Application
This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to use materials and equipment to finish products to make them ready for use by customers or in a subsequent process.
Finishing refers to a range of secondary value-adding processes, such as trimming, grinding, applying protective coatings, cleaning, sorting, assembly and repair of minor surface imperfections.
This unit of competency applies to production support operators or those in similar roles who are required to communicate with others and apply procedures in order to select and apply finishing processes, inspect the product for routine and non-routine imperfections and take appropriate action.
It applies to an individual working alone or as part of a team or group and working in liaison with other shift team members, team leader and supervisor, as appropriate.
This unit of competency applies to all sectors of the industry.
No licensing, legislative 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. | ||
1 | Establish requirements for the finishing process | 1.1 | Identify work requirements from procedures |
1.2 | Assemble equipment and consumables for the finishing process | ||
1.3 | Consult workplace procedures and safety data sheets (SDS) to confirm the work planning process | ||
1.4 | Ensure safety equipment is available and in sound condition | ||
1.5 | Remove products from equipment, if required, using enterprise standard handling methods | ||
1.6 | Recognise end-of-product run | ||
2 | Check quality of product | 2.1 | Inspect product to identify routine and non-routine finishing requirements |
2.2 | Identify significant finning, flash or other quality problems and report to appropriate person for investigation of mould/die closure/alignment | ||
2.3 | Check with appropriate personnel regarding modifications to finishing process | ||
2.4 | Identify and process non-conforming products in accordance with workplace procedures. | ||
3 | Undertake the finishing operation | 3.1 | Trim product as required |
3.2 | Apply procedures to other finishing processes | ||
3.3 | Undertake other secondary process operations required | ||
3.4 | Follow waste and recycling procedures | ||
3.5 | Inspect finished product and compare to specifications for suitability for further processing or for customer delivery | ||
3.6 | Assemble finished products and sort in accordance with procedures | ||
3.7 | Pack as required | ||
3.8 | Record product data as required | ||
3.9 | Clean up work area and perform housekeeping | ||
4 | Identify and rectify routine product imperfections | 4.1 | Identify the range of routine imperfections that can occur during the production process |
4.2 | Determine and rectify routine product imperfections in accordance with procedures | ||
4.3 | Ensure appropriate records and log books are maintained to meet procedures/work instructions | ||
4.4 | Identify non-routine product imperfections and report to designated person |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and demonstrate the ability to:
read and interpret procedures, job specifications, material labels and safety data sheets (SDS)
select and use tools and equipment to meet job specifications
remove and handle products according to procedures
inspect products and identify conformance and/or non-conformance to quality requirements
finish product, including one or more of:
trimming/cutting
grinding
applying protective coatings
cleaning
sorting and assembly
repair of minor surface imperfections
preserve identifying marks and trademarks, if present
identify hazards and apply relevant hazard controls
apply safety procedures
apply housekeeping procedures
apply waste management procedures
recognise routine and non-routine problems
identify when the operator is able to rectify faults, when assistance is required and who is the appropriate source for assistance
take action to resolve faults or report faults to appropriate personnel
distinguish between possible causes of routine faults, including:
raw material variations
contamination of raw material
process/procedural problems
mechanical abnormalities
production defects
apply waste and recycling procedures
communicate effectively with team/work group and supervisors
complete workplace records
do basic arithmetical manipulations, including additions, subtractions, divisions, fractions and percentages.
Evidence of Knowledge
Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge relevant to their job sufficient to operate under routine only supervision and to solve routine problems, including knowledge of:
product quality requirements
product defect classifications
signs of typical product defects relevant to the products being made
types and correct application of common protective coatings
degrees of finish
routine and non-routine problems that may arise, the range of possible causes and appropriate actions
impact of incorrect or faulty materials
organisation procedures relevant to the work environment/job role
hierarchy of control
hazards that may arise in the job/work environment and:
their possible causes
potential consequences
appropriate risk controls.
Assessment Conditions
The unit should be assessed holistically and the judgement of competence shall be based on a holistic assessment of the evidence.
In all plants it may be appropriate to assess this unit concurrently with units such as:
teamwork
communication
The collection of performance evidence:
should occur over a range of situations which include typical disruptions to normal, smooth operations and provide for demonstration of responding to problems
will typically include a supervisor/third-party report or other evidence, focusing on consistent performance and problem recognition and solving. A supervisor/third-party report must be prepared by someone who has a direct, relevant, current relationship with the person being assessed and who is in a position to form a judgement on workplace performance relevant to the unit of competency
must include the use of industry appropriate materials, tools, equipment, data and documentation
may use industry-based simulation for all or part of the unit particularly where safety, lack of opportunity or significant cost is an issue.
Assessment should occur in operational workplace situations. Where this is not possible or where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors assessment must occur in a sufficiently rigorous simulated environment that reflects realistic operational workplace conditions. This must cover all aspects of workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.
Assessment in a simulated environment should use evidence collected from demonstration of skills and one or more of:
walk-throughs
pilot plant operation
industry-based case studies/scenarios
‘what ifs’.
Knowledge evidence may be collected concurrently with performance evidence or through an independent process, such as workbooks, written assessments or interviews.
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.
Conditions for assessment must include access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required, including relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications associated with this unit.
The regulatory framework will be reflected in workplace policies and procedures and is not required to be independently assessed.
Foundation skills are integral to competent performance of the unit and should not be assessed separately.
Assessors must satisfy the assessor competency requirements that are in place at the time of the assessment as set by the VET regulator.
In addition the assessor or anyone acting in subject matter expert role in assessment shall demonstrate both technical competency and currency. If the assessor cannot demonstrate technical competency and currency they shall assess with a subject matter expert who does meet these requirements.
Technical competence can be demonstrated through one or more of:
relevant VET or other qualification/Statement of Attainment
appropriate workplace experience undertaking the type of work being assessed under routine and non-routine conditions
appropriate workplace experience supervising/evaluating the type of work being assessed under routine and non-routine conditions.
Currency can be demonstrated through one or more of:
being currently employed undertaking the type of work being assessed
being employed by the organisation undertaking the type of work being assessed and having maintained currency in accordance with that organisation’s policies and procedures
having consulted/had contact with an organisation undertaking the type of work being assessed within the last twelve months, the consultation/contact being related to assessment
conducting on the job training/assessments of the type of work being assessed
being an active member of a relevant professional body and participating in activities relevant to the assessment of this type of work.
Foundation Skills
This section describes those required skills (language, literacy and numeracy) that are essential to performance.
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range Statement
This field allows for different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included. | |
Regulatory framework | The latest version of all legislation, regulations, industry codes of practice and Australian/international standards, or the version specified by the local regulatory authority, must be used. Applicable legislation, regulations, standards and codes of practice include: health, safety and environmental (HSE) legislation, regulations and codes of practice relevant to the workplace, manual handling and hazardous materials Australian/international standards relevant to the materials being used and products being made any relevant licence and certification requirements. All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent HSE requirements, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation, and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between performance criteria and such requirements the legislative requirements take precedence. |
Procedures | All operations must be performed in accordance with relevant procedures. Procedures are written, verbal, visual, computer-based or in some other form, and include one or any combination of: emergency procedures work instructions standard operating procedures (SOPs) safe work method statements (SWMS) formulas/recipes batch sheets temporary instructions any similar instructions provided for the smooth running of the plant. |
Tools and equipment | Tools and equipment include one or more of: electric and/or air powered tools, such as routers, saws, drills, drivers and sanders knives, files and scrapers knives and knife sharpeners band saws hand saws. Additional tools and equipment will be selected as required from: hoists/lifting equipment not requiring any special permits or licences manual handling aids, such as hand carts and trolleys relevant personal protective equipment (PPE). |
Routine problems | Routine problems must be resolved by applying known solutions. Routine problems are predictable and include one or more of: movement of jigs or fixtures power failures non-supply of materials broken cords damaged or inoperable equipment variations in materials temperature of product to be finished movement of inserts, reinforcements or fittings size of some products inappropriate selection and use of finishing equipment/processes poor surface finish fining or shuts variations in section thickness product defects. Known solutions are drawn from one or more of: procedures training remembered experience. Non-routine problems must be reported according to relevant procedures. |
Hazards | Hazards must be identified and controlled. Identifying hazards requires consideration of: heat, smoke, dust, vapours or other atmospheric hazards hazardous products and materials sharp edges, protrusions or obstructions slippery surfaces, spills or leaks electricity gas gases and liquids under pressure structural hazards equipment failures rotational equipment or vibration machinery, equipment and product mass limited head spaces or overhangs working at heights working in restricted or confined spaces other hazards that might arise |
Sectors
Not applicable
Competency Field
Finishing