The unit applies to sewing work using an industrial sewing machine.

Sewing operations may be performed to repair or finish textile products using a single machine on a limited range of fabrics and textile products. Tasks are preset and the operator must be able to work quickly and accurately to achieve required specifications.

Work is conducted according to defined procedures.

Work may be conducted in small to large scale enterprises and may involve individual and team activities.

The application of this unit is according to OHS practices of the enterprise and workplace practices, which may include:

requirements prescribed by legislation, awards, agreements and conditions of employment

standard operating procedures

work instructions

oral, written and visual communication

quality practices, including responsibility for maintenance of own work quality and contribution to quality improvement of team or section output

housekeeping

tasks related to environmental protection, waste disposal, pollution control, and recycling

This unit requires the application of skills associated with planning and organising for the safe and efficient use of industrial sewing machines. This unit also requires the ability to check machine performance and the quality of outcomes, identify and communicate inconsistencies or other problems and complete workplace documentation. Self management skills are applied to ensure workplace and quality standards are achieved.

Prerequisite

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1 Prepare work

1.1 Work is received, checked and any follow-up action is determined.

1.2 Work is laid out in sequence.

2 Prepare workstation

2.1 Workbench and seating are set up according to OHS practices.

2.2 Machine is cleaned and checked.

2.3 Records are kept.

2.4 Machines are set up and adjusted according to specifications for the work.

2.5 Needles, attachments and/or parts are checked and worn needles and/or parts are identified and reported or replaced, according to manufacturer instructions.

3 Identify poor machine performance

3.1 The performance of the machine is regularly checked for signs of faulty operation, including evidence from the inspection of finished work and required action taken.

4 Sew textile product

4.1 Sewing is conducted according to requirements for operations.

4.2 Quality standards are met.

4.3 Sewing is conducted according to OHS practices and the requirements for the speed of work.

4.4 Machine speed and work handling are controlled for the type of operations, fabrics and product type.

5 Complete work

5.1 Sewn components or textile products are inspected, any faults identified and appropriate action taken and finished pieces are checked against quality standards.

5.2 Results of inspection of finished work are recorded.

5.3 Action taken to reject or correct faulty work is recorded.

5.4 Preventative action taken to avoid any recurrence of defective work is recorded.

5.5 Production records and packing slips are completed.

5.6 Completed work is directed to the next operation or packing section.

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Demonstrates knowledge of:

techniques in using and maintaining industrial sewing machines

characteristics of fabrics and threads used in textile product

quality standards and practices

OHS practices, including hazard identification and control measures

workplace practices

recording and reporting practices

Demonstrates skills to:

handle and sew textile products

consistently achieve quality and production output requirements

read, interpret and follow information on work specifications, standard operating procedures and work instructions, and other reference material

maintain accurate records

communicate within the workplace

sequence operations

meet specifications

clarify and check task-related information

carry out work according to OHS practices

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Critical aspects of evidence to be considered

Demonstrates skills and knowledge to:

check work against job specifications and workplace practices

prepare workstation and work before commencing sewing operations

apply sewing techniques

apply OHS practices in work operations

maintain accurate records

Consistency in performance

Consistently applies skills and knowledge when:

organising work

completing tasks according to instructions

working systematically with attention to detail

identifying improvements and avoiding damage and avoiding damage

using workplace practices

using OHS practices

recording and reporting accidents and incidents

assessing operational readiness of equipment

recognising and adapting to cultural differences in the workplace, including modes of behaviour and interactions

Resource implications

Access is required to real or appropriately simulated situations, including work areas, materials and equipment, and to information on workplace practices and OHS practices.

Context for assessment

Assessment may occur on the job or in an appropriately simulated environment.

Interdependent assessment

This unit may be assessed independently or in combination with other relevant units.

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. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs if the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.

Legislative/regulatory requirements

All work must comply with relevant Federal and State or Territory legislative or regulatory requirements.

Work may include

pieces of material or fabric components

yarns and threads

finished textile products

components of textile products

faulty textile products

labels and tickets

finishing components and accessories

'Checked' includes

checking that the work matches job specifications

checking that previous operations have been successfully completed

OHS practices

OHS practices include hazard identification and control, risk assessment and implementation of risk reduction measures specific to the tasks described by this unit, and may relate to:

manual handling techniques

standard operating procedures

personal protective equipment

safe materials handling

taking of rest breaks

ergonomic arrangement of workplaces

following marked walkways

safe storage of equipment

housekeeping

reporting accidents and incidents

environmental practices

Machines may include

plain lockstitch sewing machine

three, four or five thread overlocker

zigzag sewing machine

blind hemming machines

Set-up includes

correct thread, needle size and type, needle guard, tension setting and attachments

Needles may include

a variety of size and types such as standard, ball point

Operations may include

sewing techniques where the positioning, feeding and handling of work pieces involves some discretionary changes, contouring or critical stopping points or special handling skills to accommodate fabric variations

gathering, easing, tucking, stitching curves

Sector

Textile Production

This unit contains employability skills.