ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Plan and prepare for operations

1.1. Access, interpret and apply compliance documentation relevant to the treatment and disposal of rejects and tailings

1.2. Access, interpret and clarify mineralogical data required to complete the allocated work

1.3. Obtain, interpret and clarify work requirements for the satisfactory completion of operations

1.4. Inspect and prepare work area in coordination with others

1.5. Identify and acquire materials, equipment and personnel required for the allocated work

2. Carry out treatment and disposal

2.1. Resolve coordination requirements with others at the site prior to commencing and during work activities

2.2. Carry out pre-start, start-up and shutdown procedures

2.3. Monitor and adjust the displacement or addition of water to maintain the disposal of rejects

2.4. Monitor and adjust the displacement or addition of additives to materials to maintain the treatment and disposal of tailings

2.5. Monitor and adjust the addition of settling and clarity agents to maintain density prior to disposal of tailing

2.6. Carried out the disposal of rejects and tailing

2.7. Act on or report monitoring systems and alarms

2.8. Recognise and respond to hazardous and emergency situations

3. Carry out post-operational procedures

3.1. Inspect, fault find and report faults

3.2. Carry out operator maintenance, servicing and housekeeping tasks

3.3. Maintain process and pass on records and reports

Required skills

Specific skills are required to achieve the performance criteria in this unit, particularly for the application in the various circumstances in which this unit may be applied. This includes the ability to carry out the following as required to treat and dispose of rejects and tailings:

apply legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures

apply operational safety requirements

access, interpret and apply technical information

applying the plant operating procedures

apply operating and equipment records maintenance requirements

apply diagnostic techniques

use hand tools

apply procedures for the disposal of environmentally sensitive fluids and materials

apply chemical and fuel safety measures

work wearing personal protective equipment

Required knowledge

Specific knowledge is required to achieve the Performance Criteria of this unit, particularly its application in a variety of circumstances in which the unit may be used. This includes knowledge of the following, as required to treat and dispose of rejects and tailings:

site hazard identification and response procedures

site risk control procedures

site and equipment health and safety procedures

site environmental requirements and constraints

site quality requirements

site communication procedures

site product characteristics

site geological and survey data

site and equipment operational procedures

plant pre-start, start-up, operating and shutdown procedures and techniques

plant components functions, characteristics, technical capability and limitations

plant breakdown procedures

plant isolation procedures

site record keeping requirements

site confine space work procedures

site personal protective equipment requirements

contaminant identification

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 the treatment and disposal of rejects and tailings

implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of the treatment and disposal of rejects and tailings

working with others to undertake and complete the treatment and disposal of rejects and tailings that meet all of the required outcomes

consistent timely completion of the treatment and disposal of rejects and tailings 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.

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.

Assessment of this competency requires typical resources normally used in the work environment. Selection and use of resources for particular worksites may differ due to site circumstances.

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

consistently achieving the required outcomes

first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:

working with others to undertake and complete the treatment and disposal of rejects and tailings

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, organisation and site requirements and procedures

manufacturer's guidelines and specifications

Australian standards

code of practice

Employment and Workplace Relations legislation

Equal Employment Opportunity and Disability Discrimination legislation

Mineralogical data may include relevant site-specific information in relation to:

settling characteristics

reactivity with additives, settling and clarifying agents

Work requirements may come from briefings, handovers, and work orders and may include:

nature and scope of tasks

achievement targets

operational conditions

site layout and out of bounds areas

worksite inspection requirements

lighting conditions

plant or equipment defects

hazards and potential hazards

coordination requirements or issues

Inspect and prepare work area may include:

identification of hazards

selection and implementation of control measures for the hazards identified

safeguarding site and non-site personnel by:

erection of barricades and posting of signs

selection of appropriate equipment to ensure personnel safety and protection

Coordination with others may include with:

yard persons

laboratory personnel

mobile plant operators

maintenance personnel

Materials may include:

flocculants

gypsum

Equipment may include:

thickeners

centrifuges

band press filters

spirals

screens

pumps

blowers

agitators

flow and density meters

conveyors

radiation gauges

pipeline

sumps

bucket elevators

reject bins

mobile plant

Pre-start and start-up procedures may include:

walk around check of the plant

checking and toping up fluid and chemical levels

lubrication

inspection of attachments to ensure security and no defects

instrument and control lever checks

reporting defects and damage

follow prescribed start-up sequence

confirm plant is operational

Shutdown procedures may include:

following prescribed shutdown sequence

securing equipment

Hazardous and emergency situations may include:

confined spaces

working alone

spillages

unplanned shutdown

fire

electrical

dust

noise

Operator service, maintenance and housekeeping tasks are those established and authorised for the site and may include:

scheduled servicing

recharging additive, settling and clarifying storage units

greasing

equipment adjustments

cleaning