Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

MSL953002A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Operate a robotic sample preparation system

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency MSL953002A - Operate a robotic sample preparation system
Description This unit of competency covers the ability to operate a robotic sample preparation system to ensure efficient throughput of samples without sacrificing quality or safety. Personnel are expected to seek advice from their shift supervisor when non-routine problems arise.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit of competency is applicable to instrument operators in the mining, construction materials testing and manufacturing industry sectors. Robotic sample preparation systems are used where there are high volumes of material and/or there is a need to minimise the operator's contact with potentially hazardous materials.Industry representatives have provided case studies to illustrate the practical application of this unit of competency and to show its relevance in a workplace setting. These can be found at the end of this unit of competency under the section 'This competency in practice'.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Prepare robotic system for operation
  • Perform routine system checks at start of shift
  • Confirm shift priorities with supervisor
  • Review job requests to identify the samples, required parameters and special instructions/preparation methods for each
  • Identify hazards and safety equipment/procedures associated with samples, preparation methods and robotic system
  • Check that samples are dry and free of obvious contamination
  • Check that the particle size of any sample does not exceed system input size limits
  • Check samples against accompanying documentation and record/report any discrepancies
       
Element: Load samples into system
  • Scan sample barcodes into system
  • Load samples in the correct sequence when the system is ready
  • Use system monitor to ensure that correct worksheet is assigned to each sample
       
Element: Monitor system and report errors
  • Monitor screen displays and conduct visual checks as necessary to ensure that system operates correctly throughout cycle
  • Recognise common error codes and promptly inform supervisor
  • Seek advice to deal with any situation beyond scope of responsibility or knowledge
       
Element: Unload samples
  • Unload samples sequentially in accordance with enterprise procedures
  • Obtain analytical portions of each sample using enterprise procedures
  • Label and store analytical portions and excess sample material in accordance with enterprise procedures
  • Seek advice when problems are beyond scope of responsibility or knowledge
       
Element: Maintain a safe work environment
  • Use safe work practices and protective equipment to ensure personal safety and that of others
  • Minimise the generation of waste and environmental impacts
  • Segregate and dispose of wastes in accordance with enterprise requirements
  • Clean robotic system components, care for and store equipment as required
       


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

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

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

Assessors should ensure that candidates can:

operate a robotic sample preparation system reliably, efficiently and safely for a range of different samples with different preparation requirements and subsequent analysis

maintain sequential control of samples through all preparation stages

recognise and report common system error codes

minimise rework, waste and environmental impacts.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or simulated workplace environment.

This unit of competency may be assessed with:

MSL953001A Receive and prepare samples for testing

MSL943002A Participate in laboratory/field workplace safety.

Resources may include:

access to a robotic sample preparation system

a variety of mineral ore samples

sample preparation methods, equipment and reagents

safety equipment.

Method of assessment

The following assessment methods are suggested:

review of entries made by the candidate in operator and robotic system logs

review of quality control performance and analytical results traceable to samples prepared by the candidate

feedback from peers, clients and supervisors

written/oral questioning about robotic sample preparation procedures, common problems and their specified corrective actions.

In all cases, practical assessment should be supported by questions to assess underpinning knowledge and those aspects of competency which are difficult to assess directly.

Where applicable, reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity, age, gender, demographics and disability.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required.

The language, literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required to undertake the unit of competency in a work like environment.

This competency in practice

Industry representatives have provided the case studies below to illustrate the practical application of this unit of competency and show its relevance in a workplace setting.

Mineral processing

A robot operator checks the nearby whiteboard to identify what jobs are set down for the next shift and reviews the shift handover notes. He/she locates the first rack of samples, checks that the paperwork is complete for each sample and reviews the sample preparation parameters for each. He/she checks that the samples have been dried correctly and that the listed grind times are consistent with typical values. After scanning each barcode, he loads the batch of samples from the oven racks into the input magazine and starts the robot control program. He/she checks for the sample loss indicated on the screen as each sample is prepared to ensure that any loss doesn't exceed ~2%. After 20 minutes operation, the screen displays an error code that indicates that the system has detected an air pressure problem in the pneumatic control lines. He/she promptly notifies the shift supervisor for assistance. While the supervisor is attending to the problem, the operator unloads the output magazine and removes the sample containers that have been correctly prepared according to the set parameters. He/she extracts analytical portions from each one using a standard procedure for obtaining representative samples and then boxes them up using labels generated by the system. He/she arranges for the excess sample material to be stored.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

Required skills include:

recognising hazards and working safely at all times

interpreting and applying enterprise procedures for operating robotic system

recognising potential problems caused by prior sample handling and preparation

recognising and interpreting system error codes

communicating problems clearly and promptly to supervisor

accurately recording sample details in system

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes:

procedures for sorting and receiving samples

sample preparation processes for common mineral ore samples

purpose of routine downstream analytical tests

procedures for preventing contamination

procedures for ensuring traceability of samples

function of key components and operating procedures forrobotic sample preparation system

hazards, control measures and operation of safety equipment relevant to job role

importance of good customer relations, throughput, costs and minimising rework

health, safety and environment requirements relevant to job role

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.

Codes of practice

Where reference is made to industry codes of practice, and/or Australian/international standards, it is expected the latest version will be used

Standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements

Standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements may include:

Australian and international standards, such as:

AS 2939 Industrial robot systems - Safe design and usage

AS 3988-1991 Copper, lead, zinc, gold and silver ores - Guide to sample preparation for the determination of gold

AS 4433.2-1997 Guide to the sampling of particulate materials - Preparation of samples

AS ISO 1000-1998 The international system of units (SI) and its application

Australian code of good manufacturing practice for medicinal products (GMP)

enterprise recording and reporting procedures

equipment startup, operation and shutdown procedures

material safety data sheets (MSDS)

national measurement regulations and guidelines

principles of good laboratory practice (GLP)

production and laboratory schedules

quality manuals, equipment and procedures manuals

standard operating procedures (SOPs) and published preparation methods

Samples

Samples may include:

solids, such as rocks, minerals, soils, sands and stream sediments

pulverised core and other drill samples (e.g. rotary air blast (RAB), reverse circulation (RC) and aircore)

powder concentrates

dump samples and grab samples

Client requests/documentation

Client requests/documentation may include:

client profile, sample identification, sample receipt, storage and analyses

required preparation method and service charges

Sample preparation methods

Sample preparation methods may include:

sorting, boxing and drying

sieving

milling

primary crushing (e.g. 10 mm, 2 mm)

fine pulverising (e.g. 100 micron, 75 micron)

robotic system parameters, such as grind time, crushing time and cleaning cycles to prevent cross-contamination

Sample preparation equipment

Sample preparation equipment may include:

splitters (e.g. riffles and rotary dividers)

mills (e.g. ball, ring and rod)

bowls (e.g. chrome-steel, tungsten-carbide and zirconia) and tumblers

crushers (e.g. cone, jaw and roll), grinders and disc pulverisers

sieves

ovens

sample containers and labels

Hazards

Hazards may include:

dust, silica and fibrous materials

asbestiform minerals

naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM)

samples containing nickel and lead-based compounds

noise and vibration

crushing, entanglement and cuts associated with moving machinery

impact injuries from contact with robot arms

failure of pneumatic hoses

manual handling of heavy loads, such as sample bags/containers, racks and trolleys

heat exhaustion/stress and fatigue

Safety equipment and procedures

Safety equipment and procedures may include:

ensuring access to service shut-off points

recognising and observing hazard warnings and safety signs

labelling of samples and hazardous materials

extraction of dust

guards for moving machinery parts

noise insulation

using personal protective equipment, such as masks, heat resistant mittens, boots, goggles, coats, ear muffs, safety boots and heat reflective clothing

following established manual handling procedures

regular cleaning of equipment and work areas using enterprise procedures

reporting of abnormal emissions and airborne contaminants to appropriate personnel

Occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental management requirements

OHS and environmental management requirements:

all operations must comply with enterprise OHS and environmental management requirements, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation - these requirements must not be compromised at any time

all operations assume the potentially hazardous nature of samples and require standard precautions to be applied

where relevant, users should access and apply current industry understanding of infection control issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and State and Territory Departments of Health

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Perform routine system checks at start of shift 
Confirm shift priorities with supervisor 
Review job requests to identify the samples, required parameters and special instructions/preparation methods for each 
Identify hazards and safety equipment/procedures associated with samples, preparation methods and robotic system 
Check that samples are dry and free of obvious contamination 
Check that the particle size of any sample does not exceed system input size limits 
Check samples against accompanying documentation and record/report any discrepancies 
Scan sample barcodes into system 
Load samples in the correct sequence when the system is ready 
Use system monitor to ensure that correct worksheet is assigned to each sample 
Monitor screen displays and conduct visual checks as necessary to ensure that system operates correctly throughout cycle 
Recognise common error codes and promptly inform supervisor 
Seek advice to deal with any situation beyond scope of responsibility or knowledge 
Unload samples sequentially in accordance with enterprise procedures 
Obtain analytical portions of each sample using enterprise procedures 
Label and store analytical portions and excess sample material in accordance with enterprise procedures 
Seek advice when problems are beyond scope of responsibility or knowledge 
Use safe work practices and protective equipment to ensure personal safety and that of others 
Minimise the generation of waste and environmental impacts 
Segregate and dispose of wastes in accordance with enterprise requirements 
Clean robotic system components, care for and store equipment as required 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

MSL953002A - Operate a robotic sample preparation system
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

MSL953002A - Operate a robotic sample preparation system

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: