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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Use operator interface.
  2. Access control information.
  3. Control process variations and monitor operations.
  4. Facilitate planned and unplanned process start-ups and shut-downs.
  5. Respond to alarms or out of specification conditions.
  6. Control hazards.
  7. Resolve other problems within scope of responsibility.

Required Skills

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

Required skills

Competence includes the ability to distinguish between causes of problemsalarmsfault indications such as

instrument failuremalfunction

electrical failuremalfunction

mechanical failuremalfunction

equipment design deficiencies

product parameters temperature flows pressure and levels

process control system malfunction

powerutility failures

software problems

multitasking

An ability to communicate with other work groups and personnel during the operation and monitoring of this panel is considered to be an essential element of this unit of competency

Required knowledge

The knowledge referred to in the Evidence Guide for this unit includes

advanced control features

interactions between control loops

interactions between plant units within the entire plant

the architecture and location of the processproduction equipment

specific plant process operations

interactions between plant itemsprocesses

product specifications and tolerances

systems operating parameters

system integrity limits

process control philosophies and strategies

emergency shutdown procedures

process specific physics chemistry and mathematics

relevant chemistry of the process to the level of writing chemical equations and identifying and manipulating factors controlling rate of reaction and yield or equivalent physics for a physical processbiochemistry for a biochemical process chemistry to include both intended products and interfering reactions eg salts hydrates

basic science of upstream and downstream processes

interactions between plant area and other value stream members

impact of external factors eg variations in weather feed etc

complex process drawings eg PampID PFD cause and effect

basis of control for the plants

instrumentation and control systems including feed forward feed back and open control

instrumentation and control system components eg relevant primary sensing devices final control elements transducerstransmitters

control loops including PID control set points controlled variable indicated variable

interaction between multiple control loops including cascade control

impacts of changing controller settings and the limits within which changes can be made

effective communication techniques

organisation procedures

UPS and its applications and use

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 role plays and D virtual reality interactive systems In the case of evacuation training or of training for competencies practiced in life threatening situations simulation may be used for the bulk of the training

This unit of competency requires an application of the knowledge contained in the use of the process control system and its integral equipment to the level needed to maintain control and recognise and resolve problems This can 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 responses 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 walkthrough 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 a process control system 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 communication and leadership units

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 italicized 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.

Context

This unit of competency includes all such items of equipment and unit operations which form part of the control system. For your control room this may include (select relevant items):

process control systems (eg Distributed Control Systems)

use of multiple control systems

personal computers

printers

fire and gas detection/protection systems

emergency shutdown systems

communications systems.

Typical problems for your plant may include:

operating without advanced control features

loss of power/utilities

analysing failure modes

variation/loss of feed

unstable control of pressure, temperature level and flows

control equipment failure

process plant trips

change in atmospheric conditions (rain, temperature, wind, lightning)

emergency situations.

Alarms or abnormal conditions

Alarms or other abnormal conditions includes:

emergency, including emergency shut down

partial or complete controller failure.

Other problems

Other problems includes:

problem solving control functions

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 (eg Responsible Care) and government regulations.

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.