Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to develop maintenance strategies which cause minimal disruption to plant operations and are cost efficient. An enterprise's maintenance system influences the cost and quality of products and the safety of the workforce and environment.
At this level individuals exercise considerable responsibility and accountability within enterprise structures and are required to make primary contributions to the values, goals and operations of the enterprise. They will typically have responsibility for establishing and reviewing systems for their site or department. They may be assisted by external experts to develop plans and strategies.
This unit is particularly useful for maintenance managers, plant engineers and production managers working in a meat industry context.
This unit must be delivered in the context of Australian meat industry standards and regulations.
No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Element | Performance criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Prepare maintenance policies | 1.1 Identify and quantify maintenance costs, including the cost of poor maintenance procedures 1.2 Negotiate and confirm management commitment to a productive maintenance strategy 1.3 Benchmark enterprise performance against agreed standards, and develop maintenance policies and priorities 1.4 Develop maintenance system goals through negotiation with stakeholders 1.5 Establish communication strategies to build positive workforce attitude and commitment to maintenance |
2. Implement maintenance management system | 2.1 Identify and secure resource requirements and include them in enterprise budgets and operational plans 2.2 Determine location of the maintenance function and/or team within enterprise structures 2.3 Determine profile of the maintenance function and/or team within enterprise structures 2.4 Clarify roles and responsibilities of equipment users and the maintenance team and include them in position descriptions and work instructions 2.5 Provide mentoring and training in the use and care of technology and equipment to support the maintenance strategy 2.6 Prepare maintenance procedures and schedules to minimise negative impacts on production, costs, waste and the environment 2.7 Develop and maintain record keeping systems 2.8 Analyse potential risks and recommend management strategies 2.9 Prepare contingency plans in collaboration with the workforce, suppliers and customers 2.10 Effectively communicate maintenance schedules and procedures to the team |
3. Monitor and review maintenance management system | 3.1 Develop continuous improvement strategies 3.2 Determine performance criteria for maintenance goals and establish data collection strategies 3.3 Analyse performance information and outcomes and report implications to stakeholders |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence must demonstrate the candidate's consistency of performance over time under normal operating conditions.
The candidate must:
consult with key personnel, people on the floor, delegates, suppliers, contractors and equipment manufacturers to determine appropriate maintenance strategies, procedures and schedules
develop maintenance policies and strategies, including establishment of criteria for determining maintenance priorities and planning and scheduling routine equipment and overhead maintenance to meet quality system requirements
establish and monitor performance targets for maintenance teams within performance planning and appraisal processes
develop workforce commitment to effective maintenance strategies, including implementing strategies for devolving the identification of maintenance needs to the floor, developing consultative and cooperative problem-solving strategies, and negotiating changes in work practices
develop secure record keeping procedures to document maintenance costs, problems, priorities, solutions, schedules and completions
apply relevant communication and mathematical skills
evaluate and recommend alternative maintenance policies and strategies, including evaluation of the costs and benefits of internal and consultant service models, changes in work roles and responsive/preventative models for maintenance
determine and recommend the need for capital expenditure to replace plant and equipment
identify and apply relevant workplace health and safety, environmental, regulatory and workplace requirements
manage maintenance costs, including determining total maintenance costs based on maintenance service cost and machine breakdown cost, setting, justifying, and achieving maintenance budgets
monitor performance of the system, including establishing indicators, setting up data collection strategies, analysing data to identify trends and isolate problems or problem areas, and measuring progress against targets
prepare and implement contingency plans for dealing with risks, including equipment breakdowns and failures, and negotiation with production personnel
present reports according to legal and enterprise requirements
review maintenance strategies and goals within the enterprise, continuous improvement and planning processes.
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate an in depth technical and theoretical knowledge of:
plant and equipment falling under the scope of the maintenance program, including steam generation systems, refrigeration systems, water and effluent systems, processing and production equipment, and building
maintenance issues related to the enterprise and their impact on the productivity of the plant
cost elements in maintenance system costing and budgeting
relevant legislation and regulations (including food safety and food standards), and industrial agreements, and explain the implications for plant and equipment maintenance
costs resulting from poor maintenance and the benefits of a preventative maintenance system
impacts of poor maintenance on meat safety, meat and/or product quality, occupational and environmental safety
Assessment Conditions
Competency must be demonstrated through sustained performance over time, at an appropriate level of responsibility and authority under typical operating and production conditions for the enterprise.
Assessment for this unit must include:
a third-party referee report of sustained performance at appropriate level of authority and responsibility
assignment focusing on understanding and application of principles and theory to workplace operations
workplace projects with focus on company environment and conditions
Assessors must satisfy relevant standards for RTOs.
Foundation Skills
Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.