Modification History
Release 2 – Minor clarifications to application and range, and minor editorial corrections.
Unit Descriptor
This unit covers the skills and knowledge needed to operate a plant item/unit of equipment and the resolving of routine problems in accordance with procedures. This competency is for units of equipment/plant items which are not otherwise covered in this Training Package and may be organisation specific.
Application of the Unit
This unit applies to a person who has the responsibility for undertaking the routine operation of an individual unit of equipment or a plant item. The key factors are operating to organisation requirements, meeting quality standards and other workplace requirements. The type of people to whom this unit may apply include (but are not limited to):
- plant operators.
This unit applies to an individual working alone or as part of a team or group and working in liaison with other shift team members and the control room operator as appropriate.
This unit applies:
- typically to ‘outside’ or ‘field’ operators, but may also apply to
- ‘panel’ or ‘control room’ operators.
This unit requires a detailed knowledge about the unit being operated and some knowledge about related units and processes.
This unit has been written to apply to both fluid and solids processing units. It does not include the operation of any packaged unit which only requires operation as a ‘black box’ (regardless of its engineering complexity) which is covered by MSAPMOPS100A Use equipment.
If several units are combined to form a unit which must be operated as an integrated unit then please see PMAOPS300B Operate a production unit.
Licensing/Regulatory Information
Not applicable.
Pre-Requisites
This unit has no prerequisites.
Employability Skills Information
This unit contains employability skills.
Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content
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ELEMENT Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency |
PERFORMANCE CRITERIA Performance Criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the Element. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the Evidence Guide. |
Elements and Performance Criteria
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1 |
Check work requirements |
1.1 |
Identify work requirements from work plan or request |
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1.2 |
Check product, materials and equipment meet requirements for job(s) |
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1.3 |
Recognise requirements which may not be in accordance with usual practice |
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1.4 |
Ask questions of appropriate person to confirm unusual practice |
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1.5 |
Ensure housekeeping is to requirements |
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1.6 |
Identify hazards associated with the job and take appropriate action |
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1.7 |
Perform other pre-operational checks in accordance with procedures |
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2 |
Start up item of equipment as required |
2.1 |
Conduct pre-start checks |
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2.2 |
Start up item of equipment |
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3 |
Operate equipment to procedures |
3.1 |
Check equipment is operating within required limits |
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3.2 |
Check product meets specifications and quality standards |
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3.3 |
Ensure product is consistently ready for next duty/ operation as appropriate |
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3.4 |
Maintain supply of material(s) as required |
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3.5 |
Complete logs and records as required |
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3.6 |
Collect and segregate scrap, trim and other materials as required |
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3.7 |
Keep equipment and work area clean |
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3.8 |
Pause equipment and perform emergency stop, as required |
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4 |
Respond to routine problems to procedures |
4.1 |
Recognise known faults that occur during the operation |
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4.2 |
Identify and take action on causes of routine faults |
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4.3 |
Log problems as required |
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4.4 |
Identify non-routine process and quality problems and take appropriate action |
Required Skills and Knowledge
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This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit. |
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Application of knowledge of the materials, equipment and process sufficient to recognise out of specification products, process problems and materials faults. Knowledge of the organisation's procedures and relevant regulatory requirements along with the ability to implement them within appropriate time constraints and work standards. Knowledge of and skills in the operation of the item of equipment and main components sufficient to consistently meet required specifications and standards, including:
Competence also includes the ability to:
Language, literacy and numeracy requirements This unit requires the ability to read and interpret typical product specifications, job sheets, procedures, material labels and safety information as provided to operators. Writing is required to the level of completing workplace forms. Basic numeracy is required, e.g. to determine that two 25 kg bags are needed to make up a requirement for 50 kg. |
Evidence Guide
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The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package. |
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Overview of assessment |
A holistic approach should be taken to the assessment. Assessors must be satisfied that the person can consistently perform the unit as a whole, as defined by the Elements, Performance Criteria and skills and knowledge. Assessment will occur on an industrial example of the equipment and will be undertaken in a work-like environment. |
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Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit |
It is essential that competence is demonstrated in the knowledge and skills defined in this unit. These may include the ability to:
Consistent performance should be demonstrated. For example, look to see that:
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Assessment method and context |
Competence in this unit may be assessed:
In all cases it is expected that practical assessment will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge and theoretical assessment will be combined with appropriate practical/simulation or similar assessment. Assessors need to be aware of any cultural issues that may affect responses to questions. Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the oracy, language and literacy capacity of the assessee and the work being performed. |
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Specific resources for assessment |
This section should be read in conjunction with the Range Statement for this unit of competency. Resources required include suitable access to an operating plant or equipment that allows for appropriate and realistic simulation. A bank of case studies/scenarios and questions will also be required to the extent that they form part of the assessment method. Questioning may take place either in the workplace, or in an adjacent, quiet facility such as an office or lunchroom. No other special resources are required. Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required. Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities. |
Range Statement
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The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. |
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Standards and codes |
Where reference is made to industry codes of practice, and/or Australian/international standards, the latest version must be used. |
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Context |
This competency applies to operators working either independently or as part of a work team. |
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Procedures |
All operations are performed in accordance with procedures. Procedures mean all relevant workplace procedures, work instructions, temporary instructions and relevant industry and government codes and standards. |
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Tools and equipment |
This competency includes use of equipment and tools, such as:
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Hazards |
Typical hazards include:
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Problems |
'Respond to routine problems' means 'apply known solutions to a limited range of predictable problems'. Typical process and product problems may include:
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Variables |
Key variables to be monitored include:
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Product |
Product includes anything produced by a process step and so includes intermediate products such as the product from one process step which then becomes the feed for another |
Unit Sector(s)
Not applicable.
