ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1 Prepare the turbine for operation

1.1 Personal protective clothing and equipment is selected and used

1.2 Pre-operational checks are conducted

1.3 Run warm up sequence of turbine in preparation for handover to console

1.4 Health and safety hazards/maintenance requirements are identified and reported to appropriate personnel according to workplace reporting procedures

2 Start and monitor turbine operation

2.1 The turbine is started and brought on line safely according to workplace procedures and manufacturer's recommendations

2.2 Plant is operated within limits of manufacturer's specifications to meet workplace requirements

2.3 Equipment is monitored to confirm operating condition

2.4 The workplace meets housekeeping standards

3 Analyse and respond to abnormal performance

3.1 Operating data and plant operating conditions are analysed to identify causes of abnormal performance

3.2 Corrective action is taken in accordance with workplace procedures in response to hazards and abnormal plant performance

3.3 Emergency procedures are implemented as required according to workplace procedures and manufacturer's recommendations

4 Handover turbine operations

4.1 Workplace records are maintained in accordance with statutory requirements and workplace procedures

4.2 Handover is carried out according to workplace procedure

4.3 Turbine operators are aware of turbine status and related equipment at completion of handover

5 Shutdown the turbine

5.1 The turbine is operationally shut down according to workplace procedures and manufacturer's recommendations

5.2 Valves and fittings are removed in preparation for maintenance as required

5.3 The turbine is stored in shut down mode

5.4 Maintenance requirements are identified and reported according to workplace reporting procedure

Required skills includes:

Ability to:

access workplace information on operating requirements

select, fit and use personal protective clothing and/or equipment

handle chemicals safely. This includes following correct handling and storage procedures and use of appropriate protective clothing and equipment

identify and report hazards and potential hazards in the work area

confirm status of turbine and related services including availability of steam

conduct pre-start checks. This typically include checking:

cooling water supply

overspeed trip

emergency stop

operation and position of valves, fittings, steam traps and steam line purge systems

lubrication system

condensate drainage system

steam quality and pressure

heat input rate

free rotation of turbine

reticulation line pressure and system warm up

liaise with other work areas to advise of turbine status

demonstrate set up and start up procedures in both manual and automatic modes and for both a hot start and cold start

monitor turbine operation. This typically includes monitoring:

bearing temperature

steam pressures

speeds

glands

water filters

oil levels and flows

equipment condition including noise and vibration

steam reticulation line pressure

lubrication system

condenser operation (where fitted)

take corrective action in response to abnormal or unacceptable performance

report and/or record corrective action as required

demonstrate shift handover procedure and confirm that replacement operators are aware of equipment status and operating requirements prior to completing handover

demonstrate procedure to take turbine off line

demonstrate procedure to prepare the turbine for a prolonged shut down. This includes removal of valves and fittings

demonstrate emergency trip procedure and related re-start

record operating information

maintain work area to meet housekeeping standards

Required knowledge includes:

Knowledge of:

relevant state OHS legislation, standards and codes of practice relating to work responsibilities

safety features of the turbines. These include relief and over-speed trip valves

safe work procedures including awareness of health and safety hazards related to turbine operation and associated control measures. Hazards typically include handling chemicals, working around hot surfaces, working around moving equipment, manual handling, oil and steam leaks.

hierarchy of hazard control measures

duty of care of the turbine operator

purpose and limitations of protective clothing and equipment

turbine system layout and steam cycle

relationship to other processes. This includes suppliers and users of steam across the site

the effect of steam quality on turbine operation

the effect of low steam pressure on turbine operation

methods used to render equipment safe to inspect, maintain and/or clean including lock-out, tag-out and isolation procedures

equipment purpose and basic operating principles of turbine and related equipment including the properties of steam

operating requirements and parameters

procedures for responding to emergency situations. This includes safe operational shutdown procedure

handover and long term shut down and storage procedures

environmental issues and controls

housekeeping standards for the work area

reporting and recording systems. This includes both statutory and workplace requirements

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.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of ability to:

confirm status of turbine and related services including availability of steam

conduct pre-start checks

liaise with other work areas to advise of turbine status

demonstrate set up and start up procedures

monitor turbine operation

take corrective action in response to abnormal or unacceptable performance

demonstrate shift handover procedure

demonstrate procedure to take turbine off line

demonstrate procedure to prepare the turbine for a prolonged shut down

demonstrate emergency trip procedure and related re-start.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

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

Turbine and related equipment

Relevant codes and standards

Operating procedures and related advice on equipment operation

Personal protective clothing and equipment

Communication systems and equipment

Housekeeping standards and procedures

Workplace information recording systems, requirements and procedures.

Method of assessment

Other units of competency relevant to the work role should be assessed in conjunction with this unit.

Guidance information for assessment

For assessment advice where the turbine operation is not a certified occupation, refer to the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package. Where turbine operation is a certificated occupation, refer to the appropriate NOHSC competency standards, available from National Occupational Health and Safety Commission.

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.

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 in accordance with company policies and procedures, licensing requirements, manufacturer's recommendations, legislative requirements, codes of practice and industrial awards and agreements.

Codes of practice

Codes of practice include the Sugar Milling Operations Industry Code of Practice.

Workplace information

Workplace information can include:

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

manufacturer's specifications.

Equipment status

Confirming equipment status involves

conducting relevant pre-start checks

confirming that housekeeping standards are met

all safety guards are in place

equipment is operational.

Turbines and related equipment

Turbines and related equipment may include

turbines and pass-out turbines

condensers

oil coolers

vacuum pumps

filters.

Equipment operation and monitoring

Operation and monitoring of equipment and processes typically requires the use of control panels and systems.

Services

Services may include:

steam

water

mill

instrumentation air and power.

Tests

Tests may include trip tests.

Teamwork

Work may require the ability to work within a team environment.

Information systems

Information systems may be print or screen based.