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. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.
Where reference is made to industry codes of practice, and/or Australian/international standards, the latest version must be used.
Context
This unit describes the work conducted by senior operators, team leaders or front line managers who optimise process systems as part of their work function. It includes all items of equipment and unit operations which form part of the production process of a complete area.
Typical problems will require the application of detailed operational and process knowledge over the entire production/manufacturing area, including the principles of operation of the equipment and the chemistry, physics, biology and/or biochemistry of the changes to materials occurring within that area.
All operations are performed in accordance with organisation procedures, licensing requirements, legislative requirements and industrial awards and agreements.
Procedures
All operations are performed in accordance with procedures. Procedures means all relevant workplace procedures, work instructions, temporary instructions and relevant industry and government codes and standards. These may include or have been prepared from/to comply with:
industry codes of practice
materials safety data sheets
equipment manuals
equipment start up, operation and shut down procedures
calibration and maintenance schedules
quality manuals and procedures
organisation recording and reporting procedures
production and laboratory schedules
material, production and product specifications.
Data/records
Historical data/records may include:
hazard logs
incident reports
maintenance records
product non-conformance reports
production records.
Implementing change
Requirements to implement change may include:
changes to procedures
training of operators
equipment modifications
ensuring all HSE requirements are addressed.
Relevant/appropriate personnel
Relevant/appropriate personnel may include:
managers
OHS representatives and OHS committee.
Relevant information
Relevant information logged to include:
modifications to plant or equipment
modifications to procedures or practices.
Sources of information
Sources of information may include:
hazard logs
incident reports
maintenance records
work practices
procedures
industry journals
equipment supplier information
industry best practice information.
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.

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 this Training Package.
Overview of assessment
A holistic approach should be taken to the assessment.
Assessors must be satisfied that the person can consistently perform the unit as a whole, as defined by the Elements, Performance Criteria and skills and knowledge.
Competence must be demonstrated in the ability to analyse and evaluate current production performance, and develop and implement plans to optimise process systems.
While the technician is expected to take a lead technical role, and to demonstrate competence as defined above, optimisation is rarely undertaken by an individual alone and liaison with all relevant stakeholders is an expected part of this competency.
Where the assessee does not currently possess evidence of competency in MSASUP390A Use structured problem solving tools, it may be coassessed with this unit.
Criticalaspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
It is essential that the equipment/process/system be understood in depth and that the importance of critical material properties/settings/readings is known. Competence must be demonstrated in the ability to recognise and analyse potential situations requiring action and then in implementing appropriate corrective action.
Consistent performance should be demonstrated. For example, look to see that:
non-routine problems are recognised and defined
hazards are identified and controlled by applying the hierarchy of control
possible causes of complex problems are identified based on experience and the use of analytical techniques in solving the problem, including identifying variations and cause, separating single problems from multiple problems and the recognition of recurring problems
fundamental cause of process or equipment faults is determined
corrective/preventative actions are developed to avoid recurrence of the problem and optimise the condition of the process, plant and equipment
product quality and uniformity are maintained.
Competence must be demonstrated in the operation of all ancillary equipment to the level required for this competency unit.
Competence also includes the ability to implement improvements within appropriate time constraints and in a manner relevant to the operation of the equipment, processes and systems.
Context of assessment
Competence in this unit may be assessed by:
observation over time in a processing plant allowing for adequate assessment of operation under all normal and a range of abnormal conditions. Where this is not practical, additional assessment techniques must be used.
using a suitable simulation and/or a range of case studies/scenarios
undertaking a specific project based in the plant
a combination of these techniques.
Method of assessment
In all cases it is expected that practical assessment will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge and theoretical assessment will be combined with appropriate practical/simulation or similar assessment. Assessors need to be aware of any cultural issues that may affect responses to questions.
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.
Specific resources for assessment
This section should be read in conjunction with the Range Statement for this unit of competency. Resources required include suitable access to an operating plant or equipment that allows for appropriate and realistic simulation. A bank of case studies/scenarios and questions will also be required to the extent that they form part of the assessment method. Questioning may take place either in the workplace, or in an adjacent, quiet facility such as an office or lunchroom. No other special resources are required.
Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required. Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.