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Elements and Performance Criteria

Required Skills

Required skills

communication skills to work with suppliers

planning and organising skills to

select appropriate tools equipment and materials

set up a workshop environment

problemsolving skills to correct OHS issues

literacy skills to interpret technical documentation

numeracy skills to

use numerical features of machinery

technical skills to

choose appropriate stone for cutting

cut sand and polish opals using correct technique

correct faults and defects

source materials

follow the procedures for stock management

service and test equipment

technology skills to set up and use production equipment

Required knowledge

characteristics of opal gemstone structure

suitability of opal pieces for carving

opal carving process including required equipment and consumables

procedures and equipment used in production cutting

where to locate and cost materials for production cutting

stock management requirements

safety issues associated with opal cutting and polishing machinery

Evidence Required

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria required skills and knowledge range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the ability to

cut opal in a production environment meeting industry and quality standards and working with commercial constraints

select machinery and consumables

organise the workshop for production cutting

handle OHS issues appropriately

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to

production cutting and polishing equipment tools and consumables

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge The following examples are appropriate for this unit

observation of processes and procedures

oral andor written questioning on underpinning knowledge and skills

review of portfolios of evidence

review of thirdparty workplace reports of onthejob performance by candidate

Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands eg literacy and the needs of particular groups eg people with disabilities and people who may have literacy or numeracy difficulties such as speakers of languages other than English remote communities and those with interrupted schooling

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector workplace and job role is recommended

Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Machinery may include:	cabochon cutting machine cabochon pre-former diamond sintered wheel grinder faceting unit pre-former high speed sanding unit multi-blade trim saw pumice pre-polishing unit soft diamond wheel sanding and polishing unit spongy wheel sanding unit triplet slicing machine UV light box vibro tumbler.
Consumables and adhesives may include:	#400 acid treated silicon carbide powder backing material blackening agent dopping wax or adhesive epoxy adhesive grinding wheels polishing powder (cerium oxide) polishing wheels (diamond or felt) red sealing wax rough opal sanding wheels (diamond or spongy) trim saw blades triplet slicing blades: 120, 140, 160 and 180 triplet tops UV adhesive water and electricity.
Backing materials may include:	black jade black potch (best) boulder iron stone clear or transparent potch dark grey potch glass (triplet only) obsidian (black) vitrolite (triplet only).
Stock management system may include:	avoiding cutting irregular sizes or shapes to minimise slow stock maintaining rough opal and consumable supplies regularly checking continuity of consumables with suppliers stocking popular sizes to meet new markets.
Dopping techniques may include:	5-minute epoxy glue aluminium or wooden dop sticks collapsible rack for holding dop sticks green or red sealing wax vacuum dopping wood glues.
Standard millimetre sizes may require:	consistent accurate sizes no grinding marks or sanding marks on surface.