Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 12:47 PM AWST
22/07/2026 12:47 PM 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.
Shut down plant area
Shut down plant area
Unit of competency
National Code
PMBPROD343C
PMBPROD343C
State Code
W7649
W7649
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
12/03/2009
Field of Education
030717 - Plant And Machine Operations
Original Release Date
12/03/2009
Nominal Hours
26
Description
This competency covers the shutting down of equipment for maintenance or end of production run for a defined area. It extends beyond just the shutting down of an item of equipment. It applies to all sectors of the industry.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Respond to requests for equipment shutdown.
- 1.1 Identify the nature of the shutdown required and the circumstances leading to the decision.
- 1.2 Establish the impact of the shutdown on production capabilities and where necessary reassign work.
- 1.3 Advise appropriate personnel of shutdown.
- 1.4 Plan the level of shutdown activity required.
2. Close down equipment or work area to procedures.
- 2.1 Identify specific plant and equipment affected by the shutdown and ensure that no further raw materials are provided.
- 2.2 Ensure equipment and site is cleaned up with all waste removed for recycling or disposal.
- 2.3 Tag or isolate equipment, and appropriate personnel are advised that the equipment and/or area are off-line.
- 2.4 Supervise personnel in equipment shutdown procedures.
3. Prepare equipment for idle period to procedures.
- 3.1 Ensure that suitable guards, locks, tags or notices are placed on equipment in clear view to prevent inadvertent start-up.
- 3.2 Ensure that any adjustments, control alterations, lubrication or application of corrosion inhibitors are undertaken by appropriate personnel in accordance with workplace procedures.
- 3.3 Arrange for appropriate coverage of equipment and security of area in the case of prolonged idleness.
4. Complete workplace documentation.
- 4.1 Complete relevant documentation, detailing the nature of the shutdown activity, dates and the equipment which has been taken out of service.
- 4.2 Advise management of shutdown procedure outcomes.
- 4.3 Complete required regulatory documentation and obtain any external certification that may be necessary.
5. Anticipate and solve problems.
- 5.1 Recognise a problem or a potential problem.
- 5.2 Determine problems needing priority action.
- 5.3 Refer problems outside area of responsibility to appropriate person, with possible causes.
- 5.4 Seek information and assistance as required to solve problems.
- 5.5 Solve problems within area of responsibility.
- 5.5 Follow through items initiated until final resolution has occurred.
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. Add any 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.
Where reference is made to industry codes of practice, and/or Australian/international standards, the latest version must be used.
Context
This competency applies to the shutdown and removal from service of equipment or lines. This competency applies to all work environments and sectors within the plastics, rubber and cablemaking industry. It includes the removal from operation of all relevant ancillary equipment.
Procedures
All operations are performed in accordance with procedures.
Procedures include all relevant workplace procedures, work instructions, temporary instructions and relevant industry and government codes and standards.
Tools and equipment
This unit of competency includes use of equipment and tools such as:
hoists/lifting equipment not requiring any special permits or licences
spanners and similar hand tools
relevant personal protective equipment.
Hazards
Typical hazards include:
equipment hazards
hazardous materials
manual handling hazards.
Problems
'Anticipate and solve problems' means resolve a wide range of routine and non-routine problems, using product and process knowledge to develop solutions to problems which do not have a known solution recorded in the procedures.
Typical process and product problems may include:
inappropriate isolation practices
site contamination.
Appropriate action for problems outside area of responsibility may be reporting to an appropriate person.
Appropriate action for solving problems within area of responsibility includes asking questions and seeking assistance from appropriate persons/sources.
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any 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.
Where reference is made to industry codes of practice, and/or Australian/international standards, the latest version must be used.
Context
This competency applies to the shutdown and removal from service of equipment or lines. This competency applies to all work environments and sectors within the plastics, rubber and cablemaking industry. It includes the removal from operation of all relevant ancillary equipment.
Procedures
All operations are performed in accordance with procedures.
Procedures include all relevant workplace procedures, work instructions, temporary instructions and relevant industry and government codes and standards.
Tools and equipment
This unit of competency includes use of equipment and tools such as:
hoists/lifting equipment not requiring any special permits or licences
spanners and similar hand tools
relevant personal protective equipment.
Hazards
Typical hazards include:
equipment hazards
hazardous materials
manual handling hazards.
Problems
'Anticipate and solve problems' means resolve a wide range of routine and non-routine problems, using product and process knowledge to develop solutions to problems which do not have a known solution recorded in the procedures.
Typical process and product problems may include:
inappropriate isolation practices
site contamination.
Appropriate action for problems outside area of responsibility may be reporting to an appropriate person.
Appropriate action for solving problems within area of responsibility includes asking questions and seeking assistance from appropriate persons/sources.
The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, the range statement and the assessment guidelines for this training package.
Overview of assessment
A holistic approach should be taken to the assessment.
Assessors must be satisfied that the person can consistently perform the unit as a whole, as defined by the Elements, Performance Criteria and skills and knowledge.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
It is essential that competence is demonstrated in the knowledge and skills defined in this unit. These may include the ability to:
identify critical equipment characteristics, hazards and procedures to minimise risk
make adjustments to the process as required.
identify and take appropriate action on problems and potential problems.
Consistent performance should be demonstrated. For example, look to see that:
production requirements are understood and incorporated in plans
the shutdown procedure runs consistently and smoothly, with the minimum need for human intervention
all safety procedures are always followed.
Assessment method and context
Assessment will occur on appropriate industrial machinery and will be undertaken in a work-like environment.
Competence in this unit may be assessed:
on a processing plant, allowing for operation under all normal and a range of abnormal conditions
in a situation allowing for the generation of evidence of the ability to recognise, anticipate and respond to problems
by using a suitable simulation and/or a range of case studies/scenarios
through a combination of these techniques.
In all cases it is expected that practical assessment will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge and theoretical assessment will be combined with appropriate practical/simulation or similar assessment. Assessors need to be aware of any cultural issues that may affect responses to questions.
Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the oracy, language and literacy capacity of the assessee and the work being performed.
Specific resources for assessment
This section should be read in conjunction with the Range Statement for this unit of competency. Resources required include suitable access to an operating plant or equipment that allows for appropriate and realistic simulation. A bank of case studies/scenarios and questions will also be required to the extent that they 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 lunchroom. No other special resources are required.
Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required. Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.
Overview of assessment
A holistic approach should be taken to the assessment.
Assessors must be satisfied that the person can consistently perform the unit as a whole, as defined by the Elements, Performance Criteria and skills and knowledge.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
It is essential that competence is demonstrated in the knowledge and skills defined in this unit. These may include the ability to:
identify critical equipment characteristics, hazards and procedures to minimise risk
make adjustments to the process as required.
identify and take appropriate action on problems and potential problems.
Consistent performance should be demonstrated. For example, look to see that:
production requirements are understood and incorporated in plans
the shutdown procedure runs consistently and smoothly, with the minimum need for human intervention
all safety procedures are always followed.
Assessment method and context
Assessment will occur on appropriate industrial machinery and will be undertaken in a work-like environment.
Competence in this unit may be assessed:
on a processing plant, allowing for operation under all normal and a range of abnormal conditions
in a situation allowing for the generation of evidence of the ability to recognise, anticipate and respond to problems
by using a suitable simulation and/or a range of case studies/scenarios
through a combination of these techniques.
In all cases it is expected that practical assessment will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge and theoretical assessment will be combined with appropriate practical/simulation or similar assessment. Assessors need to be aware of any cultural issues that may affect responses to questions.
Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the oracy, language and literacy capacity of the assessee and the work being performed.
Specific resources for assessment
This section should be read in conjunction with the Range Statement for this unit of competency. Resources required include suitable access to an operating plant or equipment that allows for appropriate and realistic simulation. A bank of case studies/scenarios and questions will also be required to the extent that they 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 lunchroom. No other special resources are required.
Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required. Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| C5685 | PMBPROD343B | Shut down plant or plant area | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| BAI45 | PMBPROD343 | Shut down plant area | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| W400 | PMB30107 | Certificate III in Polymer Processing | Qualification |
| W401 | PMB40107 | Certificate IV in Polymer Technology | Qualification |