Assessor Resource

RIIPSM304D
Operate furnaces

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


This unit describes a participant’s skills and knowledge required to operate furnaces in Metalliferous mining.

This unit is appropriate for those working in operational roles.

Licensing, legislative, regulatory and certification requirements that apply to this unit can vary between states, territories, and industry sectors. Relevant information must be sourced prior to application of the unit.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

1. Plan and prepare for furnace operations

1.1 Access, interpret and apply smelting documentation and ensure the work activity is compliant

1.2 Receive, interpret and clarify shift changeover details

1.3 Establish and maintain communications with other personnel

1.4 Select appropriate personal protective equipment

1.5 Identify, address and report potential risks, hazards and environmental issues and implement control measures

1.6 Check records and record outstanding maintenance inspections and identified defects

2. Start-up furnace

2.1 Complete computer systems and equipment pre-start checks

2.2 Start-up furnace

2.3 Stabilise system to produce in-specification product

3. Monitor and control the smelting process

3.1 Complete routine checks, logs and written documentation

3.2 Identify potential and actual faults

3.3 Minimise the impact of potential and actual problems on safety, health, the environment and the business

3.4 Monitor and trim plant to achieve required rates and quality

3.5 Operate furnace

4. Shutdown furnace

4.1 Determine type of shutdown required

4.2 Give appropriate warnings of shutdown

4.3 Shutdown furnace system

Evidence is required to be collected that demonstrates a candidate’s competency in this unit. Evidence must be relevant to the roles within this sector’s work operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria of this unit and include evidence that the candidate:

locates and applies relevant documentation, policies and procedures

works effectively with others to undertake and complete furnace operations that meets all of the required outcomes including:

complying with written and verbal reporting requirements and procedures

communicating clearly and concisely with others to receive and clarify work instructions and coordinate work activities

demonstrates completion of furnace operations that safely, effectively and efficiently meets all of the required outcomes on more than one (1) occasion including:

conducting computer systems and equipment pre-start checks

starting-up furnace

completing checks, log and paperwork

operating furnace

shutting down furnace system

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of the following when operating furnaces:

identifying furnace components:

insulation (refractory)

physics of operation

chemistry of operation

identifying importance of flame patterns/flame impingement

applying methods to resolve problems

identifying and applying principles of operation

An assessor of this unit must satisfy the requirements of the NVR/AQTF or their successors; and Industry regulations for certification and licensing; and,

this unit must be assessed in the context of this sector’s work environment; and,

this unit must be assessed in compliance with relevant legislation/regulation and using policies, procedures, processes and operational manuals directly related to the industry sector for which it is being assessed; and,

assessment may be conducted in conjunction with the assessment of other Units of Competency; and,

assessment must confirm consistent performance can be applied in a range of relevant workplace circumstances; and,

assessors must demonstrate the performance evidence, and knowledge evidence as outlined in this Unit of Competency, and through the minimum years of current* work experience specified below in an Industry sector relevant to the outcomes of the unit; or,

where the assessor does not meet experience requirements a co-assessment or partnership arrangement must exist between the qualified assessor and an Industry subject matter expert. The Industry subject matter expert should hold the unit being assessed (or an equivalent unit) and/or demonstrate equivalence of skills and knowledge at the unit level. An Industry technical expert must also demonstrate skills and knowledge from the minimum years of current work experience specified below in the Industry sector, including time spent in roles related to the unit being assessed; and,

assessor and Industry subject matter expert requirements differ depending on the Australian Qualifications Framework Level (AQF) of the qualification being assessed and/or Industry Sector as follows:

Industry sector

AQF** Level

Required assessor or Industry subject matter expert experience

Drilling, Metalliferous Mining, Coal Mining, Extractive (Quarrying) and Civil Construction

1

1 Year

2

2 Years

Drilling, Coal Mining and Extractive (Quarrying)

3-6

3 Years

Metalliferous Mining and Civil Construction

3-6

5 Years

Other sectors

Where this Unit is being assessed outside of the Resources and Infrastructure Sectors assessor and/or Industry subject matter expert experience should be in-line with industry standards for the sector in which it is being assessed and where no Industry standard is specified should comply with any relevant regulation.

*Assessors can demonstrate current work experience through employment within Industry in a role relevant to the outcomes of the Unit; or, for external assessors this can be demonstrated through exposure to Industry by conducting frequent site assessments across various locations.

**Where a unit is being delivered outside of a Qualification the first numeric character in the Unit code should be considered to indicate the AQF level


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

1. Plan and prepare for furnace operations

1.1 Access, interpret and apply smelting documentation and ensure the work activity is compliant

1.2 Receive, interpret and clarify shift changeover details

1.3 Establish and maintain communications with other personnel

1.4 Select appropriate personal protective equipment

1.5 Identify, address and report potential risks, hazards and environmental issues and implement control measures

1.6 Check records and record outstanding maintenance inspections and identified defects

2. Start-up furnace

2.1 Complete computer systems and equipment pre-start checks

2.2 Start-up furnace

2.3 Stabilise system to produce in-specification product

3. Monitor and control the smelting process

3.1 Complete routine checks, logs and written documentation

3.2 Identify potential and actual faults

3.3 Minimise the impact of potential and actual problems on safety, health, the environment and the business

3.4 Monitor and trim plant to achieve required rates and quality

3.5 Operate furnace

4. Shutdown furnace

4.1 Determine type of shutdown required

4.2 Give appropriate warnings of shutdown

4.3 Shutdown furnace system

Evidence is required to be collected that demonstrates a candidate’s competency in this unit. Evidence must be relevant to the roles within this sector’s work operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria of this unit and include evidence that the candidate:

locates and applies relevant documentation, policies and procedures

works effectively with others to undertake and complete furnace operations that meets all of the required outcomes including:

complying with written and verbal reporting requirements and procedures

communicating clearly and concisely with others to receive and clarify work instructions and coordinate work activities

demonstrates completion of furnace operations that safely, effectively and efficiently meets all of the required outcomes on more than one (1) occasion including:

conducting computer systems and equipment pre-start checks

starting-up furnace

completing checks, log and paperwork

operating furnace

shutting down furnace system

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of the following when operating furnaces:

identifying furnace components:

insulation (refractory)

physics of operation

chemistry of operation

identifying importance of flame patterns/flame impingement

applying methods to resolve problems

identifying and applying principles of operation

An assessor of this unit must satisfy the requirements of the NVR/AQTF or their successors; and Industry regulations for certification and licensing; and,

this unit must be assessed in the context of this sector’s work environment; and,

this unit must be assessed in compliance with relevant legislation/regulation and using policies, procedures, processes and operational manuals directly related to the industry sector for which it is being assessed; and,

assessment may be conducted in conjunction with the assessment of other Units of Competency; and,

assessment must confirm consistent performance can be applied in a range of relevant workplace circumstances; and,

assessors must demonstrate the performance evidence, and knowledge evidence as outlined in this Unit of Competency, and through the minimum years of current* work experience specified below in an Industry sector relevant to the outcomes of the unit; or,

where the assessor does not meet experience requirements a co-assessment or partnership arrangement must exist between the qualified assessor and an Industry subject matter expert. The Industry subject matter expert should hold the unit being assessed (or an equivalent unit) and/or demonstrate equivalence of skills and knowledge at the unit level. An Industry technical expert must also demonstrate skills and knowledge from the minimum years of current work experience specified below in the Industry sector, including time spent in roles related to the unit being assessed; and,

assessor and Industry subject matter expert requirements differ depending on the Australian Qualifications Framework Level (AQF) of the qualification being assessed and/or Industry Sector as follows:

Industry sector

AQF** Level

Required assessor or Industry subject matter expert experience

Drilling, Metalliferous Mining, Coal Mining, Extractive (Quarrying) and Civil Construction

1

1 Year

2

2 Years

Drilling, Coal Mining and Extractive (Quarrying)

3-6

3 Years

Metalliferous Mining and Civil Construction

3-6

5 Years

Other sectors

Where this Unit is being assessed outside of the Resources and Infrastructure Sectors assessor and/or Industry subject matter expert experience should be in-line with industry standards for the sector in which it is being assessed and where no Industry standard is specified should comply with any relevant regulation.

*Assessors can demonstrate current work experience through employment within Industry in a role relevant to the outcomes of the Unit; or, for external assessors this can be demonstrated through exposure to Industry by conducting frequent site assessments across various locations.

**Where a unit is being delivered outside of a Qualification the first numeric character in the Unit code should be considered to indicate the AQF level

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Access, interpret and apply smelting documentation and ensure the work activity is compliant 
Receive, interpret and clarify shift changeover details 
Establish and maintain communications with other personnel 
Select appropriate personal protective equipment 
Identify, address and report potential risks, hazards and environmental issues and implement control measures 
Check records and record outstanding maintenance inspections and identified defects 
Complete computer systems and equipment pre-start checks 
Start-up furnace 
Stabilise system to produce in-specification product 
Complete routine checks, logs and written documentation 
Identify potential and actual faults 
Minimise the impact of potential and actual problems on safety, health, the environment and the business 
Monitor and trim plant to achieve required rates and quality 
Operate furnace 
Determine type of shutdown required 
Give appropriate warnings of shutdown 
Shutdown furnace system 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

RIIPSM304D - Operate furnaces
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:


Assessment Record Sheet

RIIPSM304D - Operate furnaces

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: