Assessor Resource

FWPWPP3226
Operate a continuous press

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to set-up, operate and shut-down the continuous press to form and press board for a range of available boards.

The unit applies to production operators and technicians who operate a continuous press in a forest and wood products factory setting.

Licensing, legislative, regulatory, or certification requirements apply to this unit in some states & territories at the time of publication, and may differ according to jurisdiction.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions.

1. Prepare for pressing.

1.1 Review and check work order with appropriate personnel.

1.2 Identify hazards and control risk in the work area according to workplace requirements.

1.3 Select type and quantity of chips, flakes or fibre to be pressed, from storage location.

1.4 Conduct pre-start checks on equipment in line with manufacturer’s recommendations and site requirements.

1.5 Plan pressing process in line with site procedures.

1.6 Communicate plan with relevant personnel as required, to ensure safety and production requirements are met, in line with site procedures.

2. Form, press, test and transfer finished boards.

2.1 Set and adjust press pressures, temperatures and product parameters according to production requirements.

2.2 Check operational condition and set-up of former to confirm mat condition.

2.3 Check forming equipment for defects and position to load press in line with standard operating procedures.

2.4 Press boards while monitoring and adjusting board position, feed rate, mat condition and press condition.

2.5 Plan size changes and line speeds to meet production schedules.

2.6 Regularly assess pressed board and thickness changes and make necessary changes to former, press set-up and blending requirements.

2.7 Test board samples to confirm adherence to industry standard and reject defective boards.

2.8 Dispose of defective boards in line with site procedures and environmental requirements.

2.9 Transfer finished boards for further processing in line with site requirements.

3. Shut down, clean equipment and record information.

3.1 Shut down equipment in coordination with designated stop time and other line operators, in line with site procedures.

3.2 Separate and remove board and forming equipment from press using unloading equipment.

3.3 Strip and clean blending equipment, press and handling equipment in line with standard operating procedures.

3.4 Clear foreign material, dust and debris from machine area in line with workplace requirements.

3.5 Record and report pressing process and equipment faults to appropriate personnel.

A person demonstrating competency in this unit must satisfy all of the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit. If a specific volume or frequency is not stated below, then evidence must be provided that the following requirements have been performed on at least one occasion:

identify hazards and control risk in the work area

operate blending and continuous press equipment to bond and produce board in line with safe work procedures and production requirements

identify defective boards using visual assessment and by testing sample boards

dispose of defective boards

redistribute material onsite using designated equipment

perform lock-out procedure and clean press equipment according to safe work procedure

record and report board pressing process information (production, quality, faults) using workplace specific recording and reporting channels and protocols (manual or computer-based log, communication with relevant personnel).

A person competent in this unit must be able to demonstrate knowledge of:

procedures for identifying hazards and controlling risk in the work environment

procedures for the use, operation and maintenance of a continuous press including emergency shut-down and lock-out procedure

safe work procedures relevant to forming and pressing board using a continuous press

board defects: surface blemishes, discolouration, natural timber defects, deformities, clean scalping from pendistors

ingredients and blending methods used in the board pressing process

chip, flake and fibre characteristics

established communication channels and protocols and how they are used to support safety and production requirements

procedures for testing board samples to check conformance with industry standard

procedures for identifying and disposing of defective boards and waste materials according to environmental protection requirements and site procedures

adjustment of feed rates to meet production requirements

common pressed board types: medium density fibreboard, chipboard, fibreboard

procedures for recording and reporting information relevant to the board pressing process (production, quality, faults)

procedures for responding to an emergency during the board pressing process: serious incident, fire or equipment fault.

The following resources must be made available:

work order

pre-start checklist

personal protective equipment required for operating a continuous press

continuous press with continuous forming line

forming equipment

chips, flakes or fibre, binding ingredients, hardening agents

transfer equipment

relevant personnel for the purposes of communicating information

manual or computer-based log to record production, quality and fault information.

Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated environment that accurately reflects performance in a real workplace setting.

Assessor requirements

Assessors must:

hold the appropriate assessor competency standards as outlined in regulations; and

be able to demonstrate vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed; and

be able to demonstrate how they are continuing to develop their VET knowledge and skills as well as maintaining their industry currency and assessor competence.


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions.

1. Prepare for pressing.

1.1 Review and check work order with appropriate personnel.

1.2 Identify hazards and control risk in the work area according to workplace requirements.

1.3 Select type and quantity of chips, flakes or fibre to be pressed, from storage location.

1.4 Conduct pre-start checks on equipment in line with manufacturer’s recommendations and site requirements.

1.5 Plan pressing process in line with site procedures.

1.6 Communicate plan with relevant personnel as required, to ensure safety and production requirements are met, in line with site procedures.

2. Form, press, test and transfer finished boards.

2.1 Set and adjust press pressures, temperatures and product parameters according to production requirements.

2.2 Check operational condition and set-up of former to confirm mat condition.

2.3 Check forming equipment for defects and position to load press in line with standard operating procedures.

2.4 Press boards while monitoring and adjusting board position, feed rate, mat condition and press condition.

2.5 Plan size changes and line speeds to meet production schedules.

2.6 Regularly assess pressed board and thickness changes and make necessary changes to former, press set-up and blending requirements.

2.7 Test board samples to confirm adherence to industry standard and reject defective boards.

2.8 Dispose of defective boards in line with site procedures and environmental requirements.

2.9 Transfer finished boards for further processing in line with site requirements.

3. Shut down, clean equipment and record information.

3.1 Shut down equipment in coordination with designated stop time and other line operators, in line with site procedures.

3.2 Separate and remove board and forming equipment from press using unloading equipment.

3.3 Strip and clean blending equipment, press and handling equipment in line with standard operating procedures.

3.4 Clear foreign material, dust and debris from machine area in line with workplace requirements.

3.5 Record and report pressing process and equipment faults to appropriate personnel.

Not Applicable

A person demonstrating competency in this unit must satisfy all of the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit. If a specific volume or frequency is not stated below, then evidence must be provided that the following requirements have been performed on at least one occasion:

identify hazards and control risk in the work area

operate blending and continuous press equipment to bond and produce board in line with safe work procedures and production requirements

identify defective boards using visual assessment and by testing sample boards

dispose of defective boards

redistribute material onsite using designated equipment

perform lock-out procedure and clean press equipment according to safe work procedure

record and report board pressing process information (production, quality, faults) using workplace specific recording and reporting channels and protocols (manual or computer-based log, communication with relevant personnel).

A person competent in this unit must be able to demonstrate knowledge of:

procedures for identifying hazards and controlling risk in the work environment

procedures for the use, operation and maintenance of a continuous press including emergency shut-down and lock-out procedure

safe work procedures relevant to forming and pressing board using a continuous press

board defects: surface blemishes, discolouration, natural timber defects, deformities, clean scalping from pendistors

ingredients and blending methods used in the board pressing process

chip, flake and fibre characteristics

established communication channels and protocols and how they are used to support safety and production requirements

procedures for testing board samples to check conformance with industry standard

procedures for identifying and disposing of defective boards and waste materials according to environmental protection requirements and site procedures

adjustment of feed rates to meet production requirements

common pressed board types: medium density fibreboard, chipboard, fibreboard

procedures for recording and reporting information relevant to the board pressing process (production, quality, faults)

procedures for responding to an emergency during the board pressing process: serious incident, fire or equipment fault.

The following resources must be made available:

work order

pre-start checklist

personal protective equipment required for operating a continuous press

continuous press with continuous forming line

forming equipment

chips, flakes or fibre, binding ingredients, hardening agents

transfer equipment

relevant personnel for the purposes of communicating information

manual or computer-based log to record production, quality and fault information.

Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated environment that accurately reflects performance in a real workplace setting.

Assessor requirements

Assessors must:

hold the appropriate assessor competency standards as outlined in regulations; and

be able to demonstrate vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed; and

be able to demonstrate how they are continuing to develop their VET knowledge and skills as well as maintaining their industry currency and assessor competence.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Review and check work order with appropriate personnel. 
Identify hazards and control risk in the work area according to workplace requirements. 
Select type and quantity of chips, flakes or fibre to be pressed, from storage location. 
Conduct pre-start checks on equipment in line with manufacturer’s recommendations and site requirements. 
Plan pressing process in line with site procedures. 
Communicate plan with relevant personnel as required, to ensure safety and production requirements are met, in line with site procedures. 
Set and adjust press pressures, temperatures and product parameters according to production requirements. 
Check operational condition and set-up of former to confirm mat condition. 
Check forming equipment for defects and position to load press in line with standard operating procedures. 
Press boards while monitoring and adjusting board position, feed rate, mat condition and press condition. 
Plan size changes and line speeds to meet production schedules. 
Regularly assess pressed board and thickness changes and make necessary changes to former, press set-up and blending requirements. 
Test board samples to confirm adherence to industry standard and reject defective boards. 
Dispose of defective boards in line with site procedures and environmental requirements. 
Transfer finished boards for further processing in line with site requirements. 
Shut down equipment in coordination with designated stop time and other line operators, in line with site procedures. 
Separate and remove board and forming equipment from press using unloading equipment. 
Strip and clean blending equipment, press and handling equipment in line with standard operating procedures. 
Clear foreign material, dust and debris from machine area in line with workplace requirements. 
Record and report pressing process and equipment faults to appropriate personnel. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

FWPWPP3226 - Operate a continuous press
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:


Assessment Record Sheet

FWPWPP3226 - Operate a continuous press

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: