Application
This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to produce welded plastics materials. It applies to sequenced or continuous welding of plastic pipe, sheet or film.
This unit of competency applies to experienced operators who are required to set up welding equipment; weld materials to specification; make adjustments to correct materials, equipment or process variations; and solve problems within area of responsibility.
This unit of competency applies to an experienced operator demonstrating theoretical and technical knowledge and well developed skills in situations that require some discretion and judgement. The operator may work alone or as a member of a team or group and will work in liaison with other shift team members, team leader and supervisor, as appropriate.
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 | Identify required materials and equipment | 1.1 | Identify work requirements from production plan |
1.2 | Identify quantity and quality of product required and any special requirements, including welding specifications | ||
1.3 | Interpret plans, patterns, designs or product specifications | ||
1.4 | Recognise hazards and steps required to ensure safety | ||
1.5 | Plan welding operations for a sequence or continuous process to ensure work follows a logical procedure | ||
1.6 | Examine process requirements to identify suitability of plastic materials for specified welding operations | ||
2 | Set up welding equipment and materials for sequence or continuous operation | 2.1 | Set up tools and equipment ready for production |
2.2 | Locate materials, components and consumables | ||
2.3 | Ensure safety equipment is available and fit for use | ||
2.4 | Identify non-conformances and take required action | ||
3 | Prepare plastic materials or components for welding in a sequence or continuous operation | 3.1 | Assemble components for welding processes |
3.2 | Take required action to ensure welding process is suitable for the materials being used | ||
4 | Weld to specification | 4.1 | Organise materials for sequence or continuous production |
4.2 | Weld materials to specification using appropriate welding techniques and conditions | ||
5 | Anticipate and solve problems | 5.1 | Recognise a problem or a potential problem |
5.2 | Determine problems needing priority action | ||
5.3 | Refer problems outside area of responsibility to appropriate person, with possible causes | ||
5.4 | Seek information and assistance as required to solve problems | ||
5.5 | Solve problems within area of responsibility | ||
5.6 | Follow through items initiated until final resolution has occurred |
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 designs, plans, patterns, procedures, job specifications, instruments/control panels, material labels and safety data sheets (SDS)
plan the welding process and sequence tasks
set up welding equipment and materials/components to meet specifications
operate the equipment to weld the materials
monitor key variables, including:
actual and set temperatures
speeds (including feed speed for filler, speed of weld head)
colour and uniformity
surface finish/appearance
tolerance for weld/joint
consistency of weld
product output rate
mechanical strength of weld (e.g. tensile strength results)
product integrity and general conformance to specification
make adjustments to remedy faults and non-conformity
maintain output and product quality using appropriate instruments, controls, test information and readings
identify hazards and apply relevant hazard controls
apply safety procedures
apply housekeeping procedures
apply waste management procedures
recognise early warning signs of equipment/processes needing attention or with potential problems
distinguish between causes of problems, including:
operational problems
instrument failure/malfunction
electrical failure/malfunction
mechanical failure/malfunction
wrong readings
equipment design deficiencies
materials properties
process variables
raw material variations/contamination
process abnormalities
procedural errors
recognise and prioritise problems requiring action
resolve routine and non-routine problems
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 independently and to solve routine and non-routine problems, including knowledge of:
function and operating principles of welding equipment, components and ancillary equipment
types and application of common welding processes and their effect on the welded product
impact of variations in welding process conditions/variables and raw materials on product quality and production output
factors which may affect product quality or production output and appropriate remedies
characteristics of materials and their behaviour in relation to welding process conditions/variables and stages of production
quality requirements at each production stage
common adjustments in process variables and their impact on product quality and production output
impact of variations in raw materials and equipment operation in relation to final product
possible changes to materials properties to better suit specific process requirements
routine and non-routine problems that may arise, the range of possible causes and appropriate actions
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.
Where the assessee does not currently possess evidence of competency in PMBPROD287 Weld plastics materials, it may be co-assessed with this unit.
The collection of performance evidence:
should occur over a range of situations which include typical disruptions to normal, smooth operation of an operating plant
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 an appropriate industrial item of equipment requiring demonstration of operation, start and stop procedures and responding to problems
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, equipment and production processes and hazardous materials ISO/TR 19480:2005 Polyethylene pipes and fittings for the supply of gaseous fuels or water -- Training and assessment of fusion operators or its replacement other 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: welding system/equipment, including one or more of: hot plate (heated tool) extrusion high frequency sound (ultrasonic) electrostatic (radio frequency) thermal induction (heat) heating and feeding mechanisms material supporting/feeding mechanisms ancillary equipment that is integral to the process. Additional tools and equipment will be selected as required from: hand tools used in this process hoists/lifting equipment not requiring any special permits or licences manual handling aids, such as hand carts and trolleys relevant personal protective equipment (PPE). |
Hazards | Hazards must be identified and controlled. Identifying hazards requires consideration of: power tools, leads and power supplies hazardous products and materials cutting equipment sharp edges, swarf and scrap protrusions or obstructions slippery surfaces, spills or leaks rotational equipment or vibration smoke, dust, vapours or other atmospheric hazards high temperatures electricity gas gases and liquids under pressure structural hazards equipment failures machinery, equipment and product mass other hazards that might arise. |
Problems | Non-routine problems must be resolved by applying operational knowledge to develop new solutions, either individually or in collaboration with relevant experts, to: determine problems needing action determine possible fault causes develop solutions to problems which do not have a known solution follow through items initiated until final resolution has occurred report problems outside area of responsibility to designated person. Non-routine problems are unexpected problems or variations of previous problems and include one or more of: variations in quality emergency situations intermittent faults. Operational knowledge includes one or more of: procedures training technical information, such as journals and engineering specifications remembered experience relevant knowledge obtained from appropriate people. |
Sectors
Not applicable
Competency Field
Production