This unit of competency covers the ability to perform basic repairs to glass apparatus using simple glassblowing equipment. It includes the ability to assess the economics of salvage and to follow a procedure of disassembly/assembly of the apparatus in accordance with specifications.

This unit of competency is applicable to scientific glassblowers. It covers work that will sometimes be performed by less experienced workers under the guidance of an experienced scientific glassblower.

While no specific licensing or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication, laboratory operations are governed by relevant legislation, regulations and/or external accreditation requirements. Local requirements should be checked.

Evidence of competence in this unit must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria, and include demonstration of:

safely performing basic repairs to at least three (3) different items of glass apparatus using simple glassblowing equipment

assessing the economics of salvage

following a procedure of disassembly/assembly of the apparatus in accordance with specifications

determining types of contaminants present on or in apparatus and applying appropriate contamination and/or cleaning techniques before repair operations are undertaken

reading and following blueprints, drawings, sketches and designs relevant to repair work

selecting appropriate grades of glass and preparing for use

preparing apparatus for repair

optimising and using appropriate glassblowing and annealing equipment

using appropriate treatment processes, with particular attention to risks associated with blowing used and possibly contaminated glass

identifying atypical or out of normal repair problems

reporting problems to either supervisor or outside service technician according to workplace procedures

completing workplace documentation accurately and communicating work results.

Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge of:

use and function of the broken apparatus to be repaired

pre-repair apparatus preparation procedures

repair materials and reason for their choice

risks associated with blowing used and contaminated glass

contamination and cleaning techniques to be performed before repair operations

glassblowing techniques used for repairs

selection and use of appropriate tools and equipment

basic chemical and physical concepts related to behaviour of glass under heat and stress

critical material properties and appropriate glassworking parameters

annealing procedures

methods of minimising potential quality problems

relevant hazards, work health and safety (WHS) and environment requirements.

Judgement of competence must be based on holistic assessment of the evidence. Assessment methods must confirm consistency of performance over time, rather than a single assessment event. The timeframe must allow for adequate assessment of operation under all normal and a range of abnormal conditions.

This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or a simulated workplace environment. A simulated workplace environment must reflect realistic operational workplace conditions that cover all aspects of workplace performance, including the environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.

Foundation skills are integral to competent performance of the unit and should not be assessed separately.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Knowledge evidence may be collected concurrently with performance evidence or through an independent process, such as workbooks, written assessments or interviews (provided a record is kept in each case).

This unit of competency may be assessed with:

MSL963001 Operate basic handblowing equipment

Holistic assessment methods include:

inspection of glasswork and workplace documentation completed by the candidate

review of candidate’s work outputs over a period of time to assess accuracy, consistency and timeliness

feedback from supervisors and/or customers

oral or written questioning about properties of glass, repair techniques, quality problems and safe work procedures.

Access is required to instruments, equipment, materials, workplace documentation, procedures and specifications associated with this unit, including, but not limited to:

a scientific glassblowing facility, appropriate safety equipment, materials and safe work procedures, and repair methods

bench burner, hand torch, micro torch and ribbon burner, gas supplies and gas economiser

hand tools, such as carbon paddles and mandrels, range of forceps, glass tubing gauges, angle setting jigs, calipers, glass support rollers, brass shapers, carbon rods, glass knife, stainless steel gauze, vernier calipers and other measuring tools, and strain viewer, dydinium glasses and polariscope

glassworking lathe, mechanical glass cutters and saws, and mechanical glass grinding equipment

annealing oven

measuring and recording equipment

various glass types, including soda-lime, borosilicate, quartz, silica and special formula glasses; and glass to metal seals.

Assessors must satisfy the assessor competency requirements that are in place at the time of the assessment as set by the VET regulator.

The assessor must demonstrate both technical competence and currency.

Technical competence can be demonstrated through:

relevant VET or other qualification/Statement of Attainment AND/OR

relevant workplace experience.

Currency can be demonstrated through:

performing the competency being assessed as part of current employment OR

having consulted with a laboratory about performing the competency being assessed within the last twelve months.

This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance.

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Scientific glassblowing