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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Check work requirements.
   • Identify work requirements from work schedule.
   • Identify product, materials and equipment requirements for job(s).
   • Recognise hazards and apply appropriate controls.
   • Check with supervisor/appropriate person if requirements are not in accordance with usual practice.
2. Conduct pre-start checks to procedures.
   • Check safety gates and guards are in position and working.
   • Check green products/belt are correct.
   • Undertake other pre-start checks.
3. Operate equipment to procedures.
   • Start vulcaniser as required.
   • Check process is within required limits.
   • Remove products/belt and store/coil as required.
   • Check product meets requirements.
   • Maintain supply of green product as required.
   • Complete logs and records when required.
   • Collect and reprocess/discard scrap/trim and other materials.
   • Clean up equipment and work area.
   • Pause equipment, or stop equipment in an emergency, as required.
4. Respond to routine problems to 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.

Required Skills

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit

Application of knowledge of the materials equipment and process sufficient to recognise out of specification products process problems and materials faults

Knowledge of organisation procedures and relevant regulatory requirements along with the ability to implement them within appropriate time constraints and work standards

Application of the knowledge of managing risks using the hierarchy of controls applied to the curing process Application of approved hazard control safety procedures and the use of PPE in relation to handling materials equipment operation and cleanup

Knowledge of and skills in the curing process sufficient for consistent production of quality products including

identifying the function of vulcanising equipment components and the materials used

the influence of the mechanical hydraulic pneumatic electrical and electronic principles on vulcanising equipment operation and product curing

the impact that chemical reactionsmechanical processes have on changing the state form and condition of the vulcanised materials

the role of retarders fillers and extenders processing aids and protective agents appropriate for the rubber compounds and processes used

explaining the impact of vulcanising machine speed pressure time temperature and tension on product quality and production output

describing the role of heat and pressure in relation to providing strength stiffness resistance to deformation fatigue and abrasion

the reasons for minimising waste of vulcanised products

production workflow schedule requirements

Competence includes the ability to

plan own work sequence including identification of key checkpoints for equipment monitoring product quality checks and monitoring of supplies and downstream operations

identify and describe own role and the roles of others involved directly in the vulcanising process

operate equipment and monitor product quality

identify factors which may influence product quality and production output and appropriate remedies

make appropriate authorised alterations to own work plan and equipment to maintain both product quality and required production output

locate interpret and apply relevant information and maintain workplace records

identify and safely handle products and materials read relevant safety information and apply safety precautions appropriate to the task

decide if they the operator are able to rectify the fault or if assistance is required

explain the effect of unauthorised or emergency shutdown of equipment on the vulcanising process

Competence includes the ability to distinguish between causes of faults such as

materials

process conditions

equipment condition

Language literacy and numeracy requirements

This unit requires the ability to read and interpret typical product specifications job sheets and material labels as provided to operators

Writing is required to the level of completing workplace forms

Basic numeracy is also required to the level of reading and interpreting numbers

Evidence Required

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria required skills and knowledge the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package

Overview of assessment

A holistic approach should be taken to the assessment

Assessors must be satisfied that the person can consistently perform the unit as a whole as defined by the Elements Performance Criteria and skills and knowledge

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

It is essential that competence is demonstrated in the knowledge and skills defined in this unit These may include the ability to

apply procedures

explain the importance of critical material properties and quantities recognise potential situations requiring action and then implement appropriate action

Consistent performance should be demonstrated For example look to see that

production standards are met consistently

wire or reinforcing is not visible in the finished product

bonding is achieved in accordance with the specification

Assessment method and context

Assessment will occur on industrial equipment in a worklife environment

Competence in this unit may be assessed

on a processing plant allowing for operation under all normal and a range of abnormal conditions

in a situation allowing for the generation of evidence of the ability to respond to problems

by using a suitable simulation andor a range of case studiesscenarios

through a combination of these techniques

In all cases it is expected that practical assessment will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge and theoretical assessment will be combined with appropriate practicalsimulation or similar assessment Assessors need to be aware of any cultural issues that may affect responses to questions

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the oracy language and literacy capacity of the assessee and the work being performed

Specific resources for assessment

This section should be read in conjunction with the Range Statement for this unit of competency Resources required include suitable access to an operating plant or equipment that allows for appropriate and realistic simulation A bank of case studiesscenarios and questions will also be required to the extent that they form part of the assessment method Questioning may take place either in the workplace or in an adjacent quiet facility such as an office or lunchroom No other special resources are required

Access must be provided to appropriate learning andor assessment support when required Where applicable physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities

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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. Add any 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.

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

Context

This competency applies to the rubber sector and rubber covered cablemaking industry. It includes the operation of all relevant additional equipment such as feed and reeling equipment.

Procedures

All operations are performed in accordance with procedures.

Procedures include all relevant workplace procedures, work instructions, temporary instructions, manufacturer operating instructions and relevant industry and government codes and standards.

Tools and equipment

This competency includes use of equipment and tools such as:

the continuous press/autoclave

feed and reeling equipment

monitoring and control equipment

tools for taking samples

relevant personal protective equipment.

Hazards

Typical hazards include:

burns

vapours

moving equipment.

Problems

'Respond to routine problems' means 'apply known solutions to a limited range of predictable problems'. Typical process and product problems may include:

variations in feed material

scorched materials

contamination of materials

temperature variations

pressure variations

entrapped particulates or air

insufficient bond achieved

uncured rubber

exposed reinforcing or wire.

Variables

Key variables to be monitored include:

temperature

pressure

time

feed rate

clamp/press cycle.

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