Mineral and construction product sampling and testing operations

KNOWLEDGE 

What is required, an understanding of:

Health and safety

• the risks of activities and equipment both on site and within normal place of work. H&S at Work Act 1974, Manual Handling Operations regulations and COSHH regulations.
• risk assessments, mineral products and industry related legislation, safe systems of work, site specific hazards.
• the importance of promoting a positive health, safety and environmental culture through situational awareness and by personal example, taking appropriate actions if others are acting unsafely

Effective communications

• reporting lines in both day-to-day and emergency situations.
• how to communicate with customers and colleagues (e.g. completing product reports, verbally briefing site manager)  and how to develop and maintain working relationships.

Commitment to code of ethics

• the wider business in which the company operates including personal role within the organisation, ethical practice, policies and procedures

Product and technical knowledge

• products ranging from clay, aggregates, gypsum, cement, concrete and asphalt. How these are produced from raw and recycled constituents; end uses; production requirements; customer requirements; production process and product specifications.
• how products are interlinked (e.g. Aggregates are raw material in both concrete and asphalt. Gyspum is a raw material in cement.)
• relevant BSEN or EN product standards for each product produced and how they apply in the workplace.
• the implications of sub-standard/out of specification products to customers, end users and the wider business. sampling and testing equipment, processes and procedures. (For example air entrainment testing for external concrete slabs)

SKILLS

What is required, an ability to:

Health, safety & environment

• minimise waste and recycle or dispose of waste in line with business environmental and sustainability policies.
• comply with risk assessments, safe systems of work, company safety policy and procedures at all times.

Sampling and testing tasks

• sample product either on production site or on customer’s site using the appropriate equipment for the product. For example, asphalt testing would include tests such as: organoleptic analysis, binder content, grading analysis, temperature, bulk density, % refusal density, insitu density and texture depth – when thinking of asphalt testing – assessing whether the material correct and whether it been laid correctly
• plan and perform tasks following Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and safe systems of work.
• produce reliable and accurate reports
• follow industry guidance when completing sampling tasks and and record progress against them.
• diagnose faults with sampling and testing equipment and take appropriate actions.
• identify deficiencies in both product and the placement of the product. (e.g. concrete being poured into foundations which are holding rain water)
• analyse, interpret and evaluate data and identify results requiring further investigation (non-conformance) seeking advice from colleagues as appropriate.

Communications

• deal with issues calmly and diffuse difficult situations.
• provide courteous and attentive customer service in every aspect of the role, this includes preparing clear written reports and listening and speaking to customers politely, explaining issues factually and clearly.
• communicate information, including the use of information management systems, either digital or paper based.
• communicate with people at all levels effectively ensuring accurate information is passed clearly and promptly.

Commitment to code of ethics

• work within the company rules and regulations.

I.T.

• use IT software and systems in line with company policy and procedures. This will include using test data entry, analysis and reporting systems.

BEHAVIOURS

What is required, will:

Professional judgement

• work within own level of competence or limits of responsibility and judge when to seek advice from line manager or colleagues.

Continuing professional development (CPD)

• identify own development needs and take action to meet those needs.
• use own knowledge and expertise to help others.
• proactively participate in continuous personal development.

Customer service

• maintain a professional, courteous, polite and friendly approach at all times.

Accepting responsibility

• take responsibility for own behaviours, actions and standards of work.
• work well in a team.

Efficiencies

• strive to work efficiently, meet deadlines whilst maintaining accuracy.