Assessor Resource

PMAOPS752
Develop a decorative coating

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to develop a new decorative surface coating product. A surface coating is any liquid (e.g. solvent or emulsion-based) material applied to a solid surface for decorative and/or protective reasons. A decorative coating may also have a protective function, but its main function is decorative.

This unit of competency applies to senior technicians, laboratory supervisors, research and development personnel, or those in similar roles who are required to apply in-depth physiochemical knowledge in order to develop decorative coating formulations to meet formulation parameters/specifications, specify quality control and performance tests, solve problems, and recommend manufacturing and application methods.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

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.

1

Formulate a decorative coating

1.1

Confirm the specification/performance requirements of the decorative coating

1.2

Determine the effect on performance characteristics of formulation parameters

1.3

Specify required quality control and performance tests

1.4

Recommend appropriate raw materials

1.5

Recommend appropriate raw material suppliers

1.6

Formulate a decorative coating to specified parameters

1.7

Ensure laboratory formulations are converted to production scale

2

Specify the relationship of pigment/binder for a coating

2.1

Define pigment/binder relationships and their impact on coating properties

2.2

Calculate pigment/binder ratio, and pigment volume concentration (PVC)

2.3

Specify pigment/binder relationships appropriate for a coating

3

Recommend a method of manufacture

3.1

Identify critical formulation parameters and the effect on manufacturing characteristics for decorative coatings

3.2

Determine dispersion, let down and mixing required

3.3

Select the types of equipment required for coating manufacture

3.4

Recommend a method of manufacture

4

Identify and control hazards

4.1

Identify material hazards

4.2

Identify regulatory requirements

4.3

Identify other hazards from the manufacture of decorative coatings

4.4

Recommend appropriate hazard control

5

Recommend a coating application method

5.1

Distinguish between common decorative coating application methods

5.2

Recommend an application method for decorative coatings

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy the requirements of the elements and performance criteria, and include the ability to:

evaluate raw materials against specifications, including:

chemistry

structure

physical and chemical properties relevant to surface coating

modification reactions as relevant (e.g. alkyds)

hazards

impact on environment

pigment/binder relationship

determine the impact of key variables on formulation and manufacture, including:

substrates

physical properties

cost of raw materials

application methods

curing conditions

drying times

pigment/binder relationship

select materials for purpose

calculate formulations to customer's requirements

isolate the causes of problems and to be able to distinguish between causes of problems, such as:

incorrect equipment

incorrect raw materials

inadequate ventilation when manufacturing

inability to meet customer specifications

inadequate quality control tests

recommend appropriate manufacturing procedure

recommend appropriate application method (brush, roller or spray)

complete written/electronic records

communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.

Evidence must be provided that demonstrates knowledge of:

types and impact of pigment binder relationships, including:

specific gravity

weight and volume solids

pigment/binder ratio

pigment volume concentration (PVC)

formulation parameters

flow point curves

safety data sheets (SDS)

toxicity and other hazards of raw materials

types of raw materials and their chemical properties and functions

impact of differing raw material suppliers

principles of dispersion, let down and mixing

types and application of equipment used for coating manufacture

quality control methods

test methods

organisation procedures

duty of care obligations

hierarchy of control

hazards that may arise in the job/work environment, and:

their possible causes

potential consequences

appropriate risk controls.

The unit should be assessed holistically and the judgement of competence based on a holistic assessment of the evidence.

The collection of performance evidence is best done from a report and/or folio of evidence drawn from:

a single project which provides sufficient evidence of the requirements of all the elements and performance criteria

multiple smaller projects which together provide sufficient evidence of the requirements of all the elements and performance criteria.

A third-party report, or similar, may be needed to testify to the work done by the individual, particularly when the project has been done as part of a project team.

Assessment should use a real project in an operational workplace. Where this is not possible or practical assessment must occur using a sufficiently rigorous simulated environment reflecting realistic operational workplace conditions. This must cover all aspects of workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.

Knowledge evidence may be collected concurrently with performance evidence or through an independent process, such as workbooks, written assessments or interviews (provided a record is kept).

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Conditions for assessment must include access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required, including relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications associated with this unit.

The regulatory framework will be reflected in workplace policies and procedures and is not required to be independently assessed.

Foundation skills are integral to competent performance of the unit and should not be assessed separately.

Assessors must satisfy the assessor competency requirements that are in place at the time of the assessment as set by the VET regulator.

In addition, the assessor or anyone acting in subject matter expert role in assessment must demonstrate both technical competency and currency. If the assessor cannot demonstrate technical competency and currency they must assess with a subject matter expert who does meet these requirements.

Technical competence can be demonstrated through one or more of:

relevant VET or other qualification/Statement of Attainment

appropriate workplace experience undertaking the type of work being assessed under routine and non-routine conditions

appropriate workplace experience supervising/evaluating the type of work being assessed under routine and non-routine conditions

Currency can be demonstrated through one or more of:

being currently employed undertaking the type of work being assessed

being employed by the organisation undertaking the type of work being assessed and having maintained currency in accordance with that organisation’s policies and procedures

having consulted/had contact with an organisation undertaking the type of work being assessed within the last twelve months, the consultation/contact being related to assessment

conducting on-the-job training/assessments of the type of work being assessed

being an active member of a relevant professional body and participating in activities relevant to the assessment of this type of work


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.

1

Formulate a decorative coating

1.1

Confirm the specification/performance requirements of the decorative coating

1.2

Determine the effect on performance characteristics of formulation parameters

1.3

Specify required quality control and performance tests

1.4

Recommend appropriate raw materials

1.5

Recommend appropriate raw material suppliers

1.6

Formulate a decorative coating to specified parameters

1.7

Ensure laboratory formulations are converted to production scale

2

Specify the relationship of pigment/binder for a coating

2.1

Define pigment/binder relationships and their impact on coating properties

2.2

Calculate pigment/binder ratio, and pigment volume concentration (PVC)

2.3

Specify pigment/binder relationships appropriate for a coating

3

Recommend a method of manufacture

3.1

Identify critical formulation parameters and the effect on manufacturing characteristics for decorative coatings

3.2

Determine dispersion, let down and mixing required

3.3

Select the types of equipment required for coating manufacture

3.4

Recommend a method of manufacture

4

Identify and control hazards

4.1

Identify material hazards

4.2

Identify regulatory requirements

4.3

Identify other hazards from the manufacture of decorative coatings

4.4

Recommend appropriate hazard control

5

Recommend a coating application method

5.1

Distinguish between common decorative coating application methods

5.2

Recommend an application method for decorative coatings

This field allows for different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included.

Regulatory framework

The latest version of all legislation, regulations, industry codes of practice and Australian/international standards, or the version specified by the local regulatory authority, must be used, and include one or more of the following:

legislative requirements, including work health and safety (WHS)

industry codes of practice and guidelines

environmental regulations and guidelines

Australian and other standards

licence and certification requirements

All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent health, safety and environment (HSE) requirements, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation, and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between performance criteria and HSE requirements, the HSE requirements take precedence

Hazards

Hazards include one or more of the following:

equipment failures

industrial (machinery, equipment and product)

noise, rotational equipment or vibration

plant services (steam, condensate and cooling water)

flammability and explosivity

hazardous products and materials

slippery surfaces, spills or leaks

other hazards that might arise

Procedures

All operations must be performed in accordance with relevant procedures.

Procedures are written, verbal, visual, computer-based or in some other form, include one or more of the following:

emergency procedures

work instructions

standard operating procedures (SOPs)

safe work method statements (SWMS)

formulas/recipes

batch sheets

temporary instructions

any similar instructions provided for the smooth running of the plant

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy the requirements of the elements and performance criteria, and include the ability to:

evaluate raw materials against specifications, including:

chemistry

structure

physical and chemical properties relevant to surface coating

modification reactions as relevant (e.g. alkyds)

hazards

impact on environment

pigment/binder relationship

determine the impact of key variables on formulation and manufacture, including:

substrates

physical properties

cost of raw materials

application methods

curing conditions

drying times

pigment/binder relationship

select materials for purpose

calculate formulations to customer's requirements

isolate the causes of problems and to be able to distinguish between causes of problems, such as:

incorrect equipment

incorrect raw materials

inadequate ventilation when manufacturing

inability to meet customer specifications

inadequate quality control tests

recommend appropriate manufacturing procedure

recommend appropriate application method (brush, roller or spray)

complete written/electronic records

communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.

Evidence must be provided that demonstrates knowledge of:

types and impact of pigment binder relationships, including:

specific gravity

weight and volume solids

pigment/binder ratio

pigment volume concentration (PVC)

formulation parameters

flow point curves

safety data sheets (SDS)

toxicity and other hazards of raw materials

types of raw materials and their chemical properties and functions

impact of differing raw material suppliers

principles of dispersion, let down and mixing

types and application of equipment used for coating manufacture

quality control methods

test methods

organisation procedures

duty of care obligations

hierarchy of control

hazards that may arise in the job/work environment, and:

their possible causes

potential consequences

appropriate risk controls.

The unit should be assessed holistically and the judgement of competence based on a holistic assessment of the evidence.

The collection of performance evidence is best done from a report and/or folio of evidence drawn from:

a single project which provides sufficient evidence of the requirements of all the elements and performance criteria

multiple smaller projects which together provide sufficient evidence of the requirements of all the elements and performance criteria.

A third-party report, or similar, may be needed to testify to the work done by the individual, particularly when the project has been done as part of a project team.

Assessment should use a real project in an operational workplace. Where this is not possible or practical assessment must occur using a sufficiently rigorous simulated environment reflecting realistic operational workplace conditions. This must cover all aspects of workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.

Knowledge evidence may be collected concurrently with performance evidence or through an independent process, such as workbooks, written assessments or interviews (provided a record is kept).

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Conditions for assessment must include access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required, including relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications associated with this unit.

The regulatory framework will be reflected in workplace policies and procedures and is not required to be independently assessed.

Foundation skills are integral to competent performance of the unit and should not be assessed separately.

Assessors must satisfy the assessor competency requirements that are in place at the time of the assessment as set by the VET regulator.

In addition, the assessor or anyone acting in subject matter expert role in assessment must demonstrate both technical competency and currency. If the assessor cannot demonstrate technical competency and currency they must assess with a subject matter expert who does meet these requirements.

Technical competence can be demonstrated through one or more of:

relevant VET or other qualification/Statement of Attainment

appropriate workplace experience undertaking the type of work being assessed under routine and non-routine conditions

appropriate workplace experience supervising/evaluating the type of work being assessed under routine and non-routine conditions

Currency can be demonstrated through one or more of:

being currently employed undertaking the type of work being assessed

being employed by the organisation undertaking the type of work being assessed and having maintained currency in accordance with that organisation’s policies and procedures

having consulted/had contact with an organisation undertaking the type of work being assessed within the last twelve months, the consultation/contact being related to assessment

conducting on-the-job training/assessments of the type of work being assessed

being an active member of a relevant professional body and participating in activities relevant to the assessment of this type of work

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
Confirm the specification/performance requirements of the decorative coating 
Determine the effect on performance characteristics of formulation parameters 
Specify required quality control and performance tests 
Recommend appropriate raw materials 
Recommend appropriate raw material suppliers 
Formulate a decorative coating to specified parameters 
Ensure laboratory formulations are converted to production scale 
Define pigment/binder relationships and their impact on coating properties 
Calculate pigment/binder ratio, and pigment volume concentration (PVC) 
Specify pigment/binder relationships appropriate for a coating 
Identify critical formulation parameters and the effect on manufacturing characteristics for decorative coatings 
Determine dispersion, let down and mixing required 
Select the types of equipment required for coating manufacture 
Recommend a method of manufacture 
Identify material hazards 
Identify regulatory requirements 
Identify other hazards from the manufacture of decorative coatings 
Recommend appropriate hazard control 
Distinguish between common decorative coating application methods 
Recommend an application method for decorative coatings 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

PMAOPS752 - Develop a decorative coating
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

PMAOPS752 - Develop a decorative coating

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: