This unit of competency applies to operators who are responsible for determining production requirements and quantities from production schedules and product requirements from specifications or similar documents.

This unit involves the hand moulding of clay, ceramic, plaster and other products and may also be relevant to craft practitioners producing ceramic work.

This competency is typically performed by operators working either independently or as part of a team.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Assemble and prepare the mould or former

1.1. Establish a safe working environment to procedures

1.2. Identify and prepare the appropriate mould or former

1.3. Level and secure the mould or former to procedures

1.4. Check that the base is stabilised and correctly mounted as required to facilitate rolling or turning out

1.5. Position inserts or loose pieces as required

1.6. Apply the correct stripping agent

2. Mould materials

2.1. Prepare the material mix or obtain the material from the batch preparation unit

2.2. Provide an adequate supply of material to meet production requirements

2.3. Introduce material to the workpiece cavity and compact to procedures

2.4. Check inserts or loose pieces and secure to avoid movement during moulding

2.5. Employ safe working practices consistent with procedures

2.6. Roll and strip/turn out the component for finishing

3. Finish the component/ product

3.1. Repair defects occurring during the moulding process

3.2. Remove inserts or loose pieces and replace in mould or former

3.3. Prepare the surface of the component for the application of any surface finishes

3.4. Cure or dry the components to specification

3.5. Return mould and/or segments for re-use or storage in accordance with requirements

4. Rectify routine problems

4.1. Identify the range of faults that can occur during the operation

4.2. Determine and rectify fault causes according to procedures

4.3. Identify and rectify equipment failure causes according to procedures

4.4. Make sure appropriate records and log books of equipment operations are maintained to meet procedures

4.5. Identify non-routine problems and report to designated person

5. Inspect and store components

5.1. Inspect component for defects

5.2. Store the component to specifications and procedures

Required skills

Required skills include:

recognising abnormal operating conditions and alerting appropriate individuals

implementing enterprise procedures and relevant regulatory requirements within appropriate time constraints and in a manner relevant to the operation of the equipment/process

reading and numeracy to interpret workplace documents and technical information

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes:

appropriate preparation and handling of moulds and formers

preparation of adequate material mix and standards

preparing, curing and drying components to specifications

safe completion of hand moulding products

appropriate safety procedures concerning the handling of moulds and formers

procedures relating to the reporting of hazardous conditions

the content of and handling characteristics of the materials being moulded

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

The unit will be assessed in as holistic a manner as is practical and may be integrated with the assessment of other relevant units of competency.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Competence must be demonstrated in the ability to recognise situations requiring action and then in implementing appropriate corrective action. Consistent performance should be demonstrated. In particular look to see that:

types of raw materials and finishing materials are able to be identified

OHS and safe work practices are followed

component movements are accompanied by appropriate safe working practices

preparation of moulds and moulding materials to specification

basic mould or former maintenance and inspection practices are carried out.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment will require access to an operating plant over an extended period of time, or a suitable method of gathering evidence of operating ability over a range of situations.

Assessment will occur over a range of situations which will include disruptions to normal, smooth operation.

Simulation or case studies/scenarios may be required to allow for timely assessment of parts of this unit of competency. Simulation should be based on the actual plant and will include 'walk-throughs' of the relevant competency components. A bank of scenarios/case studies/what ifs and questions will be required to probe the reasoning behind observable actions.

Method of assessment

Individual enterprises may choose to add prerequisites and co-requisites relevant to their processes.

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

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. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Procedures

All operations are performed in accordance with standard procedures and work instructions

Typical problems

Typical problems may include:

maintaining correct distribution and compaction of materials

maintaining sectional profiles in accordance with specifications

maintaining cleanliness and specification of materials

Occupational health and safety (OHS)

All operations are subject to stringent OHS requirements and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between performance criteria and OHS requirements, the OHS requirements take precedence

Unit sector

Operational/technical

This unit contains employability skills.