Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range of Variables explains the contexts within which the performance and knowledge requirements of this standard may be assessed. The scope of variables chosen in training and assessment requirements may depend on the work situations available.

Would a technician simply install milking equipment or are there other components that would be included in the contract?
Milking equipment installed or serviced may include:
full shed installations, pipework and vessels, vacuum pumps, regulators, plate coolers, cup removers, cleaning systems, cluster and pulsation systems, releasers and milk transfer systems
Non-milking systems may include feeding systems, jetters and automatic cup removers.

What would be a typical installation site?
Installations may be completed in new milking sheds or be installed in existing sheds to replace old equipment.

What is appropriate measuring equipment?
Measuring equipment may include the use of dumpy levels, tapes or electronic measuring equipment.

Who are the appropriate authorities that may be consulted?
These may include local government, Workcover or environmental protection authorities and the equipment manufacturers.

What will the equipment manufacturer specify?
Manufacturers specifications may include correct vacuum levels, milkline and airline size and shape, positioning of regulator, receiver and vacuum and milk pumps, and motor speeds.

Will trade and building personnel be employed to assist milking machine technicians in the installation of the milking equipment?
All site preparation work such as foundations, footings, beds and framework will be completed by appropriate tradespeople prior to a milking machine technician commencing installation work.

Are there any appropriate legislative requirements?
All work and work practices will conform to relevant regulatory and legislative requirements including both OHS and environmental standards.

What are the OHS requirements for the installation of milking equipment?
OHS issues may include manual lifting, excessive noise, the use of hand and power tools, and fumes when welding stainless steel. Milking equipment requires the fitting of guards to all pulleys and belts. Consideration should be given to operator health by minimising noise - particularly in the working area, ensuring electrical safety and the installation of personal protection (such as splash-guards) to minimise risk from zoonoses.

What are routine modifications?
Routine modifications and alterations are of a minor nature not requiring specification changes or technical recording and may include fitting of spacers, relocation of brackets and alignment of holes.

Are there any industry standards for installations?
The Australian Milking Machine Trade Association sets down industry minimum standards for workmanship and finish of milking equipment installations. These Industry Minimum Standards also specify performance expectations, materials used, bracketing, jointing, component location, fixing, and geometry of pipelines.
All milking equipment installations must be completed in line with the following International Standards for Milking Installations:
ISO3918
ISO5707
ISO6690

What are the OHS considerations for the installation of milking equipment?
Suppliers and manufacturers have defined responsibilities for the supply and installation of equipment for use in the workplace. OHS hazard identification; risk assessment and risk control measures are key considerations in all installation work and its outcomes. This requires constant vigilance for the occurrence of hazards in the construction and installation of milking equipment, and once identified, the reporting and rectification of these workplace hazards as soon as possible. These include the provision of safety guarding, electrical safety and general structural operator safety in areas like pit entrances and operator/animal interfaces.

What environmental considerations are inherent in the performance of this unit?
The disposal of packing materials, pipe and metal off-cuts, and chemical containers in an environmentally safe manner will ensure that the outcome of the installation does not impact unfavourably on neighbours and property personnel.

Would a technician simply install milking equipment or are there other components that would be included in the contract?
Milking equipment installed or serviced may include:
full shed installations, pipework and vessels, vacuum pumps, regulators, plate coolers, cup removers, cleaning systems, cluster and pulsation systems, releasers and milk transfer systems
Non-milking systems may include feeding systems, jetters and automatic cup removers.

What would be a typical installation site?
Installations may be completed in new milking sheds or be installed in existing sheds to replace old equipment.

What is appropriate measuring equipment?
Measuring equipment may include the use of dumpy levels, tapes or electronic measuring equipment.

Who are the appropriate authorities that may be consulted?
These may include local government, Workcover or environmental protection authorities and the equipment manufacturers.

What will the equipment manufacturer specify?
Manufacturers specifications may include correct vacuum levels, milkline and airline size and shape, positioning of regulator, receiver and vacuum and milk pumps, and motor speeds.

Will trade and building personnel be employed to assist milking machine technicians in the installation of the milking equipment?
All site preparation work such as foundations, footings, beds and framework will be completed by appropriate tradespeople prior to a milking machine technician commencing installation work.

Are there any appropriate legislative requirements?
All work and work practices will conform to relevant regulatory and legislative requirements including both OHS and environmental standards.

What are the OHS requirements for the installation of milking equipment?
OHS issues may include manual lifting, excessive noise, the use of hand and power tools, and fumes when welding stainless steel. Milking equipment requires the fitting of guards to all pulleys and belts. Consideration should be given to operator health by minimising noise - particularly in the working area, ensuring electrical safety and the installation of personal protection (such as splash-guards) to minimise risk from zoonoses.

What are routine modifications?
Routine modifications and alterations are of a minor nature not requiring specification changes or technical recording and may include fitting of spacers, relocation of brackets and alignment of holes.

Are there any industry standards for installations?
The Australian Milking Machine Trade Association sets down industry minimum standards for workmanship and finish of milking equipment installations. These Industry Minimum Standards also specify performance expectations, materials used, bracketing, jointing, component location, fixing, and geometry of pipelines.
All milking equipment installations must be completed in line with the following International Standards for Milking Installations:
ISO3918
ISO5707
ISO6690

What are the OHS considerations for the installation of milking equipment?
Suppliers and manufacturers have defined responsibilities for the supply and installation of equipment for use in the workplace. OHS hazard identification; risk assessment and risk control measures are key considerations in all installation work and its outcomes. This requires constant vigilance for the occurrence of hazards in the construction and installation of milking equipment, and once identified, the reporting and rectification of these workplace hazards as soon as possible. These include the provision of safety guarding, electrical safety and general structural operator safety in areas like pit entrances and operator/animal interfaces.

What environmental considerations are inherent in the performance of this unit?
The disposal of packing materials, pipe and metal off-cuts, and chemical containers in an environmentally safe manner will ensure that the outcome of the installation does not impact unfavourably on neighbours and property personnel.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in installing milking equipment requires evidence of competence in range of skills and knowledge. This will included the ability to read and interpret plans and use a range of hand and power tools.

The skills and knowledge required to install milking equipment must be transferable to differing work environments. For example, an individual may need to be involved in installations ranging from a large rotary dairy to the smallest walk-through design.
Evidence should include written OHS risk assessment of the installation.
What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this competency standard are listed below:

an appreciation of the function of the full range of the components of milking machines and equipment
vacuum and the operation of pulsation systems
international standards for milking equipment and their application in Australia in working sheds
OHS Acts in the relevant state, and specifically regulations relating to equipment, machinery and noise
the application of dairy shed design in the field
the mechanical testing of milking equipment installations
original equipment manufacturer's requirements for milking equipment installation
the working requirements of milking sheds including the siting of components to ensure efficient shed operation
milking equipment installation standards including pipe sizing, friction loss, component size selection, drainage within the equipment, bracketing, waterproofing and safety including practical design criteria for safe operation
safe working practices in a workshop and building situation. This will include an awareness of safe lifting and manual handling practices, the safe use of hand and power tools, and duty of care to all other personnel on-site.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These skills include the ability to:

communicate with the full range of industry participants
interpret technical data
interpret plans and equipment specifications
ensure that proper equipment and component matching is practised
understand construction plans and specifications on machinery and equipment components of dairy installations
safely utilise hand and power tools in a workshop and field situation
use minimum standard recommendations in the assembly and installation of milking equipment
safely use a range of hand and power tools
be resourceful in all aspects of fitting milking equipment
employ safe working practices and exercise duty of care whilst employed on work-sites.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard

Essential Assessment Information
There is essential information about

What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this competency standard are listed below:

an appreciation of the function of the full range of the components of milking machines and equipment
vacuum and the operation of pulsation systems
international standards for milking equipment and their application in Australia in working sheds
OHS Acts in the relevant state, and specifically regulations relating to equipment, machinery and noise
the application of dairy shed design in the field
the mechanical testing of milking equipment installations
original equipment manufacturer's requirements for milking equipment installation
the working requirements of milking sheds including the siting of components to ensure efficient shed operation
milking equipment installation standards including pipe sizing, friction loss, component size selection, drainage within the equipment, bracketing, waterproofing and safety including practical design criteria for safe operation
safe working practices in a workshop and building situation. This will include an awareness of safe lifting and manual handling practices, the safe use of hand and power tools, and duty of care to all other personnel on-site.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These skills include the ability to:

communicate with the full range of industry participants
interpret technical data
interpret plans and equipment specifications
ensure that proper equipment and component matching is practised
understand construction plans and specifications on machinery and equipment components of dairy installations
safely utilise hand and power tools in a workshop and field situation
use minimum standard recommendations in the assembly and installation of milking equipment
safely use a range of hand and power tools
be resourceful in all aspects of fitting milking equipment
employ safe working practices and exercise duty of care whilst employed on work-sites.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard

Essential Assessment Information
There is essential information about

There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life, which are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies, although others may be added. The questions below highlight how these processes are applied in this competency standard. Following each question a number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency needs to be demonstrated where 0 = not required, 1 = perform the process, 2 = perform and administer the process and 3 = perform, administer and design the process.
Communicating ideas and information
Effective communication with the members of the dairy equipment network is essential in the performance of this unit. (2)

Communicating ideas and information
Effective communication with the members of the dairy equipment network is essential in the performance of this unit. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
A great deal of information needs to be collected and collated on machine specifications and performance to ensure that design requirements are met. (2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
A great deal of information needs to be collected and collated on machine specifications and performance to ensure that design requirements are met. (2)

Planning and organising activities
Planning is essential to assemble the required materials and physical resources for milking equipment installation. (3)

Planning and organising activities
Planning is essential to assemble the required materials and physical resources for milking equipment installation. (3)

Working with others and in teams
Machine installation or service work is generally, but not exclusively, undertaken in a team environment. (2)

Working with others and in teams
Machine installation or service work is generally, but not exclusively, undertaken in a team environment. (2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
A range of mathematical techniques and ideas will need to be applied to calculate performance, plan construction and ensure compliance with the range of applicable standards. (3)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
A range of mathematical techniques and ideas will need to be applied to calculate performance, plan construction and ensure compliance with the range of applicable standards. (3)

Solving problems
The overcoming of problems associated with materials supply and of difficult sites or poor equipment performance will all require a range of problem-solving skill to be utilised. (2)

Solving problems
The overcoming of problems associated with materials supply and of difficult sites or poor equipment performance will all require a range of problem-solving skill to be utilised. (2)

Using technology
A range of technologies will be required to measure and calculate in the installation and in the measurement of equipment performance. (2)

Using technology
A range of technologies will be required to measure and calculate in the installation and in the measurement of equipment performance. (2)