This unit competency is typically performed by operators working either independently or as part of a work team. If the ability to sample and test materials is part of the job requiring this competency, then the appropriate sampling and testing competencies must also be achieved.

The application of this unit will vary according to the batch requirements, range of equipment, technology and the varied range of process procedures within an enterprise.

The storage will probably be on or adjacent to the plant or equipment which is about to use the materials.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Store materials

1.1. Check quantity, quality and transfer of materials

1.2. Store materials safely in designated locations

1.3. Transfer materials using appropriate equipment according to enterprise requirements and using good occupational health and safety (OHS) procedures

1.4. Complete all necessary documentation/records

2. Monitor material in storage

2.1. Check and maintain supplies of materials

2.2. Check physical and chemical state of stored materials

2.3. Check equipment used to keep stored materials in required state

2.4. Take action required by procedures to keep required level and quality of stored materials

3. Check stored materials

3.1. Sample materials as required

3.2. Check quality of materials as required

3.3. Visually check that bins/hoppers/tanks are free from contamination

3.4. Take actions required by procedures/work instructions

Required skills

Required skills include:

recognising variance from specifications and then determining an appropriate action that is consistent with operating guidelines

implementing enterprise's standard procedures and work instructions and relevant regulatory requirements within appropriate time constraints and in a manner relevant to the operation of the process

reading and numeracy to:

interpret workplace documentsand technical information

check quantity of materials to be transferred and stored

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes:

principles of safe and efficient storage

material characteristics

impact of contamination

hazard identification

transfer system

testing procedures

distinguishing between causes of faults such as:

different materials

equipment (electrical, mechanical and manual)

contamination

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

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.

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

It is essential that the process be understood and that the importance of critical material properties is known. Competence must be demonstrated in the ability to recognise and analyse potential situations requiring action and then in implementing appropriate corrective action.

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

materials are safely and efficiently stored to specification

materials are correctly transferred to designated locations

quantity of materials in storage are to required level

problems (e.g. supply and demand of materials, contamination) are anticipated and appropriate action is taken.

Competence must be demonstrated in the operation of all ancillary equipment to the level required for this unit of competency.

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.

Assessment will occur over a range of situations which will include disruptions to normal, smooth operation.

Simulation or case studies/scenarios may be required to allow for timely assessment of parts of this unit of competency. Simulation should be based on the actual plant and will include 'walk-throughs' of the relevant competency components. A bank of scenarios/case studies/what ifs and questions will be required to probe the reasoning behind observable actions.

Method of assessment

It would be desirable to assess this unit concurrently with MSAC112003A Undertake manual handling unless competency has already been achieved in this unit.

Individual enterprises may choose to add prerequisites and co-requisites relevant to their processes.

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate 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. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Procedures

All operations are performed in accordance with standard procedures and work instructions

Equipment and storage facilities

Equipment and storage facilities may include:

motorised rail and road vehicles

mechanical handling equipment including front end loaders

computers

hand tools and safety equipment

mechanical and computerised measuring devices

bunkers, silos, bins/hoppers, weigh bins, tanks and portable tanks

flammable stores

Materials

Materials may include:

materials supplied from an external source

materials/chemical mix produced internally for secondary process

Typical problems

Typical problems may include:

material specifications

contamination of stored stock

quality of received materials

equipment failure

OHS

All operations are subject to stringent OHS requirements and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between performance criteria and OHS requirements, the OHS requirements take precedence

Unit sector

Support

This unit contains employability skills.