- FDFOP2044A - Operate a retort process
FDFOP2044A
Operate a retort process
Application
This unit has application in a food production environment. It typically targets the production worker responsible for applying basic operating principles to the operation and monitoring of a retort process. When batch or product changeover procedures are part of this work process, the procedures should be used to customise the application of this unit. Where more detailed changeovers are carried out, FDFO2011A Conduct routine maintenance, should be considered. |
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Prepare the retort equipment and process for operation | 1.1. Materials are confirmed and available to meet operating requirements 1.2. Cleaning and maintenance requirements and status are identified and confirmed 1.3. Processing/operating parameters are entered as required to meet safety and production requirements 1.4. Equipment performance is checked and adjusted as required 1.5. Pre-start checks are carried out as required by workplace requirements |
2. Operate and monitor the retort process | 2.1. The process is started and operated according to workplace procedures 2.2. Equipment is monitored to identify variation in operating conditions 2.3. Variation in equipment operation is identified and maintenance requirements are reported according to workplace reporting requirements 2.4. The process is monitored to confirm that specifications are met 2.5. Out-of-specification product/process outcomes are identified, rectified and/or reported to maintain the process within specification 2.6. The work area is maintained according to housekeeping standards 2.7. Work is conducted in accordance with workplace environmental guidelines 2.8. Workplace records are maintained according to workplace recording requirements |
3. Shut down the retort process | 3.1. The appropriate shutdown procedure is identified 3.2. The process is shut down according to workplace procedures 3.3. Maintenance requirements are identified and reported according to workplace reporting requirements |
Required Skills
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Required skills |
Ability to: access workplace information to identify processing requirements select, fit and use personal protective clothing and/or equipment confirm supply of necessary materials and services, including confirming container coding, and treating or confirming availability of treated cooling water conduct pre-start checks, such as inspecting equipment condition to identify any signs of wear, selecting appropriate settings and/or related parameters, cancelling isolation or lockouts as required, confirming that equipment is clean and correctly configured for processing requirements,positioning sensors and controls correctly, ensuring any scheduled maintenance has been carried out, and confirming that all safety guards are in place and operational start, operate, monitor and adjust the cooking and cooling process equipment to achieve required outcomes, including monitoring control points and conducting inspections as required to confirm process remains within specification, such as: time temperature pressure at each stage cool, clean and handle post-treated containers to meet requirements monitor supply and flow of materials to and from the process take corrective action in response to out-of-specification results respond to and/or report equipment failure within level of responsibility demonstrate batch changeovers locate emergency stop functions on equipment follow isolation and lock out/tag out procedures as required to take process and related equipment off-line in preparation for cleaning and/or maintenance within level of responsibility complete workplace records as required maintain work area to meet housekeeping standards use process control systems according to enterprise procedures conduct routine maintenance according to enterprise procedures collect samples and conduct tests according to enterprise procedures clean and sanitise equipment according to enterprise procedures use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification and seeking advice from supervisor work cooperatively within a culturally diverse workforce |
Required knowledge |
Knowledge of: purpose and basic principles of heat treatment and retort process, including the relationship between time and temperature in the retort process, and the changes and requirements of each stage, such as cooking, cooling and post-treatment container handling the purpose and requirements of container coding basic operating principles of equipment, such as main equipment components (e.g. thermometers, chart recorder, temperature control system, clock and pressure gauges), status and purpose of guards, equipment operating capacities and applications, and the purpose and location of sensors and related feedback instrumentation the flow of the retort process and the effect of product output on downstream processes quality characteristics required of the retorted product effect of raw material characteristics on process performance operating requirements and parameters and corrective action required where operation is outside specified operating parameters typical equipment faults and related causes, including signs and symptoms of faulty equipment and early warning signs of potential problems techniques used to monitor the retort process, such as inspecting, measuring and testing as required by the process inspection or test points (control points) in the process and the related procedures and recording requirements contamination/food safety risks associated with the process and related control measures, including both the risks of contamination related to processing and to post-processing handling of containers common causes of variation and corrective action required, including the effects of variables, such as container size, product particulates, pH, water activity, time/temperature and pressure on process outcomes operational health and safety (OHS) hazards and controls requirements of different shutdowns as appropriate to the process and workplace production requirements, including emergency and routine shutdowns and procedures to follow in the event of a power outage isolation, lock out and tag out procedures and responsibilities product/process changeover procedures and responsibilities procedures and responsibility for reporting production and performance information environmental issues and controls relevant to the process, including waste/rework collection and handling procedures related to the process basic operating principles of process control, where relevant, including the relationship between control panels and systems and the physical equipment sampling and testing associated with process monitoring and controlwhere relevant routine maintenance procedures where relevant cleaning and sanitation procedureswhere relevant |
Evidence Required
The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package. | |
Overview of assessment | Assessment must be carried out in a manner that recognises the cultural and literacy requirements of the assessee and is appropriate to the work performed. Competence in this unit must be achieved in accordance with food safety standards and regulations. |
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit | Evidence of ability to: conduct pre-start checks on machinery used for retorting start, operate, monitor and adjust process equipment to achieve required quality outcomes take corrective action in response to typical faults and inconsistencies complete workplace records as required apply safe work practices and identify OHS hazards and controls safely shut down equipment apply food safety procedures. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Assessment must occur in a real or simulated workplace where the assessee has access to: personal protective clothing and equipment work procedures, including advice on safe work practices, food safety, quality and environmental requirements information on equipment capacity and operating parameters production schedule/batch instructions specifications, control points and processing parameters retort process and related equipment and services materials to be processed sampling schedules and test procedures and equipment as required documentation and recording requirements and procedures cleaning procedures, materials and equipment as required. |
Method of assessment | This unit should be assessed together with core units and other units of competency relevant to the function or work role. Examples could be: FDFOP2004A Clean and sanitise equipment FDFOP2011A Conduct routine maintenance FDFOP2013A Apply sampling procedures FDFOP2030A Operate a process control interface MSL973001A Perform basic tests. |
Guidance information for assessment | To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency should be demonstrated on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances, cases and responsibilities, and where possible, over a number of assessment activities. |
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. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. 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) may also be included. | |
Policies and procedures | Work is carried out according to company policies and procedures, regulatory and licensing requirements, legislative requirements, and industrial awards and agreements |
Legislative requirements | Legislative requirements are typically reflected in procedures and specifications. Legislation relevant to this industry includes: the Food Standards Code, including labelling, weights and measures legislation legislation covering food safety, environmental management, OHS, anti-discrimination and equal opportunity |
Workplace information | Workplace information may include: standard operating procedures (SOPs) specifications production schedules and instructions manufacturers' advice standard forms and reports |
Retort/cooker equipment | Retort/cooker equipment includes: static and batch retorts continuous retorts, including hydrostatic cookers with or without over-pressure coding and materials handling equipment |
Equipment components | Equipment components typically include: vents bleeders spreaders time and temperature measurement instrumentation |
Process stages | Process stages typically include: cooking cooling post-cooling container handling |
Operation of equipment and processes | Operation of equipment and processes may require: the use of process control panels and systems |
Shutdown procedures | Shutdown procedures may include: cleaning (in some cases cleaning may be carried out by a dedicated cleaning crew) |
Services | Services may need to be confirmed. These depend on the nature of the process. Typical examples include: power steam water vacuum compressed and instrumentation air |
Sectors
Unit sector | Operational |
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills. |
Licensing Information
Not applicable.