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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Prepare for handblowing operations
  2. Follow sequence of operations for glasswork procedure to be performed
  3. Use annealing equipment
  4. Maintain a safe work environment
  5. Maintain records

Required Skills

Required skills

Required skills include

working safely with glass

using tools and equipment to perform basic glassblowing operations

using appropriate glassblowing hand manipulation techniques

cutting heating bending shaping sealing and related glassworking techniques

techniques for minimising strain

using coefficients of expansion

maintaining safe working pressures

storing glass appropriately

making and grinding components such as stopcocks than meet specifications

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

selecting appropriate grades of glass and preparation for use

optimising of equipment operating parameters

maintaining temperature and stress parameters

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

recording and communicating of work results

following correct occupational health and safety OHS and principles of good laboratory practice GLP

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes

composition and nature of glass types

function and correct use of apparatus

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

safe startup and shutdown procedures

critical material properties and appropriate glassworking parameters

preheating procedures

basic theory of reentry angles and stress points

setup and annealingconditioning process

relationship of temperature and temporary and permanent stress

preannealing annealing and postannealing processes

potential quality problems

relevant health safety and environment requirements

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

Assessors should ensure that candidates can

use basic benchhand glasswork techniques and equipment to fabricate general glass apparatus

start up set up and shut down equipment in accordance with work instructions

report atypical results and problems to appropriate personnel

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or simulated workplace environment

Resources may include

access to a scientific glassblowing facility appropriate equipment materials and procedures

a bank of case studies is required where these form part of the assessment method

Method of assessment

It is strongly recommended that assessment is conducted through observation over time

The timeframe must allow for adequate assessment of operation under all normal and a range of abnormal conditions Where this is not practical additional assessment techniques must be used

The following assessment methods are suggested

inspection of glasswork and workplace documentation completed by the candidate

analysis of work outputs over a period of time to ensure accurate and consistent work is obtained within required timelines

feedback from peers and supervisors

use of suitable simulation andor a range of case studiesscenarios

In all cases practical assessment should be supported by questions to assess underpinning knowledge and those aspects of competency which are difficult to assess directly

Where applicable reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity age gender demographics and disability

Access must be provided to appropriate learning andor assessment support when required

The language literacy and numeracy demands of assessment should not be greater than those required to undertake the unit of competency in a work like environment

This competency in practice

Industry representatives have provided the case study below to illustrate the practical application of this unit of competency and show its relevance in a workplace setting

Education

A trainee glassblower has been requested by herhis supervisor to make Pasteur pipettes for a university chemistry practical class the next day The trainee selects the appropriate glass and type and cuts lengths of glass two pipettes per length Shehe then proceeds to pull points at the designated markings in the centre of the glass tube using the bench burner At the conclusion of this operation the pipettes are cut to the relevant length and then flared at the other end using a specially profiled carbon hand tool The pipettes are then annealed to eliminate stress caused by the manufacture process After inspection through a polariscope the pipettes are delivered to the laboratory for use


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.

Codes of practice

Where reference is made to industry codes of practice, and/or Australian/international standards, it is expected the latest version will be used

Standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements

Standards, codes, procedures and/or enterprise requirements may include:

calibration and maintenance schedules

enterprise recording and reporting procedures

equipment manuals

equipment startup, operation and shutdown procedures

industry codes of practice

material safety data sheets (MSDS)

material, production and product specifications

National Environment Protection Measures

OHS national standards and codes of practice

production and laboratory schedules

quality manuals

standard operating procedures (SOPs)

Tools and equipment

Tools and equipment may include:

bench burner, hand torch, micro torch and ribbon burner, gas supplies and gas economiser

dydinium glasses and polariscope

glassworking lathe

annealing oven

measuring and recording equipment

hand tools, such as carbon paddles and mandrels, range of forceps, glass tubing gauges, angle setting jigs, calipers, glass support rollers, brass shapers, carbon rods, glass knife, stainless steel gauze, vernier calipers and other measuring tools, and strain viewer

mechanical glass cutters and saws

mechanical glass grinding equipment

communication equipment

Quality problems

Quality problems may include:

temperature and strain problems

devitrification

non-uniform thickness of seals or joints

equipment problems

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

loss of utilities

Hazards

Hazards may include:

sharps and broken glassware

heat sources, such as burners and ovens

fluids under pressure (acetylene and oxygen)

glass dust

cuts associated with glass grinders and cutters

manual handling of heavy sample bags and containers

Safe work practices

Safe work practices may include:

use of personal protective equipment, such as heat resistant gloves, safety glasses, goggles, face guards, coveralls, respirators and safety boots

correct labelling of reagents and hazardous materials

handling, and storing hazardous materials and equipment in accordance with labels, MSDS, manufacturer's instructions, and enterprise procedures and regulations

regular cleaning and/or decontamination of equipment and work areas

Occupational health and safety (OHS) and environmental management requirements

OHS and environmental management requirements:

all operations must comply with enterprise OHS and environmental management requirements, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation - these requirements must not be compromised at any time

all operations assume the potentially hazardous nature of samples and require standard precautions to be applied

where relevant, users should access and apply current industry understanding of infection control issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and State and Territory Departments of Health