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 walk-throughs of the relevant competency components. Simulations may also include the use of case studies/scenarios, role plays and 3D virtual reality interactive systems. In the case of evacuation training or of training for competencies practised 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 what-if 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:

estimates and protocols used are appropriate

potential problems are recognised and appropriate action taken

These aspects may be best assessed using a range of scenarios/case studies/what-ifs 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 a batch plant where adjustments are done over an extended period of time, or a suitable method of gathering evidence of operating ability over a range of situations. A bank of scenarios/case studies/what-ifs 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.

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.

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

Required skills

efficient and effective operation of plant/equipment

hazard analysis

completing plant records

communication

problem solving

analysis of test results

Required knowledge

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

product specifications and tolerances

systems operating parameters

system integrity limits

process specific physics, chemistry and mathematics

distinguish between elements, compounds and mixtures in their raw materials and products

describe the nature/condition of materials at each stage of the reaction (or making/adjusting process), the changes which have occurred in that stage and why they have occurred

describe reaction (or making/adjusting process) in chemical terms, including the effect of changing variables such as temperature, pressure, catalyst, concentration, pH

describe any reaction(s) using appropriate chemical equations

state the type of vessel/reactor used and their characteristics (advantages and limitations)

describe the methods of controlling the reaction/or adjustment, including rate and yield

impact of external factors, eg variations in weather, feed etc

effective communication techniques

organisation procedures

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 product manufacture/adjustment system. This may include (select relevant items):

kettle or mixing vessel

heating and or cooling

material addition equipment

pumps, valves and pipes

mixers

fume/vapour extraction

reflux systems

emergency shutdown systems

communications systems.

Adjustment protocol

Adjustment protocols may include:

aiming to make a '90% (or other%)adjustment' first time

aiming to 'hit the target' first time

under/overshoot the target

other techniques of achieving optimal adjustment.

Adjustments required

Adjustments required may include:

adding more of some of the original materials

adding some additional materials

continuing to heat/stir or otherwise process the batch (with or without material addition)

Likely problems from adjustment process

Likely problems from adjustment process include:

product deterioration from extended processing

kettle/vessel overflows from repeated material additions

misleading test results causing inappropriate adjustments

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.