Assessor Resource

PMASUP441C
Decommission plant

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


In a typical scenario, an existing plant/pipeline or major plant area, and its associated equipment, are planned to be taken out of service. The experienced technician organizes the systematic shutdown, cleaning out and preparation for safe 'moth-balling' all of the plant and equipment.

This competency is typically performed by experienced technicians, likely to be the leaders of an operational team, usually working in conjunction with a decommissioning team, for the purpose of decommissioning plant/pipelines. As decommissioning is usually a team activity, the technician will take a lead technical role, rather than undertake all aspects on an individual basis.

Much of the activity of successful decommissioning is in planning the activity and then supervising the work to ensure it is done safely and efficiently with no environmental damage. The technician may have no 'hands-on' role at all.

This competency covers the decommissioning of an existing plant/pipeline or major plant area, and its associated equipment. Decommissioning refers to the removal from service of plant/pipeline and equipment and its storage/'mothballing' or disposal.

This unit does not cover the shutdown of a plant/pipeline - use PMAOPS411B Manage plant shutdown and restart.

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

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.



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.

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Assessment of this unit should include demonstrated competence on actual plant/pipeline and equipment in a work environment. The unit will be assessed in as holistic a manner as is practical and may be integrated with the assessment of other relevant units of competency.

Simulation may be required to allow for assessment of parts of this unit. It is possible that a simulation will be required to ensure that the technician is competent before taking a significant role in a decommissioning activity. Decommissioning is an infrequent activity and so it may not be practical or equitable to wait for an actual decommissioning to occur to use this as the basis for assessment.

Simulation should be based on the actual plant and will include walk- throughs of the relevant competency components. Simulations may also include the use of case studies/ scenarios and role plays.

This unit of competency requires a significant body of knowledge which will be assessed through questioning and the use of what-if scenarios both on the plant (during demonstration of normal operations and walk-throughs of abnormal operations) and off the plant.

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

Competence must be demonstrated in the ability to recognise and analyse potential situations requiring action and then in implementing appropriate corrective action. The emphasis should be on the ability to stay out of trouble rather than on recovery from a disaster.

Consistent performance should be demonstrated. In particular look to see that:

potential problems are recognised

the range of possible causes can be identified and analysed and the most likely cause determined

appropriate, timely action is taken

obvious problems in related plant areas are recognised and an appropriate contribution made to their solution

These aspects may be best assessed using a range of scenarios/case studies/what ifs as the stimulus with a walk through forming part of the response. These assessment activities should include a range of problems, including new, unusual and improbable situations which may have been generated from the past incident history of the plant, incidents on similar plants around the world, hazard analysis activities and similar sources.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment will require access to a plant over an extended period of time, or a suitable method of gathering evidence of operating ability over a range of situations. A bank of scenarios/case studies/what-ifs will be required, as will a bank of questions which will be used to probe the reasoning behind the observable actions.

Method of assessment

In all plants it may be appropriate to assess this unit concurrently with relevant teamwork and communication units.

In a major hazard facility, it may be appropriate to assess this unit concurrently with relevant OHS units.

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the oracy, language and literacy capacity of the assessee and the work being performed.

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.

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required skills

Demonstrated knowledge and ability to:

plan the decommissioning process

arrange resources as required

coordinate own work and the work of others, including on-site contractors/operators

interpret and solve operational problems as they arise and take appropriate action

document the decommissioning and recommendations for safe storage/maintenance/disposal.

Required knowledge

Competence to include the ability to apply and explain:

chemistry of materials involved

principles of operation of the process

principles of operation of the equipment involved

all items on a schematic of the plant and the function of each

correct methods of, stopping plant items

function of major components

HAZOP study process and the interpretation of findings

results and impact of a HAZAN study

hazardous substances legislation

the process of hazard identification, risk assessment and control

sources of hazard information (such as Material Safety Data Sheets)

safe disposal methods of materials and equipment

decontamination processes.

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. Add any 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.

Codes of practice/ standards

Where reference is made to industry codes of practice, and/or Australian/international standards, the latest version must be used.

Context

This competency unit includes the functions of :

liaison with manufacturers, engineering personnel, designers, maintenance personnel

participation in hazard and operability studies (HAZOP) and hazard analysis studies (HAZAN)

removal of plant and equipment from service, which may include:

'mothballing'

storage

disassembly

demolition

decontamination of equipment

disposal of equipment and waste.

This competency unit includes the understanding and application of:

OHS regulations especially those related to plant

codes of practice

disposal procedures and regulations.

All operations are performed in accordance with standard operating procedures.

Health, safety and environment (HSE)

All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent health, safety and environment requirements, which may be imposed through State 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.

Procedures

Procedures may be written, verbal, computer-based or in some other form. They include:

all work instructions

standard operating procedures

formulas/recipes

batch sheets

temporary instructions

any similar instructions provided for the smooth running of the plant.

For the purposes of this Training Package, 'procedures' also includes good operating practice as may be defined by industry codes of practice (eg Responsible Care) and government regulations.

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
Apply process understanding to the planning process 
Identify the role and purpose of the plant and equipment 
Ensure the work is coordinated effectively with others involved on the work site 
Identify process conditions and apply to hazard studies 
Undertake investigations following on from hazard studies 
Obtain materials necessary to complete the work and check against job requirements 
Obtain tools and equipment necessary to carry out the work and check for correct operation and safety 
Prepare plans to ensure that procedures are performed in the correct sequence 
Obtain approvals where necessary from appropriate authorities to ensure decommissioning process proceeds in accordance with the plan. 
Complete all appropriate documentation. 
Interpret and apply decommissioning plan 
Identify and use appropriate safety equipment and materials 
Isolate and decontaminate equipment components as required 
Dispose of contaminated materials or components as required 
Complete required documentation. 
Select tools and equipment appropriate to the testing/ inspection requirements and utilise in accordance with manufacturer specifications and legislative requirements 
Test/inspect in accordance with requirements 
Ensure compliance with OHS legislative requirements for risk assessment prior to disposal 
Ensure any required additional work is undertaken/initiated 
Notify work completion. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

PMASUP441C - Decommission plant
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

PMASUP441C - Decommission plant

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: