Unit of competency details

Unit Descriptor 

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to check conveyor operational status in accordance with workplace requirements, including inspecting conveyor system and work area, checking equipment operational capability, and identifying and assessing faults and reporting results of inspection and testing in accordance with workplace procedures and relevant regulatory requirements. Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements are applicable to this unit.

Application of the Unit 

Work must be carried out in accordance with codes/regulations and workplace requirements relevant to the checking and assessment of the operational capability of equipment.

Safety checks and equipment tests are performed under limited supervision.

Work involves the application of regulatory requirements and workplace procedures to the checking and assessment of the operational capability of equipment in the stevedoring, transport, warehousing, distribution and/or storage industries.

Employability Skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1 Inspect conveyor system and work area 

1.1 The conveyor equipment is checked prior to start-up in accordance with workplace procedures, manufacturers safety checks and specifications to ensure it is free from damage and obstructions that may limit operational capability

1.2 Work area is checked to ensure that it is safe and appropriate for the required task

2 Check equipment operational capability 

2.1 Conveyors are inspected after start-up in accordance with manufacturers specifications and workplace inspection specifications and procedures

2.2 Warning systems are checked for operational effectiveness

2.3 Records are checked to determine maintenance history and requirements and goods carried

3 Identify , assess faults and report results of inspection and testing 

3.1 Faults are identified and assessments made of the potential effect on the operation of the equipment for the required work, and details forwarded to relevant personnel in accordance with workplace procedures

3.2 Accurate reporting of the results of the inspection and testing is kept in accordance with regulatory requirements, workplace policy and industry guidelines

3.3 Clear reference is made to any items which may affect the future safety/operation of the equipment

3.4 Conveyor system is continually monitored for safe and efficient operation

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS 

This describes the essential knowledge and skills and their level required for this unit.

Required knowledge :

• Regulations relevant to the checking and assessing of the operational capability of conveyor, including, where relevant, the ADG Code and relevant bond, quarantine or other legislative requirements

• Relevant OH&S and environmental protection procedures and guidelines

• Workplace procedures and policies for the checking and assessing of the operational capability of conveyor

• Focus of operation of work systems, equipment, management and site operating systems for the checking and assessing of the operational capability of conveyor

• The purpose, characteristics, capabilities, requirements and limitations of the conveyor

• Conveyed materials' potential for toxicity, reactiveness, material grade, type and purpose including information from relevant material data safety sheets and ADG Code documentation (where applicable)

• Function and principles of operation of belt cleaning systems

• Tools and equipment used during the checking and assessing of the operational capability of conveyor and the precautions and procedures that should be followed in their use

• Problems that may occur when checking and assessing the operational capability of conveyor and appropriate action that can be taken to resolve the problems

• Operational safety requirements for the conveyor concerned

• Documentation and record requirements

• Housekeeping standards procedures required in the workplace

• Site layout and obstacles

Required skills :

• Communicate effectively with others when checking and assessing the operational capability of a conveyor

• Read and interpret instructions, procedures, information and labels relevant to the checking and assessment of the operational status of a conveyor

• Interpret and follow operational instructions and prioritise work

• Complete documentation related to the checking and assessment of the operational status of a conveyor

• Operate electronic communication equipment to required protocol

• Work collaboratively with others when checking and assessing the operational capability of a conveyor

• Adapt appropriately to cultural differences in the workplace, including modes of behaviour and interactions with others

• Promptly report and/or rectify any identified problems, faults or malfunctions that may be identified when checking and assessing the operational capability of a conveyor in accordance with regulatory requirements and workplace procedures

• Apply precautions and required action to minimise, control or eliminate hazards that may exist during work activities

• Monitor work activities in terms of planned schedule

• Modify activities depending on differing operational contingencies, risk situations and environments

• Work systematically with required attention to detail without injury to self or others, or damage to goods or equipment

• Operate and adapt to differences in equipment in accordance with standard operating procedures

• Select and use required personal protective equipment conforming to industry and OH&S standards

• Monitor performance of conveyor equipment

• Service conveyor equipment in terms of maintenance schedule and standard operating procedures

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

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

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

• The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria of this unit and include demonstration of applying:

• the underpinning knowledge and skills
• relevant legislation and workplace procedures
• other relevant aspects of the range statement

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

• Performance is demonstrated consistently over a period of time and in a suitable range of contexts
• Resources for assessment include:

• a range of relevant exercises, case studies and/or other simulated practical and knowledge assessment, and/or
• access to an appropriate range of relevant operational situations in the workplace

• In both real and simulated environments, access is required to:

• relevant and appropriate materials and equipment, and
• applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals

Method of assessment 

• Assessment of this unit must be undertaken by a registered training organisation
• As a minimum, assessment of knowledge must be conducted through appropriate written/oral tests
• Practical assessment must occur:

• through activities in an appropriately simulated environment at the registered training organisation, and/or
• in an appropriate range of situations in the workplace

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance.

Work may be conducted:

• in a range of work environments
• by day or night

Customers may be:

• internal or external

Workplaces may comprise:

• large, medium or small worksites

Work may be conducted in:

• limited or restricted spaces
• exposed conditions
• controlled or open environments

Purposes of conveyor checks/inspections are:

• to ensure that the conveyor and its safety devices and warning systems are operational, are in accordance with specifications, and are free from faults that may prejudice safety or limit operational capability

Conveyor may be enclosed or exposed, above or underground. Conveyor belt construction and materials may vary. Types of conveyors may include:

• buckets
• rollers
• air slides
• drag chains
• gravity systems

Aspects of conveyor equipment covered by workplace inspection specifications and procedures may include but is not limited to:

• belt surface and edges
• frame
• idlers
• motive power source
• tensions
• tracking
• speed
• guides

Checks may include but are not limited to:

• visual checks in accordance with manufacturers instructions
• monitoring of operational performance
• service checks in accordance with manufacturers instructions
• tests and checks of safety devices and warning indicators in accordance with workplace and regulatory requirements
• checks on adjustments against specifications
• checks of readings on gauges and monitors against specifications

Records/results of checks may include:

• details of out-of-performance indications
• details of faulty equipment or specific components
• details of action taken
• results of checks/tests
• details of repair and maintenance work to be undertaken

Requirements for work may include:

• site restrictions and procedures
• use of safety and personal protective equipment
• communications equipment
• specialised lifting and/or handling equipment
• incident breakdown procedures
• additional gear and equipment
• noise restrictions
• hours of operations
• authorities and permits

Hazards in the work area may include exposure to:

• chemicals and fumes
• dangerous or hazardous substances
• stationary and moving machinery, goods, materials and vehicular traffic
• contamination of, or from, materials being handled
• a fire or explosion
• service lines
• spills, leakages and ruptures
• dust/vapours
• faulty equipment/tools

Consultative processes may involve:

• workplace personnel
• supervisors and managers
• equipment manufacturers
• site visitors
• contractors
• official representatives

Dependent of the type of organisation concerned and the local terminology used, workplace procedures may include:

• company procedures
• enterprise procedures
• organisational procedures
• established procedures

Personal protective equipment may include:

• gloves
• safety headwear and footwear
• safety glasses
• two-way radios
• respirators and fume masks
• protective clothing
• high visibility clothing

Communication in the work area may include:

• phone
• fax
• email
• internet
• RF communications
• barcode readers
• oral, aural or signed communications

Information/documents may include:

• workplace procedures and policies for the checking and assessment of the equipment concerned
• manufacturers specifications for equipment/tools
• equipment identification labels, barcodes and serial numbers
• supplier and/or client instructions
• relevant OH&S requirements and policies
• relevant Australian standards and certification requirements
• material safety data sheets where applicable
• codes of practice including the National Standards for Manual Handling and the Industry Safety Code
• relevant legislation, regulations and related documentation including the ADG Code
• award, enterprise bargaining agreement and other industrial arrangements
• quality assurance procedures
• emergency procedures

Applicable regulations and legislation may include:

• relevant codes and regulations pertaining to the checking and operation of the conveyor system concerned including the ADG Code where applicable
• relevant state/territory OH&S legislation
• relevant state/territory environmental protection legislation
• relevant Australian standards and certification requirements
• licence, patent or copyright arrangements
• water and road use and licence arrangements
• export/import/quarantine/bond requirements
• workplace relations regulations including equal opportunity, equal employment opportunity and affirmative action legislation
• workers compensation regulations

Competency Field 

B - Equipment Checking and Maintenance