Elements and Performance Criteria

Range description
Work is carried out according to company policies and procedures, regulatory and licensing requirements, legislative requirements, and industrial awards and agreements
Legislative requirements are typically reflected in procedures and specifications. Legislation relevant to this industry includes the labelling, weights and measures legislation; and legislation covering food safety, environmental management, occupational health and safety, anti-discrimination and equal opportunity. When applied to the pharmaceutical industry, relevant GMP codes apply and reference to food safety is replaced by GMP
Workplace information may include Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), specifications, production schedules and instructions, manufacturers' advice, standard forms and reports
Transfer of bulk liquid materials typically involves the use of process control screens and systems
Typical bulk liquid transfer equipment includes tanks, vessels, pumps, valves, gauges, pipework, screens and filters, and tank dipping and measurement instrumentation
Where cleaning tanks or silos requires entry to confined spaces, the relevant National Occupational Health and Safety Commission and/or state health and safety authorities assessment criteria and methods prescribed must also be met
Monitoring the condition of bulk liquid transfer equipment may include visually inspecting to identify leaks or faulty valve operation, and checking operation/accuracy of gauges and related measuring equipment

Ability to:
Access workplace information relating to materials transfer requirements
Select, fit and use personal protective clothing and/or equipment
Inspect equipment for signs of wear. Examples of typical sensory inspections include visual inspections to detect leaks, listening for unusual noises and or vibrations in pumps and checking gauges and meters
Use workplace records and systems to confirm tank holdings and capacities and determine appropriate source/destination holding facilities. This typically involves use of computer-based systems. It may also involve verifying by physically inspecting storage facilities and checking materials/product compatibility
Plan and sequence transfer process to meet storage capacity and production requirements
Prepare equipment for materials transfer. This may involve confirming that equipment is clean, lines are purged, isolation or lockouts are cancelled as required, any scheduled maintenance has been completed and safety guards/equipment are correctly positioned
Carry out procedures to confirm liquid bulk product/materials meet quality requirements. This may involve conducting tests or getting clearance documentation from laboratory/quality personnel
Operate and monitor transfer process to confirm that correct quantities are transferred at the required times, to the required locations. This may include monitoring pump loads and flow rates and filter/strainer condition
Respond to and/or report equipment failure within level of responsibility
Locate emergency stop functions on equipment
Complete transfer operations. This may include purging lines and selecting appropriate equipment/system settings
Complete records of product/materials transfer as required
Maintain work area to meet housekeeping standards

May include ability to:

Use process control and scheduling systems, screens and panels
Take and record product/materials samples and conduct tests
Conduct routine maintenance
Clean transfer equipment. This may require entry to confined spaces. Where this is the case, appropriate certification requirements must also be met

Knowledge of:
Bulk liquid materials storage facilities layout and related management systems
Basic operating principles of the system and equipment used. This includes an understanding of the features of the bulk liquid handling system such as whether it is based on gravity and/or pressurised feed, and related performance aspects. It also includes an understanding of the equipment used which typically includes sensors, valves, pumps, pipework and other related equipment that controls the flow and transfer of bulk liquid materials, equipment operating capacity and the status and purpose of guards
Planning and scheduling systems and responsibilities to prioritise materials transfer processes. This includes an understanding of the characteristics of materials received and related storage requirements, production requirements and storage capacities
Signs and symptoms of faulty equipment and early warning signs of potential problems
Operating parameters and corrective action required where operation is outside specified operating parameters
OHS hazards and controls. This includes emergency procedures to respond to hazardous situations such as spills
Product inspection procedures within level of responsibility
Clearance procedures. This may include relevant test methods and action required if results are not within specification or clearance is not provided
Contamination risks and controls. This includes an understanding of cross-contamination risks, product compatibility and storage requirements
Isolation, lock out and tag out procedures and responsibilities
Environmental issues associated with bulk liquid materials transfer. This includes consequences of spills and appropriate control/containment procedures
Recording requirements and procedures

May include knowledge of:

Basic operating principles of process control where relevant. This includes the relationship between control panels and systems and the physical equipment
Sampling and test procedures
Routine maintenance procedures
Cleaning procedures

Relationship with other standards
Pre-requisite units
There are no pre-requisite units for this competency standard.
Co-assessment of related units

This unit should be assessed together with core units and other units of competence relevant to the function or work role. In addition, the following optional or ancillary units may be relevant:

FDFZPRCI2A Operate a process control interface
FDFOPTISP2A Implement sampling procedures
PMLTEST300A Perform basic tests
FDFOPTCRM2A Conduct routine maintenance
FDFZCSCS2A Clean and sanitize equipment

Resources required for assessment

Assessment must occur in a real or simulated workplace where the assessee has access to:

Personal protective clothing and equipment
Bulk liquid materials transfer system and related equipment
Bulk liquid materials transfer operating procedures
Bulk liquid product/materials to be transferred
Housekeeping standards and procedures
Sampling and test equipment as required
Cleaning procedures, materials and equipment as required
Bulk liquid materials transfer information recording system and procedures

Assessment requirements
For information on how to assess this competency standard and who can assess, refer to the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.