Application
This unit describes a participant’s skills and knowledge required to operate a blast furnace 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.
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan and prepare to operate a blast furnace | 1.1 Access, interpret and apply smelting documentation and ensure the work activity is compliant 1.2 Obtain and clarify/confirm verbal and written work instructions before proceeding 1.3 Receive, interpret and clarify shift changeover details 1.4 Communicate with other personnel using approved communication methods 1.5 Select and wear personal protective equipment appropriate for work activities 1.6 Identify, address and report potential risks, hazards and environmental issues, and implement control measures 1.7 Complete systems and equipment pre-start checks |
2. Perform plant condition monitoring | 2.1 Inspect plant and equipment to schedule 2.2 Monitor plant and equipment throughout operations 2.3 Identify and report issues and problem areas to appropriate personnel |
3. Operate a blast furnace | 3.1 Establish product requirements and set blast furnace accordingly 3.2 Monitor discharge and take appropriate actions to ensure product requirements are met 3.3 Correctly modify the grade, rate or specifications |
4. Operate a blast furnace under abnormal conditions | 4.1 Follow established actions for problems 4.2 Adjust rate, feed, composition, temperature and airflow 4.3 Report issues with discharge to appropriate personnel |
Evidence of Performance
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 the blast 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 blast furnace operations that safely, effectively and efficiently meets all of the required outcomes on more than one (1) occasion including:
conducting systems and equipment pre-start checks
inspecting and monitoring plant and equipment
reporting faults
applying operating procedures
adjusting rate, feed, composition temperature and airflow of blast furnace
monitoring discharge of blast furnace
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate knowledge in operating a blast furnace through:
work health and safety
emergency situations
environmental issues
identifying and addressing hazards
reporting faults and variances
working in teams
identifying and applying blast furnace operation principles and plant
Assessment Conditions
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
Foundation Skills
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit. Further information is available in the Resources and Infrastructure Industry Training Package Companion Volume.
Sectors
Metalliferous mining