on the environmental conditions
  3. legal powers of access and the organisation’s procedures for gaining access to sampling and measurement locations
  4. the importance of using transport and storing equipment, materials and samples securely to prevent contamination of samples and the implications if contamination
  5. types and use of sampling and measurement equipment and other materials, and the implications of using inappropriate or defective equipment or failing to report a defect
  6. the importance of maintaining sampling and measurement equipment and calibrating it where required
  7. the importance of disposing of waste and reagents and the dangers of disposing of them incorrectly
  8. impacts to the customer
  9. the organisation’s reporting procedures and the implications of not reporting sampling and measurement results outside the expected range
  10. the organisation’s customer service procedures
  11. the steps involved in recording sample and measurement results
  12. the steps involved in efficient work scheduling and planning of own daily work activities
  13. the steps involved in compiling, administering and filing of records and reports
  14. the importance of using data for quality assurance, monitoring, and audit
  15. the role and purpose of data audit trails and the importance of using and maintaining them
  16. the steps involved in recognising inaccurate information
  17. the importance of storing information and documentation in the correct location
  18. the way sample information is used by other people
  19. how the information relating to sampling and measurement activities is provided to and used by other people
  20. the importance of supplying accurate and legible information and in an appropriate format within identified time
  21. the importance of ensuring the sample is taken at the time and in circumstances to ensure the sample is representative
  22. the organisation’s procedures for lone working