RIIPSM301A
Cast a blast furnace

This unit covers the casting of blast furnaces in the metalliferous mining industry. It includes planning and preparing for casting, casing ore and slag, and separating ore and slag. Licensing, legislative, regulatory and certification requirements that apply to this unit can vary between states, territories, and industry sectors. Relevant information must be sourced prior to application of the unit.

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 casting

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

1.2. Select personal protective equipment appropriate for work activities

1.3. Place and operate all runners, dams and skimmers correctly

1.4. Ensure that tools are at the correct temperature for effective operations

1.5. Ensure that casting equipment is ready for correct operation

1.6. Maintain tap hole correctly for efficient operation

2. Cast ore and slag

2.1. Follow safe working procedures at all times

2.2. Use appropriate safety clothing and equipment provided

2.3. Identify, address and report environmental issues

2.4. Drain runners after cast as required

2.5. Safely and correctly complete off blast activities

2.6. Correctly secure and plug the tap hole

2.7. Ensure that only iron enters the iron receiving vessel

2.8. Correctly open and keep the tap hole clear during cast

2.9. Operate correct warnings when instructed to activate item

2.10. Ensure fume extraction and indicator lights, when under front side control, are operating efficiently

3. Separate ore and slag

3.1. Follow safe working procedures at all times

3.2. Use appropriate safety clothing and equipment provided

3.3. Segregate slag according to retained ore proportion and direct accordingly

3.4. Contain slag flows within the runner system to minimise damage and spillage

3.5. Ensure that tools are at the correct temperature throughout to reduce the risk of explosion

3.6. Correctly maintain runner system to ensure casting proceeds to specification

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 cast a blast furnace:

apply legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures for casting a blast furnace

apply precautions necessary for safe working

use protective clothing and equipment

apply operating procedures

report faults

recognise limits of authority

apply team working practices

communicate information

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 cast a blast furnace:

preparing a cast

opening and plugging of tap hole

off blast activities

separating slag

dealing with hazards

communication within work group

reporting of faults and variances

productive teams

safe working

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 casting a blast furnace

implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of blast furnace casting

working with others to undertake and complete the blast furnace casting in a way that meets all of the required outcomes

consistent timely completion of blast furnace casting 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 blast furnace casting

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

Legislation may include Acts and regulations dealing with:

mining safety and health

mine inspection

OHS

explosives

environment

Personal protective equipment may include:

helmet

eye/face protection

respiratory protection

heat resistant clothing

gloves

hearing protection

safety footwear

Runners systems may include:

dams

skimmers

tilters

Tools may include:

chisel bars

shovels

scrapers

rammers

Casting equipment may include:

mud gun

drill

soaker bar

oxygen lance

Environmental issues may include:

drainage

dust

emissions

flora and fauna

hazardous chemicals

noise

run-off

spills

waste management and disposal

water quality

Warnings may include:

cast commencing

receiving vessel movement

slag casting

Non-casting activities may include:

claying tuyere stocks

drawing copper

changing copper cooling elements

tap hole re-facing

changing injecting equipment

Hazards may include:

rail and road movement

cranes

hot materials

noise

air pollution

sharp objects

moving machinery

falling

falling objects

gases

Teams may be formal or informal and variances may occur in:

product

plant

equipment


Sectors

Smelting


Competency Field

Refer to Unit Sector(s).


Co-Requisites

Not applicable.


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.


Licensing Information

Refer to Unit Descriptor.