Application
This unit supports the attainment of skills and knowledge required for operational staff with a specific responsibility for ensuring that wastewater lagoons comply with organisational and statutory requirements.
Prerequisites
Not applicable.
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Monitor lagoon process performance | 1.1 Monitor test results and processes according to organisational and statutory requirements. 1.2 Identify and report faults and the operational condition of the process according to organisational procedures and statutory requirements. |
2 Operate and control lagoon processes | 2.1 Select and check equipment and correctly fit and use personal protective equipment. 2.2 2.3 Collect process samples and conduct standard tests. 2.4 Carry out system adjustments and process calculations to enhance system performance according to organisational and statutory requirements. 2.5 Collect, interpret and record process data according to organisational and plant requirements. |
3 Compile lagoon process records | 3.1 Compile reports from plant and system data to meet organisational procedures and statutory requirements. 3.2 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 and control system problems take samples and perform tests produce logs and reports determine chemical dosing requirements interpret plans, charts and instructions interpret policies, procedures and standards give and receive instructions operate control and communication systems use safety and personal protective equipment perform relevant process calculations communicate with employees and customers work effectively as part of a team operate computerised equipment interpretation of material safety data sheets |
Required knowledge: process layout features and components of wastewater lagoon systems theory of process operation and monitoring chemicals used for pH control, odour control, nutrients flow measurement risk factors and potential hazards related to wastewater lagoon systems risk control requirements including safety equipment and material safety data sheets lockout procedures for mechanical and electrical installations and hydraulic isolation equipment operation, capacity and limitations operation of pumping and valving systems control and communications systems policies, procedures and relevant legislation relevant utilities and service bodies process calculations hazardous materials handling chemical and biological principles that form the basis of lagoon wastewater treatment types of lagoon processes recirculation principles operational problems |
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 lagoon processes including: monitoring test results identifying and reporting faults conducting routine plant inspections taking samples and performing basic tests making basic process adjustments according to instructions collecting data and 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 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, 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: | wastewater lagoon processes, such as: aerated lagoons maturation lagoons facultative lagoons anaerobic lagoons |
Organisational and statutory requirements may include: | by-laws and organisational policies standard operating procedures occupational health and safety, including the correct use of personal protective equipment chemicals dangerous goods lifts and cranes environmental protection including: Environment Protection Authority regulations Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council (ANZECC) guidelines licensing agreements electrical standards |
Equipment may include: | electronic monitoring and metering systems chart recording systems basic hand tools sampling and laboratory testing equipment computerised equipment communication equipment personal protective equipment |
Routine plant inspections may include: | interaction and communication with other employees, other authorities and the general public visual observation implementation of reporting procedures that may also include procedures for the implementation of by-laws, organisational policies and statutory requirements |
Tests may include: | settling tests microscopic observation pH dissolved oxygen nutrient analyses, such as: nitrogen phosphorus temperature redox potential electrical conductivity chemical oxygen demand suspended solids |
System adjustments may include: | pH correction dissolved oxygen levels recirculation rates mixing water levels |
Process calculations may include: | detention time organic loading rates removal efficiency |
Reports may include: | plant performance data chemical usage |
Sectors
Not applicable.
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills.
Licensing Information
Not applicable.