BASIC ENGINEERING SKILLS for OPERATORS
COURSE 730: 3 DAYS
This course provides operators with the basic engineering skills necessary to perform routine maintenance tasks. These tasks include removal and replacement of components, cleaning, lubrication and inspection.
PARTICIPANTS
Line operators with little or no engineering skills who wish to take on the responsibility of primary asset care.
COURSE PRESENTATION
The course format is very much 'hands on' - the emphasis being on development of sound practical skills within the context of safe working practices.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
On completion of the course, participants will be able to
- understand the principles of and apply safe working practices to routine maintenance
- safely isolate mechanical systems when necessary to prevent danger
- understand machine manufacturer's recommended routine maintenance tasks
- select appropriate hand tools and use them correctly and safely
- recognise faulty/worn components
- remove and replace components that require cleaning, lubrication and/or inspection
- identify basic faults
- adopt a logical approach to fault finding.
Successful completion of the course leads to the award of: Amicus / Technical Training Solutions competence certificate 730: Basic Engineering Skills for Operators.
This course is particularly suitable for our on-site consolidation scheme, which enables candidates to practice their newly acquired skills in the workplace. For more information on the scheme, please contact us.
What do candidates on the basic engineering skills for operators course actually do?
We begin by ensuring that candidates are aware of the various tools available, and the correct ways in which they should be used, bearing in mind their personal safety and avoiding damage to machinery. Candidates have access to a wide range of hand tools on the course and are given clear and concise course notes to reinforce the training exercises.
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Through the use of product handling components such as belts, chains and shafts, student get hands-on experience of alignment, tensioning and first-line maintenance. Students are encouraged to examine bearings and transmission components for signs of wear.
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In addition to understanding the need for lubrication and general wellbeing of machinery, students are given a clear understanding of the health and safety issues connected to their role in the work place. For instance, the responsibility of a duty holder, the safe isolation of equipment and knowing at all times when it is safe (or not safe) to work. Throughout the three-day course a number of practical and written assessments are made in a stress-free manner. Candidates also practice writing clear task instructions, which they exchange with others members of the group. The purpose of these exercises is to illustrate the importance of producing clear and simple information in a logical sequence.
For example, candidates practice selecting the correct tools for tightening various fixings, exploring the issues of incorrect thread matches, cross-threading etc.
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Gaskets are made and placed between flanges to enable students to see for themselves the effects of uneven torque settings.
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Candidates also explore the various types of proximity detectors commonly encountered and the importance of correct alignment, sensitivity adjustment, etc.
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Candidates also practice alignment and tensioning of chains and belts, using various training rigs. Examples of some pages from the course notes for this section of the course follow:
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The rigs used require safe isolation before working on them and this issue can therefore be explored before chain and belt change and tensioning exercises are performed.
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Below is an Example Video of candidates on the Basic Engineering Skills for Operators Training Course performing chain alignment and tensioning.















