Elements and Performance Criteria

Context
The terms 'paperwork' and 'records' mean any and all relevant information and data, whether manual, paper based, electronic or verbal, either relayed in person or by phone/radio/intranet, etc.

This competency does not imply that moving goods into store and from store are conducted equally, or even using similar techniques. Customers may be internal or external and loading/unloading goods may mean getting them onto/off a truck or simply from/to the next department.

Typical problems include:
compatibility of goods in loads and in storage
special storage requirements (e.g. temperature control)
special handling requirements (e.g. fragile, dangerous goods)
handling incomplete loads (either in or out)
handling damaged goods, goods with poor/missing labels
incomplete or incorrect paperwork.

All operations are performed to 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. parts of elements 1 and 2 relating to non-conforming or dangerous goods). 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 significant 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 disaster. As well, competence must be demonstrated in safe handling/storage of goods, including dangerous or hazardous goods.

Consistent performance should be demonstrated. In particular look to see that:
all relevant safety requirements are followed, including manual handling and safe handling/storage of hazardous substances
early warning signs of equipment/processes needing attention or with potential problems are recognised
the range of possible causes can be identified and analysed and the most likely cause determined
appropriate action is taken to ensure a timely return to full performance
obvious problems in related plant areas are recognised and an appropriate contribution made to their solution.

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. These assessment activities should include a range of problems, including new, unusual and improbable situations which may have been generated from the past incident history of the plant, incidents on similar plants around the world, hazard analysis activities and similar sources.

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. Also consider co-assessment with:
PMAOPS102A - Undertake housekeeping operations
PMACOM100A - Relay and respond to information
TDTD10B - Operate a forklift.

In a major hazard facility, it may be appropriate to assess this unit concurrently with:
PMAOHS200 - Participate in workplace safety procedures.

Essential knowledge
Competence includes an understanding of store processes to a level needed to recognise and resolve non-standard situations to procedures. In particular it includes a knowledge of:
paperwork related to this competency
manual handling techniques
handling and storage requirements of hazardous substances
hazardous substances regulations
regulations related to transporting hazardous substances
duty of care
materials safety data sheets (MSDSs)
HAZCHEM symbols and codes
spill containment and disposal procedures
procedures related to this competency
environmental requirements related to waste disposal
workplace hazards and methods of controlling hazards.