This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to address the storage, reclaiming and despatching of bulk coal. It also encompasses monitoring any associated mobile bulk coal handling plant operations.

Bulk coal handling plant is used to convey coal from rail transport wagons to boilers or storage bunkers. They are also used to process raw coal, to crush and stack coal to feed directly into power generation facilities.

Competency in this unit requires the ability to plan and prepare work, operate bulk coal handling plant, inspect, test, analyse and report bulk coal handling plant faults and complete documentation. Individuals will, in general, work under supervision, in a power generation facility as an operator.

Power generation plant operators are typically trained and authorised to isolate, prepare plant and issue permits to work.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Note: Workplace practice

The application of the skills and knowledge described in this unit may require a licence or training permit to practice in the workplace where work is carried out on gas and electrical installations. Additional conditions may apply under state and territory legislative and regulatory licensing requirements.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Plan and prepare work

1.1

Safety issues are identified, in accordance with Work, Health and Safety (WHS)/Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) regulations, legislative requirements, industry standards and workplace procedures

1.2

Work, bulk coal handling plant and resource requirements are identified from appropriate personnel and documentation, in accordance with workplace procedures

1.3

Quality assurance requirements recognised and adhered to, in accordance with workplace procedures and industry standards

1.4

Basic mineralogy information is applied, in accordance with workplace procedures and site requirements

1.5

Work schedule is consistent with job requirements, in accordance with workplace procedures

1.6

Pad is prepared for coal stockpiling, including removal of contaminants and drainage, in accordance with workplace procedures

1.7

Preoperational checks are carried out on bulk coal handling plant, in accordance with manufacturers' recommendations and workplace procedures

1.8

Sequence for recommissioning of bulk coal handling plant is determined, in accordance with workplace procedures

2

Conduct operation of bulk coal handlingplant

2.1

Start up, park up and shut down procedures are carried out, in accordance with manufacturers' recommendations, workplace procedures and site specific requirements

2.2

Bulk coal handling plant is operated, in accordance with workplace procedures and manufacturers' recommendations

2.3

Bulk coal handling plant is monitored, in accordance with workplace procedures, to detect deviations from normal operating conditions

2.4

Corrective actions are taken to rectify bulk coal handling plant abnormalities, in accordance with industry standards and workplace procedures

2.5

Bulk coal handling plant to be removed from service is identified and isolated, in accordance with workplace procedures

2.6

Inspection and fault finding are carried out, in accordance with manufacturers' recommendations and workplace procedures

2.7

Coal is placed or bunkered down in predetermined stockpile location, in accordance with workplace procedures

2.8

Reclaim specifications are received, despatch area is notified and equipment is made ready, in accordance with workplace procedures

2.9

Specified coal is blended, loaded, sampled and despatched, in accordance with workplace procedures

3

Test bulk coal handlingplant operation

3.1

Tests are performed, in accordance with workplace procedures

3.2

Bulk coal handling plant is observed for correct operational response, in accordance with workplace procedures

3.3

Corrective action is taken when response does not meet with documentation, workplace procedures, bulk coal handling plant integrity or personnel safety requirements

3.4

Bulk coal handling plant is returned to required operational status upon completion of testing, in accordance with workplace procedures

4

Analyse bulk coal handling plantfaults

4.1

Causes of abnormal bulk coal handling plant operating conditions are identified, in accordance with workplace procedures, by analysing technical and operational information

4.2

Corrective action is taken, in accordance with workplace procedures

4.3

Supplementary personnel are arranged for investigation of identified operational abnormalities, if required, in accordance with workplace procedures

5

Inspect bulk coal handlingplant

5.1

Bulk coal handling plant to be inspected is physically identified, in accordance with workplace procedures

5.2

Bulk coal handling plant is inspected, in accordance with workplace procedures, to detect deviations from normal operating conditions

5.3

Appropriate personnel are notified, in accordance with workplace procedures, when defects are detected

6

Complete documentation

6.1

Bulk coal handling plant problems, movements and status are reported, in accordance with workplace procedures

6.2

Documentation is updated, in accordance with workplace procedures

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Non-essential conditions may be found in the Companion Volume Implementation Guide.

Electricity generation

Operations