Setting to work and testing marine liquid ballast arrangements
Overview
This standard identifies the competencies you need to set to work and test marine liquid ballast arrangements, in accordance with approved procedures. You will be required to use appropriate drawings, specifications and test documentation to set up and test the various types of equipment. You will be expected to select the appropriate tools and equipment to use, based on the operations to be performed. The marine liquid ballast arrangements to be set to work will include valves, systems, pumps, manifolds, instrumentation, vents and other associated equipment. You will be required to carry out formal setting to work and testing, under partially ballasted and fully ballasted conditions, meeting a range of operational criteria to establish that the units on test are functioning at optimal level and to specification.
Your responsibilities will require you to comply with organisational policy and procedures for the setting-up and testing activities undertaken and to report any problems with these activities, or with the tools and equipment used, that you cannot personally resolve, or are outside your permitted authority, to the relevant people. You will be expected to work with a minimum of supervision, taking personal responsibility for your own actions and for the quality and accuracy of the work that you carry out.* *
Your underpinning knowledge will provide a sound understanding of your work and will provide an informed approach to applying appropriate setting-up and testing procedures to marine liquid ballast arrangements. You will understand the liquid ballast system being worked on, any test equipment to be used and the various testing procedures, in adequate depth to provide a sound basis for carrying out the activities, correcting faults and ensuring that the equipment functions to the required specification. In addition, you will be expected to review the outcomes of the tests, to compare the results with appropriate standards, to determine the action required and to record and report the results in the appropriate format.
You will understand the safety precautions required when carrying out the setting to work and testing of marine liquid ballast arrangements, especially those relating stability and stress on the vessel and for taking the necessary safeguards to protect yourself and others against injury. You will be required to demonstrate safe working practices throughout and will understand the responsibility you owe to yourself and others in the workplace, both in harbour and at sea.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
- work safely at all times, complying with health and safety and other relevant regulations, directives and guidelines
- follow all relevant setting up and operating specifications for the products or assets being configured
- follow the defined procedures and set up the equipment correctly ensuring that all operating parameters are achieved
- set to work and test marine liquid ballast arrangements using appropriate methods and techniques
deal promptly and effectively with problems within your control and report those that cannot be solved
check that the configuration is complete and that the equipment operates to specification
- complete relevant documentation in line with organisational procedures
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
- the specific safety practices and procedures that you need to observe when carrying out the setting-up and testing activities on marine liquid ballast arrangements (including any specific legislation, regulations and codes of practice for the activities, equipment or materials)
- the health and safety requirements of the work area in which you are carrying out the setting-to-work and testing activities and the responsibility they place on you
- the safety procedures that must be carried out before work is started on setting up and testing the marine liquid ballast arrangements (such as standby supplies, warning notices, notification of trials to be conducted)
- the specific safety precautions to be taken when carrying out formal inspection and testing of marine liquid ballast arrangements, especially those relating to the stress and stability of the vessel
- the methods used to safely control equipment in the case of seizure or mechanical failure of the controls under test
- how to recognise and deal with emergencies and the procedures to be followed (such as methods of safely evacuating and closing down of compartments in the case of fire or other major incident, first aid, fire fighting and resuscitation of personnel)
the importance of wearing protective clothing and other appropriate safety equipment (PPE) during the setting-to-work and testing procedure
protection techniques for mechanical systems to prevent risk of seizure
- how to obtain and interpret system drawings, circuit and physical layouts, charts, specifications, manufacturers' manuals, history/maintenance reports, graphical symbols and other documents needed for the setting-to-work and testing process
- how to carry out currency/issue checks of the specifications you are working with
- the correct operating procedures of the marine liquid ballast arrangements being set up and tested
- the basic principle of operation of the marine liquid ballast arrangement being set to work and tested and the function of the various components within the system
- the adjustments/corrections required to bring the equipment/system to operational standard under partially ballasted and fully ballasted conditions
- types of test equipment to be used and their selection for particular types of tests
- how to calibrate the test equipment to be used, or the organisational procedures for ensuring that the test equipment is maintained correctly calibrated
- how to connect the appropriate test equipment for the measurement of the system or device to be set to work and tested
- the various testing methods and procedures, as recommended in approved operating manuals and how to apply them to different operating conditions
- displaying/recording test results and the documentation to be used
- how to recognise defects (such as under or over performance)
- how to interpret the test readings obtained and the significance of the readings gained
- the various fault finding techniques that can be used if the system fails the test
- the importance of ensuring that test equipment is used only for its intended purpose and within its specified range and limits
- potential problems or errors that could occur and which may affect the test results and how they can be avoided
- the environmental control and company operating procedures relating to the testing activities
- authorisation procedures for changes to test procedures
- the documentation required and the procedures to be followed on completion of the testing
- the extent of your own authority and whom you should report to if you have problems that you cannot resolve
Scope/range
Scope Performance
Scope Knowledge
Values
Behaviours
Behaviours:
You will be able to apply the appropriate behaviours required in the workplace to meet the job profile and overall company objectives, such as:
- strong work ethic
- positive attitude
- team player
- dependability
- responsibility
- honesty
- integrity
- motivation
- commitment