The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Assessment must be carried out in a manner that recognises the cultural and literacy requirements of the assessee and is appropriate to the work performed. Competency in this unit must be achieved in accordance with food safety standards and regulations.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of ability to:

conduct pre-start checks on machinery used for depositing

start, operate, monitor and adjust process equipment to achieve required quality outcomes

take corrective action in response to typical faults and inconsistencies

complete workplace records as required

apply safe work practices and identify OH&S hazards and controls

safely shut down equipment

apply food safety procedures

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must occur in a real or simulated workplace where the assessee has access to:

personal protective clothing and equipment

work procedures including advice on safe work practices, food safety, quality and environmental requirements

information on equipment capacity and operating parameters

recipe/batch instructions

specifications, control points and processing parameters

depositing and related equipment

ingredients/mix to be deposited

sampling schedules and test procedures and equipment as required

documentation and recording requirements and procedures

cleaning procedures, materials and equipment as required

Method of assessment

This unit should be assessed together with core units and other units of competence relevant to the function or work role. Examples could be:

FDFOP2030A Operate a process control interface

FDFOP2013A Apply sampling procedures

PMLTEST300B Perform basic tests

FDFOP2014A Participate in sensory analyses

FDFOP2011A Conduct routine maintenance

FDFOP2004A Clean and sanitise equipment

Guidance information for assessment

To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency should be demonstrated on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances, cases and responsibilities, and where possible, over a number of assessment activities.

Required skills

Ability to:

Access workplace information to identify depositing processing requirements

Select, fit and use personal protective clothing and/or equipment

Confirm supply of necessary materials and services as required for production. This may include confirming condition of materials including temperature, texture, appearance and holding times prior to use

Conduct pre-start checks. This may involve inspecting equipment condition to identify any signs of wear; selecting appropriate settings and/or related parameters. This may include setting up depositor manifold and controls to meet production requirements and cancelling isolation or lockouts as required. Confirm that related equipment is clean; correctly configured for processing requirements; sensors and controls are correctly positioned; any scheduled maintenance has been carried out, and that all safety guards are in place and operational

Start, operate, monitor and adjust depositing process equipment to achieve required outcomes. This may include monitoring control points and conducting inspections as required to confirm the process remains within specification. Monitoring may include:

maintaining supply of materials to hopper

controlling weights

checking dimensions and positioning of deposited material

visual inspections to identify faults such as unacceptable placement

checking pump stroke settings

checking line speed

Monitor supply and flow of materials to and from the depositing process to confirm process remains within specification.

Demonstrate product changeover procedures

Take corrective action in response to out-of-specification results

Respond to and/or report equipment failure within level of responsibility

Locate emergency stop functions on equipment

Follow isolation and lock out/tag out procedures as required to take depositing process and related equipment off-line in preparation for cleaning and/or maintenance within level of responsibility

Complete workplace records as required

Maintain work area to meet housekeeping standards

Use process control systems according to enterprise procedures

Collect samples and conduct tests according to enterprise procedures

Conduct routine maintenance according to enterprise procedures

Clean and sanitize equipment according to enterprise procedures

Use oral communication skills / language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification and seeking advice from supervisor

Work cooperatively within a culturally diverse workforce

Required knowledge

Knowledge of:

Purpose and basic principles of the depositing process. This may include product preparation and conditioning requirements and product depositing

Basic operating principles of equipment. This may include an operational understanding of main equipment components, status and purpose of guards, equipment operating capacities and applications, and the purpose and location of sensors and related feedback instrumentation. It also includes knowledge of services required and action to take if services are not available

The flow of the depositing process and the effect of outputs on downstream processes

Quality requirements of materials for depositing and effect of variation on depositing process performance and outputs

Quality characteristics required of process outputs

Operating requirements and parameters and corrective action required where operation is outside specified operating parameters

Scope to adjust for weight variation within workplace quality parameters

Typical equipment faults and related causes. This includes recognition of signs and symptoms of faulty equipment and early warning signs of potential problems

Methods used to monitor the depositing process. This may include inspecting, measuring and testing as required by the process. It requires awareness of inspection or test points (control points) in the process and the related procedures and recording requirements

Contamination/food safety risks associated with the depositing process and related control measures

Common causes of variation and corrective action required

OHS hazards and controls

Requirements of different shutdowns as appropriate to the depositing process and workplace production requirements. This includes emergency and routine shutdowns and procedures to follow in the event of a power outage

Isolation, lock out and tag out procedures and responsibilities

Product/process changeover procedures and responsibilities

Procedures and responsibility for reporting production and performance information

Environmental issues and controls relevant to the depositing process. This includes waste/rework collection and handling procedures related to the process

Basic operating principles of process control where relevant. This includes the relationship between control panels and systems and the physical equipment

Sampling and testing associated with process monitoring and control where relevant

Routine maintenance procedures where relevant

Cleaning and sanitizing procedures where relevant

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. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Policies and procedures

Work is carried out according to company policies and procedures, regulatory and licensing requirements, legislative requirements, and industrial awards and agreements

Legislative requirements

Legislative requirements are typically reflected in procedures and specifications. Legislation relevant to this industry includes the Food Standards Code including labelling, weights and measures legislation; and legislation covering food safety, environmental management, occupational health and safety, anti-discrimination and equal opportunity. When applied to the pharmaceutical industry, relevant GMP codes apply in place of the Australian Food Standards Code and reference to food safety is replaced by GMP

Workplace information

Workplace information may include Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), specifications, production schedules and instructions, manufacturers' advice, standard forms and reports

Typical equipment

Typical equipment includes depositing hopper, nozzles and manifolds, tins/pans, belts, and lubricant applicators. Related processes may include cooling, further processing, and cutting equipment

Materials deposited

Materials deposited may include batter, cream, jam and fillings as appropriate to product

Operation of equipment and processes

Operation of equipment and processes may require the use of process control panels and systems

Shutdown procedures

Shutdown procedures may include cleaning. In some cases cleaning may be carried out by a dedicated cleaning crew

Services

Services may need to be confirmed. These depend on the nature of the process. Typical examples include power, steam, water, vacuum, and compressed and instrumentation air