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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Prepare robotic system for operation
  2. Load samples into system
  3. Monitor system and report errors
  4. Unload samples
  5. Maintain a safe work environment

Required Skills

Required skills

Required skills include

recognising hazards and working safely at all times

interpreting and applying enterprise procedures for operating robotic system

recognising potential problems caused by prior sample handling and preparation

recognising and interpreting system error codes

communicating problems clearly and promptly to supervisor

accurately recording sample details in system

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes

procedures for sorting and receiving samples

sample preparation processes for common mineral ore samples

purpose of routine downstream analytical tests

procedures for preventing contamination

procedures for ensuring traceability of samples

function of key components and operating procedures forrobotic sample preparation system

hazards control measures and operation of safety equipment relevant to job role

importance of good customer relations throughput costs and minimising rework

health safety and environment requirements relevant to job role

Evidence Required

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

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

Assessors should ensure that candidates can

operate a robotic sample preparation system reliably efficiently and safely for a range of different samples with different preparation requirements and subsequent analysis

maintain sequential control of samples through all preparation stages

recognise and report common system error codes

minimise rework waste and environmental impacts

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or simulated workplace environment

This unit of competency may be assessed with

MSLA Receive and prepare samples for testing

MSL953001A Receive and prepare samples for testing

MSLA Participate in laboratoryfield workplace safety

MSL943002A Participate in laboratory/field workplace safety.

Resources may include

access to a robotic sample preparation system

a variety of mineral ore samples

sample preparation methods equipment and reagents

safety equipment

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested

review of entries made by the candidate in operator and robotic system logs

review of quality control performance and analytical results traceable to samples prepared by the candidate

feedback from peers clients and supervisors

writtenoral questioning about robotic sample preparation procedures common problems and their specified corrective actions

In all cases practical assessment should be supported by questions to assess underpinning knowledge and those aspects of competency which are difficult to assess directly

Where applicable reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity age gender demographics and disability

Access must be provided to appropriate learning andor assessment support when required

The language literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required to undertake the unit of competency in a work like environment

This competency in practice

Industry representatives have provided the case studies below to illustrate the practical application of this unit of competency and show its relevance in a workplace setting

Mineral processing

A robot operator checks the nearby whiteboard to identify what jobs are set down for the next shift and reviews the shift handover notes Heshe locates the first rack of samples checks that the paperwork is complete for each sample and reviews the sample preparation parameters for each Heshe checks that the samples have been dried correctly and that the listed grind times are consistent with typical values After scanning each barcode he loads the batch of samples from the oven racks into the input magazine and starts the robot control program Heshe checks for the sample loss indicated on the screen as each sample is prepared to ensure that any loss doesnt exceed After minutes operation the screen displays an error code that indicates that the system has detected an air pressure problem in the pneumatic control lines Heshe promptly notifies the shift supervisor for assistance While the supervisor is attending to the problem the operator unloads the output magazine and removes the sample containers that have been correctly prepared according to the set parameters Heshe extracts analytical portions from each one using a standard procedure for obtaining representative samples and then boxes them up using labels generated by the system Heshe arranges for the excess sample material to be stored


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. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. 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) may also be included.

Codes of practice

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

Standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements

Standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements may include:

Australian and international standards, such as:

AS 2939 Industrial robot systems - Safe design and usage

AS 3988-1991 Copper, lead, zinc, gold and silver ores - Guide to sample preparation for the determination of gold

AS 4433.2-1997 Guide to the sampling of particulate materials - Preparation of samples

AS ISO 1000-1998 The international system of units (SI) and its application

Australian code of good manufacturing practice for medicinal products (GMP)

enterprise recording and reporting procedures

equipment startup, operation and shutdown procedures

material safety data sheets (MSDS)

national measurement regulations and guidelines

principles of good laboratory practice (GLP)

production and laboratory schedules

quality manuals, equipment and procedures manuals

standard operating procedures (SOPs) and published preparation methods

Samples

Samples may include:

solids, such as rocks, minerals, soils, sands and stream sediments

pulverised core and other drill samples (e.g. rotary air blast (RAB), reverse circulation (RC) and aircore)

powder concentrates

dump samples and grab samples

Client requests/documentation

Client requests/documentation may include:

client profile, sample identification, sample receipt, storage and analyses

required preparation method and service charges

Sample preparation methods

Sample preparation methods may include:

sorting, boxing and drying

sieving

milling

primary crushing (e.g. 10 mm, 2 mm)

fine pulverising (e.g. 100 micron, 75 micron)

robotic system parameters, such as grind time, crushing time and cleaning cycles to prevent cross-contamination

Sample preparation equipment

Sample preparation equipment may include:

splitters (e.g. riffles and rotary dividers)

mills (e.g. ball, ring and rod)

bowls (e.g. chrome-steel, tungsten-carbide and zirconia) and tumblers

crushers (e.g. cone, jaw and roll), grinders and disc pulverisers

sieves

ovens

sample containers and labels

Hazards

Hazards may include:

dust, silica and fibrous materials

asbestiform minerals

naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM)

samples containing nickel and lead-based compounds

noise and vibration

crushing, entanglement and cuts associated with moving machinery

impact injuries from contact with robot arms

failure of pneumatic hoses

manual handling of heavy loads, such as sample bags/containers, racks and trolleys

heat exhaustion/stress and fatigue

Safety equipment and procedures

Safety equipment and procedures may include:

ensuring access to service shut-off points

recognising and observing hazard warnings and safety signs

labelling of samples and hazardous materials

extraction of dust

guards for moving machinery parts

noise insulation

using personal protective equipment, such as masks, heat resistant mittens, boots, goggles, coats, ear muffs, safety boots and heat reflective clothing

following established manual handling procedures

regular cleaning of equipment and work areas using enterprise procedures

reporting of abnormal emissions and airborne contaminants to appropriate personnel

Occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental management requirements

OHS and environmental management requirements:

all operations must comply with enterprise OHS and environmental management requirements, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation - these requirements must not be compromised at any time

all operations assume the potentially hazardous nature of samples and require standard precautions to be applied

where relevant, users should access and apply current industry understanding of infection control issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and State and Territory Departments of Health