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. Prepare for work
  2. Operate mechanical conveyors and/or feeders as required
  3. Operate pneumatic/vacuum conveyor as required
  4. Operate fan/blower if appropriate
  5. Transfer particulates
  6. Isolate and de-isolate plant

Required Skills

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

Required skills

efficient and effective operation of plantequipment

hazard analysis

completing plant records

communication

problem solving

ability to distinguish between

grades and specifications of materials

types and causes of conveyor or storage problems to a level that allows problems to be isolated to an item of equipment

Required knowledge

A comprehensive understanding of the equipment and typical problems to a level needed to control the operation and recognise and resolve operational problems In particular it includes a knowledge of particulate properties such as

particle size and shape reactivity solubility colour health and safety

angle of repose storage and transport

angle of slide transport

explosivity static electricity

dusts hazards good practice

Also knowledge of

principles of operation of plantequipment

physics and chemistry relevant to the process unit

process parameters and limits eg temperature pressure flow pH and amps

duty of care obligations

hierarchy of control

communication protocols eg radio phone computer paper and permissionsauthorities

routine problems faults and their resolution

relevant alarms and actions

plant process idiosyncrasies

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

correct methods of starting stopping operating and controlling flow

corrective action appropriate to the problem cause

function and troubleshooting of major internal components and their problems

types and causes of problems within operators scope of skill level and responsibility

density and bulk density

good operating practices

methods of resolving problems

HAZCHEM symbols and codes

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 the Training Package

Overview of assessment

Assessment of this unit should include demonstrated competence on actual plant 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 Assessment will occur over a range of situations which will include disruptions to normal smooth operation

Simulation may be required to allow for assessment of parts of this unit Simulation should be based on the actual plant and will include walkthroughs of the relevant competency components Simulations may also include the use of case studiesscenarios and role plays

This unit of competency requires a significant body of knowledge which will be assessed through questioning and the use of whatif 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

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 action is taken to ensure a timely return to full performance

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 scenarioscase studieswhatifs 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 an operating 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 scenarioscase studieswhatifs 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 For many plants it might be appropriate for this unit to be assessed with

MSAPMSUPA Process and record information

MSAPMSUP210A Process and record information.

In a major hazard facility it may be appropriate to assess this unit concurrently with

MSAPMOHSA Work safely

MSAPMOHS200A Work safely.

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


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. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs if 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.

Equipment

This competency unit includes items of equipment, such as:

mechanical conveyors/feeders (including belt, vibrating, screw and flight; and feeders, such as screw, star, slide, volumetric and weight)

pneumatic conveyors, including aspects, such as dense phase, disperse phase, pressure and vacuum

storage (e.g. silos and hoppers, purging hoppers, and stockpiles)

bulk tankers, transportable containers and intermediate storage

Problems

Typical problems include:

damage to particulates

contamination of stored stock

rat holing and bridging in silos

routing issues, and so on

Start up shut down as required

Start up shut down as required includes:

start up and shut down to/from normal operating conditions

start up and shut down to/from isolated, cold or empty

all other conditions experienced on the plant (i.e. from any condition to any condition experienced on the plant)

Appropriate action

Appropriate action includes:

determining problems needing action

determining possible fault causes

rectifying problem using appropriate solution within area of responsibility

following through items initiated until final resolution has occurred

reporting problems outside area of responsibility to designated person

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 (e.g. Responsible Care) and government regulations.

Health, safety and environment (HSE)

All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent HSE 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.