The operations technician would:

determine the storage requirements for materials

follow requirements of the codes of practice, regulations or statutory requirements in the handling and storage of general materials

use product and hazard knowledge to contribute to the solving of operational problems to do with the handling and storage of materials.

Generally the operations technician would be part of a team and may be expected to be capable of performing all parts of this unit. At all times they would be liaising and cooperating with other members of the team.

This unit does not apply to the storage and handling of bulk materials. See PMAOPS307B Transfer bulk fluids into/out of storage facility and PMAOPS309B Operate particulates handling/storage equipment.

Whilst this competency includes the storage and handling of hazardous and dangerous materials, the handling of emergencies is covered by other competencies, for example MSAPMOHS110A Respond to emergency situation.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare for work.

1.1. Identify work requirements

1.2. Identify and control hazards

1.3. Coordinate with appropriate personnel

2. Categorise materials.

2.1. Locate storage and handling information for the materials, including hazardous and dangerous goods information, using labels, inventory system or other sources of information

2.2. Interpret storage, handling and hazards information from information sources

2.3. Categorise materials in terms of frequency of use (pick), handling requirements, sources and destination points (internal and external), security requirements, product life and location in the storage area.

3. Select storage location and method.

3.1. Determine storage location for materials based on hazardous or dangerous goods, composition, state of the materials and containers, temperature or light control, fragility, quantity, size or shape

3.2. Determine storage requirements for new materials based on information available and recommend requirements

3.3. Assist others with advice concerning the storage and handling of materials based on the information available.

4. Store and retrieve materials.

4.1. Determine appropriate transport and handling requirements for materials

4.2. Move materials to and from storage areas, using appropriate handling methods

4.3. Update relevant stock records and documentation as required

4.4. Advise of material stock status, stock-outs or oversupply to relevant personnel

4.5. Contribute to the logistics management process by supply of accurate stock information, movement and advice on storage requirements and capacity.

5. Resolve problems.

5.1. Identify possible problems in equipment or process

5.2. Determine problems needing action

5.3. Determine possible fault causes

5.4. Rectify problem using appropriate solution within area of responsibility

5.5. Follow through items initiated until final resolution has occurred

5.6. Report problems outside area of responsibility to designated person.

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

Required skills

Ability to isolate the causes of problems to a component of the logistics system and to distinguish between causes of problems such as:

missing or damaged labels

new materials requiring information about storage and handling to be found from additional information sources

special location requirements for materials.

Required knowledge

Understanding of the logistics system, procedures and requirements to the level needed to use the system and recognise and resolve problems. In particular it includes the ability to:

locate, interpret and apply relevant information

provide customer service (both internal and external) and work effectively with others

apply knowledge of regulations and legislation to the storage and handling of materials

determine material type, location, handling and transport requirements using information sources and systems

safely move materials to the appropriate areas.

Knowledge of the materials, labeling and their storage requirements

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.

Overview of assessment

Assessment of this unit should include demonstrated competence on actual plant and equipment in a work environment. The unit will be assessed in as holistic a manner as is practical and may be integrated with the assessment of other relevant units of competency. Assessment will occur over a range of situations which will include disruptions to normal, smooth operation.

Simulation may be required to allow for assessment of parts of this unit. Simulation should be based on the actual plant and will include walk-throughs of the relevant competency components. Simulations may also include the use of case studies/scenarios and role plays.

This unit of competency requires a significant body of knowledge which will be assessed through questioning and the use of what-if scenarios both on the plant (during demonstration of normal operations and walk-throughs of abnormal operations) and off the plant.

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

Competence must be demonstrated in the ability to recognise and analyse potential situations requiring action and then in implementing appropriate corrective action. The emphasis should be on the ability to stay out of trouble rather than on recovery from a disaster.

Consistent performance should be demonstrated. In particular look to see that:

early warning signs of materials, storages or information needing attention or with potential problems are recognised

the range of possible causes can be identified and analysed and the most likely cause determined

appropriate action is taken to ensure a timely return to full performance

obvious problems in related plant areas and systems are recognised and an appropriate contribution made to their solution.

These aspects may be best assessed using a range of scenarios/case studies/what-ifs as the stimulus with a walk through forming part of the response. These assessment activities should include a range of problems, including new, unusual and improbable situations which may have been generated from the past incident history of the plant, incidents on similar plants around the world, hazard analysis activities and similar sources.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment will require access to an operating plant over an extended period of time, or a suitable method of gathering evidence of operating ability over a range of situations. A bank of scenarios/case studies/what-ifs will be required as will a bank of questions which will be used to probe the reasoning behind the observable actions.

Method of assessment

In all plants it may be appropriate to assess this unit concurrently with relevant teamwork and communication units. It may be appropriate to assess this unit concurrently with TDTD1097B Operate a forklift.

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the oracy, language and literacy capacity of the assessee 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 if the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.

Codes of practice/ standards

Where reference is made to industry codes of practice, and/or Australian/international standards, the latest version must be used.

Context

This unit of competency includes all types of storage. For your plant this may include (select relevant items):

bins and binning systems

racks and racking systems

marked floor spaces

pallets, collapsible bins, portable tanks

specialised storage areas (bunds, secure, weather protected, heated, cooled).

General materials

General materials include:

raw materials and finished goods

materials in sacks, bags, drums and portable storage containers

hazardous and dangerous goods

Sources of Information

Information in support of storage and handling processes may be from many sources. For your plant this may include (select relevant items):

goods identification number and codes

manifests

picking slips, transfer documents, stock requisitions, batch specifications

manufacturer specifications, supplier or customer instructions

materials safety data sheets (MSDSs)

verbal or written communications

codes of practice, standards, regulations and legislation, including dangerous goods, airfreight, export, import, quarantine, bond or licence requirements

quality documentation, procedures.

Problems

Typical problems for your plant may include:

labelling problems (missing, damaged, illegible)

congestion and lack of appropriate storage area.

Appropriate action

Appropriate action includes:

determining problems needing action

determining possible fault causes

rectifying problem using appropriate solution within area of responsibility

following through items initiated until final resolution has occurred

reporting problems outside area of responsibility to designated person.

Procedures

Procedures may be written, verbal, computer-based or in some other form. They include:

all work instructions

standard operating procedures

formulas/recipes

batch sheets

temporary instructions

any similar instructions provided for the smooth running of the plant.

For the purposes of this Training Package, 'procedures' also includes good operating practice as may be defined by industry codes of practice (eg Responsible Care) and government regulations.

Health, safety and environment (HSE)

All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent health, safety and environment requirements, which may be imposed through State or Federal legislation, and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between Performance Criteria and HSE requirements, the HSE requirements take precedence.

Unit sector

Operational/technical

This unit contains employability skills.