IMPDT39 – Control warehouse vatting operations in the spirits industry

 

Overview

This standard covers the skills and knowledge needed to control warehouse vatting operations in the spirits industry.

This includes the bulking of spirits as part of the maturation or pre-bottling process which is largely a manual or semi-automatic process.

It involves activities including marrying, blending and vatting.

 

Performance criteria

You must be able to:

1.            control warehouse vatting operations in accordance with relevant organisational health and safety requirements, quality standards, environmental standards and Revenue and Customs requirements

2.            use personal protective equipment in accordance with organisational requirements and manufacturer’s instructions

3.            obtain relevant operational instructions and confirm that information received on the current operational status meets organisational requirements

4.            carry out checking procedures and take relevant action within limits of your authority

5.            confirm product specification in accordance with organisational requirements

6.            start up the plant in accordance with organisational requirements

7.            check that the receiving vat is operational and is supplied with the product in accordance with organisational requirements

8.            undertake quality checks in accordance with organisational specifications

9.            monitor the vatting process in accordance with organisational requirements

10.          convey the finished product to the correct location in accordance with organisational requirements

11.          shut down the plant in accordance with organisational procedures

12.          identify and take relevant action to deal with faults and any operational issues

13.          communicate with relevant colleagues when controlling warehouse vatting operations in accordance with organisational requirements

14.          complete all records in accordance with organisational procedures

 

Knowledge and understanding

You need to know and understand

1.            how to control warehouse vatting operations in accordance with the current legislation and the organisational health and safety, hygiene, environmental, quality standards and instructions, Revenue and Customs requirements

2.            why it is important to confirm that equipment and materials are fit for use

3.            the effects of the vatting operation not meeting the organisational specification and remedial action to be taken

4.            the effects of not starting and shutting-down the vatting operation in accordance with organisational procedures

5.            what types of defects may arise and how to safely address these defects

6.            the need for checking procedures and what may happen if they are not followed

7.            the effect of equipment and services not performing to organisational specification or economic use and the remedial action to be taken

8.            when personal protective equipment is required, how it is used, and what may happen if it is not used

9.            why it is important to keep records and what might happen if this is not done

10.          what should be communicated, to whom and why it should be done

11.          the limits of your authority and the consequences of exceeding them

 

Keywords: Warehouse; Vatting; Bulk; Maturation; Spirits