UEPOPS208A
Operate Local Systems

1) This unit deals with the skills and knowledge required to operate plant at the local position in conjunction with co-ordinated systems under the control of appropriate authorised personnel.

Application

3)

This unit is intended to augment formally acquired competencies. It is suitable for employment-based programs under an approved contract of training.

License to practise

3.1)

The skills and knowledge described in this unit do not require a licence to practise in the workplace. However, practice in this unit is subject to regulations directly related to Occupational Health and Safety and where applicable contracts of training such as apprenticeships and the like.


Prerequisites

Prerequisite Unit(s)

2)

Competencies

2.1)

There are no pre-requisite units.


Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1

Plan and prepare work

1.1

Safety issues are identified to comply with enterprise/site requirements

1.2

Work requirements are identified from relevant personnel and documentation

1.3

Plant status is identified and confirmed in accordance with enterprise/site requirements and instructions

1.4

Pre-operational checks are carried out on plant according to manufacturer's recommendations and site requirements

1.5

Where appropriate, the teams and individuals roles and responsibilities within the team are identified and, where required, assist in the provision of the on-the-job training.

2

Operate plant

2.1

System component/s to be locally controlled identified and operated in accordance with site and or enterprise operating procedure

2.2

Plant is operated within limits of plant design, enterprise or site requirements

2.3

Plant is monitored and observed to detect deviations from normal operating conditions

2.4

Corrective actions are taken to rectify abnormalities in accordance with manufacturer's and enterprise/site procedures

3

Complete documentation

3.1

Documentation is updated and plant problems, movements, abnormalities and status are reported and logged in accordance with enterprise/site procedures

Required Skills

6) This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Evidence shall show that knowledge has been acquired of operating local systems.

The extent of the Essential Knowledge and Associated Skills required follows:

Evidence shall show that knowledge has been acquired for safe working practices of:

Relevant Occupational Health and Safety regulations

Relevant statutory legislation

Relevant enterprise/site safety procedures

Enterprise/site emergency procedures and techniques

Relevant plant and equipment, its location and operating parameters

Plant status

Environmental legislation

Enterprise recording procedures

Communication principles

Emergency procedures

Basic pump and compressor performance

Valves, dampers and actuators types and characteristics

The system components and interaction - basic level

Electricity distribution system

AC and DC, basic level

Introduction to power production plant

Typical arrangements of power production plant

Mathematics

Mechanics

Thermodynamics

Properties of matter

General responsibilities for power production plant operations; Electrical principles

Switchgear

Safe operating principles

Specific skills needed to achieve the Performance Criteria:

Apply relevant Occupational Health and Safety regulations

Apply relevant statutory legislation

Apply relevant enterprise/site safety procedures

Apply enterprise/site emergency procedures and techniques

Apply enterprise recording procedures;

Identify plant status

Operate plant/equipment

Apply diagnostic and testing techniques

Identify and respond to abnormal plant operating conditions

Plan and prioritise work

Use relevant hand tools

Communicate effectively

Use diagrams, drawings and symbols

Operate in a team.

Evidence Required

8) This provides essential advice for assessment of the competency standard unit and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria and the Range Statement of the competency standard unit and the Training Package Assessment Guidelines.

The Evidence Guide forms an integral part of this competency standard unit and shall be used in conjunction with all components parts of this unit and, performed in accordance with the Assessment Guidelines of this Training Package.

Overview of Assessment

8.1)

Longitudinal competency development approaches to assessment, such as Profiling, require data to be reliably gathered in a form that can be consistently interpreted over time. This approach is best utilised in Apprenticeship programs and reduces assessment intervention. It is the Industry's preferred model for apprenticeships. However, where summative (or final) assessment is used it is to include the application of the competency in the normal work environment or, at a minimum, the application of the competency in a realistically simulated work environment. It is recognised that, in some circumstances, assessment in part or full can occur outside the workplace. However, it must be in accord with Industry and, Regulatory policy in this regard.

Methods chosen for a particular assessment will be influenced by various factors. These include the extent of the assessment, the most effective locations for the assessment activities to take place, access to physical resources, additional safety measures that may be required and the critical nature of the competencies being assessed.

The critical safety nature of working with electricity, electrical equipment, gas or any other hazardous substance/material carries risk in deeming a person competent. Hence, sources of evidence need to be 'rich' in nature so as to minimise error in judgment.

Activities associated with normal every day work have a bearing on the decision as to how much and how detailed the data gathered will contribute to its 'richness'. Some skills are more critical to safety and operational requirements while the same skills may be more or less frequently practised. These points are raised for the assessors to consider when choosing an assessment method and developing assessment instruments. Sample assessment instruments are included for Assessors in the Assessment Guidelines of this Training Package.

Critical aspects of evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

8.2)

Before the critical aspects of evidence are considered all prerequisites shall be met.

Evidence for competence in this unit shall be considered holistically. Each Element and associated Performance Criteria shall be demonstrated on at least two occasions in accordance with the "Assessment Guidelines - UEP06". Evidence shall also comprise:

A representative body of Performance Criteria demonstrated within the timeframes typically expected of the discipline, work function and industrial environment. In particular this shall incorporate evidence that shows a candidate is able to:

Implement Occupational Health and Safety workplace procedures and practices including the use of risk control measures as specified in the Performance Criteria and Range Statement

Apply sustainable energy principles and practices as specified in the Performance Criteria and Range Statement

Demonstrate an understanding of the Essential Knowledge and Associated Skills as described in 6) Essential Knowledge and Associated Skills of this unit

Demonstrate an appropriate level of skills enabling employment

Conduct work observing the relevant Anti Discrimination legislation, regulations, polices and workplace procedures

Demonstrated performance across a representative range of contexts from the prescribed items below:

Knowledge and application of relevant sections of: Occupational, health and safety legislation; Statutory legislation; Enterprise/site safety procedures; Enterprise/site emergency procedures

Preparation and planning of work

Local operation of plant/equipment

Dealing with an unplanned event by drawing on Essential Knowledge and Skills to provide appropriate solutions incorporated in the holistic assessment with the above listed items.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

8.3)

This unit should be assessed as it relates to normal work practice using procedures, information and resources typical of a workplace. This should include:

OHS policy and work procedures and instructions.

Suitable work environment, facilities, equipment and materials to undertake actual work as prescribed by this competency standard unit.

Competency Standards should be assessed in the workplace or simulated workplace and under the normal range of workplace conditions.

Assessment of this unit will be supported with documentary evidence, by means of endorsement stating type and application of work.

In addition to the resources listed above in Context of assessment', evidence should show competency working in confined spaces, with different types of plant and equipment as well as different structural/construction types and method and in a variety of environments.

Method of assessment

8.4)

This unit shall be assessed by methods given in Volume 1, Part 3 Assessment Guidelines.

Note:
Competent performance with inherent safe working practices is expected in the Industry to which this competency standard unit applies. This requires that the specified Essential Knowledge and Associated Skills are assessed in a structured environment which is primarily intended for learning/assessment and incorporates all necessary equipment and facilities for learners to develop and demonstrate the Essential Knowledge and Skills described in this unit.

Concurrent assessment and relationship with other units

8.5)

There are no recommended concurrent assessments with this unit, however in some cases efficiencies may be gained in terms of learning and assessment effort being concurrently managed with allied competency standard units where listed.

Nil

Key competencies

8.6)

Evidence that particular key competencies have been achieved within this competency standard unit is in the context of the following Performance Criteria of evidence. See Volume 2, Part 4 for an explanation of Key competencies and levels of this Training Package.

Key competencies

Example of Application

Performance Level

How are ideas and information communicated within this competency?

Refer to the following example of application:

1

Sharing information orally or in writing in simple English to confirm work requirements. Discussion may take place with supervisors or others in the work group.

How can information be collected, analysed and organised?

Refer to the following example of application:

1

Accessing information required for operating the plant / equipment, including operating procedures and work instructions.

How are activities planned and organised?

Refer to the following example of application:

1

Planning the required activity, to include co-ordination and use of equipment, materials and tools to avoid backtracking and rework.

How is team work used within this competency?

Refer to the following example of application:

1

Teamwork may be applied in communicating the methods and procedures for the operation of the plant and equipment.

How are mathematical ideas and techniques used?

Refer to the following example of application:

1

Calculation of time to complete tasks, estimation of distances, levels, loads and material requirements.

How are problem solving skills applied?

Refer to the following example of application:

1

Follow established operational procedures.

How is use of technology applied?

Refer to the following example of application:

1

Access, communicate, measure and record information with regard to operations and performance of plant and equipment.

Skills Enabling Employment

8.7)

Evidence that competency in this unit incorporates skills enabling employment is in the context of the following performance. See Volume 2, Part 5 for definitions and an explanation of skills enabling employment.

Skills for Employment

Example of Application

1

Developing and using skills within a real workplace

Refer to the following example of application:

Completion of tasks within an acceptable timeframe and performance under supervision.

2

Learning to learn in the workplace

Refer to the following example of application:

Recalling of knowledge and development of practical skills.

3

Reflecting on the outcome and process of work task

Refer to the following example of application:

Recognition that performance of a work task meets the accepted standard.

4

Interacting and understanding of the context of the work task

Refer to the following example of application:

Completion of work tasks to meet the team's goals.

5

Planning and organising the meaningful work task

Refer to the following example of application:

Achievement of work tasks in a timely manner which contributes to the team's objectives.

6

Performing the work task in non-routine or contingent situations

Refer to the following example of application:

Complete the assigned work task to meet timelines and to seek supervisor assistance as required.


Range Statement

7) This relates to the competency standard unit as a whole providing the range of contexts and conditions to which the Performance Criteria apply. It allows for different work environments and situations that will affect performance.

Plant and equipment may include burner tilts; burner operations; precipitator plant; ash or dust dumping plant; hydrogen/seal oil differential pressure controllers; stator temperature controller; hydrogen temperature controller; ammonia dosing controller; feed heater level controls; secondary air and flue gas dampers; turning gear barring equipment; rotary air heater barring equipment; sootblowing retracting equipment; reflux valve controls; condenser level controls; condenser backflushing equipment; oil temperature controllers; turbine gland sealing controllers; electricity distribution system AC and DC; valves, actuators and dampers (electric, hydraulic, pneumatic and manual); supervisory, alarm and control equipment.

Safety standards may include relevant sections of Occupational Health and Safety legislation, enterprise safety rules, relevant state and federal legislation and national standards for plant.

Information and documentation sources may include verbal or written communications; enterprise safety rules documentation; enterprise operating instructions; dedicated computer equipment; enterprise/site standing and operating instructions; enterprise log books; manufacturer's operation and maintenance manuals; and equipment and alarm manuals.

Technical and operational indicators may include stimuli (audio, smell, touch, visual), remote or local indicators and recorders, computers and alarms (visible and or audible).

Communications may be by means of telephone, two way radio, pager, computers (electronic mail) and operating log (written or verbal).

Tests may include stand-by plant tests and post maintenance operating tests.

Appropriate personnel to consult, give or receive direction may include supervisor/team leader or equivalent, power plant operator/unit controller or equivalent; technical and engineering officers or equivalent; maintenance staff; other operating staff or equivalent.

Test, fault finding and operating tools may include high voltage testers, proving dead equipment, power or hand tools, control system equipment and specialised testing equipment.

Operating environment may be remote from plant and equipment being operated (operation is assisted by remote indicators of plant status and other parameter monitors), during inclement or otherwise harsh weather conditions, in wet/noisy/dusty/hot areas or during continuous operation.

Unit operations may include spurious faults in automatic systems; automatic systems operating out of range; failure of automatic system component(s); and routine plant movement.

Generic terms are used throughout this Training Package for vocational standard shall be regarded as part of the Range Statement in which competency is demonstrated. The definition of these and other terms are given in Volume 2, Part 1.


Sectors

Not Applicable


Employability Skills

Refer to the Evidence Guide


Licensing Information

Not Applicable