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

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

The evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the Elements, Performance Criteria, Required Skills, Required Knowledge and include:

initiating timely action in response to defects or damage

attention to appropriate level of detail in recordkeeping

providing required amount of detail in reports

ensuring behaviour reflects relevant current legislative and regulatory requirements.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Performance is demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.

Resources for assessment include access to:

industry-approved marine operations site where operating and maintaining a boiler can be conducted

tools, equipment and personal protective equipment currently used in industry

relevant regulatory and equipment documentation that impacts on work activities

range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or other simulated practical and knowledge assessments

appropriate range of relevant operational situations in the workplace.

In both real and simulated environments, access is required to:

relevant and appropriate materials and equipment

applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals.

Method of assessment

Practical assessment must occur in an:

appropriately simulated workplace environment and/or

appropriate range of situations in the workplace.

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate to this unit:

direct observation of the candidate operating and maintaining a boiler

direct observation of the candidate applying relevant WHS/OHS requirements and work practices.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended.

In all cases where practical assessment is used it should be combined with targeted questioning to assess Required Knowledge.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language and literacy requirements of the work being performed and the capacity of the candidate.

Required Skills:

Apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist when operating and monitoring boiler

Communicate effectively with others when operating and monitoring boiler performance

Complete documentation related to operating and monitoring boiler performance

Identify and assess boiler defects and deficiencies, and take appropriate action to report, isolate, repair or replace identified defective equipment

Implement contingency plans for emergencies

Read and interpret instructions, procedures, information and signs relevant to operating and monitoring boiler

Select and use required personal protective equipment conform to industry and WHS/OHS standards

Required Knowledge:

Applicable legislation relating to steam plant and nationally approved compliance codes and/or guidelines, and codes of practice

Basic principles of boiler operation, monitoring devices, ancillary systems

Boiler controls, instruments and indicators and their purpose, location and use

Methods for:

adjusting controls to maximise efficient and safe running

carrying out minor maintenance, cleaning and servicing boiler

managing safety incidents and hazardous situations that may arise when operating and monitoring boiler performance

operating and monitoring performance of boiler ancillary equipment

PPE required when operating boiler and procedures for its use

Principles for starting up, operating, monitoring and shutting down boiler

Procedures to be followed:

when there is an emergency when operating boiler

for confined space entry

Relevant licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements

Relevant work health and safety (WHS)/occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental procedures and regulations

Requirements for completing relevant documentation during and after operating and monitoring boiler performance

Typical faults that can occur with boiler and related action that should be taken to repair, isolate, replace, report and record faulty equipment

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.

Personal protective equipment may include:

Chemical resistant gloves and apron

Ear protection (muffs or plugs)

Eye protection

Fire-resistant clothing

Hard hat head protection

Respiratory devices

Thermally insulated gloves

Working protective gloves

Boiler components of a must include:

Ash pan and damper

Boiler controls and safety devices

Lighting and visual warning systems

Oil burning apparatus

Valves

Pre-operational safety checks must include:

Boiler water level

Checks of feed water supply and system

Combustion air supply system

Combustion equipment

Essential fittings

Firefighting equipment

Fuel supply/heat source system

Identifying and managing hazards and maintenance problems

Inspecting and locating explosion doors

Operation and position of boiler valves

Selecting PPE

Hazards and potential hazards may include:

Boiler low water condition

Chemical hazards

Excessive noise

Hot exposed steam pipe

Lack of machinery guards

Leakage of:

boiler

fuel

gas

Manual handling hazards

Obstructions and defects in work area

Poor illumination of work area

Rubbish and combustibles in area

Thermal hazards

Chemicals may include:

Extinguishing agent’s carbon dioxide

Feed water additives

Organic foam and dry powder

Oxygen scavenger

Soda acid

Operating log must include:

Boiler status and operation

Chemical treatment

Maintenance/repair requirements

Steam pressure

Test results

Time in use

Documentation may include:

Boiler certificate

Boiler operational records and user log books

Emergency procedures and instructions

Maintenance notices, records and requests

Operational instructions, policies and procedures

Maintenance requirements may include:

Blow down valve

Boiler steam pressure gauge

Feed water stop valve

Flame failure detection device

Gauge glasses

Main steam stop valve

Safety valves

Water level controller