Elements and Performance Criteria

Context
Work and tasks may be allocated through managers, supervisors, team leaders, work schedules or plans. They may be individual tasks and jobs or team function work schedules.

This competency includes the following indicative information sources and documentation:
company policy and permit control systems
standard operating procedures
materials safety data sheets
job cards
maintenance logs
plant drawings.

This competency includes items of equipment such as:
plant equipment.

All operations are performed in accordance with standard operating procedures.

HSE
All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent health, safety and environment 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.

Assessment context and methods
Assessment for this unit of competency will be on an operating plant. The unit will be assessed in as holistic a manner as is practical and may be integrated with the assessment of other relevant units of competency. Assessment will occur over a range of situations which will include disruptions to normal, smooth operation.

Simulation may be required to allow for timely assessment of parts of this unit of competency (e.g. element 4). Simulation should be based on the actual plant and will include walk-throughs of the relevant competency components. Simulations may also include the use of case studies/scenarios and role plays.

This unit of competency requires a body of knowledge which will be assessed through questioning and the use of what if scenarios both on the plant (during demonstration of normal operations and walk-throughs of abnormal operations) and off the plant.

Critical aspects
Competence must be demonstrated in the ability to recognise and analyse potential situations requiring action and then in implementing appropriate corrective action. The emphasis should be on the ability to stay out of trouble rather than on recovery from a problem.

Consistent performance should be demonstrated. In particular look to see that:
hazards are identified and controlled
work schedules are interpreted and understood and instructions acted upon
relevant procedures are followed
resources and time are effectively and efficiently utilised
potential disruptions or changed circumstances are recognised and work plans modified in conjunction with relevant personnel
assistance is sought from relevant personnel when difficulties arise.

These aspects may be best assessed using a range of scenarios/case studies/what ifs as the stimulus with a walk-through forming part of the response.

Resource implications
Assessment will require access to an operating plant over an extended period of time, or a suitable method of gathering evidence of operating ability over a range of situations. A bank of scenarios/case studies/what ifs will be required as will a bank of questions which will be used to probe the reasoning behind the observable actions.

Other assessment advice
In all plants it may be appropriate to assess this unit concurrently with relevant teamwork and communication units.

Essential knowledge
Competence to include the ability to apply and explain:
enterprise quality, operational and safety procedures
importance of workplace documentation
routine work planning processes
potential safety implications of modifying the work plan
job outcomes, standards and priorities
equipment and processes used in the workplace
hazards associated with the process
methods of controlling the hazards according to procedures.