Required skills

Ability to

access workplace information to identify separation processing requirements

select fit and use personal protective clothing andor equipment

confirm supply of necessary materials and services

conduct prestart checks such as inspecting equipment condition to identify any signs of wear confirming that the correct bowl is fitted selecting appropriate settings andor related parameters cancelling isolation or lockouts as required confirming that equipment is clean and correctly configured for processing requirementspositioning sensors and controls correctly ensuring any scheduled maintenance has been carried out and confirming that all safety guards are in place and operational

start operate monitor and adjust separation process equipment to achieve required outcomes including monitoring control points and conducting inspections as required to confirm process remains within specification such as

separation speed

solids in infeed and outfeed streams this is typically done by inline refractometers Baume tests and spin tests

flow rates

timetemperatures

pressures

airwateroil levels

condition of seals and valves

dischargedesludging

monitor supply and flow of materials to and from the separation process

take corrective action in response to outofspecification results

respond to andor report equipment failure within level of responsibility

locate emergency stop functions on equipment

shut down separation process equipment in response to emergency situation

follow isolation and lock outtag out procedures as required to take separation process and related equipment offline in preparation for cleaning andor maintenance within level of responsibility

clean and sanitise equipment

demonstrate productprocess changeovers

complete workplace records as required

maintain work area to meet housekeeping standards

use process control systems according to enterprise procedures

conduct routine maintenance according to enterprise procedures

use oral communication skillslanguage competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning active listening asking for clarification and seeking advice from supervisor

work cooperatively within a culturally diverse workforce

Required knowledge

Knowledge of

purpose and basic principles of the separation process including stages and changes that occur during the separation process

basic operating principles of equipment including safety hazards associated with separation equipment and the implications of interchanging partsincorrect bowl balance

main equipment components status and purpose of guards equipment operating capacities and applications the purpose and location of sensors and related feedback instrumentation and services required for operation of separation equipment used in the workplace

the flow of the separation process and the effect of product output on downstream processes

impact of infeed quality and concentration levels on the separation process

quality characteristics and uses of separation process outputs

methods used to monitor the separation process such as inspecting measuring and testing infeed and outfeed solids and other tests as required by the process

inspection or test points control points in the process and the related procedures and recording requirements

operating requirements and parameters and corrective action required where operation is outside specified operating parameters

typical equipment faults and related causes including signs and symptoms of faulty equipment and early warning signs of potential problems

common causes of variation and corrective action required including how variation in temperature and solids affects the process

spoilage and other food safety risks associated with separation and related control measures

operational health and safety OHS hazards and controls including limitations of protective clothing and equipment relevant to the work process

requirements of different shutdowns as appropriate to the process and workplace production requirements including emergency and routine shutdowns and procedures to follow in the event of a power outage

isolation lock out and tag out procedures and responsibilities

cleaning and sanitation procedures

productprocess changeover procedures and responsibilities

procedures and responsibility for reporting production and performance information

environmental issues and controls relevant to the operation including handling of effluent

basic operating principles of process control where relevant including the relationship between control panels and systems and the physical equipment

routine maintenance procedureswhere relevant

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

Assessment must be carried out in a manner that recognises the cultural and literacy requirements of the assessee and is appropriate to the work performed Competence in this unit must be achieved in accordance with food safety standards and regulations

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

Evidence of ability to

conduct prestart checks on machinery used for separation

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 batchrecipe instructions

information on equipment capacity and operating parameters

production schedule and batch instructions

separation process and related equipment and services

specifications control points and processing parameters

materials required for the separation process

sampling schedules and test procedures and equipment as required

routine preventative maintenance schedule 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 Examples could be

FDFOPA Clean and sanitise equipment

FDFOP2004A Clean and sanitise equipment

FDFOPA Conduct routine maintenance

FDFOP2011A Conduct routine maintenance

FDFOPA Apply sampling procedures

FDFOP2013A Apply sampling procedures

FDFOPA Operate a process control interface

FDFOP2030A Operate a process control interface

MSLA Perform basic tests

MSL973001A Perform basic tests.

Guidance information for assessment

To ensure consistency in ones 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

Policies and procedures

Legislative requirements

Workplace information

Separation equipment used in the dairy industry

Separation equipment used in general foods, egg processing and bio-products

Operation of equipment and processes

Shutdown procedures

Services