This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to determine production requirements, prepare and establish start up wet end operations in the pulp and paper industry.

This unit applies to production operators and technicians who prepare and start up wet end 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 or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

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:

prepare and start up wet end operations, at least twice in line with required enterprise intervals, in the pulp and paper industry by:

identifying and actioning planned production requirements and following workplace documentation and procedures

undertaking inspections and pre startup checks and confirming that materials, supplies, equipment and personnel are available

activating startup systems and operations

monitoring and adjusting systems, through inspections and rectifying variations from specifications

using and interpreting electronic control systems, including digital control system (DCS), touch screens or robotics to control equipment and processes during operations

reporting on operational data

communicating effectively, through written and verbal means, in the work area.

A person competent in this unit must be able to demonstrate knowledge of:

documentation and procedures relevant to wet end operations in the pulp and paper industry including:

work health and safety (WHS) including, load shifting licensing requirements, plant clearance, job safety analysis, permit systems, product specifications and schedules, emergency procedures and responses

standard operating procedures (SOP) and housekeeping

production instructions, productivity requirements and quality procedures

environmental sustainability requirements and practices

machinery and plant manufacturing operating manuals

enterprise policies and procedures

safety data sheets (SDS)

oil or chemical spills and disposal guidelines

plant isolation documentation and process and instrument diagrams

maintenance logs, job sheets

site agreements

confined space requirements

site policy and procedures

safe work documentation

maintenance logs, job sheets and operating logs

systems relating to wet end operations

hazards and risks including steam and/or gas leaks, fires, nip points, compressed air, hot surfaces electrical, entanglement, vehicle movement, slip hazards/falls, energy, pressures, chemicals, fumes, dust and confined spaces and how to address them

key features of systems in wet end operations including stock approach systems, forming system, pressing systems and cleaning and screening system

appropriate materials and supplies and their uses in wet end operations including water, air, stock, chemicals, additives, steam, machine clothing and baled pulp

wet end plant, processes, and layout and associated services sufficient to carry out startup activities.

The following resources must be made available:

access to the full range of equipment involved in integrated continuous manufacturing for starting up wet end operations in a pulp or paper manufacturing facility

personal protective equipment required for starting up wet end operations

details of production requirements to plan system operations

template operating log for recording startup processes, operational and product quality data

sample workplace documentation, procedures and reports including SOP, environmental sustainability requirements/practices, plant manufacturing operating manuals, oil or chemical spills and disposal guidelines, plant isolation documentation, safe work documentation

relevant personnel for the purposes of communicating information

organisational workplace health and safety and standard operating procedures for starting up wet end operations.

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.

Not Applicable

Pulp and Paper Manufacturing