Elements and Performance Criteria

Context
This competency is typically performed by operators. It includes all items of equipment and operations which form part of the packaging process.

Typically this will include indicative functions such as:
packaging
labelling
palletising
storing
verification of product type, quantity and quality
calculation of actual packaged product against documentation.

Packaged products include:
liquids (such as paint, detergents, chemicals)
solids (powders and pellets)
gases (and liquified gases).

Packaging includes:
tins, cans
drums
bags and sacks
semi-bulk (such as bulker boxes and pallecons)
gas cylinders or drums.

It could also include resources such as:
labelling equipment
packaging materials
documentation
lifting/transporting equipment.

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 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.

Consistent performance should be demonstrated. In particular look to see that:
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. For many plants, it might be appropriate for this unit to be assessed with:
PMAOPS203A - Handle goods.

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 a comprehensive understanding of extrusion equipment principles and typical problems to a level needed to control the operation, and recognise and resolve operational problems. In particular it includes a knowledge of:
OHS and legislative requirements relating to safe manual handling/lifting
OHS & legislative requirements relating to dangerous goods
HAZCHEM and labeling requirements
materials safety data sheets (MSDSs)
compatibility of packaging materials with content
effect of temperature and pressure on properties of substances
effects and hazards caused by static electricity (where relevant)
methods of resolving problems.

Competence also includes the ability to distinguish between types and causes of problems as relevant to the practical operation of equipment at the job level.