This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to undertake minor maintenance and solve routine problems to procedures. It does not cover activities normally requiring traditional trade training.

This unit of competency covers minor maintenance, such as:

operational maintenance (e.g. connection-disconnection of hoses, greasing, lubrication and lubricant systems, adjusting sealing glands, cleaning and changing filters and 'nipping up' flanges)

general cleaning

removal and replacement (e.g. gland packing, changing blades or cutters, replacing gaskets, replacing/maintaining seals, changing filter elements and servicing strainers).

In a typical scenario a plant operator does minor maintenance activities on the plant and equipment being operated. For instance, the pressure drop across a filter unit may be high, indicating the filter cartridge needs changing. The operator takes the filter unit out of operation, cleans the unit, uses the correct spanner to open the lid, installs a fresh cartridge, closes the unit using the spanner again, then cleans up the area and disposes of the spent cartridge. Typically this sort of maintenance will be done on the plant and will not require workshop type facilities.

This unit of competency applies to an individual working alone or as part of a team or group and working in liaison with other shift team members and the control room operator, as appropriate.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and include the ability to:

use available data and records to recognise fault and no-fault conditions in standard and non-standard situations

apply operational guidelines and known solutions to correct variations/irregularities

apply approved hazard control, work permit and safety procedures in relation to handling materials, equipment operation and clean up

identify the need for work permits and select the appropriate permit

apply maintenance procedures according to plant data and maintenance schedules.

Evidence must be provided that demonstrates knowledge of:

principles of operation of the equipment to be maintained

function and troubleshooting of major internal components and their problems

appropriate testing procedures and use of equipment for a range of equipment faults

typical causes of equipment failures and the service conditions which may increase maintenance

types and nature of maintenance (preventative, predictive, corrective) uses, benefits and limitations

factors that may affect product quality or production output and appropriate remedies.

The unit should be assessed holistically and the judgement of competence based on a holistic assessment of the evidence.

The collection of performance evidence:

should occur over a range of situations which include typical disruptions to normal, smooth work conditions

will typically include a supervisor/third-party report focusing on consistent performance and problem recognition and solving. A supervisor/third-party report must be prepared by someone who has a direct, relevant, current relationship with the person being assessed and who is in a position to form a judgement on workplace performance relevant to the unit of competency

will typically include the use of appropriate tools, equipment and safety gear requiring demonstration of preparation, operation, completion and responding to problems

may use industry-based simulation for all or part of the unit particularly where safety, lack of opportunity or significant cost is an issue.

Assessment should occur in operational workplace situations. Where this is not possible, or where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment must occur in a sufficiently rigorous simulated environment reflecting realistic operational workplace conditions. This must cover all aspects of workplace performance including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.

Assessment in a simulated environment should use evidence collected from one or more of:

walk-throughs

pilot plant operation

demonstration of skills

industry based case studies/scenarios

‘what ifs’.

Knowledge evidence may be collected concurrently with performance evidence (provided a record is kept) or through an independent process, such as workbooks, written assessments or interviews (provided a record is kept).

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Conditions for assessment must include access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required, including relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications associated with this unit.

The regulatory framework will be reflected in workplace policies and procedures and is not required to be independently assessed.

Foundation skills are integral to competent performance of the unit and should not be assessed separately.

As a minimum, assessors must satisfy the Standards for Registered Training Organisations 2015 assessor requirements.

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.

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