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 the weld quality meets the requirements of the standard. This may require testing of the weld in accordance with the standard.

Consistent achievement of required quality standards is critical.

Assessment method and context

Assessment will occur using industrial plastic pipe/plate/sheet and welding equipment and will be undertaken in a work-like environment.

Competence in this unit may be assessed:

using appropriate, industrial equipment, situations and polymers

in a situation allowing for the generation of evidence of the ability to recognise, anticipate and respond to problems

by using a suitable simulation and/or a range of case studies/scenarios

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 practical/simulation 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 studies/scenarios 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 and/or assessment support when required. Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.

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

Knowledge and understanding of PE, PP, ABS, HIPS and PVC materials and welding rods/granules as described in national standards to recognise welding compatibility and suitability

Knowledge of detailed work instructions necessary to perform extrusion and injection welding, and the ability to implement these within required parameters to attain required quality outcomes.

Knowledge as a basis for solving processing and material problems including:

identify substrate and welding materials being used

identify welding conditions for individual machine types and component materials

maintain and adjust operating conditions in welding machines

set up and maintain safe working environment

operate welding machines within required conditions

assess quality of completed welded joints

identify and rectify fault causes arising from machine operation and component variability

establish and maintain quality records.

Language, literacy and numeracy requirements

Read material which is sequenced for instructions, explanations, information or opinions.

Write short and simple messages about routine tasks or activities, or complete forms.

Use hands-on real-life materials and pictures/diagrams based on personal experience and prior knowledge.

Use several pieces of related mathematical information.

Read, write and speak whole numbers and money sums, recognise and interpret simple fractions, decimals and percentages, use simple data, grid references.

Use simple grammatical forms and vocabulary to give instructions, give explanations, ask questions and express viewpoints.

Clarify intended meaning by asking for repetition when listening, and varying speed and changing tone or emphasis when speaking.

Use strategies such as providing verbal and non-verbal feedback in order to show interest or attitude.

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 unit includes the extrusion and injection welding of PE, PP and other plastic components using electrical (or other) activated welding equipment.

It also includes the operation of all relevant ancillary equipment to assemble components prior to welding.

Specifications include Australian Standards, workplace specifications and instructions, and government codes and regulations.

Procedures

All operations are performed in accordance with procedures.

Procedures include 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:

electrical activated extrusion welding machines

electrical/pneumatic activated injection welding machines

measurement devices, including, timers, temperature probes and callipers

cleaning fluids and wipes (eg isopropanol)

plastics machining equipment

assembly jigs and clamps

relevant safety equipment

comprehensive work instructions.

Hazards

Typical hazards include:

hazardous cleaning fluids

plastic sheet material handling

heavy stationary and moving machinery

cutting and heating components.

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:

incompatible materials (pipes/rods)

variable plastics sheet material grades and supplied welding rods/granules

equipment malfunction or wear and tear

variable factory and field site conditions.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist