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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Prepare to grind materials
   • Check equipment for hazards, danger and isolation tags in accordance with standard operating procedures (SOPs)
   • Perform checks to ensure all doors, inspection openings and guards are in position and secure
   • Make adjustments to equipment settings to ensure conformance with SOPs
   • Notify appropriate personnel of intention to start equipment
   • Conduct additional pre-start checks as required in accordance with SOPs
   • Ensure an adequate supply of materials is available to meet production requirements
2. Grind materials
   • Start equipment in sequence in accordance with SOPs
   • Monitor instrument/control panels and adjust as necessary to remain within specified operating parameters
   • Make physical inspections of plant and equipment at specified intervals to identify any anomalies in accordance with SOPs
   • Maximise product throughput and efficiency to maintain target parameters
   • Communicate with appropriate personnel regarding the status of operations in line with enterprise requirements
   • Employ safe working practices which conform with work health and safety (WHS) and enterprise requirements
   • Shut down equipment in accordance with procedures and complete required records
3. Rectify routine problems
   • Identify the range of faults that can occur during the operation
   • Determine and rectify faults caused by procedures
   • Identify and rectify equipment failure causes in accordance with procedures
   • Make sure appropriate records and log books of equipment operations are maintained to meet procedures
   • Identify non-routine problems and report to designated person
4. Distribute ground product
   • Distribute ground materials to their correct silo/storage area in accordance with SOPs
   • Monitor silo/storage areas to ensure compliance with enterprise storage quality/quantity requirements
5. Control hazards
   • Identify hazards in the grinding work area
   • Assess the risks arising from those hazards
   • Implement measures to control those risks in line with procedures
   • Shut down in an emergency as required

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.
Regulatory framework	The latest version of all legislation, regulations, industry codes of practice and Australian/international standards, or the version specified by the local regulatory authority, must be used. Applicable legislation, regulations, standards and codes of practice include: health, safety and environmental (HSE) legislation, regulations and codes of practice relevant to the workplace, equipment and production processes and hazardous materials Australian/international standards relevant to the materials being used and products being made any relevant licence and certification requirements. All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent HSE requirements, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation, and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between performance criteria and such requirements the legislative requirements take precedence.
Procedures	All operations must be performed in accordance with relevant procedures. Procedures are written, verbal, visual, computer-based or in some other form, and include one or any combination of: job cards emergency procedures work instructions SOPs safe work method statements (SWMS) formulas/recipes batch sheets temporary instructions any similar instructions provided for the smooth running of the plant.
Equipment and unit operations	This unit of competency includes all such items of equipment and unit operations which form part of the grinding system. A unit comprises two or more components of plant/equipment that are operated together to produce product, including as appropriate to the site: ball mills hammer mills roller mills pans edge mills other equipment integral to the operation of the grinding system.
Problems	Routine problems must be resolved by applying known solutions. Routine problems are predictable and include one or more of: out-of-specification grinding media variations in temperature and moisture variations in feed product discharge problems. Known solutions are drawn from one or more of: procedures training remembered experience. Non-routine problems must be reported according to according to relevant procedures.
Hazards	Hazards must be identified and controlled. Identifying hazards requires consideration of: heat, smoke, dust, vapours or other atmospheric hazards weight, shape, volume of materials to be handled hazardous products and materials sharp edges, protrusions or obstructions slippery surfaces, spills or leaks electricity gas gases and liquids under pressure noise rotational equipment or vibration plant services (steam, condensate, cooling water, etc) structural hazards equipment failures machinery, equipment and product mass limited head spaces or overhangs working at heights working in restricted or confined spaces other hazards that might arise.
Records and reports	Records include one or more of: log books/sheets electronic records job/work sheets other records used for the smooth running of the plant. Reports include one or more of: paper or electronic-based logs and reports verbal/radio reports reporting items found which require action.

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Performance Evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and demonstrate the ability to:

read and interpret instruments/controls, job sheets, procedures, material labels and safety information

set up and operate the grinding equipment according to procedures

select and prepare materials to meet job specifications

monitor key variables, including:

process conditions/parameters

feed rates

temperature

moisture

product integrity and conformance to specification

adjust the equipment to meet product quality and production output specifications

pause or shut down equipment in normal and abnormal circumstances

identify hazards and apply relevant hazard controls

apply safety procedures

recognise out-of-specification products, process problems and materials faults

recognise routine and non-routine problems

identify when the operator is able to rectify problems, when assistance is required and who is the appropriate source for assistance

take action to resolve problems or report them to appropriate personnel

distinguish between possible causes of routine problems, including:

raw material variations

process problems

mechanical abnormalities

electrical/instrument reading variations

equipment faults/damage/failure

communicate effectively with team/work group and supervisors

complete workplace records

do basic arithmetical manipulations, including additions, subtractions, divisions, fractions and percentages

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Knowledge Evidence

Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge relevant to their job sufficient to operate under routine only supervision and to solve routine problems, including knowledge of:

principles of grinding process

components, functions and limitations of the grinding system

principles of operation of the grinding equipment and ancillary equipment that is integral to the process

basic physics and chemistry relevant to the equipment/process/materials

types of materials and additives typically subject to grinding and impact on grinding processes

the potential effects of variations in raw materials and equipment operation in relation to quality of product/output

factors which may affect product quality or production output and appropriate remedies

routine problems, their probable causes and relevant corrective actions

start-up and shutdown processes

enterprise production schedules

organisation procedures relevant to the work environment/job role

hierarchy of control

hazards that may arise in the job/work environment and:

their possible causes

potential consequences

appropriate risk controls.

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