FWPCOT3230
Operate automated stacking equipment


Application

This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to use automatic or semi-automatic stacking equipment to build, monitor, strap and record packs of timber or timber products in preparation for despatch.

The unit applies to operators of automatic timber stacking equipment in a forest products factory setting.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory, or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.


Elements and Performance Criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions.

1. Prepare for stacking.

1.1 Review work order and where required check with appropriate personnel.

1.2 Select appropriate personal protective and other equipment and check for operational effectiveness.

1.3 Obtain type and quantity of timber products to be stacked from storage location.

1.4 Plan stacking process in line with work order.

2. Stack, wrap and strap packs

2.1 Set up stacking machine to produce specified pack sizes in line with work order.

2.2 Build packs using materials of consistent type, size and thickness.

2.3 Check bearers and protective strips for consistent thickness and damage.

2.4 Place specified bearers, spacing sticks and protective strips squarely, evenly and consistently.

2.5 Monitor stacked material for grade and quality; reprocess or dispose of unacceptable components.

2.6 Stack packs to correct material count or dimension and check safety of stacking.

2.7 Strap, wrap and label packs in line with organisational procedures.

2.8 Avoid wastage of strapping and packaging materials and maximise use of recycled materials.

3. Complete operator maintenance.

3.1 Follow organisational safety procedures to lock out equipment.

3.2 Check, maintain and clean automatic stacking machine mechanism.

3.3 Keep machine area clear of dust and debris in line with organisational safety procedures.

3.4 Record and report production outcomes and equipment faults to appropriate personnel.

Evidence of Performance

A person demonstrating competency in this unit must satisfy all of the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit. If a specific volume or frequency is not stated below, then evidence must be provided that the following requirements have been performed on at least one occasion:

stack and build packs using an automatic stacking machine, in line with an individual work orders prescribing different types, dimensions and numbers of materials to be packed

across the above jobs:

apply protective strips to packs

apply wrapping to packs to prevent water penetration during storage and transportation

strap packs

label packs ready for storage or transportation.

after each of the above jobs, complete operator maintenance on the automatic stacking machine.


Evidence of Knowledge

A person competent in this unit must be able to demonstrate knowledge of:

environmental protection practices for stacking and binding material:

reducing water and energy use

cleaning plant, tools and equipment

disposing of, recycling and reusing timber and other waste

range of industry standard lengths, cross sections, appearance grades, markings and applicable terminology

purpose, features and operation of automatic or semi-automatic stacking machines

typical work flow processes used to automatically build, wrap and strap packs

requirements for quality and dimensions of bearers

organisational procedures specific to operating automatic stacking machines:

workplace health and safety with particular emphasis on equipment lock out and use of personal protective equipment

communication reporting lines

recording and reporting production outcomes and equipment faults

labelling products for identification.


Assessment Conditions

The following resources must be made available:

automatic or semi-automatic stacking machines

personal protective equipment suitable for operating automatic stacking machines

commercial quantities of materials to be stacked, wrapped and strapped

materials from which to build packs

consumable strapping, packaging and labelling materials

work order with specific instructions for automatically stacking material

template documents for recording production outcomes and equipment faults

organisational procedures for operating automatic stacking machines.

Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated environment that accurately reflects performance in a real workplace setting.

Assessor requirements

Assessors must:

hold the appropriate assessor competency standards as outlined in regulations; and

be able to demonstrate vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed; and

be able to demonstrate how they are continuing to develop their VET knowledge and skills as well as maintaining their industry currency and assessor competence.


Foundation Skills

This section describes those core and employment skills that are essential to performance and are not explicit in the performance criteria.

Numeracy skills to:

identify quantities of required material within work orders and count numbers of materials to be stacked, wrapped and packed.

Oral communication skills to:

ask questions and actively listen to clarify contents of work orders.

Reading skills to:

interpret:

workplace health and safety and other organisational procedures

work orders.

Writing skills to:

complete accurate basic records for production outcomes and equipment faults.

Planning and organising skills to:

efficiently and logically sequence the stages of preparation and production using work order to guide activities.


Range Statement

Not Applicable


Sectors

Sawmilling and Processing

Timber Manufactured Products