Chemical Plant Operator

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Chemical Plant Operator. A Chemical Plant Operator operates a chemical plant remotely, and controls and monitors the quality of the end-product. A qualified learner will be able to: • Start a chemical process in a chemical plant. • Control, maintain and monitor the chemical processing plant and equipment of a chemical plant to a specified state. • Shut down a chemical process in a chemical plant to a specific state. • Maintain the quality of the chemical product in a chemical process. • Assess risks and respond to hazardous conditions, emergencies and abnormal conditions.

This qualification is for people working in the chemical operations industry who want to progress in the chemical operations industry. The qualification reflects the workplace-based common or non-specific needs that a learner requires in the chemical operations industry, before progressing to learning at a higher level. Typical learners are operating personnel working in chemical processing plants such as fertilisers, pesticides, petroleum and detergents. The chemical processing industry is well established in South Africa, and its success is dependent upon the efficient production of chemical products. Achievement of this objective is largely dependent upon the competence of the people who operate chemical processing equipment. An adequate number of people with these skills are needed to ensure that the chemical production units in South Africa operate productively. The second group of learners will be school leavers, who want to pursue a career in chemical operations and who will be new entrants into the sector. Competence in chemical process operations requires appropriate general, chemical-specific technical and other knowledge and its application; as well as expertise in operating production equipment and controlling a chemical process. This knowledge and expertise can form a basis for further learning particularly in the production/operational, engineering and supervisory aspects of chemical operations and similar industries in the chemical and other sectors.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): RPL for access to the external integrated summative assessment: Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of result or certifying a work experience record. RPL for access to the qualification: Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements. Entry Requirements: • Level 1 with Mathematics.

• Start-up and shut-down equipment within design parameters.
• Start-up and shut-down an operating system according to sequence, priority, up-stream and down-stream requirements, conditions and influences.
• Start-up, shut down, control and monitor the process within design parameters defined by conditions, systems and raw material availability and product specifications to achieve safe, reliable and stable operations utilising team collaboration.
• Optimise the product quality by using sampling and analysis of the sampling results to continuously adjust operating variables.
• Communicate effectively to assess risks and respond to emergencies, and abnormal conditions enhance safe operating conditions and report effectively.
• Apply environmental considerations and safe disposal of waste or non-conforming product.
• Conduct trouble shooting and participate in root cause analysis to develop recommendations to alleviate unsafe working conditions/acts as a member of a team.