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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Prepare materials for manual metal arc welding (MMAW)
   • Weld requirements are identified from specifications and/or drawings
   • Materials are correctly prepared
   • Materials are assembled/aligned to specification, where required
2. Select welding equipment and consumables
   • Welding equipment and electrodes appropriate to the material and the weld are identified and selected
3. Assemble and set up welding equipment
   • Welding equipment is assembled and set up
4. Minimise and rectify distortion
   • Appropriate distortion prevention measures are selected and applied
   • Distortion is rectified
5. Weld to job specification using MMAW
   • Weld deposit is to specification
   • Joints are cleaned to specifications
6. Ensure weld conformance
   • Defects are rectified with minimum loss of sound metal using correct techniques and tools
   • Weld joints are visually inspected for conformance to specifications
7. Where required, maintain weld records
   • Where required, weld records are completed correctly

Required Skills

Required skills

Required skills include identifying and interpreting welding specifications including appropriate standards eg Australian Standard General Purpose American Bureau of Shipping ABS or equivalent selecting and using appropriate tools and equipment using a variety of welding machines and electrodes identifying and rectifying weld defects applying techniques for distortion prevention and rectification cleaning welds reading and interpreting information on sketches written job instructions specifications standard operating procedures and engineering drawings recording routine information including routine weld records related to MMAW onto proformas and standard workplace forms following oral instructions measurement skills relating to joint preparation and MMAW

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes material preparation joint preparations electrode classification causes of distortion for materials within the scope of this unit causes of defects and methods of rectification the relationships between amperage electrode and material safe welding practices use and application of personal protective equipment for MMAW

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	A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to prepare materials select and set up the welding equipment carry out MMAW and examine for and correct defects in a range of welding activities associated with MMAW Competency in this unit cannot be awarded until all prerequisites have been satisfied
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit	Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently apply the skills covered in this unit of competency in new and different workplace situations and contexts Critical aspects of assessment and evidence include following all safety procedures to protect self other workers and members of the public identifying and interpreting specifications for MMA welding including Australian Standard General Purpose interpreting welding specifications including standard welding symbols used to show weld procedure selecting appropriate weld preparation methods for material and position of welds preparing materials setting up of jigs fixtures clampsetc and joint preparation including bevelling consistently welding different ferrous and nonferrous materials to AS General Purpose or equivalent identifying defects as described in the range statement across a range of welded materials rectifying defects
Context of and specific resources for assessment	Welding to AS General Purpose or equivalent requires both theoretical knowledge and high level practical skills The assessment process must be designed to identify consistent performance to the standard and the specifications across a range of materials and positions The assessment must also identify a level of workplace performance in terms of defect rates and weld failure rates It is recommended that assessment involve demonstrations of competency under both workshop and site conditions This means that the ideal assessment environment is either on the job or a combination of both on and off the job The competencies covered by this unit may be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team The assessment environment should not disadvantage the candidate
Method of assessment	Typically an Engineering Tradesperson Fabrication and other tradespersons engaged in welding are required to exercise MMAW skills and techniques across a range of jobs and specifications A single assessment event is not appropriate On the job assessment should be included as part of the assessment process wherever possible Where assessment occurs off the job judgement must consider evidence of the candidates performance in a productive work environment that includes a sufficient range of appropriate tasks and materials to cover the scope of application for this unit Assessors should gather a range of evidence that is valid sufficient current and authentic Evidence can be gathered through a variety of ways including direct observation supervisors reports project work samples and questioning Questioning techniques should not require language literacy and numeracy skills beyond those required in this unit of competency The candidate must have access to all tools equipment materials and documentation required The candidate must be permitted to refer to any relevant workplace procedures product and manufacturing specifications codes standards manuals and reference materials
Guidance information for assessment	This unit could be assessed in conjunction with any other units addressing the safety quality communication materials handling recording and reporting associated with welding using MMAW process or other units requiring the exercise of the skills and knowledge covered by this unit Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently perform all elements of the unit as specified by the criteria including required knowledge and be capable of applying the competency in new and different situations and contexts

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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.
Welds	Welds include fillet and butt welds carried out in all positions
Materials	Materials may include ferrous materials including carbon or stainless steel, as well as non-ferrous metals and alloys suitable for MMA welding
Prepared	Preparation of materials may include: pre-heating setting up of jigs, fixtures and clamps joint preparation (e.g. bevelling)
Equipment	Equipment may include AC or DC welding machines
Distortion prevention measures	Distortion prevention measures may include: pre heating setting up of jigs, fixtures and clamps
Rectified	Rectified refers to oxy acetylene, air arc equipment and grinding devices
Defects	Defects may include: porosity slag inclusions discontinuities lack of penetration undercut

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