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 the melting equipment
   • Establish production program and melting guidelines from the job specifications/work instructions
   • Conduct furnace pre-start procedures according to enterprise procedure checklist
   • Ensure furnace start-up function complies with standard operating procedures (SOPs)
   • Ensure glass melting equipment is operated in accordance with established enterprise procedures
2. Test furnace back-up equipment
   • Make sure furnace back-up equipment test schedule is maintained
   • Conduct back-up equipment test procedures to meet specific enterprise requirements
3. Melt raw materials
   • Interpret the molten glass mix and required furnace operation from job specifications
   • Melt glass and monitor furnace and other operating parameters in accordance with established enterprise procedures
4. Monitor and interpret data and adjust operation
   • Monitor instruments and control panels, and interpret test results for fluctuations, variations and trends
   • Monitor plant and process and deduce conditions of materials in process and products being made
   • Determine appropriate action to improve process operation
   • Adjust furnace controls to ensure glass melt parameters are maintained to job specifications
   • Check that process operation has improved
   • Continue analysing data and making adjustments until desired level of process operation is achieved and product is within specifications in accordance with work instructions
5. Rectify problems
   • Identify the range of faults that can occur during the operation
   • Determine and rectify fault causes in accordance with established enterprise procedures
   • Identify and rectify equipment failure causes in accordance with established enterprise procedures
   • Make sure appropriate records and log books of equipment operations are maintained to meet enterprise requirements
   • Identify non-routine problems and report to designated person
6. Control hazards
   • Identify hazards from the job to be done
   • Identify other hazards in the work area
   • Assess the risks arising from those hazards
   • Implement measures to control those risks in line with procedures

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: job cards emergency procedures work instructions 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: furnaces measuring and recording equipment ancillary equipment that is integral to the process.
Problems	Routine problems must be resolved by applying known solutions. Routine problems are predictable and include one or more of: raw materials feed change of fuel source variations in furnace temperature variations in melt quality. 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.
Hazards	Hazards must be identified and controlled. Identifying hazards requires consideration of: high temperatures smoke, dust, vapours or other atmospheric hazards weight, shape, volume of materials to be handled hazardous products and materials sharp edges, protrusions or obstructions slippery surfaces, spills or leaks electricity gas gases and liquids under pressure noise rotational equipment or vibration plant services (steam, condensate, cooling water, etc) structural hazards equipment failures machinery, equipment and product mass limited head spaces or overhangs working at heights working in restricted or confined spaces other hazards that might arise.
Records and reports	Records include one or more of: log books/sheets electronic records job/work sheets other records used for the smooth running of the plant. Reports include one or more of: paper or electronic-based logs and reports verbal/radio reports reporting items found which require action.

---

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, job sheets, procedures, instruments/control panels, test results, material labels and safety information

perform pre-start procedures

conduct back-up equipment test procedures to schedule

analyse test results and control instrument data to identify fluctuations, variations and trends in process variables

monitor key variables, including:

temperature

material flow and discharge rates

fuel source

melt quality

product integrity and general conformance to specification

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

identify hazards and apply relevant hazard controls

apply safety procedures

apply housekeeping procedures

recognise out-of-specification products, process problems and materials faults

recognise routine and non-routine problems

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

take action to resolve problems or report them to appropriate personnel

distinguish between possible causes of routine problems, including:

raw material variations

equipment malfunctions

electrical/instrument malfunctions

process abnormalities

communicate effectively with team/work group and supervisors

complete workplace records

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

---

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:

principles of glass melting process

control philosophy of process

functions, limitations and principles of operation of melting equipment

composition and nature of the glass

critical material properties, settings and readings

combustion fundamentals

test procedures and schedule

basic physics, and where appropriate chemistry, relevant to the equipment/process/materials

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

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

start-up and shutdown processes

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.

---