Application
Compost is used as a general expression and includes recycled organic products from aerobic and anaerobic composting and vermiculture technologies.
This unit of competency applies to an employee of an enterprise engaged in commercial-scale composting operations. Work is likely to be performed as a part of a team.
This unit must be read in conjunction with the National Guidelines for Occupational Health and Safety Competency Standards for Operation of Load-Shifting Equipment and Other Types of Specified Equipment [NOHSC: 7019 (1992)].
Where work requires the use of load-shifting equipment, appropriate training/certification must be provided according to state and territory safety and licensing requirements.
Prerequisites
Not applicable.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements and Performance Criteria | |||
Element | Performance Criteria | ||
1 | 1 Organise for bagging operations. | 1.1 | Job sheet or work order is reviewed to clearly identify product bagging requirements. |
1.2 | Product for bagging is confirmed and available to meet job requirements. | ||
1.3 | Equipment, materials and personnel requirements for safe, effective and efficient bagging operations are identified and organised. | ||
1.4 | Suitable personal protective clothing and equipment are selected, used, maintained and stored according to occupational health and safety (OHS) procedures. | ||
2 | 2 Prepare bagging plant for use. | 2.1 | Machine components and related attachments are fitted and adjusted to meet safety requirements. |
2.2 | Materials for bag are fitted and adjusted to ensure efficient operation, according to manufacturer specifications. | ||
2.3 | Safety devices and alarm systems are checked for correct operation according to manufacturer specifications, enterprise procedures and relevant statutory requirements. | ||
2.4 | Routine pre-operational checks are carried out to meet enterprise procedures and manufacturer specifications. | ||
2.5 | Operational systems are checked, cleaned and calibrated, and batch number and operating parameters are entered as required to meet production requirements. | ||
2.6 | Faulty plant or machinery is identified, safety tagged and reported promptly to supervisor according to enterprise procedures. | ||
2.7 | OHS hazards are identified, reported to supervisor and managed according to enterprise procedures. | ||
2.8 | Environmental implications associated with machinery operation are identified and reported to supervisor. | ||
2.9 | Product to be bagged is obtained and positioned as required to meet production requirements. | ||
3 | 3 Start and operate bagging plant. | 3.1 | Operational area is checked, and personnel in operational area are informed of initiation of plant operation. |
3.2 | Risks to self, others and the environment are recognised and minimised according to enterprise and OHS procedures. | ||
3.3 | Product for bagging is loaded into the bagging plant hopper in required quantities. | ||
3.4 | Bagging plant is started up using correct sequence according to manufacturer specifications and enterprise procedures. | ||
3.5 | Bagging plant is operated in a safe and controlled manner, and monitored for performance and efficiency. | ||
3.6 | Input materials are monitored, and non-conformances clearly identified and handled according to enterprise procedures and manufacturer specifications. | ||
3.7 | Processing outputs are monitored and adjustments to plant operation are made to meet job specifications. | ||
3.8 | Out-of-specification product or process outcomes are identified and reported to supervisor and appropriate action is taken as directed. | ||
3.9 | Bagged product is labelled, palletised or stacked and wrapped according to enterprise procedures and customer requirements. | ||
4 | 4 Shut down bagging plant. | 4.1 | Bagging plant and machinery shut-down procedures are carried out to manufacturer specifications and enterprise procedures. |
4.2 | Routine maintenance of bagging plant and machinery is carried out to remove debris and contaminants and ensure safe and efficient operation. | ||
4.3 | Bagging plant and equipment is cleaned, secured and stored according to manufacturer specifications and enterprise procedures. | ||
4.4 | Unsafe plant or equipment is reported to supervisor and tagged or locked out. | ||
5 | 5 Maintain records. | 5.1 | Bagging plant operational records are maintained accurately and promptly according to enterprise procedures. |
5.2 | Any required maintenance, damage, malfunctions and irregular performance of machinery is recorded and addressed according to enterprise procedures. | ||
6 | 6 Check product to confirm readiness for distribution. | 6.1 | Palletised or stacked product is inspected and checked to confirm compliance with job sheet and enterprise procedures. |
6.2 | Product is transported to and positioned in holding area with labels and bar codes clearly visible. | ||
6.3 | Supervisor or product dispatcher is informed of product readiness for dispatch according to enterprise procedures. | ||
6.4 | Product awaiting distribution is checked for temperature rise during storage and any out-of-range readings are reported to supervisor. |
Required Skills
This section describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.
Required skills include:
calibrating bagging components
communicating with work team and supervisor
completing workplace records
correctly using emergency and personal protective equipment
demonstrating batch/product changeovers that maintain product quality and hygiene
demonstrating safe and environmentally responsible workplace practices
maintaining work area to meet housekeeping standards
operating machinery and equipment to industry standards
reading and applying manufacturer specifications, work instructions, maintenance plans and material safety data sheets (MSDS)
recording and reporting equipment faults and workplace hazards and accidents.
Required knowledge includes:
basic principles of the bagging process
characteristics of product that is fit for bagging
product quality and hygiene
purpose of packaging, coding requirements and related legal requirements, including product weight
basic operating principles of the equipment which may include:
operational understanding of main equipment components, status and purpose of guards, equipment operating capacities and applications
purpose and location of sensors and related feedback instrumentation
knowledge of services required and action to take if services are not available
methods used to monitor the process
inspection or test points (control points) in the process and related procedures and recording requirements
equipment cleaning requirements
flow of this process and effect on downstream processes
packaging quality and seal integrity
effect of variation in inputs which may include ingredient quality and condition, packaging components and consumables, and/or services on process performance
OHS hazards and controls
emergency and routine shutdowns and procedures to follow in the event of a power outage
product and batch changeover procedures
lock-out and tag-out procedures and responsibilities.
Evidence Required
Overview of assessment
This unit of competency could be assessed on its own or in combination with other units of competency relevant to the job function such as:
RTC2210A Maintain properties and structures
RTC2701A Follow OHS procedures
RTE2507A Recognise raw materials, production processes and products on a composting site.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The critical requirements for this unit of competency as a whole are listed below.
Assessment must confirm one's ability to:
select and use various features and controls of a range of bagging plant
carry out work plans
determine appropriate operating methods
carry out routine maintenance and adjustments
report faults and workplace hazards
monitor operations
maintain records
apply safe and environmentally responsible workplace practices.
Context and specific resources for assessment
Assessment for this unit of competency is to be largely practical in nature and must be assessed in a commercial-scale composting facility or in a situation that reproduces and/or simulates operational conditions.
For valid assessment, one should have opportunities to participate in exercises, case studies and other real and simulated practical and knowledge assessments that demonstrate the skills and knowledge specified in this unit.
The candidate should also have access to the following resources:
compost bagging plant
load-shifting machinery
personal protective equipment
products and materials for handling and bagging
bagging plant cleaning equipment
job sheets.
Guidance information for assessment
To ensure consistency in performance, competency should be demonstrated on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances, cases and responsibilities and, where possible, over a number of assessment activities.
The skills and knowledge required to demonstrate competency must allow for application in a broad industry context, and should be transferable to a range of work environments, including the ability to deal with unplanned events. For example, this could include work within compost bagging operations of varying scale; producing a range of different composts and value-added products to meet the demands of different markets; located in an urban or rural context with varying environmental constraints; and using various equipment, practices, technologies and management systems.
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 in the performance criteria is detailed below. Add any 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.
Typical job sheet information may include: | authorisation bag specification batch number packaging instructions product specification product type and availability quantity required work schedule. |
Personal protective clothing and equipment may include: | appropriate footwear emergency procedure guides (EPGs) and emergency equipment such as: fire extinguisher first aid kit eye wash kit eye and hearing protection face shields or masks gloves hard hats high visibility clothing MSDS overalls respirator. |
Typical bagging plant components may include: | bagging closure chute control mechanisms hopper pallet. |
Typical bagging machine components may include: | compressor pallet tacking hot glue sewing dolly shrink wrapper stapler. |
Bag materials that may be fitted include: | pre-printed film woven plastic (single) bags. |
Safety devices and controls to be checked may include: | alarms barriers earth leakage devices emergency stop devices and cords/lanyards lock-out or tag-out procedures reverse alarms warning lights. |
Routine pre-operational checks of machinery and equipment may include: | checking and confirming equipment calibration settings checking fuel, oils and lubricants, electrolyte levels, wheels, tyre pressure, fanbelts, leads, lines, connections, air filters, brakes, clutch and lighting identifying and segregating unsafe or faulty equipment for repair or replacement inspecting safety guards observing and monitoring noise levels for correct operation preparing independently powered tools, which may include cleaning, priming and tightening, as well as basic repairs and adjustments pre-start and safety checks, including the service and maintenance of cooling system. |
OHS hazards: | may include: biological hazards associated with compost dust ergonomic hazards associated with: manual handling posture and vibration exposure to loud noise and fumes mechanical malfunctions and exposed moving parts other machinery, including hydraulics and conveyors physical hazards such as: vehicles and mobile machinery underfoot conditions compressed air and water sharps or other physical contaminants in materials |
may be addressed by implementing systems and procedures for: appropriate use, maintenance and storage of personal protective equipment ensuring working loads are secure and within working specifications hazard identification, assessment and reporting outdoor work, including protection from solar radiation protection from hazardous noise, mechanical vibration, and organic and other dusts protection of people in the workplace safe lifting, carrying and handling safe operation and maintenance of machinery and equipment including hydraulics, and guarding of exposed moving parts. | |
Environmental implications associated with the operation of plant and machinery may include: | negative environmental impacts resulting from: excessive noise and exhaust emissions hazardous substances such as: fuel fertiliser organic dusts incorrect use and disposal of maintenance debris such as: oils containers chemical residues run-off flows of water and cleaning agents from servicing, maintenance and cleaning activities soil disturbance and dust problems from high speed and frequent traffic (including irrigation equipment). |
Procedures for safe and controlled operation of machinery and equipment may include: | appropriate selection and use of machinery and equipment effective communication between work team members maintaining working loads within specifications and operating at the correct height. |
Plant operationalrecords may include: | amount of bagging materials used equipment non-conformances faults and breakdowns odometer legislation, including: rights and responsibilities of employers and employees hierarchy of control as it applies to distances, hours of operation, incidents, stoppages and down time type and volume/amount of material processed. |
Sectors
Not applicable.
Employability Skills
The required outcomes described in this unit of competency contain applicable facets of Employability Skills.
Licensing Information
Refer to Application of the Unit