Google Links

Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Prepare for handblowing operations
   • Identify job, appropriate procedure, hazards and safety requirements
   • Use safety equipment, safety procedures and personal protective equipment (PPE) specified for the job and materials to be used
   • Record description of the job to be undertaken, compare with specification and report any variations
   • Select and prepare tools and equipment in accordance with job requirements
   • Identify glass stocks and components required for the job
2. Follow sequence of operations for glasswork procedure to be performed
   • Prepare glass stocks and components as required for the job
   • Check and adjust equipment and tools for the job as applicable
   • Start up equipment using workplace procedures
   • Carry out glasswork procedure using the appropriate standard method
   • Monitor process and rectify routine problems
   • Follow equipment shutdown procedures
3. Use annealing equipment
   • Prepare annealing equipment for the job
   • Start up, operate and shut down annealing equipment using workplace procedures
   • Monitor, adjust and record annealing operation
   • Rectify routine problems
4. Maintain a safe work environment
   • Follow established safe work practices to ensure own safety and that of others
   • Minimise the generation of wastes
   • Ensure the safe disposal of wastes
   • Clean, care for and maintain work area, equipment and tools
   • Report any hazards or incidents according to workplace procedures
5. Maintain records
   • Record data in accordance with workplace requirements
   • Maintain equipment logs in accordance with workplace requirements
   • Maintain security and confidentiality of workplace information

Range Statement

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.
Standards, codes, procedures and/or workplace requirements	Standards, codes, procedures and/or workplace requirements include the latest version of one or more of: Australian and international standards covering the requirements for the laboratory safety; quality and environmental management; and labelling, storage, handling and transport of hazardous materials national work health and safety (WHS) standards and codes of practice specific codes, guidelines and procedures, such as principles of good laboratory practice (GLP) workplace documents, such as standard operating procedures (SOPs); quality and equipment manuals; maintenance schedules; material safety data sheets (MSDS); safety procedures; material, production and product specifications; production and laboratory schedules; workplace recording and reporting procedures; and waste minimisation and safe disposal procedures
Hazards	Hazards include, but are not limited to, one or more of: glass dust sharps and broken glassware heat sources, such as burners and ovens fluids under pressure (acetylene and oxygen) cuts associated with glass grinders and cutters manual handling of heavy bags and containers
Safety procedures	Safety procedures include, but are not limited to, one or more of: ensuring access to service shut-off points recognising and observing hazard warnings and safety signs correct labelling of samples and hazardous materials extracting dust following established manual handling procedures handling and storing hazardous materials and equipment in accordance with labels, MSDS, manufacturer instructions, and workplace procedures and regulations regular cleaning and/or decontamination of equipment and work areas using PPE, such as heat resistant gloves, safety glasses, goggles, face guards, coveralls, respirators and safety boots
WHS and environmental management requirements	WHS and environmental management requirements include: · complying with WHS and environmental management requirements at all times, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation. These requirements must not be compromised at any time · applying standard precautions relating to the potentially hazardous nature of samples accessing and applying current industry understanding of infection control issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and State and Territory Departments of Health, where relevant

---

Performance Evidence

Evidence of competence in this unit must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria, and include demonstration of:

selecting appropriate grades of glass and preparing them for use

safely operating handblowing equipment to produce at least three (3) examples of basic glasswork

using basic bench/hand glasswork techniques and equipment to fabricate at least three (3) items of general glass apparatus involving:

cutting, heating, bending, shaping, sealing and related glassworking techniques

maintaining temperature and stress parameters and safe working pressures

making and grinding at least two (2) components, such as stopcocks, that meet specifications

storing glass appropriately

starting up, setting up, shutting down and maintaining equipment in accordance with work instructions

optimising of equipment operating parameters

reporting atypical results and problems to appropriate personnel according to workplace procedures

completing workplace documentation accurately and communicating work results

maintaining work area, equipment and tools in accordance with workplace procedures.

---

Knowledge Evidence

Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge of:

composition and nature of glass types

basic chemical and physical concepts relating to properties and behaviour of glass

critical material properties and appropriate glassworking parameters

function and correct use of apparatus, safe start-up and shutdown procedures

pre-heating procedures

basic theory of re-entry angles and stress points

set-up and annealing/conditioning process

relationship of temperature and temporary and permanent stress

pre-annealing, annealing and post-annealing processes

potential quality problems, including:

temperature and strain problems

devitrification

non-uniform thickness of seals or joints

equipment problems

poor optics, distortion, excessive breakage, non-uniform break pattern, incorrect cross bend, excessive bow, scratches and poor glass shape

loss of utilities

relevant hazards, work health and safety (WHS) and environment requirements.

---