Measure, weigh and prepare compounds and solutions for laboratory use
Overview
Measure, weigh and prepare compounds and solutions for
laboratory use in accordance with approved procedures
and practices.
You will be required to demonstrate that you can measure,
weigh and prepare compounds and solutions in a
laboratory environment in accordance with the relevant
workplace procedures.
The activity is likely to be undertaken by someone in a
science related work setting, including individuals working
in hospitals, scientific laboratories, schools and universities.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
P1 ensure that your work is carried out in accordance with
standard operating procedures
P2 wear the appropriate personal protection equipment
(PPE) when handling materials
P3 use laboratory scales for accurately weighing out
materials, using metric/imperial measures
P4 accurately measure pH and conductivity of solutions in
the laboratory, using correctly calibrated meters
P5 measure out aliquots of liquids into tubes and microtrays
for laboratory use and analysis
P6 measure liquids and solids for laboratory use and
analysis
P7 communicate the required information about the work
done, to authorised people, in accordance with
departmental and organisational procedures
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
K1 the health and safety requirements of the area in which
you are carrying out the laboratory activities
K2 the implications of not taking account of legislation,
regulations, standards and guidelines when conducting
laboratory activities
K3 the principles of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and/or
Good Clinical practice (GCP)/Good Manufacturing Practice
(GMP) applied in the workplace
K4 the importance of wearing protective clothing, gloves
and eye protection when handling specimens/samples
K5 the importance of correct identification, and any unique
organisational or laboratory numbers
K6 the lines of communication and responsibilities in your
department, and their links with the rest of the organisation
K7 the limits of your own authority and to whom you should
report if you have problems that you cannot resolve
K8 how to calculate mass/mole calculations in metric and/or
imperial measures
K9 how to select the appropriate balance and scale for less
than 100mg, 100mg to 5g, and 5g and above
K10 how to check that a pipette is clean, dry, free of chips
and ready for use
K11 how to check the calibration on a pipette
K12 how to calibrate and check the calibration on a pH
meter
K13 how to calibrate and check the calibration on a balance
K14 how to calibrate and check the calibration on a
conductivity meter
K15 how to measure and weigh solids and liquids for
laboratory use
K16 how to convert between different units of concentration
K17 how to calculate dilution factors and dilution volumes to
make solutions from concentrated stock solutions
K18 the pH scale as a logarithmic scale for the
measurement of the acidity of aqueous solutions, and the
importance of pH to biological systems and processes
K19 how to choose the appropriate measuring equipment
for the scale, accuracy and precision required for the task
K20 how to clean and maintain the pipettes, balances, pH
meter probes and conductivity meter probes
Scope/range
- use three of the following types of protective clothing and
equipment:
1.1 laboratory coat
1.2 gloves
1.3 other (please specify)
1.4 face mask
1.5 safety glasses - carry out weighing activities using balances (scales),
using two of the following accuracies:
2.1 grams
2.2 milligrams
2.3 micrograms - measure out aliquots of solutions, using four of the
following:
3.1 automated pipettes
3.2 graduated cylinders/beakers/tubes
3.3 volumetric flasks
3.4 graduated/bulb pipettes
3.5 other (please specify)
3.6 syringes
3.7 burettes - measure pH and/or conductivity, using two of the
following:
4.1 handheld pH meter
4.2 combined pH/conductivity meter
4.3 conductivity meter
4.4 bench top pH meter
4.5 other (please specify) - calibrate or check the calibration for two of the following:
5.1 pH meter
5.2 conductivity meter
5.3 other (please specify)
5.4 balance
5.5 pipettes - calculate the concentrations of solutions, the amounts
and volumes required, using four of the following:
6.1 moles per litre
6.2 parts per million
6.3 other (please specify)
6.4 grams per litre
6.5 mass percent - make up known volumes of solutions to a specified
concentration, using both of the following:
7.1 by measuring and dissolving the correct amount of
solute in the correct volume of diluent/solvent
7.2 by dilution from a concentrated stock solution 8. weigh
and prepare three of the following types of compound or
solution:
8.1 powders/granulations that do not readily lose or gain
weight (moisture or solvent)
8.2 solids that readily lose or gain weight (moisture or
solvent)
8.3 liquid samples (by difference)
8.4 liquid samples (direct) - record details of the work, and communicate the details
to the appropriate people, using:
9.1 verbal report plus one method from the following:
9.2 written or typed report (eg, laboratory notebook)
9.3 computer-based record
9.4 specific company documentation
9.5 electronic mail