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Title / Operate systems for process start-up and shutdowninan energy and chemical plant
Level / 5 / Credits / 20
Purpose / This unit standard is for experienced people working as boiler and energy and chemical process operators.
People credited with this unit standard are able to: explain systems for routine process start-up and shutdown, andemergency or unplanned process shutdown; and complete a start-up and shutdown, inan energy and chemical plant.
Classification / Energy and Chemical Plant > Operation of Energy and Chemical Plant
Available grade / Achieved
Explanatory notes
1Assessment conditions
All assessment must be carried out at an energy or chemical site.
2Definitions
Energy and chemical plant may be in – petrochemical, agri-nutrient, power generation, dairy processing, meat processing, and wood fibre manufacturing, or other plants that operate with a combination of high temperatures, pressures, steam and/or chemicals in gas, liquid or solid form.
Organisational requirements – documented policies and procedures. These may include: equipment manufacturers’ procedures, plant procedures, suppliers’ instructions, site signage, codes of practice, company health and safety plans, on site briefings, and supervisor’s instructions. This includes all regulatory and legislative obligations that apply to the plant.
Plant – the operational unit, equipment and/or workplace at which the person is working.
Process – a complex and integrated plant supplying product(s) to customers
3Legislation relevant to this unit standard includes but is not limited to – Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996, Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992, Resource Management Act 1991.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Explain systems for routine process start-up in an energy and chemical plant.
Evidence requirements
1.1Routine process start-up steps are identified and explained in terms of organisational requirements.
1.2Indicators or authorities to commence process start-up are identified and explained in terms of organisational requirements.
1.3Common deviations from expected operating parameter changes during process start-up are identified and explained in terms of their causes.
Rangeevidence is required of two deviations.
1.4Corrective actions to be taken for deviations are identified and explained in terms of organisational requirements.
Outcome 2
Explain systems for routine process shutdown in an energy and chemical plant.
Evidence requirements
2.1Routine process shutdown steps are identified and explained in terms of organisational requirements.
2.2Indicators or authorities to commence process shutdown are explained in terms of organisational requirements.
2.3Expected parameterdeviationsduring process shutdown are identified and explained in terms of their causes.
Rangeevidence is required of two deviations.
2.4Corrective actions to be taken for deviations are identifiedand explained in terms of organisational requirements.
2.5Post shutdown checks are identified and explained in terms of their purpose.
2.6Post shutdown reporting and documentation is identified and explained in terms of organisational requirements.
Outcome 3
Explainsystems for emergency or unplanned process shutdown in an energy and chemical plant.
Evidence requirements
3.1Events that may cause an emergency or unplanned process shutdown for the process are identified and explained in terms of organisational requirements.
3.2Impacts of an emergency or unplanned process shutdown on upstream and downstream operations are explained in terms of organisational requirements.
Rangeevidence is required of two impacts.
3.3Communication systems used in an emergency or unplanned process shutdown are identified and explained in terms of organisational requirements.
3.4Emergency or unplanned process shutdown steps are identified and explained in terms of organisational requirements.
Outcome 4
Complete a process start-up and shutdown in an energy and chemical plant.
Evidence requirements
4.1Responsibilities during start-up or shutdown are communicated to relevant personnel in accordance with organisational requirements.
4.2Process steps for start-up or shutdown are completed in accordance with organisational requirements.
4.3Plant parameters are monitored during the start-up or shutdown and any corrective actions are taken to maintain the plant within control parameters and operating consents, in accordance with organisational requirements.
4.4The plant end state condition meets operational requirements and any variances are reported in accordance with organisational requirements.
Planned review date / 31 December 2019Status information and last date for assessment for superseded versions
Process / Version / Date / Last Date for AssessmentRegistration / 1 / 24 October 2014 / N/A
Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) reference / 0079
This CMR can be accessed at
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Requirements for consent to assess and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR). The CMR 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 the Primary Industry Training Organisation if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
Primary Industry Training OrganisationSSB Code 101558 / New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018