Basic operational maintenance is normally done within routines, following basic requirements for maintenance of mechanical equipment and the instructions included in the manufacturers' specifications. Where more complex repair and maintenance is required, specialist assistance would be sought.

Where appropriate the outcomes of this unit could be contextualised to apply to other gemstones. Examples of aspects of the unit that may need to be adjusted would include:

the specific properties of each gemstones

industry and market requirements

underpinning knowledge

Range Statement.

This unit is based on the unit, RUHHRT318A Undertake operational maintenance of machinery, which has been adjusted for the opal industry.

This unit may be assessed on its own or it may be assessed with other units that cover related skills and knowledge.

Evidence is most relevant when provided through an integrated activity which combines the Elements of competency for the unit, or a cluster of units of competency.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1 Perform operational maintenance.

1.1 Perform basic operational maintenance on the equipment and machinery according to manufacturers' guidelines.

1.2 Adjust, clean and store equipment and consistent with manufacturers' specifications.

2 Rectify common mechanical faults.

2.1 Diagnose mechanical faults and, where they do not require specialist attention, rectify according to manufacturers' guidelines.

2.2 Select tools appropriate to each task and follow safe work practices.

2.3 Where complex faults are identified, seek assistance from manufactures or technical experts.

3 Document operational maintenance.

3.1 Document procedures and update machinery and equipment log books where required.

4 Maintain a clean and tidy workshop.

4.1 Maintain the workshop as an environment that is clean and free from contaminants.

4.2 Identify hazardous materials and remove following manufacturers' instructions.

Required skills:

perform scheduled maintenance

rectify common mechanical faults

use of appropriate tools.

Required knowledge:

servicing characteristics of machinery and equipment

fault finding techniques in mechanical devices

recording systems for machinery use.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

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

To achieve competency in this unit, a person must be able to maintain a range of opal cutting machinery and rectify minor faults.

Assessment must confirm the ability to perform operational maintenance and make routine adjustments to equipment and machinery following manufacturers' guidelines. They must also be able to diagnose and rectify minor faults using appropriate tools and working safely.

Competence in this unit must be assessed over a period of time in order to ensure consistency of performance over the range of variables and contexts applicable to the work environment.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit may be assessed in a work environment, in a simulated work environment or in a combination of these situations.

Method of assessment

For valid and reliable assessment of this unit, evidence should be gathered through a range of methods to indicate consistent performance.

Assessment of this unit of competence will usually include observation of processes and procedures, oral and/or written questioning on underpinning knowledge and skills and other methods as required.

Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy) and the needs of particular groups (e.g. people with disabilities, and people who may have literacy or numeracy difficulties such as speakers of languages other than English, remote communities and those with interrupted schooling).

Assessment of this competency requires access to:

a range of equipment and machinery

a qualified workplace assessor or assessment team.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. 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) may also be included.

Operational maintenance may include:

daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and yearly servicing schedules.

Equipment and machinery may include:

bench grinder 6 or 8

combination units, for grind, sand and polish

diamond grinding, sanding and polishing units

drum or belt sanders

dry sanding units

free-hand saw

grinding arbours with belt drive

leather or felt polishing units

multi blade saw

slab saw

trim saw

wet sanding units.

Mechanical faults may include:

basic faults reasonably within the scope of a non-mechanic resulting from damage, wear, or malfunction.

Opal cutting and polishing

This unit contains employability skills.