Application
This unit is appropriate for those working in an operational role at worksites within:
Metalliferous mining
Prerequisites
Not applicable.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Plan and prepare for converter operation | 1.1. Access, interpret and apply compliance documentation relevant to the work activity 1.2. Receive, interpret and clarify shift changeover details 1.3. Establish and maintain communications with other personnel using approved communication methods 1.4. Select personal protective equipment appropriate for work activities 1.5. Check and test control and monitoring systems for correct operation 1.6. Select appropriate type of auxiliary equipment for work activities and check for availability 1.7. Carry out computer systems and equipment pre-start checks to ensure equipment is ready for operation 1.8. Identify, address and report potential risks and hazards 1.9. Identify, address and report environmental issues 1.10. Follow emergency procedures to ensure safety of personnel and plant 1.11. Ensure approved dust suppression and extraction methods are in place 1.12. Ensure work area is adequately ventilated |
2. Start-up converter | 2.1. Perform pre-start checks 2.2. Carry out start-ups from standby and after maintenance according to established operating procedures 2.3. Carry out first charge to established procedures to protect personnel and plant 2.4. Stabilise the system within operating parameters |
3. Monitor and control the process | 3.1. Complete routine checks, logs and paperwork 3.2. Recognise and respond to signs of potential and actual problems 3.3. Monitor condition of metal and take action to maintain production schedule and quality 3.4. Monitor availability of feeds and take action to maintain production schedule and quality 3.5. Monitor and maintain blast air flow to converter at optimum level 3.6. Monitor and maintain converter oxygen at optimum level 3.7. Monitor cooling medium flow to converter to maintain safe converter temperatures 3.8. Maintain metal and gas temperatures at safe levels 3.9. Control and monitor converter movement 3.10. Monitor and control rate and amount of additives to molten metal 3.11. Respond to warning alarms and lights and take action to rectify 3.12. Control and monitor metal and slag blow process and pouring 3.13. Complete log sheets |
4. Maintain plant availability | 4.1. Monitor plant throughout shift 4.2. Use measured/indicated data and sight e to identify issues likely to impact on plant availability 4.3. Predict impact of change in one unit/area on other plant unit/areas and communicate to relevant people 4.4. Test trips and alarms 4.5. Inspect converter plant and rectify and/or report faults 4.6. Maintain furnace temperature during non-operating periods 4.7. Operate Tuyere punching 4.8. Prepare plant for maintenance as required |
5. Shutdown converter | 5.1. Determine type of shutdown required and give warning 5.2. Shutdown furnace in required sequence according to established procedures 5.3. Leave plant in a condition ready to restart |
Required Skills
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 operate converters: apply legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures for operating converters troubleshoot apply precautions necessary for safe working use protective clothing and equipment apply operating procedures report faults recognise limits of authority apply team working practices communicate information use hand and power tools |
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 operate converters: principles of converter operation first charge procedures conversion process converter configuration, components and operation auxiliary equipment type, purpose operation air, water and oxygen systems and purpose personal protective equipment additives metal and slag blow purpose and method combustion principles trouble shooting of converter problems safe working |
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 | |
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 operating converters implementation of requirements, procedures and techniques for the safe, effective and efficient completion of converter operations working with others to undertake and complete the converter operations in a way that meets all of the required outcomes consistent timely completion of converter operations 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's: working with others to undertake and complete the converter operations |
Guidance information for assessment | Consult the SkillsDMC User Guide for further information on assessment including access and equity issues. |
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. | |
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 |
Communications may include: | radio telephone PA system charging sirens alarms clear calls |
Personal protective equipment may include: | helmet safety footwear hearing protection gloves eye/face protection respiratory protection heat resistant clothing |
Auxiliary equipment may include: | belts compressors distribution control systems gantry cranes and attachments and other mobile equipment hand and power tools hoses (water and air) pump systems conveyors cranes |
Pre-start checks may include: | computer systems and equipment availability of equipment detection of unusual conditions job requirements personnel availability walk through plant communications feed supply |
Hazards may include: | cranes molten metal hot materials noise air pollution sharp objects moving machinery heights falling objects gases automatic equipment start-up |
Site 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-ups may include: | air systems cameras and monitors checking interlocks checking distribution control system (DCS) display instruments, lights and gauges isolations lighting suppression systems valves visual and audio warning devices and lights |
Maintenance may include: | minor adjustments to operational plant cleaning plant, equipment and work area installation/removal of devices to allow safe maintenance |
First charge procedures refers to | the initial start-up of new and refurbished vessels |
Converter problems can include: | uncontrolled emissions (gas or metal) electrical/mechanical failures standard of product received additives not up to standard |
Cooling media may include: | water air |
Type of shutdown may include: | hot shutdown for scheduled on-line maintenance cool shutdown to minimise temperature for refurbishment |
Burners may be: | diesel natural gas |
Sectors
Smelting
Competency Field
Refer to Unit Sector(s).
Co-Requisites
Not applicable.
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills.
Licensing Information
Refer to Unit Descriptor.