Application
This unit supports the attainment of skills and knowledge required for operational staff with a specific responsibility for ensuring that sediment and clarification processes in water treatment plants conform to organisational standards and comply with statutory requirements. |
Prerequisites
Not applicable.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1Monitor sedimentation and clarification plant performance. | 1.1 Monitor test results and processes to maintain the parameters of operation. 1.2 Identify and report process faults and the operational condition of plant according to organisational and statutory requirements. |
2Control chemical use. | 2.1 Use, handle and store chemicals according to organisational procedures and statutory requirements. 2.2 Prepare and apply chemical dosing according to plant processes and organisational procedures and statutory requirements. 2.3 Maintain chemical supply and usage records according to statutory requirements. |
3Operate and control sedimentation and clarification processes. | 3.1 Carry out routine plant inspections according to organisational and plant requirements. 3.2 Collect process samples and conduct standard tests. 3.3 Perform process calculations associated with sedimentation and clarification processes. 3.4 Carry out system adjustments to enhance system performance according to organisational procedures and statutory requirements. |
4Compile sedimentation and clarification process records. | 4.1 Compile reports from plant and system data to meet organisational and statutory requirements. 4.2 Report observations outside defined parameters for further action. |
Required Skills
This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit. |
Required skills: identify and correct operational problems produce reports and logs use safety and personal protective equipment interpret plans, charts and instructions interpret policies, procedures and standards communicate with employees and various customers perform process calculations use communication equipment give and receive instructions prepare and apply chemical dosing operate computerised equipment identify control system faults sample and test products. |
Required knowledge: system layout lock out procedures for mechanical and electrical installations policies, procedures and legislation relevant utilities and service bodies communication systems settling aids hazardous materials handling environment, landscape and ground structure of work area risk factors and potential hazards related to water and/or wastewater treatment chemical dosing processes equipment operation, capacity and limitations effects of weather and conditions on operation of site or plant pumping and valving systems control systems' policies and procedures for storing and handling dangerous goods and chemicals interpretation of material safety data sheets chemical and/or biological principles that form the basis of sedimentation and clarification processes. |
Evidence Required
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 control sedimentation and clarification processes, including: conducting routine plant inspections taking samples and performing basic tests preparing and applying chemical dosing according to instructions identifying and reporting system faults making basic system adjustments according to instructions completing required 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/or 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 only taken at the point 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, any cultural issues that may affect responses to the questions, and reflecting the requirements of the competency and the work being performed. |
Range Statement
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 if the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts. | |
Processes may include: | sludge blanket clarifiers conventional clarifiers tube settlers high rate plate settlers recirculating contact clarifiers pulsator clarifiers ballasted sedimentation. |
Organisational and statutory requirements may include: | by-laws and organisational policies standard operating procedures Australian Drinking Water Guidelines National Water Quality Management strategy environment protection occupational health and safety, including use of personal protective equipment chemicals dangerous goods lifts and cranes World Health Organisation standards Environment Protection Authority regulations licensing agreements electrical standards. |
Routine plant inspections may include: | interaction and communication with other employees, other authorities and the general public visual observation identification of corrosion damage the use of equipment, including: electronic monitoring and metering systems recording systems basic hand tools sampling and laboratory testing equipment control equipment communication equipment personal protective equipment. |
Tests may include: | settling velocity tests pH jar tests turbidity and solids concentration (% v/v). |
Process calculations may include: | tank volumes weir overflow rates detention times rise rates surface loading rates settling velocity calculations associated with sludge settling tests. |
System adjustments may include: | pH correction chemical addition sludge withdrawal rates recirculation rates flow rates. |
Reports may include: | plant performance data chemical usage. |
Sectors
Not applicable.
Competency Field
Treatment |
Employability Skills
This unit of competency contains employability skills. |
Licensing Information
Not applicable.