Elements and Performance Criteria

This unit of competency includes all such items of equipment and unit operations which form part of the grinding system.

For your plant this may include (select relevant items):
jaw crushers
cone crushers
grizzlies
grids
other equipment integral to the operation of the crushing system.

Typical problems for your plant may include :
difficult material to be crushed
variations in temperature and moisture
variations in feed
product discharge problems
blocked screens
oversized feed.

OHS
All operations are subject to stringent OHS requirements and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between performance criteria and OHS requirements, the OHS requirements take precedence.

Assessment context and methods
Assessment for this unit of competency will be on an operating plant. The unit will be assessed in as holistic a manner as is practical and may be integrated with the assessment of other relevant units of competency. Assessment will occur over a range of situations which will include disruptions to normal, smooth operation.
Simulation may be required to allow for timely assessment of parts of this unit of competency (eg, elements 1 and 2). Simulation should be based on the actual plant and will include 'walk-throughs' of the relevant competency components. Simulations may also include the use of case studies/scenarios and role plays.
This unit of competency requires a significant body of knowledge which will be assessed through questioning and the use of 'what if' scenarios both on the plant (during demonstration of normal operations and walk-throughs of abnormal operations) and off the plant.

Critical aspects
It is essential that the equipment and process be understood and that the importance of critical material properties is known. Competence must be demonstrated in the ability to recognise and analyse potential situations requiring action and then in reporting the condition to the appropriate individual.

Consistent performance at the required standard should be demonstrated. In particular look to see that:

types of materials to be crushed are identified
individual material feed and distribution systems are understood
OHS and safe work practices are followed
signage, tags and isolation procedures are followed
basic maintenance and inspection practices are carried out.
Competence must be demonstrated in the operation of all ancillary equipment to the level required for this competency unit.

Resource implications
Assessment will require access to an operating plant over an extended period of time, or a suitable method of gathering evidence of operating ability over a range of situations. A bank of scenarios/case studies/what ifs will be required as will a bank of questions which will be used to probe the reasoning behind the observable actions.

Other assessment advice
This unit has no prerequisite competencies.
Individual enterprises may choose to add prerequisites and corequisites relevant to their processes.

Essential knowledge
Knowledge and understanding of the crushing process sufficient to recognise process conditions which will lead to out of specification production and to take appropriate action.
Knowledge of the enterprise's standard procedures and work instructions and relevant regulatory requirements along with the ability to implement them within appropriate time constraints and in a manner relevant to the operation of the grinding equipment.

Competence includes the ability to:


apply and/or explain:

start-up and shutdown processes
construction and limitations of the crushing equipment and conditions
crushing fundamentals
out of specification situations
physics and chemistry (where appropriate) of process
principles of operation of process
principles of control of process

distinguish between causes of faults such as:

raw material variations
mechanical abnormalities
electrical/instrument reading variations
as is relevant to the practical operation of the grinding process.

Communicating ideas and information
(1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
(2)

Planning and organising activities
(1)

Working with others and in teams
(2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
(1)

Solving problems
(1)

Using technology
(1)