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

Required skills

The ability to distinguish between types and causes of problems as relevant to the practical operation of equipment at the job level

Required knowledge

A comprehensive understanding of extrusion equipment principles and typical problems to a level needed to control the operation and recognise and resolve operational problems In particular it includes a knowledge of

all items on a schematic of the extruder and the function of each

principles of operation of equipment

physics of operation including effects of temperature and pressure

properties of materials being extruded

temperature and viscosity effects

isolating a problem to an item of equipment

methods of resolving problems

This knowledge is required of all major items of equipment which comprise the extrusion system

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 for this unit of competency will be on an operating plant 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 timely assessment of parts of this unit of competency eg Elements and 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

PMAOPSB Operate particulates processing equipment

PMAOPS210B Operate particulates processing equipment

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 communication ability language and literacy capacity of the assessee and the work being performed

Codes of practice/ standards

Context

Problems

Procedures

Health, safety and environment (HSE)