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.

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

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence are:

early warning signs of equipment/processes 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.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment of this competency will occur over a range of situations which will include typical disruptions to normal, smooth operation. This will require access to an operating plant over an extended period of time, or a suitable method of gathering evidence of operating ability. Where safety, lack of opportunity or significant cost is an issue an industry-based simulation may be employed to assist the process.

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, competency and safety requirements of the site and consistent with workplace systems or procedures

Required skills

Required skills include:

recognising conditions which will lead to out of specification operation

implementing enterprise procedures within time constraints and in a manner relevant to the correct use of the equipment

identifying hazards and safe operating procedures for handling high temperatures and molten metal

conveying information relevant to the operation clearly and effectively

maintaining appropriate levels of quality assurance

reading and numeracy to interpret workplace documents and technical information

applying mathematics to the level of understanding and determination of raw material feed rates and composition

Required knowledge

Required knowledge, to the breadth and depth required for the operation of the smelting furnace, includes:

principles of operation of smelting furnace and ancillary equipment

knowledge of metallurgy, to the extent of determining effects of varying furnace conditions, raw materials feed rates, quality, composition and proportions on finished product composition

process parameters and limits (e.g. temperature, feed rates and gas/flux/catalyst/additives rates)

duty of care obligations

hierarchy of control

communication protocols (e.g. radio, phone, computer, paper and permissions/authorities)

typical issues causing problems and the resolution of those problems

routine problems, faults and their symptoms and the corrective action to be taken

relevant alarms and actions

plant process idiosyncrasies

all items on a schematic of the plant item and the function/principles of operation, and problem solving of each

physics and chemistry relevant to each unit and the processes used

relevant environmental and heritage requirements

mathematical formulae and their application to determining feed rates and materials properties

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.

Procedures

Procedures may be written, verbal, computer-based or in some other form. They may include, but are not limited to:

all work instructions

standard operating procedures

formulas/recipes

batch sheets

temporary instructions

any similar instructions provided for the smooth running of the plant

good operating practice as may be defined by industry codes of practice

Procedures would be expected to comply with any relevant government regulations.

Logs and reports

Logs and reports may include:

paper or electronic-based logs and reports

verbal/radio reports

reporting items found which require action

Appropriate action

Appropriate action includes, but is not limited to:

determining problems needing action

accessing and applying relevant technical and plant data

applying appropriate problem solving techniques to determine 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/ability to resolve to designated person

Typical problems

Typical problems may include, but are not limited to:

variations in feed material

control of gas flow

control of feed rates, and composition of feeds

control of tapping rates of slag and molten product

Health, safety and environment (HSE)

All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent HSE 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.

Work requirements

Work requirements may come from briefings, handovers and work orders and may include:

compliance documentation

product specifications

nature and scope of tasks

achievement targets

operational conditions

lighting conditions

plant or equipment defects

hazards and potential hazards

coordination requirements or issues