Application
This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to control gas odourisation and related processes.
This unit of competency applies to operators who are required to store and handle odourants, monitor the daily inventory of the odourising agent, monitor and operate the injection pumps, identify and rectify operational problems, and respond to abnormal situations.
The operator will be familiar with the physical and chemical properties of the product and understand all the safety issues set down in the safety data sheet (SDS) associated with this chemical.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. | ||
1 | Prepare for work | 1.1 | Receive and give shift handover |
1.2 | Identify work requirements | ||
1.3 | Identify and control hazards | ||
1.4 | Coordinate with appropriate personnel | ||
1.5 | Check for recent work undertaken on gas odourising plant | ||
1.6 | Note any outstanding/incomplete work | ||
1.7 | Check operational status of gas odourising plant | ||
2 | Start up and shut down gas odourising plant in accordance with procedures | 2.1 | Complete pre-start checks |
2.2 | Start up odourant injection plant | ||
2.3 | Shut down odourant injection plant | ||
2.4 | Respond to plant trip/emergency shutdown | ||
3 | Control odourisation in accordance with legislative/ regulatory requirements | 3.1 | Maintain specified odourant concentration in the gas |
3.2 | Store odourant | ||
3.3 | Handle or transport odourant | ||
3.4 | Handle waste products in accordance with legislative requirements | ||
3.5 | Complete reports, records and logs | ||
3.6 | Monitor odourisation and take action in accordance with procedures | ||
4 | Isolate and de-isolate plant | 4.1 | Isolate plant. |
4.2 | Make safe for required work | ||
4.3 | Check plant is ready to be returned to service | ||
4.4 | De-isolate and prepare plant for return to service |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy the requirements of the elements and performance criteria, and include the ability to:
start up, monitor and adjust injection pumps to maintain odour to specifications
store, handle, transfer and dispose of odourant waste in accordance with regulatory requirements and safety data sheets (SDS)
apply shutdown and emergency procedures
recognise and take specified action on early warning signs of equipment/processes needing attention or with potential problems
isolate and de-isolate equipment
identify hazards and apply hazard control procedures
distinguish between causes of problems/alarm/fault indications, including:
process gas variations
instrument failure/wrong readings
electrical failures
mechanical failures
operational problems.
Evidence of Knowledge
Evidence must be provided that demonstrates knowledge of:
gas odourisation systems and their component functions
principles of operation of plant/equipment
physics and chemistry relevant to the process unit and the materials processed
nature/condition of materials entering and leaving each stage of the process
process parameters and limits, e.g. temperature, pressure and flow
routine problems, faults, their symptoms and resolution
correct methods of starting, stopping, operating and controlling process
hazards that may arise in the job/work environment, and:
their possible causes
potential consequences
appropriate risk controls.
Assessment Conditions
The unit should be assessed holistically and the judgement of competence based on a holistic assessment of the evidence.
The collection of performance evidence:
should occur over a range of situations which include typical disruptions to normal, smooth operation of an operating plant
will typically include a supervisor/third-party report or other evidence, focusing on consistent performance and problem recognition and solving. A supervisor/third-party report must be prepared by someone who has a direct, relevant, current relationship with the person being assessed and who is in a position to form a judgement on workplace performance relevant to the unit of competency
must include the use of an appropriate industrial item of equipment requiring demonstration of operation, start-up and shutdown procedures and responding to problems
may use industry-based simulation for part only of the unit where safety, lack of opportunity or significant cost is an issue.
Assessment should occur in operational workplace situations. Where this is not possible, or where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment must occur in a sufficiently rigorous simulated environment reflecting realistic operational workplace conditions. This must cover all aspects of workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.
Assessment in a simulated environment should use evidence collected from one or more of:
walk-throughs
pilot plant operation
demonstration of skills
industry-based case studies/scenarios
‘what ifs’.
Knowledge evidence may be collected concurrently with performance evidence (provided a record is kept) or through an independent process, such as workbooks, written assessments or interviews (provided a record is kept).
Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.
Conditions for assessment must include access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required, including relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications associated with this unit.
The regulatory framework will be reflected in workplace policies and procedures and is not required to be independently assessed.
Foundation skills are integral to competent performance of the unit and should not be assessed separately.
Assessors must satisfy the assessor competency requirements that are in place at the time of the assessment as set by the VET regulator.
In addition, the assessor or anyone acting in subject matter expert role in assessment must demonstrate both technical competency and currency. If the assessor cannot demonstrate technical competency and currency they must assess with a subject matter expert who does meet these requirements.
Technical competence can be demonstrated through one or more of:
relevant VET or other qualification/Statement of Attainment
appropriate workplace experience undertaking the type of work being assessed under routine and non-routine conditions
appropriate workplace experience supervising/evaluating the type of work being assessed under routine and non-routine conditions
Currency can be demonstrated through one or more of:
being currently employed undertaking the type of work being assessed
being employed by the organisation undertaking the type of work being assessed and having maintained currency in accordance with that organisation’s policies and procedures
having consulted/had contact with an organisation undertaking the type of work being assessed within the last twelve months, the consultation/contact being related to assessment
conducting on-the-job training/assessments of the type of work being assessed
being an active member of a relevant professional body and participating in activities relevant to the assessment of this type of work.
Foundation Skills
This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance.
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
This field allows for different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included. | |
Regulatory framework | The latest version of all legislation, regulations, industry codes of practice and Australian/international standards, or the version specified by the local regulatory authority, must be used, and include one or more of the following: legislative requirements, including work health and safety (WHS) industry codes of practice and guidelines environmental regulations and guidelines Australian and other standards licence and certification requirements All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent health, safety and environment (HSE) requirements, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation, and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between performance criteria and HSE requirements, the HSE requirements take precedence. |
Procedures | All operations must be performed in accordance with relevant procedures. Procedures are written, verbal, visual, computer-based or in some other form, and include one or more of the following: emergency procedures work instructions standard operating procedures (SOPs) safe work method statements (SWMS) formulas/recipes batch sheets temporary instructions any similar instructions provided for the smooth running of the plant |
Hazards | Hazards include one or more of the following: smoke, darkness and heat electricity gas gases and liquids under pressure structural hazards structural collapse equipment failures industrial (machinery, equipment and product) equipment or product mass noise, rotational equipment or vibration plant services (steam, condensate and cooling water) limited head spaces or overhangs working at heights, in restricted or confined spaces flammability and explosivity hazardous products and materials unauthorised personnel sharp edges, protrusions or obstructions slippery surfaces, spills or leaks extreme weather other hazards that might arise |
Routine problems | Routine problems must be resolved by applying known solutions. Routine problems are predictable and include one or more of the following: suction vapour locks diaphragm ruptures low suction pressure flow regulator failures gas leaks and fires equipment failures Known solutions are drawn from one or more of the following: procedures training remembered experience Non-routine problems must be reported according to according to relevant procedures. |
Action | Action in accordance with procedures includes the following: determining problems needing action determining possible fault causes rectifying problem using appropriate solution within area of responsibility following through items initiated until final resolution has occurred reporting problems outside area of responsibility to designated person |
Operational equipment | Operational equipment includes the following: emergency response kit including absorption material neutralising agents storage level indicator (magnetic detector) personal protective equipment (PPE) molecular sieve for venting pumps and flow control equipment |
Operate | Operate is to monitor, adjust/change the plant item/unit/system to meet specifications, by one or more of the following: manually in the plant using local controller in the plant using the process control system in the control room |
Start up/shut down as required | Start up/shut down as required includes the following: start up and shut down to/from normal operating conditions start up and shut down to/from isolated, cold or empty start up and shut down to/from other conditions/situations experienced on the plant |
Sectors
Competency Field
Operations