The unit applies to the preparation, operation, monitoring and adjusting of carding machines and equipment used to process fibres. Fibres may be natural or synthetic to be used in woven, knitted, tufted and nonwoven products.

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 carding technology. This unit also requires the ability to check the quality of products, identify and communicate inconsistencies or other problems and complete workplace documentation. Self management skills are applied to ensure workplace and quality standards are achieved.

Prerequisites

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1 Set up machine and load fibres

1.1 Production specifications are checked to identify requirements for carding.

1.2 Raw fibres are received and set up for loading into feed sheet.

1.3 Carding machine is set for operation.

1.4 Non-conforming materials are reported.

1.5 Area around machine is cleaned during and on completion of setting and loading.

2 Operate and monitor carding machine

2.1 Carding machine is started and stopped according to manufacturer requirements and OHS practices.

2.2 Machine and equipment is monitored to ensure correct operation.

2.3 Blending is monitored to ensure blending consistency and feed uniformity.

2.4 Carding operation is monitored to ensure correct feed rate and quality of web offtake.

2.5 Waste is sorted.

2.6 Environmental requirements and procedures concerned with waste, pollution and recycling of materials are correctly applied at all stages of the process.

2.7 Minor product process and machine faults are identified and corrected where necessary to meet specified requirements.

2.8 Major machine faults are reported.

3 Remove carded fibres from machine

3.1 Carded fibres are checked against quality standards.

3.2 Carded fibres are unloaded or removed according to manufacturer specifications and workplace practices.

3.3 Carded fibres are sent for despatch or further processing.

3.4 Area is cleaned to ensure work environment is maintained in a safe and productive manner.

4 Complete records

4.1 Production records and other documentation are accurately completed.

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

Demonstrates knowledge of:

procedures and guidelines for safe operation of carding machine

typical fault conditions and related fault finding procedures

blending and carding processes

air filtration and waste management systems

machine maintenance and repair techniques

technical specifications manuals

quality standards and practices

OHS practices, including hazard identification and control measures

workplace practices

recording and reporting practices

Demonstrates skills to:

check machine safety equipment and report any faults

prepare fibre for carding

load and unload materials according to machine and workplace practices

start and stop machines according to specifications

monitor machine operations, including machine production readings

recognise, rectify and report machine faults or problems as required

clean machines as required

check machine maintenance records

recognise fault conditions

confirm compliance to operational specifications

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

Demonstrates skills and knowledge to:

check machine settings to meet production requirements

operate and monitor carding machine involving defined procedures and methods

make minor adjustments

check product samples against standards

load and unload products according to workplace practices and production requirements

complete records accurately and completely

apply OHS practices in work operations

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

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.

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

Machine and equipment may include

burr handling systems

air filtration equipment

carding machine

doffer waste system

blending systems

compressed air

Waste may include

processed burr

contaminants

processed sweepings

machine waste

Sector

All

This unit contains employability skills.