Unit of competency details

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

1

Prepare for work

1.1

Identify work requirements

1.2

Identify and control hazards

1.3

Coordinate with appropriate personnel

1.4

Check for recent work undertaken on plant

1.5

Note any outstanding/incomplete work

1.6

Check operational status of the blast furnace against requirements

1.7

Complete any required shift handover checks

2

Operate blast furnace

2.1

Identify the type of blast furnace and ancillary equipment

2.2

Change rate, grade or specification smoothly, as required

2.3

Complete routine checks, logs and paperwork, taking appropriate action on unexpected readings and trends

2.4

Liaise with others to ensure that the discharge product is appropriate

3

Recognise problems and take appropriate action

3.1

Monitor plant frequently and critically throughout shift using measured/indicated data and senses (e.g. sight and hearing), as appropriate

3.2

Recognise developing situations which may require action

3.3

Adjust feeds, composition and rate, air flows and temperatures, as appropriate, to meet product requirements

3.4

Take other appropriate actions on problems, as required

3.5

Identify upstream and downstream impacts of any adjustment made or variation in conditions

4

Make plane safe for work and prepare for return to duty

4.1

Take part in the preparations for maintenance or upgrade work on the blast furnace or ancillary equipment

4.2

Make equipment and area safe for required work

4.3

Check plant is ready to be returned to service

4.4

Prepare plant for return to service

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

Required skills include:

• recognising conditions which will lead to out of specification operation
• implementing enterprise procedures within time constraints and in a manner relevant to the correct use of the equipment
• identifying hazards and safe operating procedures for handling high temperatures and molten metal
• conveying information relevant to the operation clearly and effectively
• maintaining appropriate levels of quality assurance
• reading and numeracy to interpret workplace documents and technical information
• applying mathematics to the level of understanding and determination of raw material feed rates and composition

Required knowledge  

Required knowledge, to the breadth and depth required for the operation of the blast furnace systems, includes:

• principles of operation of blast furnace and ancillary equipment
• knowledge of metallurgy, to the extent of determining effects of varying blast furnace conditions, raw materials feed rates, quality, composition and proportions on finished product composition
• process parameters and limits (e.g. temperature, pressure and flow)
• duty of care obligations
• hierarchy of control
• communication protocols (e.g. radio, phone, computer, paper and permissions/authorities)
• typical issues causing problems and the resolution of those problems
• routine problems, faults and their symptoms and the corrective action to be taken
• relevant alarms and actions
• plant process idiosyncrasies
• all items on a schematic of the plant item and the function/principles of operation, and problem solving of each
• physics and chemistry relevant to each unit and the processes used
• relevant environmental and heritage requirements
• mathematical formulae and their application to determining feed rates and materials properties

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria required skills and knowledge range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence are:

• early warning signs of equipment/processes needing attention or with potential problems are recognised
• the range of possible causes can be identified and analysed and the most likely cause determined
• appropriate action is taken to ensure a timely return to full performance
• obvious problems in related plant areas are recognised and an appropriate contribution made to their solution.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment of this competency will occur over a range of situations which will include typical disruptions to normal, smooth operation. This will require access to an operating plant over an extended period of time, or a suitable method of gathering evidence of operating ability. Where safety, lack of opportunity or significant cost is an issue an industry-based simulation may be employed to assist the process.

Guidance information for assessment 

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, competency and safety requirements of the site and consistent with workplace systems or procedures

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Procedures 

Procedures may be written, verbal, computer-based or in some other form. They may include, but are not limited to:

• all work instructions
• standard operating procedures
• formulas/recipes
• batch sheets
• temporary instructions
• any similar instructions provided for the smooth running of the plant
• good operating practice as may be defined by industry codes of practice

Procedures would be expected to comply with any relevant government regulations.

Logs and reports 

Logs and reports may include:

• paper or electronic-based logs and reports
• verbal/radio reports
• reporting items found which require action

Appropriate action 

Appropriate action includes, but is not limited to:

• determining problems needing action
• accessing and applying relevant technical and plant data
• applying appropriate problem solving techniques to determine possible fault causes
• rectifying problem using appropriate solution within area of responsibility
• following through items initiated until final resolution has occurred
• reporting problems outside area of responsibility/ability to designated person

Typical problems 

Typical problems may include, but are not limited to:

• variations in feed material
• control of gas flow
• control of feed rates and composition of feeds
• control of tapping rates of slag and molten product

Health, safety and environment (HSE) 

All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent HSE requirements, which may be imposed through state or federal legislation, and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between Performance Criteria and HSE requirements, the HSE requirements take precedence.

Work requirements 

Work requirements may come from briefings, handovers and work orders and may include:

• compliance documentation
• product specifications
• nature and scope of tasks
• achievement targets
• operational conditions
• lighting conditions
• plant or equipment defects
• hazards and potential hazards
• coordination requirements or issues

Competency field 

Operational/technical

Unit sector