Application
This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to dry materials in a continuous operating single or multi pass dryer or flash dryer using either steam, heated air or gas.
The unit applies to production operators and technicians who dry material 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 drying | 1.1 Review work order and where required check with appropriate personnel. 1.2 Identify and obtain type and quantity of material for drying process. 1.3 Select appropriate personal protective equipment and check for operational effectiveness. 1.4 Plan drying process in line with work order. |
2. Set up and operate equipment for drying material | 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, light furnace and monitor continually. 2.3 Follow emergency shutdown procedures in response to fire. 2.4 Set drying temperature, humidity and feed rate for optimal product recovery. 2.5 Position material and feed at rate appropriate to machine speed, capacity, treatment being dried, thickness and condition. 2.6 Assess material visually and measure moisture levels, ensuring outcomes in line with work order. 2.7 Coordinate out-feed to ensure efficient recovery of dried material. 2.8 Record and report on drying process to appropriate personnel. |
3. Redistribute material | 3.1 Regrade material in line with industry standards. 3.2 Direct material to storage or processing operations in line with organisational procedures. 3.3 Reject and dispose of defective material in line with environmental protection practices. 3.4 Clean work area in line with organisational safety procedures. |
4. Complete operator maintenance | 4.1 Follow organisational safety procedures to lock out equipment. 4.2 Check drying mechanisms for effective condition. 4.3 Check, and maintain oil levels, air filters, conveyors and chains in line with manufacturer’s recommendations. 4.4 Keep machine clear of dust and debris in line with organisational safety procedures. 4.5 Record and report 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.
operate a dryer to dry materials in line with individual work orders for each job prescribing different quantities; materials for drying include:
solid timber
flake
veneer
raw boards
laminated panels
veneered panels
plywood
for each of the above jobs, direct materials to appropriate storage location or to downstream processing
after each of the above jobs, complete operator maintenance on the dryer used.
Evidence of Knowledge
A person competent in this unit must be able to demonstrate knowledge of:
environmental protection practices for operating and maintaining dryers:
reducing water and energy use
cleaning plant, tools and equipment
disposing of, recycling and reusing defective materials
purpose of drying materials
characteristics of materials and effects of the drying process:
solid timber
flake
veneer
raw boards
laminated panels
veneered panels
plywood
methods used to visually assess condition of materials and measure moisture content after the drying process
typical work flow processes and drying techniques
typical flow of material supply in and out of the drying area
purpose, features and operation of equipment used for drying materials:
different types of dryers:
continuous operating single pass or multi pass dryer
flash dryer
furnaces operated with steam, hot oil and gas
different types of lifting equipment including:
fork lifts
slings
trolley jacks
gantry cranes
loaders
methods used to maintain dryers
moisture probes
organisational procedures specific to drying materials:
workplace health and safety with particular emphasis on equipment lock out and use of personal protective equipment
communication reporting lines
recording and reporting process outcomes, equipment faults and maintenance requirements.
Assessment Conditions
The following resources must be made available:
dryer:
continuous operating single pass or multi pass dryer
flash dryer
furnace operated with steam, hot oil or gas
continuous conveyor belt system
lifting equipment
moisture probes
maintenance tools and equipment
personal protective equipment suitable for dryer operation and maintenance
commercial material for drying which must include at least one of the following:
solid timber
flake
veneer
raw boards
laminated panels
veneered panels
plywood
manufacturers’:
instructions for equipment use
recommendations for maintaining equipment
work order with specific instructions for the types and quantity of material to be dried
template documents for recording process outcomes, equipment faults and maintenance requirements
relevant personnel for the purposes of communicating information
organisational procedures for drying materials
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 amounts read basic dryer temperature settings; set and adjust levels according to drying requirements calculate the feed rate to optimise quality and quantity of production output complete routine measurements of material moisture levels. |
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 of process outcomes, equipment faults and maintenance requirements. |
Planning and organising skills to: | efficiently and logically sequence the stages of drying activities using work order to guide activities. |
Problem-solving skills to: | identify and dispose of defective materials identify situations requiring emergency shutdown and respond immediately recognise faulty equipment and resolve by reporting or rectifying. |
Technology skills to: | select and use appropriate personal protective equipment for dryer operation and maintenance tasks safely and efficiently operate single or multi pass dryer or flash dryer. |
Range Statement
Not Applicable
Sectors
Wood Panel Products