The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of ability to:

conduct pre-start checks on machinery used for filtration

start, operate, monitor and adjust process equipment to achieve required quality outcomes

take corrective action in response to typical faults and inconsistencies

complete workplace records as required

apply safe work practices and identify OHS hazards and controls

safely shut down equipment

apply food safety procedures.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must occur in a real or simulated workplace where the assessee has access to:

personal protective clothing and equipment

work procedures, including advice on safe work practices, food safety, quality and environmental requirements, stock flow systems, production schedules, and batch/recipe instructions

information on equipment capacity and operating parameters

production schedule/batch instructions

filtration and related equipment and services

materials required for filtration

sampling schedules and test procedures and equipment as required

documentation and recording requirements and procedures

cleaning procedures, materials and equipment as required.

Method of assessment

This unit should be assessed together with core units and other units of competency relevant to the function or work role.

Guidance information for assessment

To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency should be demonstrated on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances, cases and responsibilities, and where possible, over a number of assessment activities.

Required skills include:

Ability to:

select, fit and use personal protective clothing and/or equipment

confirm supply of necessary materials and services

draw mud from the clarifier and assess mud quality

confirm equipment status and condition

set up filters and start up the process

assess requirement for mud conditioning and add materials as required

monitor the process and equipment operation to maintain the process within the required parameters. This typically involves visual inspections and conducting tests to monitor characteristics such as:

throughput

clarifier mud levels and quality

filter speed and cake thickness

filtrate clarity and pH

mud pol and moisture

equipment condition including filter vacuum and scraper and screen condition

wash water flow and temperature

take corrective action in response to out-of-specification results

report and/or record corrective action as required

record workplace information

demonstrate shift handover procedure

shut down equipment in response to an emergency situation

demonstrate an operational shut down procedure

prepare equipment for cleaning/maintenance

maintain work area to meet housekeeping standards

Required knowledge includes:

Knowledge of:

the purpose and basic principles of mud filtration

the purpose and role of materials added and their effect on filter operation

the effect of recycle streams on the mud filtration process

the effect of addition rates on the process

the effect of variation in process parameters

the effect of mud age on filter performance

the circuit flow of this process and relationship to related processes including mud output, filter speed, water addition and cake permeability

equipment purpose and basic operating principles of mud filtration equipment including vacuum pumps and condensers

services used

operating requirements and parameters

significance and method of monitoring control points within the process

common causes of variation and corrective action required

hazards and controls

the purpose and limitations of protective clothing and equipment

lock out and tag out procedures

requirements of both operational and long term shut down conditions to ensure the equipment is left in a safe state for the period of the shutdown and to minimise any delays in future start up

procedures and responsibility for reporting problems

environmental issues and controls

waste handling requirements and procedures

recording requirements and procedures

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Policies and procedures

Work is carried out in accordance with company policies and procedures, licensing requirements, manufacturer's recommendations, legislative requirements, codes of practice and industrial awards and agreements.

Codes of practice

Codes of practice include the Sugar Milling Operations Industry Code of Practice.

Workplace information

Workplace information can include:

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs

specifications

production schedules

manufacturer's specifications.

Mud filtration equipment

Mud filtration equipment may include:

clarifier mud removal

mud tank/mud mixer

bagacillo system

filtrate receivers and pump

vacuum pumps

mud filter

mud conveying system and storage

filter wash water supply

lime, flocculant and filtrate recycle to mud system.

Equipment status

Confirming equipment status involves

conducting relevant pre-start checks

confirming that cleaning standards are met

all safety guards are in place

equipment is operational.

It may also involve checking operation/calibration of measuring instrumentation.

Equipment operation and monitoring

Operation and monitoring of equipment and processes typically requires the use of control panels and systems.

Services

Services may include:

power

water

compressed and instrumentation air.

Materials

Materials can include lime, flocculants, saccharate and preservatives

Tests

Where tests are conducted as part of operation, typical requirements are for pH and thymol testing.

Process monitoring

Monitoring the process may involve the use of production data such as performance control charts.

Control points

Control points refer to those key points in a work process which must be monitored and controlled.

Teamwork

Work may require the ability to work within a team environment.

Information systems

Information systems may be print or screen based.