Unit of competency

Modification History

Release 1. Supersedes and is equivalent to PMC562071C Operate bulk materials handling equipment

Application

This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to operate equipment used to store and convey bulk, particulate materials. It applies to particulates, such as:

• cement
• sand
• aggregate
• frit
• cullet
• asphalt (not strictly a particulate solid but included in this unit)
• other similar materials.

This unit of competency applies to operators who are required to start up and shut down conveyors; transfer and store materials; monitor quality, quantity and location of bulk materials; perform minor maintenance on equipment; and identify and take action on problems.

This unit of competency applies to an individual working alone or as part of a team or group and working in liaison with other shift team members, team leader and supervisor, as appropriate.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Pre-requisite Unit

Nil

Competency Field

Support

Unit Sector

Not applicable

Elements and Performance Criteria

Foundation Skills

This section describes those required skills (language, literacy and numeracy) that are essential to performance.

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Range of Conditions

Unit Mapping Information

Release 1. Supersedes and is equivalent to PMC562071C Operate bulk materials handling equipment

Links

Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=45a7f1d5-61a5-447a-9688-7abbd7e1a5c7

Assessment requirements

Modification History

Release 1. Supersedes and is equivalent to PMC562071C Operate bulk materials handling equipment

Performance Evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and demonstrate the ability to:

• read and interpret job sheets, procedures, material labels and safety information
• identify and prepare equipment, materials and storage facility to meet requirements
• perform pre-start, start-up and shutdown procedures
• store and transfer materials to meet requirements
• identify maintenance needs and prepare equipment for maintenance
• perform minor maintenance to procedures
• recognise routine and non-routine problems
• identify when the operator is able to rectify problems, when assistance is required and who is the appropriate source for assistance
• take action to resolve problems or report them to appropriate personnel
• distinguish between possible causes of routine problems, including:

• raw material variations/contamination
• instrument faults/incorrect readings
• equipment faults/abnormalities
• process/procedure errors
• maintenance issues

• identify hazards and apply relevant hazard controls
• apply safety procedures
• communicate effectively with team/work group and supervisors
• complete workplace records
• do basic arithmetical manipulations, including additions, subtractions, divisions, fractions and percentages.

Knowledge Evidence

Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge relevant to their job sufficient to operate under routine only supervision and to solve routine problems, including knowledge of:

• principles of safe and efficient transfer and storage of bulk materials
• principles of operation of plant/equipment used in the job/work environment
• relationship of properties of particulates to transport/storage, including:

• particle size and shape: reactivity, solubility and colour
• angle of repose
• angle of slide
• dusts

• density and bulk density
• emergency procedures
• routine problems, their probable causes and relevant corrective actions
• work permit system
• organisation procedures relevant to the work environment/job role
• hierarchy of control
• hazards that may arise in the job/work environment and:

• their possible causes
• potential consequences
• appropriate risk controls.

Assessment Conditions

• The unit should be assessed holistically and the judgement of competence shall be based on a holistic assessment of the evidence.
• The collection of performance evidence:

• should occur over a range of situations which include typical disruptions to normal, smooth operations
• will typically include a supervisor/third-party report focusing on consistent performance and problem recognition and solving. A supervisor/third-party report must be prepared by someone who has a direct, relevant, current relationship with the person being assessed and who is in a position to form a judgement on workplace performance relevant to the unit of competency
• must include the use of appropriate tools, equipment and safety gear requiring demonstration of preparation, operation, completion and responding to problems
• may use industry-based simulation for part but not all  of the unit particularly where safety, lack of opportunity or significant cost is an issue.

• Assessment should occur in operational workplace situations. Where this is not possible or where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors assessment must occur in a sufficiently rigorous simulated environment that reflects realistic operational workplace conditions. This must cover all aspects of workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.
• Assessment in a simulated environment should use evidence collected from one or more of:

• walk-throughs
• pilot plant operation
• industry-based case studies/scenarios
• ‘what ifs’.

• Knowledge evidence may be collected concurrently with performance evidence (provided a record is kept) or through an independent process such as workbooks, written assessments or interviews (provided a record is kept).
• Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.
• Conditions for assessment must include access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required, including relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications associated with this unit.
• The regulatory framework will be reflected in workplace policies and procedures and is not required to be independently assessed.
• Foundation skills are integral to competent performance of the unit and should not be assessed separately.
• Assessors must satisfy the assessor competency requirements that are in place at the time of the assessment as set by the VET regulator.
• In addition the assessor or anyone acting in subject matter expert role in assessment shall demonstrate both technical competency and currency. If the assessor cannot demonstrate technical competency and currency they shall assess with a subject matter expert who does meet these requirements.
• Technical competence can be demonstrated through one or more of:

• relevant VET or other qualification/Statement of Attainment
• appropriate workplace experience undertaking the type of work being assessed under routine and non-routine conditions
• appropriate workplace experience supervising/evaluating the type of work being assessed under routine and non-routine conditions

• Currency can be demonstrated through one or more of:

• being currently employed undertaking the type of work being assessed
• being employed by the organisation undertaking the type of work being assessed and having maintained currency in accordance with that organisation’s policies and procedures
• having consulted/had contact with an organisation undertaking the type of work being assessed within the last twelve months, the consultation/contact being related to assessment
• conducting on the job training/assessments of the type of work being assessed
• being an active member of a relevant professional body and participating in activities relevant to the assessment of this type of work.

Links

Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=45a7f1d5-61a5-447a-9688-7abbd7e1a5c7