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Simulated workplace
Scenario · Analytical Chemistry

Prepare and analyse the service station soil metals batch

You are a laboratory technician in Analytical Chemistry.

Intermediate5 to 7 hours7 tasks
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The situation

What has happened

Coastal Environmental Consulting has submitted twelve soil samples from a former service station under job CJ-26-0421 for the metals suite, hydrocarbons and BTEX. The metals suite is analysed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry after acid digestion. The last metals batch had a copper spike recovery of 68 percent and is under investigation, so Jasper Nguyen wants fresh calibration standards and a fresh spike solution prepared and recorded. Digestions are done at the digestion block under the fume cupboard with face shield and gauntlets after a recent acid splash. The client needs results by Thursday for a site assessment report.

Your brief. Prepare the digests and standards safely and to the method, run the batch with the full quality control set, review the batch against the acceptance criteria, record any nonconformance and submit the batch for technical review with complete records.
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Tasks

Deliverables

  • Completed digestion worksheet
  • Reagent and standard preparation record
  • Batch quality control summary with acceptance decisions
  • Nonconformance record if raised
  • Sample register status updates

Documents to use

Systems to use

Sample Register

The laboratory information register of every sample received, its matrix, tests, storage, holding time and progress from receipt to reported.

Equipment and Calibration Register

Lists every item of measuring and testing equipment with its calibration interval, last and next calibration, verification checks and service status.

Nonconformance and Corrective Action Register

Records every nonconformance, out of control result, deviation, complaint and audit finding with its evaluation, root cause, corrective action and closure.

For trainers and assessors

Units of competency

Current on training.gov.au for the Laboratory Operations as at 10 September 2026.

MSL974032Perform chemical tests and procedures
MSL975069Apply routine spectrometric techniques
MSL974031Prepare, standardise and use solutions
MSL933008Perform calibration checks on equipment and assist with its maintenance
MSL943004Participate in laboratory or field workplace safety

Qualifications

MSL40122Certificate IV in Laboratory Techniques
Assessor notes

What to look for

Evidence guide

Evidence includes safe work at the fume cupboard with the required protective equipment, complete and legible worksheet records with traceable standards, a quality control review that applies the method's acceptance criteria correctly, correct dry weight calculations, and honest reporting of any failure through the nonconformance register rather than a silent rerun.

The student's evidence summary lists every record they created or changed in the systems named above, their notes and the tasks they ticked. Verify it against the deliverables and your own assessment tool.