Google Links

Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Contribute to the selection of equipment/process conditions.
   • Liaise with appropriate technical expert(s).
   • Interpret properties of materials and desired product characteristics.
   • Interpret technical specifications/drawings of plant requirements.
   • Recommend equipment/ancillary equipment appropriate for the materials, products and conditions.
   • Recommend process conditions appropriate for the equipment, materials and product characteristics.
   • Recommend feed rates/order/condition appropriate to the process conditions, equipment, materials and product characteristics.
   • Ensure hazard identification and analysis procedures are completed, including consultation with stakeholders, and findings included in plan.
   • Ensure recommendations meet the identified need.
2. Prepare for trials.
   • Determine the availability of resources required such as materials, equipment, people and skills.
   • Estimate time required for trial.
   • Liaise with relevant stakeholders.
   • Schedule trial at a convenient time.
   • Develop documentation for the trial.
   • Identify potential hazards and required hazard control procedures by applying the hierarchy of control.
   • Determine clearance requirements and special safety and storage requirements.
   • Verify decisions with appropriate experts/stakeholders.
   • Ensure people with adequate skills are available for the trial.
3. Conduct test runs/trials
   • Ensure hazard controls are implemented prior to commencement.
   • Run trials.
   • Maintain communication with all relevant people.
   • Closely monitor critical parameters.
   • Recognise actual and potential problems.
   • Make adjustments to process conditions as required during trial.
   • Sample and test product as required.
   • Record and report performance data.
   • Ensure all materials, products and waste are handled correctly.
   • Leave plant in a condition suitable for routine production to recommence.
4. Evaluate results and identify modifications.
   • Interpret data from trial.
   • Identify factors which might be related to low rates or low charge amounts.
   • Recommend modifications and improvements required.
   • Develop and check standard operating procedure.
   • Complete documentation and report to appropriate personnel.
   • Ensure all relevant staff have required skill levels for the introduction of the new process.

Required Skills

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

Competence includes an understanding of the plant systems and all integral equipment involved in the trial to the level needed to control the system and recognise and resolve problems In particular it includes the ability to

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

describe the naturecondition of materials entering and leaving each stage of the process the changes which have occurred in that stage and why they have occurred

state the major design features of plant equipment plant conditions and variables and the impact of these on the properties of materials passing through them

describe the causes and remedies of common problems such as those selected in the Range Statement

apply the hierarchy of control to minimise the risk of hazards identified

describe methods of changing rate and the advantages and disadvantages of each

describe methods of controlling other process variables and the advantages and disadvantages of each

Competence also includes the ability to isolate the causes of problems to an item of equipment within the plant system and to be able to distinguish between causes of problemsalarmfault indications such as

process material variations

instrument failurewrong reading

electrical failure

mechanical failure

operational problem

Language literacy and numeracy requirements

This unit requires the ability to communicate and liaise with people at a range of levels about technical matters

Reading is required to the level of interpreting technical specifications manuals and procedures and writing technical documentation such as specifications and procedures required for the trial

Numeracy is required to the level of interpreting technical specifications and test results analysing process data and determining required variations in process variables

Evidence Required

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 this Training Package

Overview of assessment

Assessors must be satisfied that the person can consistently perform the unit as a whole as defined by the Elements Performance Criteria and skills and knowledge

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

Assessment will occur over a range of situations which will include disruptions to normal smooth operation

Critical aspects

It is essential that competence is 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 For example look to see that

hazards are identified and controlled

early warning signs of equipmentprocesses needing attention or with potential problems are recognised

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

appropriate and timely action is taken to ensure the safety and success of the trial

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

Context and method of assessment

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

Competence in this unit may be assessed

using a pilot plant or a production plant as appropriate

using a range of scenarioscase studies and what ifs as the stimulus with a walkthrough forming part of the response

using 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

using a suitable simulation andor a range of case studiesscenarios

through a combination of these techniques

In all cases it is expected that practical assessment will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge and theoretical assessment will be combined with appropriate practicalsimulation or similar assessment Assessors need to be aware of any cultural issues that may affect responses to questions

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

Specific resources for assessment

This section should be read in conjunction with the Range Statement for this unit of competency Resources required include suitable access to an operating plant or equipment that allows for appropriate and realistic simulation A bank of case studiesscenarios and questions will also be required to the extent that they form part of the assessment method Questioning may take place either in the workplace or in an adjacent quiet facility such as an office or lunchroom No other special resources are required

Access must be provided to appropriate learning andor assessment support when required Where applicable physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities

---

Range Statement

The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. 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.

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

Context

This unit includes all items of equipment and unit operations which form part of the trial.

Liaison

Liaison with technical experts may (depending on trial requirements and company protocols) include one or more of:

manufacturers

chemists

engineering personnel

designers

OHS advisors

maintenance personnel

potential customers.

Hazard analysis

Hazard analysis procedures may include:

JSA/JHA (Job Safety Analysis/Job Hazard Analysis)

hazard and operability (HAZOP) studies

hazard analysis (HAZAN) studies

other company specified procedures.

It is not expected that the candidate will be able to conduct technical hazard analysis procedures (such as HAZOP or HAZAN) but they should be able to interpret and use the outcomes of such analyses where relevant.

Hazards

Hazards may be determined from:

materials safety data sheets (MSDSs)

other relevant documentation such as hazard logs, incident reports

company hazard identification procedures

hazard analysis results

standard operating procedures.

Waste handling

Waste handling may include:

collection for re-use

recycling

disposal in accordance with health and environmental regulations.

Problems

Typical problems for the trial might include:

mixing is poor

materials do not behave as expected

process/reaction does not proceed /proceeds too slowly

process/reaction proceeds too quickly/runs away

yield is low

quality is out of specification

process is unstable

instrumentation is not sufficiently sensitive/too sensitive

variable catalyst activity

surging flow/pressure.

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

All operations are performed in accordance with procedures.

Procedures means all relevant workplace procedures, work instructions, temporary instructions and relevant industry and government codes and standards.

---