Application
This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to dry wood flakes for downstream use in board production and to operate dryers and other ancillary equipment.
The unit applies to production technicians and operators who dry wood flakes in a forest and wood products factory setting.
Licensing, legislative, regulatory, or certification requirements apply to this unit in some states and territories at the time of publication, and may differ according to jurisdiction.
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 to dry wood flakes. | 1.1 Review work order and check with appropriate personnel. 1.2 Identify hazards and control risk in the work environment. 1.3 Acquire type and quantity of flakes to be dried from production process, and assess. 1.4 Select equipment appropriate to work requirements and conduct pre-start checks in line with manufacturer's recommendations and site procedures. 1.5 Plan drying process in line with site procedures. 1.6 Establish and maintain communication with relevant personnel in line with work health and safety (WHS) requirements. |
2. Dry wood flakes and monitor quality. | 2.1 Start dryer and hot oil system and monitor continuously in line with operational procedures. 2.2 Set drying temperature, humidity and feed rate for optimal recovery of product. 2.3 Position flakes and feed at a rate appropriate to machine speed, capacity, flakes moisture content, thickness and condition. 2.4 Visually assess flakes and measure moisture levels to ensure specified outcome has been achieved. 2.5 Coordinate out-feed to ensure efficient recovery of dried flakes. 2.6 Reject and dispose of sub-standard flakes in line with site procedures and environmental requirements. |
3. Grade and redistribute wood flakes. | 3.1 Grade flakes in line with site requirements and industry standards. 3.2 Move flakes to storage or processing operations in line with site requirements. 3.3 Reject and dispose of sub-standard material in line with site requirements. |
4. Clean up, maintain equipment and record information. | 4.1 Clean work area in line with site requirements. 4.2 Follow equipment lock-out procedures in line with site procedures. 4.3 Check drying mechanism for effective condition. 4.4 Check and maintain oil levels, air filters, conveyors and chains. 4.5 Clear dust, shavings and debris from drying area in line with workplace requirements. 4.6 Record and report drying process 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.
operate drying equipment and hot oil systems to dry wood flakes in line with work order and safe work procedures in readiness for storage and/or processing
monitor and adjust equipment parameters to ensure production requirements are met
visually assess dried wood flakes to identify faults and determine quality for grading
grade and redistribute flakes on-site using designated equipment
identify hazards and control risk throughout the drying wood flakes process
perform emergency shut-down procedure in response to fire
perform operator maintenance on drying equipment:
perform equipment lock-out procedure
check and maintain oil levels, air filters, conveyers, chains
clean up work area and clear drying area of waste
appropriately dispose of waste
record production, quality and fault information using designated workplace recording systems.
Evidence of Knowledge
A person competent in this unit must be able to demonstrate knowledge of:
safe work procedures relevant to operating drying equipment and hot oil systems to dry wood flakes
procedures for the safe disposal of waste materials according to environmental protection guidelines
wood flakes drying techniques (using pre-dryers, dryers, cooling sections, steam, gas, heated air)
procedures for visually assessing wood flakes to determine characteristics, faults, finish and quality
procedures for grading and redistributing wood flakes
established communication channels and protocols used to communicate with relevant personnel
procedures for identifying irregularities and faults with machinery and ancillary equipment, and appropriate resolution strategies
procedures for the operation and maintenance of drying equipment
procedures for recording and reporting production, quality and fault information
procedures for setting, monitoring and adjusting feed rate and moisture content
storage systems appropriate for the storage of wood flakes:
storage racks
storage bays
bins, stacks
pallet boxes
modularised storage compartments
temporary stacking bays
workplace specific dryers and ancillary equipment used to dry wood flakes
waste minimisation, disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines
emergency procedures in response to fire, accident, and serious equipment fault.
Assessment Conditions
The following resources must be made available:
work order
manual or computer-based recording and reporting systems for:
production records
quality records
maintenance records
tally sheets
wood flakes
storage area
wood flakes transfer equipment
drying equipment
relevant personnel for the purposes of communicating information
personal protective equipment required for drying wood flakes.
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: | interpret gauges, dials and screens displaying numerical information (levels, capacity, speed) estimate flakes size, quantity and thickness use grading codes. |
Reading skills to: | monitor drying process information. |
Writing skills to: | enter data record production, quality and maintenance information. |
Problem solving skills to: | identify irregularities in temperature and levels and make appropriate adjustments. |
Range Statement
Not Applicable
Sectors
Wood Panel Products.