Application
This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to review and analyse production trials and specify retrials. It applies to trials of new or modified product, process and equipment.
This unit of competency applies to senior technicians/technologists or those in similar roles who are required to apply in-depth knowledge of materials, process, equipment and problem solving in order to analyse the results of trials against their objectives; recommend changes to achieve product quality and production requirements; and specify retrial procedures/variations.
The technician will have detailed operational and process knowledge but is not required to demonstrate 'hands on' operation of equipment as part of this competency.
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 | Review trial results | 1.1 | Confirm trial objectives as a basis for comparison prior to review of results |
1.2 | Review trial product quality results and compare with trial objectives to identify variations | ||
1.3 | Review trial production results and compare with trial objectives to identify variations | ||
2 | Analyse and correct trial outcome | 2.1 | Analyse trial results to establish priorities for the correction of parameters which are outside specifications |
2.2 | Recommend changes to achieve product quality and production requirements | ||
2.3 | Make changes to procedures to achieve the required product quality and production requirements | ||
3 | Specify and carry out retrial procedures | 3.1 | Specify retrial objectives and priorities to procedures |
3.2 | Carry out retrial variations to achieve the trial objectives to procedures | ||
3.3 | Record trial results to procedures | ||
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 test results, technical information, equipment specifications and instruments/control panels
confirm trial objectives
calculate results from trial
interpret results against objectives
interpret results in terms of product specifications and end use requirements
analyse results to identify limitations and recommend changes based on trial results, including one (1) or more of:
materials, materials grade
product specifications/design
process/processing parameters
machine configuration or specification
mould, die and/or tooling design and construction
determine retrial objectives and carry out retrials
record trial results and complete workplace records
calculate and interpret statistics, product formulae and process conditions.
Evidence of Knowledge
Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge relevant to their job sufficient to fulfil their job role, including knowledge of:
characteristics and manufacturing behaviours of polymers involved in the process
polymer materials, their additives and the rheological, heat and other effects of processing to the design of equipment and components to predict practical performance results
preliminary product specifications
quality and production requirements
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.
Where the assessee does not currently possess evidence of competency in MSMOPS401 Trial new process or product, it may be co-assessed with this unit.
The collection of performance evidence is best done from a report and/or folio of evidence drawn from:
a single project which provides sufficient evidence of the requirements of all the elements and performance criteria
multiple smaller projects which together provide sufficient evidence of the requirements of all the elements and performance criteria.
A third-party report, or similar, may be needed to testify to the work done by the individual, particularly when the project has been done as part of a project team.
Assessment should use a real project in an operational workplace. Where this is not possible or where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors assessment must occur using 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, hazardous materials and product specifications 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: test procedures technical specifications technical drawings 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. |
Hazards | Hazards must be identified and controlled. Identifying hazards requires consideration of: hazardous products and materials rotational equipment or vibration sharp edges, protrusions or obstructions slippery surfaces, spills or leaks smoke, dust or other atmospheric hazards moving machinery high temperatures other hazards that might arise. |
Sectors
Not applicable
Competency Field
Technicak