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. Plan own work requirements.
   • Identify the most appropriate equipment to be used for production and upstream and downstream operations from production plan or request.
   • Identify and check materials required, including additives and regrind and their amounts or percentages.
   • Implement measures to control identified hazards in line with procedures and duty of care.
   • Identify requirements for materials, quality, production and equipment checks.
2. Start up equipment/ process to procedures.
   • Identify process settings required for product.
   • Set process to required settings.
   • Check materials are correct.
   • Take appropriate action for non-conforming materials.
   • Set up date, batch and materials markings to specifications, as required.
   • Complete pre-start checks .
   • Start up moulding process.
3. Operate and make adjustments to the equipment/process to procedures.
   • Operate equipment/process, noting key variables.
   • Monitor controls/displays/terminals for production and process data.
   • Take samples as required and identify product out of specification.
   • Monitor product/process quality.
   • Make adjustments to remedy faults and nonconformity as required.
   • Establish a stable process.
   • Adjust process to minimise scrap and trim.
   • Clean, adjust and lubricate equipment as required.
4. Shut down machine to procedures.
   • Determine type of shut down.
   • Select appropriate purging method.
   • Purge efficiently and adequately as required.
   • Leave machine in appropriate condition and with appropriate locks, tags or notices.
   • Complete relevant documentation.
   • Ensure area is clean and clear after the shutdown, in readiness for the next start up.
5. Anticipate and solve problems
   • Recognise a problem or a potential problem.
   • Determine problems needing priority action.
   • Refer problems outside area of responsibility to appropriate person, with possible causes.
   • Seek information and assistance as required to solve problems.
   • Solve problems within area of responsibility.
   • Follow through items initiated until final resolution has occurred.

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 material and equipment conditions which may lead to out of specification production

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

Competence includes the ability for the practical completion of the job to apply andor explain

products materials and material characteristics

behaviour of materials in relation to key process variables

quality requirements at each production stage

function and operating principles of equipment

machine components and ancillary equipment

impact of key process variables on product quality and production output

nature of mechanical hydraulic pneumatic electrical and electronic principles which effect machine operation and product development

the importance of machine set up and start up procedure up for effective processing of materials

safety procedures and the use of PPE in relation to handling materials equipment operation and clean up

the hierarchy of control including engineering controls

impact of variations in raw materials and equipment operation in relation to final product

changes to materials at various stages of production

waste management and importance of nonconforming materials

polymer properties and their interactions with process conditions

relationships between polymer properties and process conditions

changes to polymer properties to better suit process requirements

product problems related to polymer properties

product problems related to process conditions

adjustments to process conditions to meet polymer and product requirements

Competency also includes the ability to

plan own work including predicting consequences and identifying improvements

interpret from production requests the correct selection and use of equipment materials processes and procedures

maintain output and product quality using appropriate instruments controls test information and readings

apply relevant procedures relating to safe working practices prescribed for the equipment

follow local OHS legislation andor regulations

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 and production reports

Basic numeracy is required eg to determine how many kg kg and kg bags are needed to make up a requirement for kg

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

identify critical materials properties and process characteristics in relation to the process requirements and the end product

plan own work process within workplace procedures and explain the reasons for the steps in the process

take appropriate action to observe equipment materials and products for out of specification results make adjustments and identify problems to be reported

Consistent performance should be demonstrated For example look to see that

production quality and output standards are met consistently

problems are anticipated from process observations

problems are efficiently resolved

the process runs consistently and smoothly

Assessment method and context

Assessment will occur on an industrial machines equipment and will be undertaken in a worklike 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

---

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 advanced operators demonstrating some relevant theoretical knowledge and using a range of well developed skills requiring some discretion and judgement.

Procedures

All operations are performed in accordance with procedures.

Procedures means all relevant workplace procedures, work instructions, temporary instructions and relevant industry and government codes and standards.

Tools and equipment

This competency includes use of equipment and tools such as:

process equipment and its major components

hand tools used in the process

material loading equipment used for loading of raw materials

relevant personal protective equipment.

Hazards

Typical hazards include:

spills

dusts/vapours

slips, trips and falls

temperature

hazardous materials

manual handling hazards

equipment operations.

Problems

'Anticipate and solve problems' means resolve a wide range of routine and non-routine problems, using product and process knowledge to develop solutions to problems which do not have a known solution/a solution recorded in the procedures.

Typical process and product problems may include:

routine and non-routine product faults

machine malfunction

mould/tooling/ die problems

variations in materials and/or contamination of materials

processing problems.

Variables

Key variables to be monitored include:

temperatures

speed

pressures

colour

cycle time/process timing

output rate

product weight

product integrity and general conformance to specification/sample.

---