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 should be relevant to the work. It should satisfy the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and include consideration of:

the required knowledge and skills tailored to the needs of the specific workplace

applicable OHS regulations, environmental and safe working requirements/practices, SOP and housekeeping requirements

applicable aspects of the range statement

practical workplace demonstration of skills in monitoring and controlling boiler operation

Context of and specific resources for assessment

A workplace assessment must be used to assess:

the application of required knowledge on the job

the application of skills on the job, over time and under a range of typical conditions that may be experienced in steam generation operations

Access to the full range of equipment involved in integrated continuous manufacturing of steam generation operations in a pulp or paper mill is required

Method of assessment

A combination of assessment methods should be used. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

observation of applied skills and knowledge on the job

workplace demonstrations via a mock-up or simulation that replicate part/s of the job

answers to written or verbal questions about specific skills and knowledge

third-party reports from relevant and skilled personnel

written evidence e.g. log sheet entries, checklist entries, test results

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and in keeping with the language and literacy capacity of the learner and the work being performed. This includes conducting an assessment in a manner that allows thoughts to be conveyed verbally so that the learner can both understand and be understood by the assessor (e.g. use plain English and terminology used on the job)

A holistic assessment with other units relevant to the pulp and paper industry, mill and job role is recommended

Additional information on approaches to assessment for the pulp and paper industry is provided in the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package

This describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills

Uses required forms of communication in monitoring and controlling boiler operation

Reads and interprets required documentation, procedures and reports within level of responsibility

Accesses, navigates and enters computer-based information

Interprets instruments, gauges and data recording equipment

Interprets specifications and customer orders

Identifies and actions problems within level of responsibility

Identifies and monitors process control points

Maintains situational awareness in the work area

Perform tests and interprets and record results as required

Uses measuring equipment as required

Conducts pre-operational checks

Inspects and maintains boiler and ancillary equipment and services to operating standards

Operates high risk equipment as required

Analyses and uses sensory information to adjust process to maintain safety, quality and productivity

Uses electronic and other control systems to control equipment and processes as required

Required knowledge

Procedures, regulations and legislative requirements relevant to monitoring and controlling boiler operation systems including OHS, environmental including relevant sustainability requirements/practices, SOP, isolation procedures, safe working requirements, risks and hazard identification and housekeeping

Relevant forms of communication

Basic problem-solving techniques consistent with level of responsibility

Working knowledge of steam generation plant, processes, layout and associated services including operating parameters, variation and associated adjustments within level of responsibility

Sampling and testing process for plant and system operations, and process steam supply monitoring - purpose, standards and procedures as per site agreements

Boiler water treatment system and reasons for treatment

Operation of plant and systems

Application of high risk equipment as required

Sensory information that indicates a deviation from standard operating parameters

Sufficient knowledge of electronic and other control systems, operation and application to make appropriate adjustments that control boiler operation, within level of responsibility

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.

Productivity requirements may include:

energy efficiency

waste minimisation

evaporation minimisation, including landfill and waste water reduction

environmentally safe waste disposal

consideration of resource utilisation, including fibre efficiency

minimising delays

chemical recovery maximisation

meeting key performance indicators

line speed

handovers

quality checks

meeting output targets i.e. net tonnes per employee per annum

machine/process time availability i.e. time the machine or process is making product

machine/process production rate

Boiler types may include:

fire tube

water tube

and may be operated in conjunction with other steam driven plant and operations including:

paper making machines

turbines

digesters

evaporators

heating plant

Pre-operational checks may include:

low water level alarm

high water level alarm

low water level alarm lockout

hydrostatic test

burner management system

safety valve test

Materials and supplies may include:

chemicals

coal

oil

gas

additives

air

water

wood waste

steam

recovery process products

power

Equipment may include:

boiler and auxiliary plant

boiler heating systems

steam distribution system

fuel and fuel delivery system plant

dust removal and combustion waste

fuel management system

extraction systems

water distribution systems

compressed air systems

steam temperature control plant

chemical dosing system

water treatment system

flame detection equipment

hand and power tools

computer systems

electronic screens and alarms

process control systems

analogue and digital instrumentation

fully automated, semi-automated, manually operated plant and equipment appropriate to steam generation operations

Electronic control systems may include:

Digital Control System (DCS)

touch screens

robotics

Legislation, regulatory, licensing and certification requirements may include:

OHS and environmental requirements (local, state and commonwealth)

as applicable, activity or task specific high risk licensing requirements

appropriate boiler/pressure vessel operator certification

confined space standards and regulations

Documentation, procedures and reports may include:

SOP

quality procedures

environmental sustainability requirements/practices

plant manufacturing operating manuals

oil or chemical spills and disposal guidelines

plant isolation documentation

safe work documentation e.g. plant clearance, job safety analysis, permit systems

enterprise policies and procedures

job sheets

manufacturer's specifications

maintenance documentation

statutory requirements

Materials Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

operator's log

process and instrument diagrams

Maintenance may include:

operator level as per site agreements

operator schedules

systems

suppliers

proactive strategies e.g. Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), Reliability Centred Maintenance (RCM)

Actions may include:

process adjustments

reporting to authorised person

rectifying problem within level of responsibility

Communications may include

interaction with:

internal/external customers and suppliers

team members

production/service coordinators

maintenance services

operational management

statutory authorities

Situational awareness may include

awareness of:

traffic

pedestrians

location of equipment

product

hazards

obstruction

unexpected movement

Forms of communication may include:

written e.g. log books, emails, incident and other reports, run sheets, data entry

reading and interpreting documentation e.g. SOP, manuals, checklists, drawings

verbal e.g. radio skills, telephone, face to face, handover

non-verbal e.g. hand signals, alarms, observations

signage e.g. safety, access

Sensory information may include:

visual

sound

feel

touch

smell

vibration

temperature