Assessor Resource

AMPMGT604
Manage effective operation of meat enterprise cold chain and refrigeration systems

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to plan and oversee the effective operation of enterprise cold chain and refrigeration systems, ensuring product quality and food safety. It also describes ways to manage and reduce the costs of cold chain operations. Cold chain systems and operations are critical to the quality and food safety of enterprise products. Managing them efficiently will minimise production costs and facilitate regulatory compliance.

This unit is applicable to production managers, plant engineers, Quality Assurance (QA), maintenance and chiller managers or coordinators.

At this level, individuals exercise considerable responsibility and accountability within enterprise structures and are required to make primary contributions to the values, goals and operations of the enterprise. They will typically have responsibility for establishing and reviewing systems for their site or department. They may work with the assistance of external experts to develop plans and strategies.

This unit must be delivered using Australian meat industry standards and regulations.

No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

Element

Performance criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Assess enterprise cold chain system requirements

1.1 Analyse enterprise goals, directions and forecasts and determine the implications for cold chain requirements

1.2 Document enterprise refrigeration systems, cold chain, operations and technical support team activities

1.3 Identify regulatory and customer requirements regarding operating and maintaining refrigeration systems

1.4 Determine enterprise requirements for accessing specialised refrigeration advice and expertise

1.5 Determine optimum refrigeration requirements to maintain quality and safety of products

1.6 Establish performance standards and targets, including those relating to food safety, cost, quality and waste

2. Manage and control cold chain systems

2.1 Develop procedures for safely and hygienically operating and maintaining refrigeration or cold chain systems according to quality, food safety, manufacturer specifications and customer and enterprise requirements

2.2 Prepare contingency plans and procedures for systems failure or overload and convey to relevant personnel

2.3 Prepare emergency procedures and plans and incorporate into health and safety systems, procedures, training and work instructions

2.4 Prepare strategies for communicating and resolving system problems and failures with stakeholders

3. Monitor refrigeration and cold chain system performance

3.1 Determine and develop performance information requirements and data collection strategies

3.2 Establish and maintain monitoring procedures for operating refrigeration or cold chain systems

3.3 Investigate and report non-conformances and implement corrective action

3.4 Develop and implement preventative and control procedures to prevent future non-conformance

4. Improve refrigeration system performance

4.1 Analyse and measure performance data against relevant performance standards, including product quality and cost requirements

4.2 Calculate and monitor energy costs of refrigeration systems

4.3 Develop and implement strategies to improve performance and minimise costs

4.4 Include refrigeration system requirements in budgets and plans

Evidence must demonstrate the candidate's consistency of performance over time.

Candidates must:

assess requirements for enterprise refrigeration or cold chain systems in terms of enterprise goals, directions and forecasts, detailed product knowledge and regulatory requirements

apply mathematical skills and budget principles to refrigeration costs

apply relevant communication and mathematical skills including, as appropriate:

assertiveness, persuasion and negotiation skills

face-to-face, technological and electronic communication

communicating in sensitive, conflictive, collaborative and supportive environments

analysing and presenting complex concepts, technical information, mathematical information and other data in simple or complex formats

complex actual and hypothetical technical and financial modelling, calculations, interpretation or analysis

develop and maintain the operating system

prepare manuals and procedures for operating refrigeration systems, chillers and freezers according to hygiene, safety, quality and customer requirements and determine corrective actions for systems variations and non-conformances

identify key personnel for the resolution and communication of systems problems and failures

maintain currency of knowledge through independent research or professional development

maintain the quality of products in the cold chain by monitoring chillers or freezers and interpreting refrigeration data to maintain appropriate temperature or humidity for product types and quantities

manage maintenance of enterprise refrigeration systems including the negotiation and preparation of maintenance schedules; monitoring repairs; conformance with regulatory and quality requirements; and replacement requirements

manage refrigeration costs by monitoring the costs of refrigeration including internal or external service models, maintenance costs, lost time costs, product losses and energy costs

monitor and report system performance including setting performance standards and measures for refrigeration system, that are consistent with enterprise goals and products; analysing performance information; and making recommendations for systems improvement to include in enterprise forward planning

operate refrigeration or cold chain systems efficiently, including: identifying and implementing strategies for reducing heat load in enterprise chiller or freezer; minimising energy costs; maximising availability and minimising down time; maintaining temperatures according to quality and food safety requirements

prepare safety procedures for chillers or refrigeration systems, including: emergency plans and procedures for incidents and accidents associated with refrigerants (leaks and spills); and procedures for the safe and efficient operation of equipment, including forklifts and lights, in chillers and freezers

utilise information and communications technology including statistical and modelling software for research, data collection and analysis, and reporting

Candidates must demonstrate an in depth technical and theoretical knowledge of:

refrigeration concepts and terms including:

ambient temperature

Biot number: ratio of conductive (internal) resistance to heat transfer to the convective (external) resistance

half cooling time

surface heat transfer

thermal properties of meat including conductivity

strategies for reducing heat loads, including:

air curtains

automatic door closers

improved insulation to prevent heat filtration through wall

no lights, people, machinery inside

plastic strips

removal of heat load caused by fans

impact of high and low humidity on eating quality, production and storage of meat and meat products

impact of moisture transfer during chilling and freezing on quality, production and storage of meat and meat products

impact of packaging on chilling and freezing rates of meat and meat product

concept of heat load and the implications for product quality and energy requirements for refrigeration system

methods of chilling and freezing meat and meat products including:

air (including natural convection, forced convection and spray chilling)

air freezing

contact freezing

cryogenic (including gaseous, sold and liquid - liquid nitrogen and solid carbon dioxide)

cryogenic freezing

direct contact (including plate freezing and conduction)

direct freezing systems

liquid immersion (including chilled water or glycol solution)

the impact of chilling, chilling rates, freezing and freezing rates on quality, production and storage of meat and meat products

qualities of humidity including changes in evaporation, pH levels, saturation humidity, saturation vapour pressure

Competency must be demonstrated through sustained performance over time, at an appropriate level of responsibility and authority under typical operating and production conditions for the enterprise.

Methods of assessment must include:

a third-party referee report of sustained performance at appropriate level of authority and responsibility

assignment focusing on understanding and application of principles and theory to workplace operations

workplace projects with focus on company environment and conditions

Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs.


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Element

Performance criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Assess enterprise cold chain system requirements

1.1 Analyse enterprise goals, directions and forecasts and determine the implications for cold chain requirements

1.2 Document enterprise refrigeration systems, cold chain, operations and technical support team activities

1.3 Identify regulatory and customer requirements regarding operating and maintaining refrigeration systems

1.4 Determine enterprise requirements for accessing specialised refrigeration advice and expertise

1.5 Determine optimum refrigeration requirements to maintain quality and safety of products

1.6 Establish performance standards and targets, including those relating to food safety, cost, quality and waste

2. Manage and control cold chain systems

2.1 Develop procedures for safely and hygienically operating and maintaining refrigeration or cold chain systems according to quality, food safety, manufacturer specifications and customer and enterprise requirements

2.2 Prepare contingency plans and procedures for systems failure or overload and convey to relevant personnel

2.3 Prepare emergency procedures and plans and incorporate into health and safety systems, procedures, training and work instructions

2.4 Prepare strategies for communicating and resolving system problems and failures with stakeholders

3. Monitor refrigeration and cold chain system performance

3.1 Determine and develop performance information requirements and data collection strategies

3.2 Establish and maintain monitoring procedures for operating refrigeration or cold chain systems

3.3 Investigate and report non-conformances and implement corrective action

3.4 Develop and implement preventative and control procedures to prevent future non-conformance

4. Improve refrigeration system performance

4.1 Analyse and measure performance data against relevant performance standards, including product quality and cost requirements

4.2 Calculate and monitor energy costs of refrigeration systems

4.3 Develop and implement strategies to improve performance and minimise costs

4.4 Include refrigeration system requirements in budgets and plans

Evidence must demonstrate the candidate's consistency of performance over time.

Candidates must:

assess requirements for enterprise refrigeration or cold chain systems in terms of enterprise goals, directions and forecasts, detailed product knowledge and regulatory requirements

apply mathematical skills and budget principles to refrigeration costs

apply relevant communication and mathematical skills including, as appropriate:

assertiveness, persuasion and negotiation skills

face-to-face, technological and electronic communication

communicating in sensitive, conflictive, collaborative and supportive environments

analysing and presenting complex concepts, technical information, mathematical information and other data in simple or complex formats

complex actual and hypothetical technical and financial modelling, calculations, interpretation or analysis

develop and maintain the operating system

prepare manuals and procedures for operating refrigeration systems, chillers and freezers according to hygiene, safety, quality and customer requirements and determine corrective actions for systems variations and non-conformances

identify key personnel for the resolution and communication of systems problems and failures

maintain currency of knowledge through independent research or professional development

maintain the quality of products in the cold chain by monitoring chillers or freezers and interpreting refrigeration data to maintain appropriate temperature or humidity for product types and quantities

manage maintenance of enterprise refrigeration systems including the negotiation and preparation of maintenance schedules; monitoring repairs; conformance with regulatory and quality requirements; and replacement requirements

manage refrigeration costs by monitoring the costs of refrigeration including internal or external service models, maintenance costs, lost time costs, product losses and energy costs

monitor and report system performance including setting performance standards and measures for refrigeration system, that are consistent with enterprise goals and products; analysing performance information; and making recommendations for systems improvement to include in enterprise forward planning

operate refrigeration or cold chain systems efficiently, including: identifying and implementing strategies for reducing heat load in enterprise chiller or freezer; minimising energy costs; maximising availability and minimising down time; maintaining temperatures according to quality and food safety requirements

prepare safety procedures for chillers or refrigeration systems, including: emergency plans and procedures for incidents and accidents associated with refrigerants (leaks and spills); and procedures for the safe and efficient operation of equipment, including forklifts and lights, in chillers and freezers

utilise information and communications technology including statistical and modelling software for research, data collection and analysis, and reporting

Candidates must demonstrate an in depth technical and theoretical knowledge of:

refrigeration concepts and terms including:

ambient temperature

Biot number: ratio of conductive (internal) resistance to heat transfer to the convective (external) resistance

half cooling time

surface heat transfer

thermal properties of meat including conductivity

strategies for reducing heat loads, including:

air curtains

automatic door closers

improved insulation to prevent heat filtration through wall

no lights, people, machinery inside

plastic strips

removal of heat load caused by fans

impact of high and low humidity on eating quality, production and storage of meat and meat products

impact of moisture transfer during chilling and freezing on quality, production and storage of meat and meat products

impact of packaging on chilling and freezing rates of meat and meat product

concept of heat load and the implications for product quality and energy requirements for refrigeration system

methods of chilling and freezing meat and meat products including:

air (including natural convection, forced convection and spray chilling)

air freezing

contact freezing

cryogenic (including gaseous, sold and liquid - liquid nitrogen and solid carbon dioxide)

cryogenic freezing

direct contact (including plate freezing and conduction)

direct freezing systems

liquid immersion (including chilled water or glycol solution)

the impact of chilling, chilling rates, freezing and freezing rates on quality, production and storage of meat and meat products

qualities of humidity including changes in evaporation, pH levels, saturation humidity, saturation vapour pressure

Competency must be demonstrated through sustained performance over time, at an appropriate level of responsibility and authority under typical operating and production conditions for the enterprise.

Methods of assessment must include:

a third-party referee report of sustained performance at appropriate level of authority and responsibility

assignment focusing on understanding and application of principles and theory to workplace operations

workplace projects with focus on company environment and conditions

Assessors must satisfy current standards for RTOs.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Analyse enterprise goals, directions and forecasts and determine the implications for cold chain requirements 
Document enterprise refrigeration systems, cold chain, operations and technical support team activities 
Identify regulatory and customer requirements regarding operating and maintaining refrigeration systems 
Determine enterprise requirements for accessing specialised refrigeration advice and expertise 
Determine optimum refrigeration requirements to maintain quality and safety of products 
Establish performance standards and targets, including those relating to food safety, cost, quality and waste 
Develop procedures for safely and hygienically operating and maintaining refrigeration or cold chain systems according to quality, food safety, manufacturer specifications and customer and enterprise requirements 
Prepare contingency plans and procedures for systems failure or overload and convey to relevant personnel 
Prepare emergency procedures and plans and incorporate into health and safety systems, procedures, training and work instructions 
Prepare strategies for communicating and resolving system problems and failures with stakeholders 
Determine and develop performance information requirements and data collection strategies 
Establish and maintain monitoring procedures for operating refrigeration or cold chain systems 
Investigate and report non-conformances and implement corrective action 
Develop and implement preventative and control procedures to prevent future non-conformance 
Analyse and measure performance data against relevant performance standards, including product quality and cost requirements 
Calculate and monitor energy costs of refrigeration systems 
Develop and implement strategies to improve performance and minimise costs 
Include refrigeration system requirements in budgets and plans 
Analyse enterprise goals, directions and forecasts and determine the implications for cold chain requirements 
Document enterprise refrigeration systems, cold chain, operations and technical support team activities 
Identify regulatory and customer requirements regarding operating and maintaining refrigeration systems 
Determine enterprise requirements for accessing specialised refrigeration advice and expertise 
Determine optimum refrigeration requirements to maintain quality and safety of products 
Establish performance standards and targets, including those relating to food safety, cost, quality and waste 
Develop procedures for safely and hygienically operating and maintaining refrigeration or cold chain systems according to quality, food safety, manufacturer specifications and customer and enterprise requirements 
Prepare contingency plans and procedures for systems failure or overload and convey to relevant personnel 
Prepare emergency procedures and plans and incorporate into health and safety systems, procedures, training and work instructions 
Prepare strategies for communicating and resolving system problems and failures with stakeholders 
Determine and develop performance information requirements and data collection strategies 
Establish and maintain monitoring procedures for operating refrigeration or cold chain systems 
Investigate and report non-conformances and implement corrective action 
Develop and implement preventative and control procedures to prevent future non-conformance 
Analyse and measure performance data against relevant performance standards, including product quality and cost requirements 
Calculate and monitor energy costs of refrigeration systems 
Develop and implement strategies to improve performance and minimise costs 
Include refrigeration system requirements in budgets and plans 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AMPMGT604 - Manage effective operation of meat enterprise cold chain and refrigeration systems
Assessment task 1: [title]

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Assessment Record Sheet

AMPMGT604 - Manage effective operation of meat enterprise cold chain and refrigeration systems

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

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