Elements and Performance Criteria

Gas systems could include:
One of LPG or natural gas systems may dominate, however it is expected that systems will be selected across both, and include transmission and distribution pipelines, LPG storage facilities greater than 50kL, underground storage, tankers and ships, control systems, custody transfer stations, odorising plant, corrosion control, interconnecting systems.

Environmental hazards may include hazards associated with LPG or natural gas, geological features, soil types, neighbouring plants, residential areas, separation distances and emission and contamination hazards.

System logistics could include land and sea transport routes and equipment, transmission and distribution pipelines, land ownership and easements, siting.

Resources may include:
Appropriate personnel; relevant personnel; materials, tools and equipment etc; personal protective equipment and clothing; company standard operating procedures; equipment manuals; training resources.

Relevant personnel may include:
Company planners and marketers, department heads, business unit managers, company engineers and consultant engineers, technical specialists, statutory authorities and environmental specialists.

Legislative requirements may include:
Occupational Health & Safety legislation; government acts and regulations; Australian Standards and Codes of Practice; environmental legislative requirements, local government traffic management.

Relevant authorities may include:
Local & shire councils; local government authorities; emergency services; road transport authorities; rail department; landowners.

Relevant documentation may include:
Contracts; specifications; drawings/plans; 'as-constructed' drawings/plans; manufacturer's specifications; work permits; company standard operation and safety procedures; company management plans and policies; hot work permits; company forms and files; OH&S, laws and codes of practice; government legislation, acts and regulations; environmental legislative requirements; pipeline licenses; quality assurance; commercial agreements.

Critical aspects of evidence
These will include identification of environmental hazards and their control options, conduct of cost/benefit analyses, identification of system performance characteristics, interpretation, application, and compliance of relevant legislation; Australian Standards; codes of work practice and company standard operating procedures to ensure safety in gas storage/processing operations.

Context of assessment
Assessment of competency, including attainment of relevant knowledge and skills may be made through submission of recently completed projects: ability to interpret plans and drawings and the convening and management of consultative groups/committees.

Pre-requisites
This unit requires, as an entry, attainment of either Certificate III in Gas Operations, Certificate IV in Gas Operations or Diploma of Gas Operations. Entry may also be accepted from those with relevant diplomas of engineering and/or science. As such they would be expected to have sufficient underpinning knowledge and skills in mathematics and science which should accelerate their progress through this unit which leads to the Advanced Diploma in Gas Systems. However, should this not be the case a suitable bridging program is to form part of the entry requirement.
It is also recommended that assessment of competency in this unit is conducted in conjunction with assessment of the Unit UTG NGS 603A, Manage Workplace Risk.

Knowledge of Skills
A knowledge of:
The operating principles of the pipeline system; transportation of both LPG and natural gas; storage facility design and construction; mathematical calculations for storage, pressure/temperature control, metering, capacities and design specifications; contractual requirements; other service location methods; appropriate environmental requirements; company standard operating procedures; site specific safety legislation and safety requirements; project management; emergency response systems; broad perspective of design life maintenance requirements, construction materials and their properties and limitations.
The ability to:
Coordinate the work of others; provide technical leadership and accurate instruction; facilitate contracts and employment; communicate effectively; adhere to occupational health and safety , environmental and legislative requirements; calculate capacities, metering data and pressure ratings; apply the permit to work system including types of permits and limitations; correctly read and interpret plans and drawings; correctly read, analyse, interpret and record data; consult with relevant authorities.