Application
This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to gather and relay information about pipeline activities from the pipeline control centre.
This unit of competency includes all such items of equipment and unit operations which form part of the pipeline control system, including as appropriate to the facility:
radio communications equipment, email, fax and telephones
heaters, furnaces and exchangers
station instrumentation/metering equipment
condition monitoring equipment
process control equipment
gas quality and analysis equipment
valves, actuators and flanges
piping systems
pressure vessels/filtration equipment
compressors and prime movers
cathodic protection systems.
This unit of competency applies to operations technicians who are required to demonstrate a significant understanding of pipeline operations in order to monitor flows, pressures and temperatures in the field; direct field operators to check and maintain pipeline operations; and communicate with field personnel, suppliers and customers to maintain the safe and efficient operation of the pipeline.
This unit of competency applies to an individual operating independently in a plant with local control or in liaison with the control room operator in a plant with a centralised control panel, such as distributed control system (DCS) type controls. In the case of large complex plant, the operations technician would be part of a team during start-up and shutdown procedures.
This unit of competency applies to an individual working alone or as part of a team or group and working in liaison with other shift team members and the control room operator, as appropriate They may also be communicating with customers.
This unit of competency reflects relevant aspects of the Australian Standard AS 2885.3-2012 Pipelines - Gas and liquid petroleum - Operation and maintenance.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. | ||
1 | Gather information about pipeline operation needs | 1.1 | Respond to and record messages and information received from field operations and pipeline system stations |
1.2 | Interpret and acknowledge alarm codes correctly to ensure the correct response strategy is selected and applied to the situation | ||
1.3 | Clarify additional information needs and select an appropriate communication medium to deliver the information required | ||
1.4 | Improve operational efficiency through adequate and timely application of information provided | ||
1.5 | Interpret and action customer/shipper gas forecasts to ensure correct gas flow rates into the pipeline system are achieved | ||
2 | Communicate pipeline information | 2.1 | Monitor activities of pipeline personnel in the field and data from the control centre |
2.2 | Evaluate internal messages and response communications concerning system alarms/incidents to establish the scope and severity of the alarm/ incident | ||
2.3 | Convey pipeline system operation information to relevant personnel in other work areas to ensure safe and efficient operation of the pipeline system | ||
2.4 | Relay information to technicians and other services/parties so that fault-finding or safety checks can be conducted to identify risks to product supply, pipeline equipment, environment and personnel | ||
2.5 | Authorise, record and monitor permits to work to allow operational activities to be undertaken or cancelled | ||
3 | Coordinate pipeline systems operations | 3.1 | Monitor field and pipeline station operations data |
3.2 | Monitor and observe equipment operating conditions, pressures and temperatures, and maintain correct equipment operating parameters | ||
3.3 | Identify faults and initiate the required repair or reporting of the fault | ||
3.4 | Isolate identified faults in the pipeline as appropriate | ||
3.5 | Respond to system alarms and emergencies | ||
3.6 | Determine the required course of action or emergency response to the identified system condition/ emergency | ||
3.7 | Complete and document pre-shutdown checks | ||
3.8 | Shut down the pipeline system under either normal or emergency conditions in accordance with operating procedures | ||
3.9 | Confirm all identified maintenance is in compliance with the permit to work system and administer to ensure that all work complies with all issued permits | ||
4 | Record and report | 4.1 | Record and monitor field personnel movements to ensure the safety of all personnel in the field |
4.2 | Report safety and environmental risks or faulty equipment to designated personnel for further action or advice concerning the selection of the appropriate response or course of action | ||
4.3 | Interpret and maintain field inspection records and reports | ||
4.4 | Complete operations and production reports | ||
4.5 | Perform shift handover procedures | ||
5 | Control hazards | 5.1 | Identify hazards in work area |
5.2 | Assess the risks arising from those hazards | ||
5.3 | Implement measures to control those risks in line with procedures and duty of care | ||
6 | Resolve problems | 6.1 | Identify possible problems in equipment or process |
6.2 | Determine problems needing action | ||
6.3 | Determine possible fault causes | ||
6.4 | Rectify problem using appropriate solution within area of responsibility | ||
6.5 | Follow up items initiated until final resolution has occurred | ||
6.6 | Report problems outside area of responsibility to designated person | ||
Evidence of Performance
Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy the requirements of the elements and performance criteria, and include the ability to:
use data, communications and observations to monitor plant and maximise performance
interpret information, decide on appropriate action and convey required action to others
identify early warning signs of equipment/processes needing attention or with potential problems
resolve non-routine problems
identify hazards and risks and apply risk control procedures
communicate effectively with team/workgroup, supervisors and other personnel
identify and communicate information required by others
complete written records.
Evidence of Knowledge
Evidence must be provided that demonstrates knowledge of:
all items on a schematic) of the production unit and functions of each
principles of operation of plant/equipment, pipeline system functions within the design parameters and design philosophy
interactions between plant items/processes
systems’ operating parameters, integrity limits, product specifications and tolerances, temperature, pressure and flow
process information schemata of the pipeline system and associated facilities
architecture of the pipeline system
gas quality/analysis equipment operation
safety data sheets (SDS) information
emergency shutdown procedures
function and troubleshooting of major components and their problems
hierarchy of control
hazards that may arise in the job/work environment, and:
their possible causes
potential consequences
appropriate risk controls.
Assessment Conditions
The unit should be assessed holistically and the judgement of competence based on a holistic assessment of the evidence.
The collection of performance evidence:
should occur over a range of situations which include typical disruptions to normal, smooth operations
will typically include a supervisor/third-party report focusing on consistent performance and problem recognition and solving. A supervisor/third-party report must be prepared by someone who has a direct, relevant, current relationship with the person being assessed and who is in a position to form a judgement on workplace performance relevant to the unit of competency
must include the use of appropriate tools, equipment and safety gear requiring demonstration of preparation, operation, completion and responding to problems
may use industry-based simulation for all or part of the unit particularly where safety, lack of opportunity or significant cost is an issue.
Assessment should occur in operational workplace situations. Where this is not possible, or where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment must occur in a sufficiently rigorous simulated environment reflecting realistic operational workplace conditions. This must cover all aspects of workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.
Assessment in a simulated environment should use evidence collected from one or more of:
walk-throughs
pilot plant operation
demonstration of skills
industry-based case studies/scenarios
‘what ifs’.
Knowledge evidence may be collected concurrently with performance evidence (provided a record is kept) or through an independent process, such as workbooks, written assessments or interviews (provided a record is kept).
Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.
Conditions for assessment must include access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required, including relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications associated with this unit.
The regulatory framework will be reflected in workplace policies and procedures and is not required to be independently assessed.
Foundation skills are integral to competent performance of the unit and should not be assessed separately.
Assessors must satisfy the assessor competency requirements that are in place at the time of the assessment as set by the VET regulator.
In addition, the assessor or anyone acting in subject matter expert role in assessment must demonstrate both technical competency and currency. If the assessor cannot demonstrate technical competency and currency they must assess with a subject matter expert who does meet these requirements.
Technical competence can be demonstrated through one or more of:
relevant VET or other qualification/Statement of Attainment
appropriate workplace experience undertaking the type of work being assessed under routine and non-routine conditions
appropriate workplace experience supervising/evaluating the type of work being assessed under routine and non-routine conditions
Currency can be demonstrated through one or more of:
being currently employed undertaking the type of work being assessed
being employed by the organisation undertaking the type of work being assessed and having maintained currency in accordance with that organisation’s policies and procedures
having consulted/had contact with an organisation undertaking the type of work being assessed within the last twelve months, the consultation/contact being related to assessment
conducting on-the-job training/assessments of the type of work being assessed
being an active member of a relevant professional body and participating in activities relevant to the assessment of this type of work.
Foundation Skills
This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance.
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
This field allows for different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included. | |
Regulatory framework | The latest version of all legislation, regulations, industry codes of practice and Australian/international standards, or the version specified by the local regulatory authority, must be used, and include one or more of the following: legislative requirements, including work health and safety (WHS) industry codes of practice and guidelines environmental regulations and guidelines Australian and other standards licence and certification requirements All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent health, safety and environment (HSE) requirements, which may be imposed through state/territory 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. |
Hazards | Hazards include one or more of the following: electricity gas gases and liquids under pressure structural hazards structural collapse equipment failures industrial (machinery, equipment and product) equipment or product mass noise, rotational equipment or vibration plant services (steam, condensate and cooling water) working at heights, in restricted or confined spaces, or in environments subjected to heat, noise, dusts or vapours flammability and explosivity hazardous products and materials unauthorised personnel sharp edges, protrusions or obstructions slippery surfaces, spills or leaks extreme weather other hazards that might arise |
Routine problems | Routine problems are predictable, will have solutions in the procedures and include one or more of: communications disruptions corrosion/hydrate formation variations in flow temperature and/or pressure failures of piping, valves or flanges pipeline leakages |
Non-routine problems | Non-routine problems are unexpected problems, or variations of previous problems and must be resolved by applying operational knowledge to develop new solutions, either individually or in collaboration with relevant experts, to: determine problems needing action determine possible fault causes develop solutions to problems which do not have a known solution follow through items initiated until final resolution has occurred report problems outside area of responsibility to designated person Operational knowledge includes one or more of the following: procedures training technical information such as journals, engineering specifications remembered experience relevant knowledge obtained from appropriate people |
Procedures | All operations must be performed in accordance with relevant procedures. Procedures are written, verbal, visual, computer-based or in some other form, include one or more of the following: emergency procedures work instructions standard operating procedures (SOPs) safe work method statements (SWMS) formulas/recipes batch sheets temporary instructions any similar instructions provided for the smooth running of the plant |
Sectors
Competency Field
Operations