Unit of competency

Modification History

Release 1. Supersedes and is equivalent to PMAOPS522A Coordinate plant shut down

Application

This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to coordinate a planned, major shutdown.

A planned, major shutdown may be for whole plant/system, one plant area or one plant in an integrated complex and will typically occur to enable:

• regulatory vessel inspection (PVI)
• major maintenance
• upgrades or refits
• catalyst and/or column repacking
• other activities which are scheduled for the shutdown.

This unit of competency applies to senior technicians or those in similar roles who are required to apply in-depth knowledge of process and plant operations and problem solving in order to coordinate shutdown sequence to ensure all process shutdown activities completed to schedule, coordinate the activities of a number of work groups, analyse/problem solve and develop contingency plans, and identify and coordinate resources and pre-shutdown requirements.

This unit of competency applies to a plant technician who is performing the plant shutdown coordinator role as their primary activity. This technician would be part of a team working with technical experts, maintenance experts, contractor representatives, process/production teams and management.

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

Pre-requisite Unit

Nil

Competency Field

Operations

Unit Sector

Elements and Performance Criteria

Foundation Skills

This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills 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 PMAOPS522A Coordinate plant shut down

Links

Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=9fc2cf53-e570-4e9f-ad6a-b228ffdb6875

Assessment requirements

Modification History

Release 1. Supersedes and is equivalent to PMAOPS522A Coordinate plant shut down

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 include the ability to:

• lead and coordinate shutdown team to ensure safe and efficient plant shutdown and preparation according to procedures without incident
• record and report all aspects of shutdown activities to stakeholders according to enterprise protocol
• communicate and negotiate effectively with technical (process) experts, maintenance experts, contractor representatives, production management and other stakeholders to obtain the best outcome for the shutdown from competing priorities
• determine resource requirements, including:

• utility services, such as steam, nitrogen, power, water and chemicals
• workforce, such as operators, maintenance, contractors, engineers, laboratory staff, safety observer and standby rescue crew
• mobile equipment, such as elevated work platforms, Hiab, vacuum trucks and drip trays
• other equipment, such as hoses, plugs and caps, scaffold and extra fire protection equipment.

Knowledge Evidence

Evidence must be provided that demonstrates knowledge of:

• interpretation of project planning tools being used
• a comprehensive knowledge of plant shutdown events and their impact on upstream and downstream interfaces
• plant/equipment/processes impacted by the shutdown
• safe working practices related to the type of plant and equipment being shut down and worked on
• correct methods of shutting down plant items
• organisation procedures.

Assessment Conditions

• The unit should be assessed holistically and the judgement of competence based on a holistic assessment of the evidence.
• The collection of performance evidence is best done from a report and/or folio of evidence drawn from:

• a single project which provides sufficient evidence of the requirements of all the elements and performance criteria
• multiple smaller projects which together provide sufficient evidence of the requirements of all the elements and performance criteria.

• A third-party report, or similar, may be needed to testify to the work done by the individual, particularly when the project has been done as part of a project team.
• Assessment should use a real project in an operational workplace. Where this is not possible or practical, assessment must occur using a sufficiently rigorous simulated environment reflecting 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.
• Knowledge evidence may be collected concurrently with performance evidence 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 must demonstrate both technical competency and currency. If the assessor cannot demonstrate technical competency and currency they must 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=9fc2cf53-e570-4e9f-ad6a-b228ffdb6875