This unit supports the attainment of skills and knowledge required for operational staff with specific responsibility for ensuring that pre-treatment processes comply with legislative and organisational requirements.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1Plan and prepare for work.

1.1 Determine work requirements from specifications and instructions.

1.2 Identify and report potential risks to self, other employees, public and environment.

1.3 Select and check work site equipment, tools and safety materials as appropriate to meet task and safety specifications.

1.4 Select, fit and use personal protective equipment according to organisational requirements.

2Monitor pre-treatment processes.

2.1 Carry out routine plant inspections according to standard operating procedures.

2.2 Monitor processes to maintain parameters of operation.

2.3 Collect process samples and conduct standard tests.

2.4 Collect, record and report process data according to organisational and plant requirements.

2.5 Identify and report process faults and operational condition of plant according to organisational requirements.

3Operate pre-treatment processes.

3.1 Operate pre-treatment processes according to specifications and organisational procedures.

3.2 Initiate system adjustments to enhance system performance according to system specifications and organisational procedures.

3.3 Handle, use, store and dose chemicals according to organisational procedures.

4Review, report and record work.

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

4.2 Compile reports from plant and system data to meet organisational requirements.

4.3 Report observations outside defined parameters for further action.

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

Required skills:

identify and report operational problems

produce reports and logs

use safety and personal protective equipment

follow plans, charts, specifications and instructions

sample and test process stream

perform work-related calculations

apply procedures and standards

communicate with employees and customers

work effectively as part of a team

use communication equipment

give and receive instructions

identify control system faults

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

sample and test products.

Required knowledge:

principles of and need for effective pre-treatment

system layout

lock-out procedures for mechanical and electrical installations

policies, procedures and legislation applied to wastewater pre-treatment processes

relevant utilities and service bodies

communication systems

work-related calculations

chemicals for odour or pH control

hazardous materials handling

environment, landscape and ground structure of work area

risk factors and potential hazards related to water or wastewater treatment

chemical dosing processes

equipment operation, capacity and limitations

pumping and valving systems

control systems

impacts of hydraulic loads on processes.

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 to monitor, operate and report on wastewater pre-treatment processes including:

planning and preparing for work

collecting and labelling samples and performing tests

inspecting plant and monitoring processes

collecting and recording data

operating and adjusting processes

recording all required information.

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.

In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge. Questioning will be undertaken in a manner 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.

Equipment, tools and safety materials may include:

electronic monitoring and metering systems

recording systems

basic hand and power tools

sampling and laboratory testing and equipment

computerised equipment

communication equipment

personal protective equipment.

Organisational requirements may include:

codes of practice, associated standards and guidance material

documented organisational policies, manuals and induction programs which may refer to legislation and/or regulations

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

Routine plant inspections may include:

interaction and communication with other employees, other authorities and general public

visual observation

identification of corrosion damage.

Processes may include:

screening

gravity and aerated grit chambers

gross pollution traps

removal and disposal of screenings

shredding

odour removal

oily water separators

riffle plate separators.

Tests may include:

settling tests

pH

dissolved oxygen

suspended solids

chemical oxygen demand.

System adjustments may include:

pH correction

dissolved oxygen levels

flow control

screen rotation frequency

solids removal

chemical additions.

Reports may include:

plant performance data

chemical usage.

Treatment

This unit of competency contains employability skills.