Application
This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to monitor and maintain pulping processes, ensure product quality and record and report production data.
The unit applies to production support operators who monitor and control pulping operations in a pulp or paper manufacturing facility. This typically involves working in a facility with complex integrated equipment and continuous operations.
No licensing, legislative, regulatory, or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENTS | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions. |
1. Monitor and maintain process | 1.1. Check production requirements at start of shift and plan daily work activities in line with organisational safety and standard operating procedures. 1.2. Confirm operational parameters by inspection and observation. 1.3. Maintain process supplies and supply systems to meet production requirements. 1.4. Monitor process to ensure pulping system operations are within specification. 1.5. Identify, rectify or report routine variations from specification. 1.6. Monitor and maintain process levels to maintain productivity requirements. 1.7. Monitor discharges to meet environmental protection requirements. |
2. Control product quality | 2.1. Monitor and maintain pulp to quality requirements. 2.2. Conduct routine visual observations and assessments on pulp and system operations. 2.3. Sample and test pulp quality to ensure production requirements are maintained; interpret and record results. 2.4. Adjust system operation to rectify out-of-specification pulp and maintain productivity requirements. 2.5. Monitor and control product storage levels. |
3. Monitor and maintain plant | 3.1. Inspect plant, interpret variations and adjust to maintain production and quality schedules. 3.2. Calibrate and maintain test equipment. 3.3. Complete routine preventative maintenance in line with maintenance schedules. |
4. Record and report product and process data | 4.1. Interpret production data and enter into recording system. 4.2. Communicate problems or variations with process, product or equipment to relevant personnel. 4.3. Record and report problems with environmental releases. |
Evidence of Performance
A person demonstrating competency in this unit must satisfy all of the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, and must be able to provide evidence that they can:
monitor and control pulping operations within a pulp and paper manufacturing facility, at least twice in line with required enterprise intervals, and with individual production requirements for each period
across operational periods, complete these types of routine maintenance on equipment
for each of the above operational periods, complete records for system operation, production outcomes and equipment faults.
Evidence of Knowledge
A person competent in this unit must be able to demonstrate knowledge of:
system layout for pulping plant
purpose, features and operation of pulping plant, operating parameters and allowable variations
operation and application of electronic and other control systems
process stages and key control points for monitoring and controlling pulping operations
purpose of, and processes for sampling and testing product quality, plant and system operations
quality requirements for different types of pulped product including:
bleached or unbleached pulp
fluff pulp
crumbed pulp
baled, rolled or sheet pulp
slushed pulp
methods used to monitor pulping system operations against specified system parameters
effect of process adjustments on product quality and productivity during monitoring and operation
causes and effects of process variation between upstream and downstream customers
safe handling of materials and chemicals
calibration requirements for test equipment
organisational procedures:
standard operating procedures specific to pulping operations
workplace health and safety with particular emphasis on equipment lock out, use of personal protective equipment and handling hazardous substances
communication reporting lines
recording and reporting system operation, production outcomes, equipment faults and problems with environmental release.
Assessment Conditions
The following resources must be made available:
fully automated, semi-automated, manually operated plant and equipment appropriate to pulping operations and related consumables
pulping systems (at least one of the following):
power and steam systems
hydraulic and electrical systems
pneumatic systems
consumable materials (at least one of the following):
woodchips
pulp
chemicals
maintenance tools and equipment and consumables for pulping plant
personal protective equipment suitable for operating pulping plant
maintenance schedules for pulping plant
template documents for recording system operation, production outcomes and environmental releases
organisational workplace health and safety and standard operating procedures
relevant personnel for the purposes of communicating information
Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or in a productive environment that accurately reflects performance in a workplace.
Assessor requirements
Assessors must:
hold the appropriate assessor competency standards as outlined in regulations; and
be able to demonstrate vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed; and
be able to demonstrate how they are continuing to develop their VET knowledge and skills as well as maintaining their industry currency and assessor competence.
Foundation Skills
This section describes those core and employment skills that are essential to performance and are not explicit in the performance criteria. | |
Numeracy skills to: | interpret basic numerical settings on instruments, gauges and data recording equipment monitor, assess and interpret production data record basic numerical data for test results and production outcomes. |
Oral communication skills to: | provide clear basic information about problems or variations with process, products and equipment. |
Reading skills to: | interpret: workplace health and safety and standard operating procedures maintenance schedules. |
Writing skills to: | complete accurate basic records for system operation, production outcomes and problems with environmental release. |
Problem solving skills to: | use and assess sensory information (sight, sound, touch, smell, vibration, temperature) to adjust process to maximise safety, quality and productivity. |
Range Statement
Not Applicable
Sectors
Pulp and Paper Manufacturing