Elements and Performance Criteria

This competency may apply to any of the sectors of the manufactured mineral products industry.
This competency unit applies to a variety of equipment and machinery and may include any processing plant or equipment such as any listed in other competencies in the Training Package.
This competency includes the operation of all ancillary equipment and the operation of plant using PLCs where appropriate.

Operation of machinery/equipment include:
visual checks for damage
leaks
obstructions
blockages
component wear.

Typical problems include:
contaminated materials
raw material not to specifications
material variability within specification
equipment malfunctions.
Raw materials may include first stage products being prepared for subsequent processes.
All operations are performed to

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 or case study/scenarios may be required to allow for timely assessment of parts of this competency unit (eg, those parts of element 1 referring to 'unusual' requirements). 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.

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

Consistent performance should be demonstrated. In particular look to see that:

hazards are identified and controls applied
early warning signs of equipment in need of attention/with potential problems are recognised
action is taken to ensure equipment is returned to full performance in a timely manner
communication is timely and effective
problems regarding materials are anticipated and appropriate action is taken.
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 equipment and production process sufficient to recognise variance from specification and then determine appropriate action which is consistent with operating guidelines.
Knowledge of the enterprise's

Competence includes the ability to:


apply and/or explain:

testing procedures
impact of contamination
production schedules
hazards normally associated with the process and controls as per the hierarchy of control

distinguish between causes of faults such as:

products
materials
equipment
as is relevant to the practical operation of the equipment and production process.

Communicating ideas and information
(1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
(2)

Planning and organising activities
(0)

Working with others and in teams
(1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
(1)

Solving problems
(1)

Using technology
(1)