Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to operate crushing equipment and ancillary equipment. Crushing is typically applied in the manufacture minerals products industry to raw materials, materials in process, product and scrap and recycled material.
This unit applies to operators who are required to take responsibility for own outputs and follow established procedures to prepare, monitor and adjust the equipment and maintain supply of materials. Operators are also required to work autonomously and apply their own judgement to interpret information; monitor processes; identify and address routine and non-routine problems and control hazards.
This unit applies to an individual working alone or as part of a team or group and in liaison with other shift team members, team leader and supervisor.
No licensing or certification requirements exist at the time of publication. Relevant legislation, industry standards and codes of practice within Australia must be applied.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements | Performance Criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Prepare to crush materials | 1.1 Check equipment for hazards, danger and isolation tags in accordance with standard operating procedures (SOPs) 1.2 Perform checks to ensure all doors, inspection openings and guards are in position and secure 1.3 Adjust equipment settings to ensure conformance with SOPs 1.4 Notify appropriate personnel of intention to start equipment 1.5 Conduct additional pre-start checks 1.6 Confirm an adequate supply of materials is available to meet production requirements |
2. Crush materials | 2.1 Start equipment in sequence in accordance with SOPs 2.2 Monitor instrument and control panels and adjust equipment, controls and feed as necessary to remain within specified operating and safety parameters 2.3 Make physical inspections of plant and equipment at specified intervals as required by SOPs 2.4 Maximise product throughput and efficiency to maintain target parameters 2.5 Check screens and screened material 2.6 Communicate with appropriate personnel regarding the status of operations 2.7 Adjust to achieve required output 2.8 Distribute material as required |
3. Rectify routine problems | 3.1 Identify and rectify faults and equipment failures 3.2 Maintain records and log books of equipment operations 3.3 Identify non-routine problems and report to designated person |
4. Control hazards | 4.1 Identify hazards in the crushing work area 4.2 Assess the risks arising from those hazards 4.3 Implement measures to control those risks |
Foundation Skills
This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance.
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Competency Field
Operations