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Operate automated process control equipment in the food or related products processing industry

Level / 3
Credits / 3

PurposeThis unit standard is for people who are currently working, or who intend to work, in jobs which involve the use of automated process control equipmentin the food or related products processing industry.

People credited with this unit standard are able to: use safe working practices; start up automated process control equipmentin the food or related products processing industry; and operate automated process control equipmentin the food or related products processing industry.

Subfield / Food and Related Products Processing
Domain / Food and Related Product Production Equipment
Status / Registered
Status date / 11 December 2009
Date version published / 11 December 2009
Planned review date / 31 December 2015
Entry information / Open.
Accreditation / Evaluation of documentation and visit by NZQA and industry.
Standard setting body (SSB) / Competenz
Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP) reference / 0111

This AMAP can be accessed at

Special notes

1Legislation relevant to this unit standard may include but is not limited to the: Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992; Health and Safety in Employment Regulations 1995; Food Act 1981; Food Hygiene Regulations 1974; Food (Safety) Regulations 2002; Resource Management Act 1991; Weights and Measures Act 1987; and their associated regulations and subsequent amendments.

2Definitions

Equipment refers to automated process control equipment such as mimic panels, visual display units, control panels, keyboards, and mouse.

Organisational procedures refer to documents that include worksite rules, codes, and practices; equipment operating instructions; production specifications; documented quality management systems;and health and safety requirements.

PPE refers to personal protective equipment such as protective clothing, gloves, safety glasses/headwear/footwear, hearing protection, and safety devices.

Production line equipmentrefers to equipment used in a production line, such as vessels or boilers not requiring certification, pipework, fillers, pasteurisers, labellers, crate or carton packers, high-speed wrappers, water lines, pumps, compressors, dicers, and cutters.

Related productsrefers to beverages, household products, or personal care products.

3Range

Competence is to be demonstrated on at least two occasions of operating automated process control equipment.

Elements and performance criteria

Element 1

Use safe working practices.

Performance criteria

1.1PPE is used in accordance with organisational procedures.

1.2Work environment is clean and free from hazards in accordance with organisational procedures.

Rangehazards to – personnel, product, plant.

1.3Documentation is referred to and/or completed in accordance with organisational procedures.

Element 2

Start up automated process control equipment.

Performance criteria

2.1Automated process control equipment is started up in accordance with organisational procedures.

Rangesetup, operational.

2.2Production schedule is received, interpreted, and followed in accordance with organisational procedures.

2.3Product for processing is checked in accordance with organisational procedures.

Rangemay include but is not limited to – quantity, quality.

2.4Anypotential problems in start-up of equipment are identified, and rectified and/or reported in accordance with organisational procedures.

Rangemay include but is not limited to – blockages, obstacles, supply of services.

Element 3

Operate automated process control equipment.

Performance criteria

3.1Automated process control equipment is operatedin accordance with organisational procedures.

3.2Equipment feedback information is interpreted to minimise downtime and maximise product output and quality in accordance with organisational procedures.

Rangeequipment feedback may include but is not limited to – mimic panel, visual display unit, lights, bells, alarms.

3.3Any data changes required to equipment are authorised and checked in accordance with organisational procedures.

Rangemay include but is not limited to – production settings, ingredient changes, component changes.

3.4Product wastage due to processing of products is minimised in accordance with organisational procedures.

3.5Any problems in the automated process are identified, and rectified and/or reported in accordance with organisational procedures.

Rangeproblems may include but are not limited to – safety, equipment, non-conforming product.

Please note

Providers must be accredited by NZQA, or an inter-institutional body with delegated authority for quality assurance, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.

Industry Training Organisations must be accredited by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.

Accredited providers and Industry Training Organisations assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.

Accreditation requirements and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP). The AMAP also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.

Comments on this unit standard

Please contact Competenz if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.

 New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018