Assessor Resource

PMAOPS312
Undertake ship loading/unloading operations

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to undertake ship loading/unloading operations for products such as liquefied natural gas (LNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), oil, chemicals and particulates. It applies to loading areas including:

terminal facilities

jetties

production platforms

floating storage and offtake (FSO)/floating production storage and offtake (FPSO).

This unit of competency applies to operations technicians who are required to demonstrate a significant understanding of the process and the equipment operation in order to prepare for and control the cargo transfer rate within safe limits, communicate with the loading master and terminal operator, complete all necessary documentation for the control and calculation of product volumes, and identify and solve operational problems.

This unit of competency applies to an individual working alone or as part of a team or group and working in liaison with other shift team members and the control room operator, as appropriate.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements 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.

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

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

1

Prepare for work

1.1

Receive and give shift handover

1.2

Identify work requirements

1.3

Identify and control hazards

1.4

Coordinate with appropriate personnel

1.5

Check for recent work undertaken on ship loading/unloading equipment

1.6

Note any outstanding/incomplete work

1.7

Check operational status of ship loading/unloading equipment

2

Prepare for ship transfer

2.1

Check that the vessel is moored and secured in accordance with procedures and the transfer points aligned ready for product transfer

2.2

Activate/bring on line all safety systems

2.3

Ensure all arms/hoses and related equipment connections, are in place and operational conditions for transfer of product are satisfied

2.4

Ensure safety check documentation is completed

3

Transfer product to/from ship in accordance with procedures

3.1

Check transfer advice/documentation and complete required records

3.2

Engage fire and deluge protection systems

3.3

Launch and retrieve batching pigs

3.4

Commence the transfer process of the specified product

3.5

Monitor transfer equipment, its component items and levels frequently and critically throughout transfer using measured/indicated data and senses

3.6

Take action specified in procedures

3.7

Identify vapour or product leakages/spills and take specified action

3.8

Apply emergency procedures, as required

4

Complete transfer process

4.1

Achieve or satisfy capacities and transfer requirements within the allowable timeframes and schedules

4.2

Retrieve batching pigs, as required

4.3

Decommission, isolate and disengage transfer systems from or to the vessel, as required

4.4

Continue to monitor and control fire, deluge and safety systems during the finalization of the loading process and let-go of the vessel, as required

4.5

Complete all required logs and documentation and communicate the results of the transfer to the appropriate personnel

4.6

Shut down and bring transfer facilities off line, ensuring that the area has been made safe after the transfer has been completed

5

Isolate and de-isolate plant

5.1

Isolate transfer plant

5.2

Make safe for required work/storage

5.3

Check plant is ready to be returned to service

5.4

De-isolate and prepare plant for return to service

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy the requirements of the elements and performance criteria, and include the ability to:

check that vessel, equipment and safety systems are ready for transfer

start-up and shut down transfer facilities

control and monitor transfer rates and levels to meet capacities and schedules

identify hazards and risks and apply risk control procedures

identify early warning signs of equipment/processes needing attention or with potential problems

resolve routine and non-routine problems

identify hazards and risks and apply risk control procedures.

Evidence must be provided that demonstrates knowledge of:

all items on a schematic of the ship loading/unloading system and functions of each

the nature/condition of materials being transferred to and from the vessel and the factors to be considered in the transfer operation

effects of temperature and pressure in transfer operations

storage and product transfer techniques and mediums

principles of operation of plant/equipment

interactions between plant items/processes

systems’ operating parameters and integrity limits, product specifications and tolerances, temperature, pressure and flow,

methods of controlling the rate of transfer and the advantages and disadvantages of each

impact of external factors (e.g. variations in weather)

function and troubleshooting of major components and their problems

hierarchy of control

hazards that may arise in the job/work environment, and:

their possible causes

potential consequences

appropriate risk controls.

The unit should be assessed holistically and the judgement of competence based on a holistic assessment of the evidence.

The collection of performance evidence:

should occur over a range of situations which include typical disruptions to normal, smooth operations

will typically include a supervisor/third-party report focusing on consistent performance and problem recognition and solving. A supervisor/third-party report must be prepared by someone who has a direct, relevant, current relationship with the person being assessed and who is in a position to form a judgement on workplace performance relevant to the unit of competency

must include the use of ship loading/unloading equipment relevant to this unit allowing operation

may use industry-based simulation for part only of the unit particularly where safety, lack of opportunity or significant cost is an issue.

Assessment should occur in operational workplace situations. Where this is not possible, or where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment must occur in a sufficiently rigorous simulated environment reflecting realistic operational workplace conditions. This must cover all aspects of workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.

Assessment in a simulated environment should use evidence collected from one or more of:

walk-throughs

pilot plant operation

demonstration of skills

industry-based case studies/scenarios

‘what ifs’.

Knowledge evidence may be collected concurrently with performance evidence (provided a record is kept) or through an independent process, such as workbooks, written assessments or interviews (provided a record is kept).

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

Conditions for assessment must include access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required, including relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications associated with this unit.

The regulatory framework will be reflected in workplace policies and procedures and is not required to be independently assessed.

Foundation skills are integral to competent performance of the unit and should not be assessed separately.

Assessors must satisfy the assessor competency requirements that are in place at the time of the assessment as set by the VET regulator.

In addition, the assessor or anyone acting in subject matter expert role in assessment must demonstrate both technical competency and currency. If the assessor cannot demonstrate technical competency and currency they must assess with a subject matter expert who does meet these requirements.

Technical competence can be demonstrated through one or more of:

relevant VET or other qualification/Statement of Attainment

appropriate workplace experience undertaking the type of work being assessed under routine and non-routine conditions

appropriate workplace experience supervising/evaluating the type of work being assessed under routine and non-routine conditions

Currency can be demonstrated through one or more of:

being currently employed undertaking the type of work being assessed

being employed by the organisation undertaking the type of work being assessed and having maintained currency in accordance with that organisation’s policies and procedures

having consulted/had contact with an organisation undertaking the type of work being assessed within the last twelve months, the consultation/contact being related to assessment

conducting on-the-job training/assessments of the type of work being assessed

being an active member of a relevant professional body and participating in activities relevant to the assessment of this type of work.


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.

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

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

1

Prepare for work

1.1

Receive and give shift handover

1.2

Identify work requirements

1.3

Identify and control hazards

1.4

Coordinate with appropriate personnel

1.5

Check for recent work undertaken on ship loading/unloading equipment

1.6

Note any outstanding/incomplete work

1.7

Check operational status of ship loading/unloading equipment

2

Prepare for ship transfer

2.1

Check that the vessel is moored and secured in accordance with procedures and the transfer points aligned ready for product transfer

2.2

Activate/bring on line all safety systems

2.3

Ensure all arms/hoses and related equipment connections, are in place and operational conditions for transfer of product are satisfied

2.4

Ensure safety check documentation is completed

3

Transfer product to/from ship in accordance with procedures

3.1

Check transfer advice/documentation and complete required records

3.2

Engage fire and deluge protection systems

3.3

Launch and retrieve batching pigs

3.4

Commence the transfer process of the specified product

3.5

Monitor transfer equipment, its component items and levels frequently and critically throughout transfer using measured/indicated data and senses

3.6

Take action specified in procedures

3.7

Identify vapour or product leakages/spills and take specified action

3.8

Apply emergency procedures, as required

4

Complete transfer process

4.1

Achieve or satisfy capacities and transfer requirements within the allowable timeframes and schedules

4.2

Retrieve batching pigs, as required

4.3

Decommission, isolate and disengage transfer systems from or to the vessel, as required

4.4

Continue to monitor and control fire, deluge and safety systems during the finalization of the loading process and let-go of the vessel, as required

4.5

Complete all required logs and documentation and communicate the results of the transfer to the appropriate personnel

4.6

Shut down and bring transfer facilities off line, ensuring that the area has been made safe after the transfer has been completed

5

Isolate and de-isolate plant

5.1

Isolate transfer plant

5.2

Make safe for required work/storage

5.3

Check plant is ready to be returned to service

5.4

De-isolate and prepare plant for return to service

This field allows for different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included.

Regulatory framework

The latest version of all legislation, regulations, industry codes of practice and Australian/international standards, or the version specified by the local regulatory authority, must be used, and include one or more of the following:

legislative requirements, including work health and safety (WHS)

industry codes of practice and guidelines

environmental regulations and guidelines

Australian and other standards

licence and certification requirements

All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent health, safety and environment (HSE) requirements, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation, and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between performance criteria and HSE requirements, the HSE requirements take precedence.

Hazards

Hazards include one or more of the following:

electricity

gas

gases and liquids under pressure

liquefied gases

structural hazards

structural collapse

equipment failures

industrial (machinery, equipment and product)

equipment or product mass

noise, rotational equipment or vibration

plant services (steam, condensate and cooling water)

working at heights, in restricted or confined spaces, or in environments subjected to heat, noise, dusts or vapours or in darkness

flammability and explosivity

hazardous products and materials

unauthorised personnel

sharp edges, protrusions or obstructions

slippery surfaces, spills or leaks

extreme weather

other hazards that might arise

Non-routine problems

Non-routine problems are unexpected problems, or variations of previous problems and must be resolved by applying operational knowledge to develop new solutions, either individually or in collaboration with relevant experts, to:

determine problems needing action

determine possible fault causes

develop solutions to problems which do not have a known solution

follow through items initiated until final resolution has occurred

report problems outside area of responsibility to designated person

Operational knowledge includes one or more of the following:

procedures

training

technical information such as journals, engineering specifications

remembered experience

relevant knowledge obtained from appropriate people

Start up/shut down

Start up/shut down includes the following:

start up and shut down to/from normal operating conditions

start up and shut down to/from isolated, cold or empty

start up and shut down to/from other conditions/situations experienced on the plant

Procedures

All operations must be performed in accordance with relevant procedures.

Procedures are written, verbal, visual, computer-based or in some other form, include one or more of the following:

emergency procedures

work instructions

standard operating procedures (SOPs)

safe work method statements (SWMS)

formulas/recipes

batch sheets

temporary instructions

any similar instructions provided for the smooth running of the plant

Operate

Operate is to monitor, adjust/make change to the production unit and/or its component items to meet specifications, by one or both of the following:

manually in the plant

using local controller in the plant

This competency does not require the operation of a central control panel.

Ship loading/unloading system

This unit of competency includes all items of equipment and unit operations which form part of the ship loading/unloading system.

A unit comprises two or more components of plant/equipment that are operated together to achieve the outcome, including, as appropriate to the facility, one or more of the following:

loading/unloading systems

loading arms

gantries

gas and other hazard monitoring systems

compressors

storage tanks

pipelines, trunklines and conveyors

pig launcher, pig trap and batching pigs

measurement systems

Ancillary equipment includes one or more of the following:

fire-extinguishers, hoses and jets

mooring lines

fire protection system

deluge system

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy the requirements of the elements and performance criteria, and include the ability to:

check that vessel, equipment and safety systems are ready for transfer

start-up and shut down transfer facilities

control and monitor transfer rates and levels to meet capacities and schedules

identify hazards and risks and apply risk control procedures

identify early warning signs of equipment/processes needing attention or with potential problems

resolve routine and non-routine problems

identify hazards and risks and apply risk control procedures.

Evidence must be provided that demonstrates knowledge of:

all items on a schematic of the ship loading/unloading system and functions of each

the nature/condition of materials being transferred to and from the vessel and the factors to be considered in the transfer operation

effects of temperature and pressure in transfer operations

storage and product transfer techniques and mediums

principles of operation of plant/equipment

interactions between plant items/processes

systems’ operating parameters and integrity limits, product specifications and tolerances, temperature, pressure and flow,

methods of controlling the rate of transfer and the advantages and disadvantages of each

impact of external factors (e.g. variations in weather)

function and troubleshooting of major components and their problems

hierarchy of control

hazards that may arise in the job/work environment, and:

their possible causes

potential consequences

appropriate risk controls.

The unit should be assessed holistically and the judgement of competence based on a holistic assessment of the evidence.

The collection of performance evidence:

should occur over a range of situations which include typical disruptions to normal, smooth operations

will typically include a supervisor/third-party report focusing on consistent performance and problem recognition and solving. A supervisor/third-party report must be prepared by someone who has a direct, relevant, current relationship with the person being assessed and who is in a position to form a judgement on workplace performance relevant to the unit of competency

must include the use of ship loading/unloading equipment relevant to this unit allowing operation

may use industry-based simulation for part only of the unit particularly where safety, lack of opportunity or significant cost is an issue.

Assessment should occur in operational workplace situations. Where this is not possible, or where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment must occur in a sufficiently rigorous simulated environment reflecting realistic operational workplace conditions. This must cover all aspects of workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.

Assessment in a simulated environment should use evidence collected from one or more of:

walk-throughs

pilot plant operation

demonstration of skills

industry-based case studies/scenarios

‘what ifs’.

Knowledge evidence may be collected concurrently with performance evidence (provided a record is kept) or through an independent process, such as workbooks, written assessments or interviews (provided a record is kept).

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

Conditions for assessment must include access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required, including relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications associated with this unit.

The regulatory framework will be reflected in workplace policies and procedures and is not required to be independently assessed.

Foundation skills are integral to competent performance of the unit and should not be assessed separately.

Assessors must satisfy the assessor competency requirements that are in place at the time of the assessment as set by the VET regulator.

In addition, the assessor or anyone acting in subject matter expert role in assessment must demonstrate both technical competency and currency. If the assessor cannot demonstrate technical competency and currency they must assess with a subject matter expert who does meet these requirements.

Technical competence can be demonstrated through one or more of:

relevant VET or other qualification/Statement of Attainment

appropriate workplace experience undertaking the type of work being assessed under routine and non-routine conditions

appropriate workplace experience supervising/evaluating the type of work being assessed under routine and non-routine conditions

Currency can be demonstrated through one or more of:

being currently employed undertaking the type of work being assessed

being employed by the organisation undertaking the type of work being assessed and having maintained currency in accordance with that organisation’s policies and procedures

having consulted/had contact with an organisation undertaking the type of work being assessed within the last twelve months, the consultation/contact being related to assessment

conducting on-the-job training/assessments of the type of work being assessed

being an active member of a relevant professional body and participating in activities relevant to the assessment of this type of work.

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
Receive and give shift handover 
Identify work requirements 
Identify and control hazards 
Coordinate with appropriate personnel 
Check for recent work undertaken on ship loading/unloading equipment 
Note any outstanding/incomplete work 
Check operational status of ship loading/unloading equipment 
Check that the vessel is moored and secured in accordance with procedures and the transfer points aligned ready for product transfer 
Activate/bring on line all safety systems 
Ensure all arms/hoses and related equipment connections, are in place and operational conditions for transfer of product are satisfied 
Ensure safety check documentation is completed 
Check transfer advice/documentation and complete required records 
Engage fire and deluge protection systems 
Launch and retrieve batching pigs 
Commence the transfer process of the specified product 
Monitor transfer equipment, its component items and levels frequently and critically throughout transfer using measured/indicated data and senses 
Take action specified in procedures 
Identify vapour or product leakages/spills and take specified action 
Apply emergency procedures, as required 
Achieve or satisfy capacities and transfer requirements within the allowable timeframes and schedules 
Retrieve batching pigs, as required 
Decommission, isolate and disengage transfer systems from or to the vessel, as required 
Continue to monitor and control fire, deluge and safety systems during the finalization of the loading process and let-go of the vessel, as required 
Complete all required logs and documentation and communicate the results of the transfer to the appropriate personnel 
Shut down and bring transfer facilities off line, ensuring that the area has been made safe after the transfer has been completed 
Isolate transfer plant 
Make safe for required work/storage 
Check plant is ready to be returned to service 
De-isolate and prepare plant for return to service 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

PMAOPS312 - Undertake ship loading/unloading operations
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:


Assessment Record Sheet

PMAOPS312 - Undertake ship loading/unloading operations

Student name:

Student ID:

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

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: