Application
This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to investigate refractory failures, degradation and deterioration in order to recommend appropriate action.
This unit of competency applies to operators who are required to negotiate agreed requirements for the investigation; determine, collate and analyse relevant data to identify cause/s of deterioration or failure; and make recommendations to improve refractory life.
This unit of competency applies to senior technicians or those in similar roles who are required to analyse and synthesise advanced theoretical and technical knowledge and apply independent judgement to high-level technical issues and complex problems. The individual may work in liaison with other refractory specialists or they may be the sole refractory specialist for this job or in their organisation.
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 | Confirm purpose of investigation | 1.1 | Liaise with relevant stakeholders |
1.2 | Confirm the purpose of the investigation | ||
1.3 | Draft or clarify the investigation brief | ||
1.4 | Identify discrepancies or conflicts in requirements | ||
1.5 | Negotiate a consistent set of requirements for the investigation | ||
2 | Collect appropriate data | 2.1 | Determine information and data requirements for investigation |
2.2 | Identify health, safety and environmental (HSE) risks from data collection | ||
2.3 | Obtain necessary authorisations to collect required data | ||
2.4 | Ensure sampling/data collection meets required standard | ||
2.5 | Evaluate data for completeness and identify discrepancies and aberrations | ||
2.6 | Collate valid data as appropriate | ||
3 | Analyse data | 3.1 | Identify deterioration/failure modes |
3.2 | Determine causes of deterioration/failure | ||
3.3 | Identify refractory issues leading to excessive deterioration or failure | ||
3.4 | Identify process issues leading to excessive deterioration or failure | ||
3.5 | Identify other issues leading to excessive deterioration or failure | ||
4 | Make recommendations | 4.1 | Draft possible recommendations to improve refractory life |
4.2 | Discuss causes of failure and recommendations with relevant stakeholders if appropriate | ||
4.3 | Ensure information obtained meets the agreed purpose of the investigation and take appropriate action | ||
4.4 | Determine required format for reporting of investigation, causes and recommendations | ||
4.5 | Report as required to required people/organisations |
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 demonstrate the ability to:
analyse and interpret technical reports, technical specifications and data
confirm purpose of investigation, including one (1) or more of:
routine monitoring of the 'wear and tear' deterioration of a refractory
investigation of suspected degradation of a refractory still in use
investigation of a catastrophic refractory failure
investigation to support an insurance or other claim
investigation requested by a third party (e.g. for a dispute)
technical investigation aimed at better understanding the refractory in use and so improving the refractory
determine information and data requirements, sampling/data collection methods and related authorisations
collate and analyse data to determine causes of failure/deterioration
communicate technical information verbally and in writing/drawings
communicate with internal and external stakeholders, including one or more of:
customer representatives
technical experts
regulators
management
refractory designer
refractory installer
document investigation, causes and recommendations
apply complex and/or theoretical mathematical calculations, statistics
solve complex problems within or arising from the investigation.
Evidence of Knowledge
Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge relevant to their job sufficient to fulfil their job role, including knowledge of:
properties of all common refractory materials
typical limitations and applications of all common refractory materials
installation methods and their impacts on refractory failure
common refractory repairs and their impacts on refractory failure
causes of refractory deterioration, degradation and failure
identification and causes of common failure modes, including:
spalling
corrosion
abrasion
impact/compression/tension
thermal shock
benefits and limitations and health, safety and environmental (HSE) risks of information/data gathering methods, including:
examining samples of failed refractory
collecting data of a refractory in use
collecting observations of a refractory in use
examining an entire refractory installation after it has been shutdown
one set of data collection
a planned series of data collection at specified intervals over a specified period
discussions/interviews with stakeholders
regulatory framework
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 shall be based on a holistic assessment of the evidence.
It may be appropriate to assess this unit in conjunction with:
PMC554091 Analyse refractory failures.
The collection of performance evidence is best done from a report and/or folio of evidence drawn from:
a single project which provides sufficient evidence of the requirements of all the elements and performance criteria
multiple smaller projects which together provide sufficient evidence of the requirements of all the elements and performance criteria.
A third-party report, or similar, may be needed to testify to the work done by the individual, particularly when the project has been done as part of a project team.
Assessment should use a real project in an operational workplace. Where this is not possible or where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors assessment must occur using a sufficiently rigorous simulated environment that reflects 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 demonstration of skills and one or more of:
walk-throughs
pilot plant operation
industry-based case studies/scenarios
‘what ifs’.
Knowledge evidence may be collected concurrently with performance evidence or through an independent process, such as workbooks, written assessments or interviews.
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 shall demonstrate both technical competency and currency. If the assessor cannot demonstrate technical competency and currency they shall 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 required skills (language, literacy and numeracy) 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. Applicable legislation, regulations, standards and codes of practice include: HSE legislation, regulations and codes of practice relevant to the workplace, equipment and production processes and hazardous materials Australian/international standards relevant to the materials being used and products being made any relevant licence and certification requirements. All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent 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 such requirements the legislative requirements take precedence. |
HSE and other risks | Identification of HSE and other risks includes consideration of: health and safety risks sustainability risks regulatory risks business risks. |
Sectors
Not applicable
Competency Field
Technical