Equipment/Ramp Operator Training Program

Equipment/Ramp Operator Training Program

Certification Criteria

Spring 2010

Version Number 2.0

Document Change Control

• Post Pilot version.
• Incorporated changes from the Train-the-Trainer/ Pilot Session on Feb 09 and 10.
• Signed off by BCF and handed over to Operational Training

Table of Contents

Equipment/ Ramp Operator Certification Criteria

Purpose of the Certification Criteria

Conducing the Recertification

Conducting the Certification*

Using the Certification and Recertification Activities

Using the Certification and Recertification Verbal Scenarios

Invigilating the Written Certification Exam

Agenda

Administrative Information

Appendix I: Certification and Recertification Activities

Appendix II: Certification and Recertification Verbal Scenarios

Appendix III: Hand Signals

Appendix IV: Ramp Adjustment Criteria by Category of Ramp

Equipment / Ramp Operator Certification Criteria

Equipment/ Ramp Operator Certification Criteria

Purpose of the Certification Criteria

The purpose of the Equipment/ Ramp Operator (EO) Certification Criteria is to provide the Examiner with the tools required to prepare for and evaluate the competency of:

• an existing Equipment / Ramp Operator for a recertification of their BCF Ramp Operator Certificate; or,
• a new Equipment/ Ramp Operator to obtain their BCF Ramp Operator Certificate.

Conducing the Recertification

Recertification consists of the following two components:

• Recertification Activities—the examiner leads the candidate through a set of activities where the candidate will demonstrate competency in a number of pre-defined tasks.
• Recertification Verbal Scenarios—the examiner asks the candidate to verbally answer a number of scenario-based questions.

A candidate must achieve a score of 90% on both components of Recertification to pass and have their BCF Ramp Operator Certificate renewed.

Conducting the Certification*

Certification consists of the following three components:

• Certification Activities—the examiner leads the candidate through a set of activities where the candidate will demonstrate competency in a number of pre-defined tasks.
• Certification Verbal Scenarios—the examiner asks the candidate to verbally answer a number of scenario-based questions.
• Certification Written Exam—the examiner invigilates an 80 question multiple choice exam.

A candidate must achieve a score of 90% on all three components of Certification.

* Note: The details of Certification will be finalized during the development of SEA in 2010/11. This includes the development of the Certification Written Exam.

Prior to conducting either a Recertification or a Certification Session, it is the Examiner’s responsibility to notify all other appropriate impacted parties of the session in progress (e.g. Tower Controller, Loading Officer, Terminal Attendants, Ship’s Officers, and other Equipment/Ramp Operators etc.).

Using the Certification and Recertification Activities

The activities that will be tested on during certification and recertification are outlined in Appendix I: Certification and Recertification Activities. For each relevant activity the Examiner will assess the performance of the candidate and determine if the candidate’s performance meets the required criteria for assessment.

To achieve a score of 90% on the certification and recertification activities:

• The candidate must pass all “critical pass or fail activities”.
• The candidate must not exceed 30 demerit points on the sum of all other activities (i.e. all non critical activities).

Recertification

• Existing Equipment / Ramp Operators complete all activities that contain a  in the “Activity Required for Recertification” column that are applicable to the ramp(s) he/she is completing certification on.

Certification

• New Equipment / Ramp Operator candidates complete all activities that are applicable to the ramp(s) he/she is completing certification on.

Using the Certification and Recertification Verbal Scenarios

The Certification Verbal Scenarios are outlined in Appendix II: Certification and Recertification Verbal Scenarios. The Examiner will assess the candidate’s ability to answer these scenarios accurately. The Examiner will select ten scenarios (preferably at least two from each category). The Examiner may decide to select additional scenarios as time permits. The candidate must correctly answer nine of the ten scenarios to achieve 90%.

Invigilating the Written Certification Exam

To be developed as part of SEA in 2010/11

Agenda

The Examiner must always be in close attendance evaluating the candidate’s proficiency. The Examiner must always ensure the safety of him/her self, the candidate, and all colleagues.

• Lead by Example

• Knowledge of Ramp Construction and Operating Systems

• Identify Ramp Controls and Functions

• Provide Service to the Ship

• Conduct Ramp Inspection

• Maintain and Use Documentation

• Respond to Emergencies

• Untie the Ramp

• Set the Ramp for Vessel and Tide

• Connect the Apron to the Vessel

• Conduct Ship to Shore Verbal Communications re: Stop Traffic Procedures

• Oversee the Transfer of Traffic

• Make Ramp Adjustments as Required

• Complete Shore Closure

• Park and Secure the Ramp

• Night Tie-up (at end of day)

• Select ten verbal scenarios from Appendix II

• Invigilate Written Exam

Administrative Information

• Candidate has “passed” all “critical pass or fail activities”.
• Candidate has not exceeded 30 demerit points on the sum of all other activities.

Appendix I: Certification and Recertification Activities

• Steel toed shoes
• BCF Uniform
• Security Identification Card
• High Visibility Vest, appropriate head gear and wrist cuffs.

• Use barriers.
• Use available equipment for emergency stopping of traffic (e.g. stop paddles, flags, whistle, traffic lights, traffic wand, audible buzzer, etc.).

• The ramp type(s )employed in the terminal :

• Single-level, Double-level, Passenger Walkway
• Conventional vs. Active Lift
• Hydraulic and/or Cable Counter Weights with Electric Motors

• The hoist system(s) applicable to each ramp.
• Principal structural components of each ramp including:

• Ramp
• Main Hoist
• Apron Hoist(s)
• Fingers
• Locking Pins
• Hanging Bars
• Cab
• Hydraulic Cylinder
• Counter Weights
• Hinge (ramp or apron)
• Shackle
• Proximity Switch
• Apron
• Link Struts
• Barriers
• Cables
• Dolphin
• Wing Wall
• Gangway
• Traffic Lights
• Illuminating Lighting
• Computer Aided Controls
• Ship/Shore Power Connections
• Water Supply Connections
• Hydraulic Pump and Reservoir
• Hydraulic Valves
• Main Power / Lock-out Switch

• Ramp Load Limit
• Axle Limit

• Pump start/stop and emergency stop
• Ramp raise and lower
• Apron raise and lower
• Float
• Traffic Control Measures
• Locking Pin
• Link Struts
• Barriers
• Traffic Lights
• Illumination Lighting
• Automatic Tidal Adjustment (where applicable)

• Facilitate access to the fresh water supply hose by the ship’s crew.
• Properly stow and cap the fresh water supply hose.
• Understand the requirements for flushing the water line.

• Locate Ship-Shore Power System and explain how this operates.

• Identify Pump Ashore equipment.
• Identify safety issues.

• Explain when a Level 1 (i.e. at the start of each watch shift) and why (i.e. disclosing of obvious defects) the inspection is required.
• Explain when a Level 2 (i.e. weekly) and why (i.e. disclosing of defects) the inspection is required.
• Complete a Level 1 and Level 2 Inspection safely and efficiently using appropriate site specific documentation (i.e. Checklist in Ramp Operations Manual).
• Record facts of inspection in the Ramp Log Book.
• Explain the need to report any defect, deficiency or operating difficulty to his/her supervisor.

• Understand the requirement and use of the Ramp Logbook including recording of:

• Level 1 and Level 2 Inspections.
• Arrival/departure times of the ship.
• Ramp adjustments made outside of the operational schedule.
• Tidal conditions.
• Other pertinent information.

• Understand the requirement for and use of the WCB Equipment Logbook including:

• Meeting WCB Occupational Health and Safety Regulation requirement.

• Understand the requirement for and use of the Ramp Manual.
• Recognize the importance of reviewing entries in the logbooks.
• Locate the Ramp Manual efficiently.
• Recognize the importance of reviewing the Ramp Manual periodically.

• Use block and tackle to set up overhead walkway.
• Apron removal by chain hoist in the event of power or hydraulic failure.

• The activities in this section must be assessed for each ramp and/ or level of ramp a candidate is being cleared on except the Untie the Ramp and Night Tie-up (at end of day) Activities which must be done at least once per terminal.
• The activities in this section should be completed during one unload/load cycle; therefore, there is no duration indicated for these activities.

• The ship will push into the wing walls.
• Depending on the ramp type, Terminal Attendants or deck crew are responsible for the removal and storage of the access gangway. Equipment/Ramp operators are to stay in the vicinity of their controls.
• Ship’s personnel will attach the day tie-up lines.

• The Equipment/Ramp Operator will facilitate safe access to the underside of the apron by raising the ramp and apron sufficiently above the ship’s deck and shall ensure the ramp is pinned and the apron is either pinned or secured by cable. The Equipment/Ramp Operator will signal (visually and audibly) to the loading officer when ramp and apron are secure and that the crew can safely proceed with the un-tie.
• Upon completion of work under the apron, and at the direction of the Main Deck Loading Officer, the Equipment/Ramp Operator will remove the apron pins and lower the apron onto the deck of the ship in preparation for the transfer of traffic.

• Check pin status.
• Ensure no hazards on ramp.
• Ensure ramp is clear (e.g. no snow or ice).

• Demonstrating the ability to locate and understand a tide chart.
• Noting tidal movements and checking tide level.
• Confirming incoming vessel type.
• Using appropriate equipment to position the ramp.

• Use of plumb line.

• Following these steps when setting a conventional ramp for ship and tide:

• Raise the ramp only enough to remove the weight of the ramp from the locking pins in the hanging bars.
• Fully withdraw the locking pins from the hanging bar.
• Lower the ramp to the correct plumb line position. If there is no plumb line, lower the ramp to a position approximately two feet above the ship’s deck as the ship approaches the dock.
• Center the locking pins with the appropriate hanging bar hole using the “pin position indicator”.
• Fully insert the locking pins into the hanging bars and lower the ramp until the locking pins bear fully on the hanging bars.
• Always visually check locking pins on conventional ramps.

• An awareness of the complete travel distance of the ramp and available pin positions (depending on high or low tide).
• That the apron, when lowered onto the deck, is not too flat or too steep.
• That the ramp must be set onto the pins once they are engaged.
• The responsibility of the Operator to visually verify the pins are in place (i.e. Locking Pins are inserted prior to traffic transfer on the ramp).

• Lower the apron until it comes in contact with the deck of the ship.
• Establish apron float.
• Signal ramp secure to the loading officer.
• Communicate ramp secure to Upper Ramp Attendant or Operator where necessary.
• Advise the shore of the potential discharge of traffic.

• Conduct effective communication:

• Prior to and after initial connection (including no stopping on aprons)
• Prior to and after adjustments
• During closure

• Select and use appropriate communication device (i.e. hard-line telephone, walkie talkie, hand-held radio, hand signal, etc.)
• Demonstrate the use of proper terminology and closed-loop communications.