Application
This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to assess chips for production suitability, and operate a defribrator to convert wood chips to fibre for the production of medium density fibreboard.
The unit applies to production technician operators and machine operators in a forest and wood products factory setting and includes operator maintenance.
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 fibre production | 1.1 Review work order and where required check with appropriate personnel. 1.2 Select appropriate personal protective equipment and check for operational effectiveness. 1.3 Identify type and quantity of wood chips for fibre production, assess condition and select. 1.4 Plan defibrator process in line with work order. |
2. Produce fibre | 2.1 Use equipment in line with organisational safety procedures, manufacturer’s instructions and environmental protection practices. 2.2 Complete pre start-up equipment checks to ensure operational effectiveness. 2.3 Adjust defibrator and feed systems to produce required fibre size; check and adjust regularly. 2.4 Monitor chip flow and pulp out-feed to prevent blockages to ensure optimum production rate. 2.5 Direct fibre output to storage bins in line with prescribed fill levels. 2.6 Respond to critical situations requiring emergency shutdown to prevent personal injury or damage to machine or product. 2.7 Dispose of sub-standard material in line with environmental protection practices. |
3. Complete operator maintenance | 3.1 Follow organisational safety procedures to lock out equipment. 3.2 Check defibrator blades for bluntness or damage, remove and replace in line with manufacturer's recommendations. 3.3 Dispose of used blades in line with environmental protection practices. 3.4 Clean defibrator components in line with manufacturer's recommendations, keeping machine clear of dust and debris. 3.5 Record and report production outcomes, equipment faults and maintenance requirements 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.
complete fibre production jobs and safely operate defibrator in line with individual work orders prescribing different fibre size and quantity for each job
complete assessments of the source wood chips for:
species
size
moisture content
contamination issues
monitor and adjust the feed system according to:
white water
stock level
fibre consistency
feed level
steam flow
raw water
noise
power consumption
after each of the above jobs, complete operator maintenance on the defibrator.
Evidence of Knowledge
A person competent in this unit must be able to demonstrate knowledge of:
environmental protection practices for producing fibre from wood chips:
reducing water and energy use
cleaning plant, tools and equipment
disposing of, recycling and reusing fibre, pulp and other waste
typical flow of material supply in and out of the fibre production area
methods used to assess wood chips for:
species
size
moisture content
contamination issues
typical work flow processes and techniques used to produce fibre from wood chips
purpose, features and operation of equipment used to produce fibre from chips:
defibrator
feed system
methods for assessing defibrator blade condition and completing basic non-specialist repair and maintenance
organisational procedures specific to producing fibre from chips:
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, equipment faults and maintenance requirements.
Assessment Conditions
The following resources must be made available:
defibrator
feed system
maintenance tools and equipment
consumable defribrator blades
personal protective equipment suitable for producing fibre from chips
wood chips from various timber species
manufacturers’ instructions for use and maintenance of equipment
work order with specific instructions for assessing wood chips and producing fibre to a specified grade
template documents for recording production outcomes, equipment faults and maintenance requirements
relevant personnel for the purposes of communicating information
organisational procedures for producing fibre from chips.
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 measure volume of wood chips read basic numerical machine settings and choose according to required fibre size. |
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 manufacturers’ instructions and maintenance recommendations. |
Writing skills to: | complete accurate basic records for production outcomes, equipment faults and maintenance requirements. |
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
Wood Panel Products
Timber Manufactured Products