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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Check work requirements
   • Identify work requirements from production plan or request
   • Check product, materials and equipment meet requirements for job
   • Recognise requirements which may not be in accordance with usual practice
   • Ask questions of appropriate person to confirm unusual practice
   • Identify hazards associated with the job and take appropriate action
   • Perform other pre-operational checks in accordance with procedures
2. Start up equipment to procedures
   • Conduct pre-start checks
   • Start up mixing equipment
3. Operate mixing equipment to procedures
   • Check process is operating within required limits
   • Check materials are in specification and to required quality standard
   • Maintain supply of materials as required
   • Complete logs and records as required
   • Collect and segregate scrap, trim and other materials as required
   • Keep equipment and work area clean
   • Pause machine cycle and perform emergency stop, as required
4. Respond to routine problems in accordance with procedures
   • Recognise known faults that occur during the operation
   • Identify and take action on causes of routine faults
   • Log problems as required
   • Identify non-routine process and quality problems and take appropriate action

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.
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. Applicable legislation, regulations, standards and codes of practice include: health, safety and environmental (HSE) legislation, regulations and codes of practice relevant to the workplace, equipment and production processes and hazardous materials Australian/international standards relevant to the materials being used and products being made any relevant licence and certification requirements. All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent 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 such requirements the legislative requirements take precedence.
Procedures	All operations must be performed in accordance with relevant procedures. Procedures are written, verbal, visual, computer-based or in some other form, and include one or any combination of: 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.
Tools and equipment	Tools and equipment include: mixing or blending equipment ancillary equipment that is integral to the process. Additional tools and equipment will be selected as required from: measurement devices such as measuring flasks, containers, weighing machines, scales or meters stirrers paddles hand tools hoists/lifting equipment not requiring any special permits or licences manual handling aids, such as hand carts and trolleys relevant personal protective equipment (PPE).
Hazards	Hazards must be identified and controlled. Identifying hazards requires consideration of: weight, shape, volume of materials to be handled hazardous products and materials knives, blades and cutting tools sharp edges, protrusions or obstructions slippery surfaces, spills or leaks rotational equipment or vibration high temperatures smoke, dust, vapours or other atmospheric hazards electricity gas gases and liquids under pressure structural hazards equipment failures machinery, equipment and product mass other hazards that might arise.
Routine problems	Routine problems must be resolved by applying known solutions. Routine problems are predictable and include one or more of: incorrect machine settings incorrect type or quantity of materials damaged equipment or equipment components poor blending of raw materials poor surface finish poor colour dispersion bubbles in mixture. Known solutions are drawn from one or more of: procedures training remembered experience. Non-routine problems must be reported according to according to relevant procedures.

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Performance Evidence

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

read and interpret procedures, job specifications, material labels and safety data sheets (SDS)

select and use materials, procedures, tools and equipment to meet job specifications

monitor mixing/blending and ancillary equipment using measured/indicated data and smell, sight, sound and feel as appropriate

monitor and interpret key variables, including:

speed

temperature

output rate

product integrity and general conformance to specification/sample

operate and adjust the equipment to meet product quality and production output specifications

pause the equipment or shut down equipment in normal and abnormal circumstances

identify hazards and apply relevant hazard controls

apply safety procedures

apply housekeeping procedures

apply waste management procedures

recognise early warning signs of equipment/processes needing attention or with potential problems

recognise routine and non-routine problems

identify when the operator is able to rectify faults, when assistance is required and who is the appropriate source for assistance

take action to resolve faults or report faults to appropriate personnel

distinguish between possible causes of routine faults, including:

raw material variations/contamination

process abnormalities

procedural errors

mechanical abnormalities

communicate effectively with team/work group and supervisors

complete workplace records

do basic arithmetical manipulations, including additions, subtractions, divisions, fractions and percentages.

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Knowledge Evidence

Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge relevant to their job sufficient to operate under routine only supervision and to solve routine problems, including knowledge of:

types and application of common mixing/blending equipment

principles of operation of common mixing/blending equipment

the potential effects of variations in raw materials and equipment operation in relation to quality of product

processing behaviour of polymers and the role of additives

production workflow sequences and materials demand

factors which may affect product quality or production output and appropriate remedies

routine problems, their probable causes and relevant corrective actions

organisation procedures relevant to the work environment/job role

hierarchy of control

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

their possible causes

potential consequences

appropriate risk controls.

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