NZQA registered unit standard
12460 version 4
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Title
Demonstrate knowledge of the microbiology of air
Level
6
Credits
2
Purpose
People credited with this unit standard are able to: describe the
microorganisms found in air, their origins, and mechanisms of
dispersion; describe the significance of microorganisms in air
quality; and demonstrate methods of sampling air for
microorganisms.
Classification
Science > Microbiology
Available grade
Achieved
Explanatory notes
1
All work must be carried out in accordance with the quality management system,
documented protocol system or Standard Operating Procedures acceptable in a
commercial or research laboratory.
2
Health and Safety practices must conform to Australian/New Zealand Standard
AS/NZS 2243:2006 Set – Safety in Laboratories Parts 1, 2, 3, 7 and 10 available at
http://www.standards.co.nz and http://infostore.saiglobal.com/store.
3
Legislation applicable to this unit standard includes:
Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992;
Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Describe the microorganisms found in air, their origins, and mechanisms of dispersion.
Evidence requirements
1.1
Microorganisms found in an air sample are described in terms of the possible
origins of the organisms.
1.2
Description includes physical methods of aerial dispersal of microorganisms.
Range
evidence of three methods is required.
NZQA National Qualifications Services
SSB Code 130301
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
12460 version 4
Page 2 of 3
Outcome 2
Describe the significance of microorganisms in air quality.
Evidence requirements
2.1
The description includes examples of situations where the microbiology of air is
significant in terms of air quality.
Range
air conditioning systems, aseptic packaging, food processing,
public health;
evidence of two situations is required.
Outcome 3
Demonstrate methods of sampling air for microorganisms.
Evidence requirements
3.1
Sample methods demonstrate the diversity of airborne microorganisms.
Range
two methods are required.
Planned review date
31 December 2018
Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process
Version Date
Last Date for Assessment
Registration
1
17 February 1998
31 December 2014
Review
2
23 November 1999
31 December 2014
Review
3
21 May 2010
N/A
Rollover
4
27 January 2015
N/A
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference
0152
This CMR can be accessed at http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/framework/search/index.do.
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA,
before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses
of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by
NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and
which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that
applies to those standards.
NZQA National Qualifications Services
SSB Code 130301
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016
NZQA registered unit standard
12460 version 4
Page 3 of 3
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies
to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR). The
CMR also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing
to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors
and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact NZQA National Qualifications Services nqs@nzqa.govt.nz if you wish to
suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
NZQA National Qualifications Services
SSB Code 130301
 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2016