This unit supports the attainment of skills and knowledge required for staff with specific responsibility for ensuring that pump stations operate according to organisational requirements. This may include minor maintenance tasks, such as gland adjustment, packing replacement and the replacement of some fittings.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Plan and prepare work.

1.1 Determine pump station work requirements from standard operating and maintenance procedures.

1.2 Access and interpret pump operation and maintenance procedures.

1.3 Perform site check to prevent damage to other utilities and the environment, according to legislative and organisational requirements.

1.4 Select and check equipment to meet safety requirements of task and site and select, fit and use personal protective equipment.

1.5 Handle, use and store chemicals according to organisational requirements.

2Operate pump stations.

2.1 Identify and set or adjust pump stationcomponents according to organisational requirements.

2.2 Carry out routine security inspections and cleaning duties.

2.3 Operate pump station according to organisational requirements.

3Maintain pump stations.

3.1 Apply pump station maintenance standards.

3.2 Inspect pump station components according to organisational requirements, and identify maintenance needs.

3.3 Schedule maintenance tasks and order appropriate materials.

3.4 Conduct maintenance tasks according to organisational maintenance standards and manufacturer recommendations.

3.5 Identify and report pump station faults and carry out minor repairs.

4Monitor and adjust pump station performance.

4.1 Apply pump station performance targets.

4.2 Identify and apply monitoring points and timing.

4.3 Monitor pump station and make adjustments, where necessary, to maintain operational parameters.

5Check outsourced maintenance work.

5.1 Check that completed maintenance and repairs meet specifications.

5.2 Check return of pumping station to service.

6Finalise work.

6.1 Check, maintain and store equipment, tools and materials according to manufacturer guidelines and organisational procedures.

6.2 Restore work site to meet environmental and organisational requirements.

6.3 Maintain workplace records as required.

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

Required skills:

operate pumps and pumping stations

maintain pumps and pumping stations

identify system faults

identify hazards

implement remedial action

operate service according to procedures

identify and respond to operational problems

collect data

produce reports and logs

use safety and personal protective equipment

use tools and machinery

follow plans and instructions

perform work-related calculations

apply procedures and standards

communicate with employees and customers

work effectively as part of a team

use communication systems

use literacy skills in regard to verbal and written communication in the workplace

give and receive instructions.

Required knowledge:

system hydraulics basics, including suction and lift

system layout

principles and purpose of pump operation

OHS requirements

types of pump and their operational function

pump and pump station operation and maintenance procedures and standards

principles affecting selection of pump station monitoring points and timing of monitoring activities

environmental aspects of operation

lock-out procedures for mechanical and electrical installations

relevant utilities and service bodies

communication systems

hazardous materials handling

risk factors and potential hazards of operating wastewater transfer systems

equipment operation, capacity and limitations

effects of weather and conditions on system

control systems

pump station components

high and low voltage requirements

effect of lightning strikes.

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.

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

The candidate should demonstrate the ability tooperate and monitor the performance of pump stations in water and wastewater systems and undertake minor maintenance including:

planning and preparing for work, including selecting equipment and chemicals

operating pump stations, including conducting a security inspection

conducting pump station maintenance

monitoring and adjusting pump station performance

checking quality of outsourced maintenance work

finalising work, including completing documentation.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Access to the workplace and resources including:

documentation that should normally be available in a water industry organisation

relevant codes, standards and government regulations.

Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and assessment support when required.

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

Validity and sufficiency of evidence requires that:

competency will need to be demonstrated over a period of time reflecting the scope of the role and the practical requirements of the workplace

where the assessment is part of a structured learning experience the evidence collected must relate to a number of performances assessed at different points in time and separated by further learning and practice

a decision of competence should only be made when the assessor has complete confidence in the person's competence over time and in various contexts

all assessment that is part of a structured learning experience must include a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary evidence

where assessment is for the purpose of recognition (RCC/RPL), the evidence provided will need to be authenticated and show that it represents competency demonstrated over a period of time

assessment can be through simulated project-based activity and must include evidence relating to each of the elements in this unit.

Questioning will be appropriate to the skill levels of the operator and cultural issues that may affect responses to the questions, and will reflect the requirements of the competency and the work being performed.

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. Add any 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.

Pump station work requirements may include:

location

timing

site boundary protection

type of pumps

extent of maintenance

maintenance methods.

Pump operation and maintenance procedures may include:

gland packing

gland adjustment

removal and replacement of valves or instruments.

Legislative and organisational requirements may include:

relevant federal and state or territory legislation and regulations

codes of practice, associated standards and guidance material

documented organisational policies, manuals and induction programs

relevant community planning and development agreements, such as land care agreements.

Equipment used may include:

hand and power tools

high pressure cleaning equipment

lifting equipment

on- and off-road vehicles

portable pumps

communication equipment

breathing apparatus

gas detection equipment

rescue equipment

appropriate personal protective equipment.

Chemicals may include:

cleaning chemicals

oils

greases

paints

thinners.

Pump station components may include:

suction pipes

valves

pumps

electrical cabinets

pumps

weirs

flow meters

run time meters

wet and dry pump wells

electrical motors.

Pump station maintenance standards may include:

electrical

mechanical

civil construction.

Maintenance needs may include:

painting

adjusting glands

replacing corroded items, such as bolts

cleaning

removing fat and solids build up.

Materials may include:

metal

masonry

wood.

Pump station faults may include:

flow fluctuations outside acceptable limits

over-heating bearing

blocked suction lines

vibrating drive shaft

broken impellers.

Monitoring points and timing may include:

routine inspections of flow rate

inspections to identify infiltration and obstructions.

Adjustments may include:

flow

use of night and day rate power.

Collection and distribution

This unit of competency contains employability skills.