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. 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.
Procedures
All operations are performed in accordance with standard procedures and work instructions
Manufactured mineral products
Manufactured mineral products may include:
clay and ceramics
concrete
concrete products
ceramic crucibles
cement
fibre cement
plasterboard
ground minerals
other manufactured mineral products processes
Tools and equipment
Tools and equipment may include:
changeover parts and equipment
computers
measuring and recording equipment
communication equipment
hand tools
safety clothing and equipment
Plant data
Plant data may include:
test results
instrument/control panel information
data from physical senses (sight, sound and hearing)
temperatures, pressures, material flow and discharge rates and effects
variations to chemical reactions/material modifications
Typical problems include:
Typical problems may include:
raw materials feed
equipment alignment
analysis of all plant data including test results, control instrument data and other observations
control of temperature within specification
product quality
equipment speed
taking corrective action

EVIDENCE GUIDE
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
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.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
It is essential that the equipment be understood and that the importance of critical material properties, settings and 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. In particular look to see that:
setup/tuning are completed to specifications and within timeframe
critical process parameters such as temperature and pressures are maintained within limits
quality is monitored to minimise wastage
startup and shutdown occurs first time
signals and alarms are responded to immediately
process measurements are continually made or observed
adjustments made are completed in a timely manner in accordance with work instructions.
Competence must be demonstrated in the operation of all ancillary equipment to the level required for this competency unit.

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.
Assessment will occur over a range of situations which will include disruptions to normal, smooth operation.
Simulation or case studies/scenarios may be required to allow for timely assessment of parts of this unit of competency. Simulation should be based on the actual plant and will include 'walk-throughs' of the relevant competency components. A bank of scenarios/case studies/what ifs and questions will be required to probe the reasoning behind observable actions.

Method of assessment
This unit may be assessed concurrently with other relevant units.

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