Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 5:06 AM AWST
22/07/2026 5:06 AM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Conduct drying activities
Conduct drying activities
Unit of competency
National Code
RIIPGP301A
RIIPGP301A
State Code
WB374
WB374
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
11/02/2010
Field of Education
030717 - Plant And Machine Operations
Original Release Date
11/02/2010
Nominal Hours
30
Description
This unit covers the conduct of drying activities in the metalliferous mining industry. It includes planning and preparing for drying activities, starting up equipment in sequence, operating and monitoring equipment, conducting housekeeping activities, and shutting down in sequence and/or isolating equipment. Licensing, legislative, regulatory and certification requirements that apply to this unit can vary between states, territories, and industry sectors. Relevant information must be sourced prior to application of the unit.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan and prepare for drying activities
- 1.1. Access, interpret and apply compliance documentation relevant to the work activity
- 1.2. Plan and prepare work
- 1.3. Receive, interpret and clarify shift changeover details
- 1.4. Communicate with other personnel using approved communication methods
- 1.5. Select drying method appropriate for work activities
- 1.6. Select personal protective equipment appropriate for work activities
- 1.7. Select appropriate type of auxiliary equipment for work activities
- 1.8. Perform equipment pre-start checks to ensure equipment is ready for operation
- 1.9. Identify, address and report potential risks and hazards
- 1.10. Identify, address and report environmental issues
- 1.11. Adhere to emergency procedures to ensure safety of personnel and plant
- 1.12. Use approved dust suppression and extraction methods
- 1.13. Ensure area is well ventilated before entry into work area, where required
2. Start-up equipment in sequence
- 2.1. Carry out start-up procedures and completes start-up checks according to plant configurations and system requirements
- 2.2. Confirm plant is operational
3. Operate and monitor equipment
- 3.1. Monitor the drying process
- 3.2. Take and interpret data from equipment indicator readings to determine drying efficiency
- 3.3. Continuously inspect operations/plant and catchment areas/sumps to identify drying process defects and potential problems
- 3.4. Adjust equipment to approved operating parameters to optimise and maintain efficient drying and to meet product quality targets
- 3.5. Take samples and conduct tests at all stages of process
- 3.6. Add reagents to approved operating parameters
- 3.7. Carry out minor maintenance to maintain condition of equipment
- 3.8. Complete all required documentation clearly, concisely and on time
- 3.9. Pass on end of shift information to oncoming shift
4. Conduct housekeeping activities
- 4.1. Clean plant and equipment to maintain condition of all equipment to ensure safe and efficient operations
- 4.2. Manage and report hazards to maintain a safe working environment
5. Shutdown in sequence and/or isolate equipment
- 5.1. Shutdown or isolate equipment based on process and safety requirements
- 5.2. Perform post shutdown or isolation checks
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. 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) may also be included.
Relevant compliance documentation may include:
legislative, organisational and site requirements and procedures
manufacturer's guidelines and specifications
Australian standards
Employment and workplace relations legislation
Equal Employment Opportunity and Disability Discrimination legislation
Drying methods may include:
heat process (ambient)
air exchange
refrigerated drying
Auxiliary equipment may be anything that is portable and mobile that is not part of the fixed infrastructure, and may include:
compressors
distribution control systems (DCS)
feeders
gantry cranes and attachments and other mobile equipment
hand and power tools
hoses
PLC systems
Pre-start checks may include:
availability of equipment (e.g. conveyor)
detection of conditions that are unusual
personnel availability
job requirements
levels
walk through plant
Environmental issues may include:
Drainage
dust (dump)
emissions
flora and fauna
hazardous chemicals
noise
recycling
run-off
spills
waste management and disposal
water quality
Plant may include:
dryers (spray, kiln, rotary kiln, flash fluid dryers)
bag houses
heat exchanger
burners
lines
gas train
vessels
conveyors
valves
Start-up procedures may include the inspection of:
agitators
cameras and monitors
interlocks
distribution control system
launders
hydraulic system
pumping system
screen inspections
scuttling pumps
pipes and flanges
drive belts
valves
visual and audio warning devices and lights
suppression systems
Monitor the drying process may include the checking of:
blockages and spillages
feed rates
mineral content
moisture levels
on stream analysis (OSA)
overloads
pressures
power draw
wear and tear
emission (e.g. cyanide)
levels
Indicator readings may measure:
flow
current (e.g. agitators)
density
levels
restrictions
air flows
pressure
speed (e.g. pumps)
unusual noises
vibrations
power
temperature
fuel flows
dust levels
The methods used to optimise the plant may include:
quantity of reagents
oxygen levels
Clean plant and equipment may include:
hosing with water
high pressure cleaning
Post-shutdown checks may include:
checks similar to pre-start checks
Contaminants are anything other than the ore. Common contaminants may include:
oil
fuel
gases
organic materials
moisture
Materials are wet may include:
slurry
cake
crushed ore
air
Relevant compliance documentation may include:
legislative, organisational and site requirements and procedures
manufacturer's guidelines and specifications
Australian standards
Employment and workplace relations legislation
Equal Employment Opportunity and Disability Discrimination legislation
Drying methods may include:
heat process (ambient)
air exchange
refrigerated drying
Auxiliary equipment may be anything that is portable and mobile that is not part of the fixed infrastructure, and may include:
compressors
distribution control systems (DCS)
feeders
gantry cranes and attachments and other mobile equipment
hand and power tools
hoses
PLC systems
Pre-start checks may include:
availability of equipment (e.g. conveyor)
detection of conditions that are unusual
personnel availability
job requirements
levels
walk through plant
Environmental issues may include:
Drainage
dust (dump)
emissions
flora and fauna
hazardous chemicals
noise
recycling
run-off
spills
waste management and disposal
water quality
Plant may include:
dryers (spray, kiln, rotary kiln, flash fluid dryers)
bag houses
heat exchanger
burners
lines
gas train
vessels
conveyors
valves
Start-up procedures may include the inspection of:
agitators
cameras and monitors
interlocks
distribution control system
launders
hydraulic system
pumping system
screen inspections
scuttling pumps
pipes and flanges
drive belts
valves
visual and audio warning devices and lights
suppression systems
Monitor the drying process may include the checking of:
blockages and spillages
feed rates
mineral content
moisture levels
on stream analysis (OSA)
overloads
pressures
power draw
wear and tear
emission (e.g. cyanide)
levels
Indicator readings may measure:
flow
current (e.g. agitators)
density
levels
restrictions
air flows
pressure
speed (e.g. pumps)
unusual noises
vibrations
power
temperature
fuel flows
dust levels
The methods used to optimise the plant may include:
quantity of reagents
oxygen levels
Clean plant and equipment may include:
hosing with water
high pressure cleaning
Post-shutdown checks may include:
checks similar to pre-start checks
Contaminants are anything other than the ore. Common contaminants may include:
oil
fuel
gases
organic materials
moisture
Materials are wet may include:
slurry
cake
crushed ore
air
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to worksite operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit and include evidence of the following:
knowledge of the requirements, procedures and instructions for conducting drying activities
implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of drying activities
working with others to undertake and complete the conduct of drying activities that meets all of the required outcomes
consistent timely completion of drying activities that safely, effectively and efficiently meets the required outcomes
Context of and specific resources for assessment
This unit must be assessed in the context of the work environment. Where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment may occur in a simulated environment provided it is realistic and sufficiently rigorous to cover all aspects of workplace performance, including task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.
Assessment of this competency requires typical resources normally used in a resources and infrastructure sector environment. Selection and use of resources for particular worksites may differ due to the site circumstances.
The assessment environment should not disadvantage the participant. For example, language, literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required on the job.
Customisation of assessment and delivery environment to sensitively accommodate cultural diversity.
Aboriginal people and other people from a non English speaking background may have second language issues.
Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities. Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required.
Method of assessment
This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency. The assessment strategy for this unit must verify required knowledge and skill and practical application using more than one of the following assessment methods:
written and/or oral assessment of the candidate's required knowledge
observed, documented and/or first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:
implementation of appropriate requirement, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient achievement of required outcomes
consistent achievement of required outcomes
first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:
working with others to undertake and complete the conduct of drying activities
Guidance information for assessment
Consult the SkillsDMC User Guide for further information on assessment including access and equity issues.
Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to worksite operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit and include evidence of the following:
knowledge of the requirements, procedures and instructions for conducting drying activities
implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of drying activities
working with others to undertake and complete the conduct of drying activities that meets all of the required outcomes
consistent timely completion of drying activities that safely, effectively and efficiently meets the required outcomes
Context of and specific resources for assessment
This unit must be assessed in the context of the work environment. Where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment may occur in a simulated environment provided it is realistic and sufficiently rigorous to cover all aspects of workplace performance, including task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.
Assessment of this competency requires typical resources normally used in a resources and infrastructure sector environment. Selection and use of resources for particular worksites may differ due to the site circumstances.
The assessment environment should not disadvantage the participant. For example, language, literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required on the job.
Customisation of assessment and delivery environment to sensitively accommodate cultural diversity.
Aboriginal people and other people from a non English speaking background may have second language issues.
Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities. Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required.
Method of assessment
This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency. The assessment strategy for this unit must verify required knowledge and skill and practical application using more than one of the following assessment methods:
written and/or oral assessment of the candidate's required knowledge
observed, documented and/or first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:
implementation of appropriate requirement, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient achievement of required outcomes
consistent achievement of required outcomes
first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:
working with others to undertake and complete the conduct of drying activities
Guidance information for assessment
Consult the SkillsDMC User Guide for further information on assessment including access and equity issues.
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| W2413 | MNMPGP303A | Conduct drying activities | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| WH576 | RIIPGP301D | Conduct drying activities | Unit of competency |
