ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Prepare materials for feeding into sinter strand

1.1. Access, interpret and apply compliance documentation relevant to the work activity

1.2. Add (reagents) to meet production targets and sintering specifications

1.3. Monitor and control moisture content of materials

1.4. Monitor and control material feed rate

1.5. Identify and remove feedstock material before processing begins

2. Sinter materials

2.1. Monitor and adjust correct suction rate throughout bed to ensure sintering is complete

2.2. Identify and separate materials not meeting material size to raw material mix or other specified location

2.3. Monitor and adjust temperature to maintain uniform distribution across the bed

2.4. Screen hot sinter where applicable

2.5. Check and confirm strand discharge chutes are working

2.6. Confirm roll feeder is clear of debris and build-up

2.7. Check and confirm condition of pallet seal and wind box to prevent leakage

2.8. Check and confirm fire bars and spade pins are intact to minimise fall through of material

2.9. Deposit blend across full width of strand

2.10. Operate at full bed depth and constant waste gas temperature

3. Cool and screen sinter and fines

3.1. Receive and assess material size according to hearth layer requirements

3.2. Maintain hopper levels ensuring contract feed to screening station

3.3. Crush oversize material from scalping screens

3.4. Monitor and cool sinter to the required temperature

3.5. Monitor cooler operations to maintain required temperature, minimise air leakage, and meet cooling rate requirements

3.6. Monitor and maintain appropriate depth of sinter on cooling pallets

4. Operate environmental controls

4.1. Ensure environmental systems are operating correctly

4.2. Check wastes and emission collection meets operational compliance

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 sinter materials:

apply legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures for sintering materials

discharging materials

bed materials

stock materials

communicate within work group

report faults and variances

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 sinter materials:

precautions necessary for safe working

system for accessing safe working procedures

use of protective clothing and equipment

sinter feedstock

sinter yield

sinter feedstock additions

operating procedures

quality procedures

blend profile to give optimum strand conditions

sinter techniques and production

cooling requirements

screening

hearth layer requirements

importance of correct pallet side walls

reasons for maintaining maximum depth of sinter in cooler pallets

cooler air leakage

danger of high temperature sinter/pellets on conveyors

importance of no over size material after final cold fines screen

temperature distribution

combustion requirements

suction requirements

processing of sinter and fines

effects of strand leakage's

importance of correct strand disposition

importance of roll feeder operation

over size material

hot screening

dangers presented by specific plant and equipment

report faults

limits of authority

team working practices

minimising conflict

information to be communicated, to whom and when

requirements on job holder of quality systems

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 sintering materials

implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of materials sintering

working with others to undertake and complete the materials sintering in a way that meets all of the required outcomes

consistent timely completion of materials sintering 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 materials sintering

Guidance information for assessment

Consult the SkillsDMC User Guide for further information on assessment including access and equity issues.

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

Legislation may include Acts and regulations dealing with:

mining safety and health

mine inspection

OHS

explosives

Monitoring the sintering process may include the checking of:

blockages and spillages

feed rates

on stream analysis (OSA)

overloads

pressures

power draw

wear and tear

levels

waste gas

Feedstock materials may include:

ore blend

limestone fines

return fires

burnt lime

water

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:

heat exchanger

burners

lines

conveyors

valves

roll feeder

drums (mixing, granulating)

feed bins

Hazards may include:

rail and road movements

cranes

noise

wind borne dust

sharp objects

moving machinery

falling

falling objects