Elements and Performance Criteria

This competency unit includes items of equipment such as:

mechanical conveyors/feeders:
travelling stackers
belt
vibrating
screw
flight

pneumatic conveyors:
dense phase
disperse phase
pressure
vacuum

bulk storage:
piles
bunkers
silos
bins/hoppers
weigh bins/loss in weight bins.

Particulate solids may include:
cement
sand
aggregate
asphalt (not strictly a particulate solid but included in this unit).

It also includes particulate solid properties such as:

particle size and shape: reactivity, solubility, colour, health, safety

angle of repose: storage and transport

angle of slide: transport

dusts: hazards, good practice.

Typical problems include:
contamination of stored stock
rat holing and bridging in silos/bins/hoppers
routing issues.
All operations must be performed using the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including breathing protection.
All operations are performed in accordance with standard operating procedures.

OHS
All operations are subject to stringent OHS requirements and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between performance criteria and OHS requirements, the OHS requirements take precedence.

Essential knowledge and enterprise requirements
Knowledge and understanding of the process sufficient to recognise non-standard situations and then determine appropriate action which is consistent with operating guidelines is required.
Knowledge of the relevant OHS and environmental requirements is required, along with an ability to implement them within appropriate time constraints and in a manner which is relevant to the operation of the bulk materials handling equipment.
Thorough knowledge of enterprise standard operating procedures is required.

Competence to include the ability to apply and/or explain:

hazards associated with the process
application of the hierarchy of control in controlling the hazards
selection, use and maintenance of relevant PPE
principles of operation
physics of operation
properties of particulates
density and bulk density
good operating practice
methods of resolving problems

and also the ability to:


distinguish between causes of problems such as:

material
instrument
equipment (electrical/mechanical)
maintenance
isolate problem to item of equipment
as is relevant to the practical operation of equipment at that job level.

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 reasoning process behind the problem analysis and determining the required actions should be assessed. The emphasis should be on the ability to stay out of trouble rather than on recovery from a problem.

Consistent performance should be demonstrated. In particular look to see that:

early warning signs of equipment in need of attention/with potential problems are recognised
action is taken to ensure equipment is returned to full performance in a timely manner
obvious problems in other plant areas are recognised and an appropriate contribution made to a solution
items initiated are followed through until final resolution has occurred.
Competence must be demonstrated in the operation of all ancillary equipment to the level required for this competency unit.

Assessment method and context
Competence in this unit may be assessed by observation over time on an operating plant. Where this is done, the timeframe must allow for adequate assessment of operation under all normal and a range of abnormal conditions. Where this is not practical, additional assessment techniques must be used.
Competence may also be assessed by use of a suitable simulation and/or pilot plant and/or a range of case studies/scenarios. A combination of these techniques should be used to ensure the competency is adequately assessed.
In all cases it is expected that the practical assessment will be supported by targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge. Questioning will be undertaken in such a manner as is appropriate to the required language and literacy levels of the operator.

Other assessment advice
Where the completion of this unit requires working under a permit/clearance then competency must also be established in

Resource implications
Resources required include suitable access to an operating plant or equipment which allows for appropriate and realistic simulation. A bank of case studies/scenarios will also be required where these form part of the assessment method. Questioning may take place either in the workplace, or in an adjacent, quiet facility such as an office or lunch room. No other special resources are required.

Communicating ideas and information
(1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
(2)

Planning and organising activities
(2)

Working with others and in teams
(1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
(2)

Solving problems
(2)

Using technology
(1)