Elements and Performance Criteria

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. Bold italicised wording, if used in the Performance Criteria, is detailed below. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs if the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.
Codes of practice/ standards
Where reference is made to industry codes of practice, and/or Australian/international standards, the latest version must be used.
Tasks
This competency is typically performed by operators, weighers, mixers or stores personnel, and includes the following tasks (select relevant items):
handling raw chemicals
storing raw chemicals
pre-production assembling and labelling of materials
pre-production inspection of materials, usually involving visual inspections only for identification of deterioration or damage
pre-production measuring of materials, by weight, volume or density
disposal of waste materials
identifying and reporting hazards, safety and other issues that could affect the operation of the plant.
Materials preparation
Typical examples of preparation required might include (select relevant items):
warming to melt waxy materials
breaking up solid materials into pieces or smaller lumps
passing materials through an in-line delumper
blending a powder or liquid into a solution prior to use in the process
blending powders prior to production
dilution of solutions
preparation of a solution for dosing into a process.
Equipment
Equipment may include:
buckets
stirring paddle
propeller or drum mixers
delumpers
hammers or axes
measuring equipment including scales, flow meters and graduated vessels
personal protective equipment
Documentation
Documentation may include:
materials safety data sheets (MSDSs)
enterprise procedures
labelling requirements (dangerous goods codes, classification numbers, packaging group numbers)
HAZCHEM symbols and codes
spill containment and disposal procedures.
Materials
Materials may include:
raw materials
packaging materials
consumables.
Problems
Typical problems are restricted to responding in a routine, predetermined manner as specified in the procedures.
All operations are performed to procedures.
Procedures
Procedures may be written, verbal, computer-based or in some other form. They include:
all work instructions
standard operating procedures
formulas/recipes
batch sheets
temporary instructions
any similar instructions provided for the smooth running of the plant.
For the purposes of this Training Package, 'procedures' also includes good operating practice as may be defined by industry codes of practice (eg Responsible Care) and government regulations.
MSDS
An operator is expected to be aware of an MSDS, its general structure and where to find the methods of use, cautions and actions in an emergency. They are not expected to understand the full text of an MSDS.
Material hazards and handling procedures
Material hazards and handling procedures may be identified from
label
HAZCHEM symbol
MSDS
other relevant source.
Health, safety and environment (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.

EVIDENCE GUIDE
The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment
Assessment of this unit should include demonstrated competence on actual plant and equipment in a work environment. 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 could include disruptions to normal, smooth operation.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Consistent performance should be demonstrated. In particular look to see that:
all operations are performed to procedures and OHS and environmental requirements
signs of problems or potential problems with the equipment/processes are recognised
appropriate action is taken in a timely manner
hazards are recognised and appropriate action is taken to control risks arising from such hazards.
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. The assessment activities should include responding to a range of problems.

Context of and specific resources for assessment
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.

Method of assessment
In all plants it may be appropriate to assess this unit concurrently with relevant teamwork and communication units.
It may be appropriate to assess this unit concurrently with HSE units.

Guidance information for assessment
Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the oracy, language and literacy capacity of the assessee and the work being performed.