ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Plan and prepare for heavy media separation

1.1. Access, interpret and apply compliance documentation relevant to the work activity

1.2. Receive, interpret and clarify shift changeover details

1.3. Communicate with other personnel

1.4. Select personal protective equipment appropriate for work activities

1.5. Select appropriate type of auxiliary equipment for work activities

1.6. Perform equipment pre-start checks

1.7. Identify, address and report potential risks and hazards

1.8. Identify, address and report environmental issues

1.9. Adhere to emergency procedures

2. Start-up equipment in sequence

2.1. Carry out start-up procedures and complete start-up checks according to plant configurations and system requirements

2.2. Confirm plant is operational

3. Operate and monitor equipment

3.1. Read and interpret data from equipment indicators

3.2. Continuously inspect plant

3.3. Adjust equipment to optimise separation performance and product quality

3.4. Control feed to plant

3.5. Monitor and adjust heavy media levels

3.6. Monitor and adjust levels of separating baths

3.7. Monitor the efficiency of the heavy media separation process

3.8. Carry out operator level maintenance

3.9. Complete all required documentation

3.10. Pass on end of shift information to oncoming shift or next shift

4. Conduct housekeeping activities

4.1. Clean plant

4.2. Identify, address and report hazards

5. Shutdown in sequence and/or isolate equipment

5.1. Shutdown and/or isolate equipment based on process and safety requirements

5.2. Perform post-shutdown and/or isolation checks

Required skills

Specific skills are required to achieve the performance criteria of this unit, particularly for its application in the various circumstances in which this unit may be used. This includes the ability to carry out the following as required to conduct heavy media separation:

apply legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures

handle hazardous substances/identify hazards

use lifting techniques (manual, automated)

maintain records

monitor operations

report defects

employ safe work practices

use hand and power tools

find plant faults

Required knowledge

Specific knowledge is required to achieve the performance criteria of this unit, particularly for its application in the various circumstances in which this unit may be used. This includes knowledge of the following as required to conduct heavy media separation:

break down procedures

contaminants

emergency procedures

environmental principles

equipment operating parameters

equipment safety requirements

gravitation separation process (fines and heavy)

hazardous substance procedures and consequences of spills

heavy media types

high pressure hazards

isolation procedures

metallurgical and technical data

operational procedures and checks

heavy media separation safety requirements

site procedures

types of ores and grades density

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

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

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to worksite operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit and include evidence of the following:

knowledge of the requirements, procedures and instructions for conducting heavy media separation

implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of heavy media separation

working with others to undertake and complete the heavy media separation in a way that meets all of the required outcomes

consistent timely completion of heavy media separation that safely, effectively and efficiently meets the required outcomes

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit must be assessed in the context of the work environment. Where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors, assessment may occur in a simulated environment provided it is realistic and sufficiently rigorous to cover all aspects of workplace performance, including task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.

Assessment of this competency requires typical resources normally used in a resources and infrastructure sector environment. Selection and use of resources for particular worksites may differ due to the site circumstances.

The assessment environment should not disadvantage the participant. For example, language, literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required on the job.

Customisation of assessment and delivery environment to sensitively accommodate cultural diversity.

Aboriginal people and other people from a non English speaking background may have second language issues.

Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities. Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required.

Method of assessment

This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency. The assessment strategy for this unit must verify required knowledge and skill and practical application using more than one of the following assessment methods:

written and/or oral assessment of the candidate's required knowledge

observed, documented and/or first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate's:

implementation of appropriate requirement, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient achievement of required outcomes

consistent achievement of required outcomes

first hand testimonial evidence of the candidate:

working with others to undertake and complete the heavy media separation

Guidance information for assessment

Consult the SkillsDMC User Guide for further information on assessment including access and equity issues.

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.

Relevant compliance documentation may include:

legislative, organisational and site requirements and procedures

manufacturer's guidelines and specifications

Australian standards

Employment and Workplace Relations legislation

Equal Employment Opportunity and Disability Discrimination legislation

Legislation may include acts and regulations dealing with:

mining safety and health

mine inspection

OHS

explosives

Auxiliary equipment may be anything that is portable and mobile that is not part of the fixed infrastructure, and may include:

gantry cranes and attachments

hand and power tools

pump systems

Pre-start checks may include:

availability of equipment

detection of conditions that are unusual

fluid levels

job requirements

personnel availability

work through plant

Environmental issues may include:

drainage

dust (dump)

emissions

flora and fauna

hazardous chemicals

noise

recycling

run-off

spills

waste management and disposal

water quality

Start-up procedures may include the inspection of:

cameras and monitors

distribution control system (DCS)

interlocks

isolations

pipes and flanges

pumping system

valves

visual and audio warning devices and lights

water systems

Plant may include:

heavy media circuit

separating baths

cyclones

screens (drawing, washing, separating)

Indicator readings may measure:

concentrations

densities

levels

pressure flows

viscosity

Monitoring may include:

air flows

blockages and spillages

feed rates

power

pressures

temperatures

wear and tear

pressure oxidation

Heavy media may include:

magnetite

ferrosilicon

Post-shutdown checks are like pre-start checks

The methods used to optimise the plant may include:

adjustment to heavy media levels

pulp density

stability of slurry

viscosity

Materials may include:

heavy media

slurry

waste

gangue minerals

Contaminants are anything other than the slurry and nutrients. Common contaminants may include:

oil

plastic

wood fibre

Site conditions may include:

weather conditions

working at heights