Application
This unit is appropriate for those working in an operational role at worksites within:
Metalliferous mining
Prerequisites
Not applicable.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Plan and prepare for drying activities | 1.1. Access, interpret and apply compliance documentation relevant to the work activity 1.2. Plan and prepare work 1.3. Receive, interpret and clarify shift changeover details 1.4. Communicate with other personnel using approved communication methods 1.5. Select drying method appropriate for work activities 1.6. Select personal protective equipment appropriate for work activities 1.7. Select appropriate type of auxiliary equipment for work activities 1.8. Perform equipment pre-start checks to ensure equipment is ready for operation 1.9. Identify, address and report potential risks and hazards 1.10. Identify, address and report environmental issues 1.11. Adhere to emergency procedures to ensure safety of personnel and plant 1.12. Use approved dust suppression and extraction methods 1.13. Ensure area is well ventilated before entry into work area, where required |
2. Start-up equipment in sequence | 2.1. Carry out start-up procedures and completes start-up checks according to plant configurations and system requirements 2.2. Confirm plant is operational |
3. Operate and monitor equipment | 3.1. Monitor the drying process 3.2. Take and interpret data from equipment indicator readings to determine drying efficiency 3.3. Continuously inspect operations/plant and catchment areas/sumps to identify drying process defects and potential problems 3.4. Adjust equipment to approved operating parameters to optimise and maintain efficient drying and to meet product quality targets 3.5. Take samples and conduct tests at all stages of process 3.6. Add reagents to approved operating parameters 3.7. Carry out minor maintenance to maintain condition of equipment 3.8. Complete all required documentation clearly, concisely and on time 3.9. Pass on end of shift information to oncoming shift |
4. Conduct housekeeping activities | 4.1. Clean plant and equipment to maintain condition of all equipment to ensure safe and efficient operations 4.2. Manage and report hazards to maintain a safe working environment |
5. Shutdown in sequence and/or isolate equipment | 5.1. Shutdown or isolate equipment based on process and safety requirements 5.2. Perform post shutdown or isolation checks |
Required Skills
Required skills |
Specific skills are required to achieve the Performance Criteria of this unit, particularly for its application in the various circumstances in which this unit may be used. This includes the ability to carry out the following, as required to conduct drying activities: apply legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures for conducting drying activities diagnose faults identify and manage hazards handle hazardous goods interpret e reports lift (manual, cranes and loads) maintain records monitor operations report defects apply safe work practices troubleshoot use hand and power tools |
Required knowledge |
Specific knowledge is required to achieve the Performance Criteria of this unit, particularly for its application in the various circumstances in which this unit may be used. This includes knowledge of the following, as required to conduct drying activities: breakdown procedures contaminant identification drying process (basic) emergency procedures environmental procedures equipment limitations and operating parameters equipment safety requirements hazardous goods procedures and consequences of spills and hazardous goods identifying repair requirements isolation procedures metallurgical and technical data (basic) occupational health and safety procedures operational procedures and checks pumping system and flow charts (pipeline and sprinkler systems) reagent types sampling site procedures site safety requirements types of ores (basic) |
Evidence Required
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 | |
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit | The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to worksite operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit and include evidence of the following: knowledge of the requirements, procedures and instructions for conducting drying activities implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of drying activities working with others to undertake and complete the conduct of drying activities that meets all of the required outcomes consistent timely completion of drying activities that safely, effectively and efficiently meets the required outcomes |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | This unit must be assessed in the context of the work environment. Where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment may occur in a simulated environment provided it is realistic and sufficiently rigorous to cover all aspects of workplace performance, including task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills. Assessment of this competency requires typical resources normally used in a resources and infrastructure sector environment. Selection and use of resources for particular worksites may differ due to the site circumstances. The assessment environment should not disadvantage the participant. For example, language, literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required on the job. Customisation of assessment and delivery environment to sensitively accommodate cultural diversity. Aboriginal people and other people from a non English speaking background may have second language issues. Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities. Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required. |
Method of assessment | This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency. The assessment strategy for this unit must verify required knowledge and skill and practical application using more than one of the following assessment methods: written and/or oral assessment of the candidate's required knowledge observed, documented and/or first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's: implementation of appropriate requirement, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient achievement of required outcomes consistent achievement of required outcomes first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's: working with others to undertake and complete the conduct of drying activities |
Guidance information for assessment | Consult the SkillsDMC User Guide for further information on assessment including access and equity issues. |
Range Statement
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. | |
Relevant compliance documentation may include: | legislative, organisational and site requirements and procedures manufacturer's guidelines and specifications Australian standards Employment and workplace relations legislation Equal Employment Opportunity and Disability Discrimination legislation |
Drying methods may include: | heat process (ambient) air exchange refrigerated drying |
Auxiliary equipment may be anything that is portable and mobile that is not part of the fixed infrastructure, and may include: | compressors distribution control systems (DCS) feeders gantry cranes and attachments and other mobile equipment hand and power tools hoses PLC systems |
Pre-start checks may include: | availability of equipment (e.g. conveyor) detection of conditions that are unusual personnel availability job requirements levels walk through plant |
Environmental issues may include: | Drainage dust (dump) emissions flora and fauna hazardous chemicals noise recycling run-off spills waste management and disposal water quality |
Plant may include: | dryers (spray, kiln, rotary kiln, flash fluid dryers) bag houses heat exchanger burners lines gas train vessels conveyors valves |
Start-up procedures may include the inspection of: | agitators cameras and monitors interlocks distribution control system launders hydraulic system pumping system screen inspections scuttling pumps pipes and flanges drive belts valves visual and audio warning devices and lights suppression systems |
Monitor the drying process may include the checking of: | blockages and spillages feed rates mineral content moisture levels on stream analysis (OSA) overloads pressures power draw wear and tear emission (e.g. cyanide) levels |
Indicator readings may measure: | flow current (e.g. agitators) density levels restrictions air flows pressure speed (e.g. pumps) unusual noises vibrations power temperature fuel flows dust levels |
The methods used to optimise the plant may include: | quantity of reagents oxygen levels |
Clean plant and equipment may include: | hosing with water high pressure cleaning |
Post-shutdown checks may include: | checks similar to pre-start checks |
Contaminants are anything other than the ore. Common contaminants may include: | oil fuel gases organic materials moisture |
Materials are wet may include: | slurry cake crushed ore air |
Sectors
Processing
Competency Field
Refer to Unit Sector(s).
Co-Requisites
Not applicable.
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills.
Licensing Information
Refer to Unit Descriptor.