SHOWCASE
recent projects with SUCCESSFUL results
The customer (a mining company in the Northern Cape) required a training system to coinside with the rollout of a new control system on their train loadout station. As the control system was being totally re-written, the customer had the need to train their operators to operate the new system before the control system roll out date.
The e-learning system compriseS of the following:
- A learning module
- A complete operator SCADA/HMI simulation of the control system
- A risk based assessment module
- A reporting module
Learning Module:
The learning module was based on an extensive analysis of the clients Company Operating Procedures, COPs and Standards Operating Procedures, SOPs pertaining to the Load Out Station.
The operator is taken through all the company COPs and SOPs from the time of clock-in to clock-out. The operator is introduced to the possible risks or events and the correct way in which each risk or event is to be handled or managed during a typical shift.
The system is presented to the operator as a combination of 2D and 3D animations, slide shows and video footage depicting the everyday scenarios combined with voice over. more than 52 scenarios were incorporated in the e-Learning solution.
SCADA/HMI Simulator:
Included in the system is a complete SCADA/HMI (operator control interface) of the control system. The operator is able to operate a simulation of the plant with real-time feedback of the system offline, thus not exposing the operator or plant to the risk of damage.
The operator can execute all the control functions as if he/she is loading a train in real-time. The system produces typical faults that the operators can encounter on a daily basis and monitors the corrective action taken according to the predefined scenarios.
This module is especially useful in training new operators before exposing them to the actual plant equipment.
Risk based assessment module:
Practice: The learner is first allowed to go through a practice question section that familiarises the learner with the system as well as the procedures. The learners can practice for as long as required or until they are ready to proceed to the assessment stage.
Assessment:
The operator is assessed using a web based system. The questions are based on the individual risks and procedures related to the operation of the Load Out Station. Here again the system poses the questions to the operator using both 2D and 3D animations and a combination of lists, multiple choice, "TRUE/FALSE" and "CORRECT ORDER" answers. All the answers are shuffled and randomised for each question. Here the operator is assessed on each question and may only proceed to the next question if he/she passes the current question. Progress and ability to correctly answer each question and the time taken is monitored. The system comprises of more than 52 individual assessment challenges for the operators to pass.
Reporting Module:
The learner has the ability to monitor his/her own progress and to request for a supervisor to assist if he/she is stuck on a particular question.
Supervisors can monitor the progress of the learners and can assess improvement based on the historic report and previous results. With the reports at hand, the supervisors can determine where assistance or further training may be required.
The System:
The system as a whole comprises of a main server that hosts the e-learning system. The system is made available across the client intranet and operators can practice at their leisure from any PC terminal. The operators can also practice on the simulator when required. Each operator has a unique user ID and password to access the system. Supervisors and administrators have their respective security level settings.
Updates are managed locally or if required remotely and are immediately available.
