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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Prepare automated analysis system for operation
  2. Conduct or monitor loading of samples into system
  3. Monitor and adjust system operation
  4. Maintain a safe work environment

Range Statement

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.

Standards, codes, procedures and/or workplace requirements

Standards, codes, procedures and/or workplace requirements include the latest version of one or more of:

Australian and international standards covering the requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories; laboratory safety; quality management and environmental management; industrial robot systems; sampling and analysis of specific mineral ores; and labelling, storage, handling and transport of hazardous materials

national work health and safety (WHS) standards and codes of practice, national environmental protection measures, and national measurement regulations and guidelines

specific codes, guidelines and procedures, such as National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accreditation requirements, and principles of good laboratory practice (GLP)

workplace documents, such as standard operating procedures (SOPs); quality and equipment manuals; maintenance schedules; material safety data sheets (MSDS) and safety procedures; material, production and product specifications; production and laboratory schedules; workplace recording and reporting procedures; and waste minimisation and safe disposal procedures

requirements for specific samples, batches and clients (such as labelling, preparation, analysis, storage, transport and disposal)

methods and procedures, which may be written, to meet workplace, client and/or regulatory/certifying body requirements

Mineral samples

Mineral samples include one or more of:

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

pulverised core and other drill samples

Automated analytical methods in

Automated analytical methods include, but are not limited to, one or more of:

thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA)

x-ray fluorescence (XRF)

Automated system elements

Automated system elements include:

sample in-feed station

weigh stations

mould table

furnaces

robotic arms

conveyor belts

acid/ultrasound baths for cleaning crucibles

compressed air system

Routine system checks

Routine system checks include:

safety

operating system, including calibration checks

stocks of reagents, such as fluxes, acids and cleaning agents

Visual checks

Visual checks include:

presence of surface dust on system elements, particularly sensors

sample contamination during sample extraction from vials

cleanliness of crucibles before re-use

Routine system faults and corrective actions

Routine system faults and corrective actions include one or more of:

balancing errors in weigh station (activate interlocks, clean sensors, recheck and reset weigh station, and reset system to re-weigh sample)

positioning errors by robot (activate interlocks, manually reposition vials or crucibles, recheck and reset system)

cracked bead or incomplete fusion (activate interlocks, check rejected sample, reset system to extract fresh sample from correct vial and repeat fluxing and fusion)

contamination of sample by robotic arm during sample extraction from vial (reset system to reject contaminated sample and extract fresh sample for analysis)

leaks in pneumatic elements (arrange for servicing)

Hazards

Hazards include, but are not limited to, one or more of:

dust

noise and vibration

fixed source x-ray radiation, RF radiation from induction furnaces

crushing, entanglement and cuts associated with moving machinery

impact injuries from contact with robot arms

failure of pneumatic hoses

Safe work procedures

Safe work procedures include, but are not limited to, one or more of:

ensuring access to service shut-off points

recognising and observing hazard warnings and safety signs

labelling of samples and hazardous materials

extracting dust

using guards for moving machinery parts

providing noise insulation

following established manual handling procedures

regularly cleaning equipment and work areas

using PPE, such as masks, heat resistant mittens, boots, goggles, coats, ear muffs, safety boots and heat-reflective clothing

monitoring exposure to workplace radiation by wearing personal thermoluminescent dosimeters

WHS and environmental management requirements

WHS and environmental management requirements include:

· complying with WHS and environmental management requirements at all times, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation. These requirements must not be compromised at any time

· applying standard precautions relating to the potentially hazardous nature of samples

Performance Evidence

Evidence of competence in this unit must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria, and include demonstration of:

operating an automated mineral analysis system safely, reliably and efficiently for at least three (3) different sets of operating conditions or three (3) different types of samples

interpreting and applying workplace procedures for operating an automated mineral analysis system

recognising potential problems caused by prior sample handling and/or preparation

applying specified start-up/shutdown procedures and system checks

recognising and promptly responding to common system error codes

taking control of the system and safely investigating and rectifying faults using specified procedures

cleaning and repositioning automated system elements

using appropriate commands to reset system, update system information and resume operations after stoppages

maintaining sequential control of samples through all stages of analysis

recognising hazards and using specified safety equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE) and safe work practices

communicating problems clearly and promptly to supervisors and/or service personnel

minimising rework, waste and environmental impacts

working safely.

Knowledge Evidence

Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge of:

importance of good customer relations, achieving production targets and minimising costs and rework

purpose of analytical tests conducted in job role

function and operation of automated system elements and flow chart for automated analysis process

computer operating procedures, including use of specific control screens, menus and control commands

common faults, routine system error codes and specified corrective actions for each

procedures for cleaning/maintaining equipment and instruments used in job role

procedures for preventing contamination of samples and equipment

procedures for ensuring traceability of samples

relevant hazards, work health and safety (WHS) and environment requirements.