Application
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to operate packaging processes that incorporate gas flushing.
Operators in smallgoods manufacturing, value-adding and food services establishments would require this competency to package and extend shelf life of product.
All work should be carried out to comply with workplace and hygiene requirements.
This unit applies to individuals who work under general supervision, exercise limited autonomy and have some accountability for their own work.
No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements are known to apply to this unit at the time of publication.
This unit must be delivered and assessed in the context of Australian meat industry standards and regulations.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Element | Performance criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Set up gas flushing packaging process | 1.1 Set up machinery for packaging process according to workplace, health and safety, hygiene and sanitation requirements and manufacturer's specifications 1.2 Set up and check gas cylinders according to workplace requirements and supplier's specifications |
2. Set up requirements for packaging | 2.1 Set up requirements for packaging and place in appropriate positions on packaging line according to workplace, health and safety, and hygiene and sanitation requirements |
3. Operate gas flushing process to throughput requirements | 3.1 Operate packaging machinery is operated to throughput requirements for a variety of products according to manufacturer's specifications and workplace, health and safety, Quality Assurance (QA) and hygiene and sanitation requirements |
4. Report and/or fix operating problems on equipment and auxiliaries | 4.1 Report and/or fix operating problems according to workplace requirements |
5. Check packaged product against specifications | 5.1 Assess packaged product according to workplace, and hygiene and sanitation requirements 5.2 Take appropriate action if product is out-of- specifications 5.3 Label packaged product according to workplace requirements |
6. Perform gas flushing | 6.1 Perform gas flushing according to workplace requirements |
7. Replace gas cylinders | 7.1 Replace empty gas cylinders according to workplace where part of work instructions 7.2 Follow workplace procedures for removing empty cylinders and replacing with full cylinders |
8. Clean machinery and accessories | 8.1 Clean machinery and accessories according to manufacturer's specifications and workplace, health and safety, and hygiene and sanitation requirements |
Evidence of Performance
The candidate must operate packaging processes that incorporate gas flushing.
The candidate must:
set up and place the requirements for packaging in appropriate positions on packaging line to workplace, health and safety, and hygiene and sanitation requirements
set up and check gas cylinders to workplace requirements and supplier's specifications
set up the machinery for packaging process to workplace, health and safety, hygiene and sanitation requirements and manufacturer's specifications
conduct gas flushing process to workplace requirements
operate packaging machinery to throughput requirements for a variety of products to manufacturer's specifications and workplace, health and safety, QA, and hygiene and sanitation requirements
assess packaged product to workplace, and hygiene and sanitation requirements
label packaged product to workplace requirements
take appropriate action if product is out-of-specification
apply communication and mathematical skills relevant to work instructions and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
explain the gas flushing process
apply relevant health and safety and regulatory requirements
Evidence of Knowledge
The candidate must demonstrate a basic factual, technical and procedural knowledge of:
types of packaging where gas flushing is included
workplace requirements related to checking the packaged product against specifications
workplace requirements related to the gas flushing process of packaging
relevant health and safety and regulatory requirements
Assessment Conditions
Assessment must occur in the workplace under normal production conditions.
Competency must be demonstrated over time and under typical operating conditions for the enterprise.
As a minimum, the following three forms of assessment must be used:
quiz of underpinning knowledge
workplace demonstration
workplace referee or third-party report of performance over time
Assessors must satisfy the current standards for RTOs.
Foundation Skills
Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.