Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Prepare automated analysis system for operation

1.1

Confirm equipment status, shift priorities, work flow issues and/or specific client requirements with supervisor and other operators

1.2

Plan or adjust work flow to suit maintenance or servicing as required

1.3

Review job requests to identify samples/batches, required operating parameters and any special instructions/analyses for each

1.4

Identify hazards, safety equipment and safe work procedures associated with samples, reagents, analytical methods and operating robotic arms

1.5

Perform routine system checks at start of shift

2

Conduct or monitor loading of samples into system

2.1

For systems with a manual in-feed station, prepare vials with the specified sample volume and load them in the correct sequence

2.2

For fully automated systems, monitor sample in-feed station to ensure vials contain specified minimum volumes

3

Monitor and adjust system operation

3.1

Adjust system operating parameters, such as furnace temperature, to suit specific batch requirements

3.2

Monitor control screens continuously and respond promptly to error codes

3.3

Conduct regular visual checks to ensure that system elements are operating correctly

3.4

Interpret routine error codes to identify faulty system elements

3.5

Take control of system and activate interlocks to isolate relevant system elements before investigating faults

3.6

Clean and reposition robots, vials, crucibles or other system elements as necessary

3.7

Use appropriate system checks and commands to reset system elements, re-enter sample data and resume operations

3.8

Seek advice about dealing with any situation beyond scope of responsibility or knowledge

3.9

Liaise with and assist relevant service personnel to ensure major breakdowns are rectified promptly

4

Maintain a safe work environment

4.1

Use safe work practices, safety equipment and personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure personal safety and that of others

4.2

Clean and maintain system elements, maintain consumable stocks, and care for and store equipment as required

4.3

Minimise the generation of waste and environmental impacts

4.4

Segregate and dispose of wastes in accordance with workplace requirements

This field allows for different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included.

Standards, codes, procedures and/or workplace requirements  

Standards, codes, procedures and/or workplace requirements include the latest version of one or more of:

• Australian and international standards covering the requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories; laboratory safety; quality management and environmental management; industrial robot systems; sampling and analysis of specific mineral ores; and labelling, storage, handling and transport of hazardous materials
• national work health and safety (WHS) standards and codes of practice, national environmental protection measures, and national measurement regulations and guidelines
• specific codes, guidelines and procedures, such as National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accreditation requirements, and principles of good laboratory practice (GLP)
• workplace documents, such as standard operating procedures (SOPs); quality and equipment manuals; maintenance schedules; material safety data sheets (MSDS) and safety procedures; material, production and product specifications; production and laboratory schedules; workplace recording and reporting procedures; and waste minimisation and safe disposal procedures
• requirements for specific samples, batches and clients (such as labelling, preparation, analysis, storage, transport and disposal)
• methods and procedures, which may be written, to meet workplace, client and/or regulatory/certifying body requirements

Mineral samples  

Mineral samples include one or more of:

• pulverised solids, such as rocks, minerals, soils, sands and stream sediments
• pulverised core and other drill samples

Automated analytical methods in 

Automated analytical methods include, but are not limited to, one or more of:

• thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA)
• x-ray fluorescence (XRF)

Automated system elements  

Automated system elements include:

• sample in-feed station
• weigh stations
• mould table
• furnaces
• robotic arms
• conveyor belts
• acid/ultrasound baths for cleaning crucibles
• compressed air system

Routine system checks  

Routine system checks include:

• safety
• operating system, including calibration checks
• stocks of reagents, such as fluxes, acids and cleaning agents

Visual checks 

Visual checks include:

• presence of surface dust on system elements, particularly sensors
• sample contamination during sample extraction from vials
• cleanliness of crucibles before re-use

Routine system faults and corrective actions  

Routine system faults and corrective actions include one or more of:

• balancing errors in weigh station (activate interlocks, clean sensors, recheck and reset weigh station, and reset system to re-weigh sample)
• positioning errors by robot (activate interlocks, manually reposition vials or crucibles, recheck and reset system)
• cracked bead or incomplete fusion (activate interlocks, check rejected sample, reset system to extract fresh sample from correct vial and repeat fluxing and fusion)
• contamination of sample by robotic arm during sample extraction from vial (reset system to reject contaminated sample and extract fresh sample for analysis)
• leaks in pneumatic elements (arrange for servicing)

Hazards  

Hazards include, but are not limited to, one or more of:

• dust
• noise and vibration
• fixed source x-ray radiation, RF radiation from induction furnaces
• crushing, entanglement and cuts associated with moving machinery
• impact injuries from contact with robot arms
• failure of pneumatic hoses

Safe work procedures 

Safe work procedures include, but are not limited to, one or more of:

• ensuring access to service shut-off points
• recognising and observing hazard warnings and safety signs
• labelling of samples and hazardous materials
• extracting dust
• using guards for moving machinery parts
• providing noise insulation
• following established manual handling procedures
• regularly cleaning equipment and work areas
• using PPE, such as masks, heat resistant mittens, boots, goggles, coats, ear muffs, safety boots and heat-reflective clothing
• monitoring exposure to workplace radiation by wearing personal thermoluminescent dosimeters

WHS and environmental management requirements  

WHS and environmental management requirements include:

·  complying with WHS and environmental management requirements at all times, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation. These requirements must not be compromised at any time

·  applying standard precautions relating to the potentially hazardous nature of samples