PMC552054
Spin concrete pipes


Application

This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required operate pipe spinning equipment and ancillary equipment that is integral to the process.

This unit of competency applies to operators who are required to ensure the mould is correctly assembled and safe to spin, load and operate equipment, monitor the process, remove and inspect product and rectify routine problems.

This unit of competency 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.

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

Assemble and prepare the pipe mould

1.1

Check mould for distortion, cracks or other defects

1.2

Clean mould cavity and apply stripping agent

1.3

Check and insert reinforcing cage and/or other fitments and secure in accordance with procedures/work instructions

1.4

Check cover to steel and fix or report as appropriate

1.5

Check holding of cage

1.6

Assemble mould and secure in accordance with procedures/work instructions

1.7

Move pipe mould to spinning equipment

2

Load mould onto pipe spinning equipment

2.1

Load pipe mould onto spinning equipment

2.2

Check that mould is stabilised and correctly mounted on rollers

2.3

Make adjustments to equipment settings to ensure conformance with procedures/work instructions

2.4

Notify appropriate personnel of intention to start spinning equipment

3

Spin pipe

3.1

Conduct additional pre-start checks as required in accordance with procedures/work instructions

3.2

Ensure an adequate supply of the specified concrete mix is available to meet production requirements

3.3

Start spinning equipment in accordance with procedures/work instructions

3.4

Monitor instrument/control panels and adjust rate of spin and material flow as necessary to remain within specified operating parameters

3.5

Make observations of plant and equipment at specified intervals to identify any anomalies in procedures/work instructions

3.6

Maximise product throughput and efficiency to maintain target parameters

3.7

Communicate with appropriate personnel regarding the status of operations in line with enterprise requirements

3.8

Employ safe working practices which conform to work health and safety (WHS) and enterprise requirements

4

Finish and cure pipe

4.1

Float/finish pipes as required

4.2

Remove spun pipe and mould from spinning equipment

4.3

Inspect inside diameter of pipe, ends and inside surface finish

4.4

Undertake any repairs to pipe caused by irregularities in material flow

4.5

Move pipe to curing tunnel or kiln in accordance with procedures/work instructions

4.6

Monitor curing of pipe to ensure compliance with enterprise quality requirements

4.7

Remove pipe and mould from curing equipment

5

Demould pipe

5.1

Remove any separators, non-permanent inserts, plugs or blinds

5.2

Disassemble mould and release pipe in accordance with safe working practice and procedures/work instructions

5.3

Return mould segments for reuse or storage in accordance with enterprise storage quality requirements

6

Inspect and store pipe

6.1

Inspect pipe outside diameter and ends/flanges for defects

6.2

Make allowable repairs in accordance with specification and procedures/work instructions

6.3

Identify and mark pipe with appropriate brand or identification number

6.4

Apply appropriate interior surface coatings or coverings as required by the specification

6.5

Move pipe and store in compliance with enterprise storage quality/quantity requirements

7

Rectify routine problems

7.1

Identify the range of faults that can occur during the operation

7.2

Determine and rectify fault causes in accordance with procedures/work instructions

7.3

Identify and rectify equipment failure causes in accordance with procedures/work instructions

7.4

Ensure appropriate records and log books of equipment operations are maintained to meet procedures/work instructions

7.5

Identify non-routine problems 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 job sheets, procedures, material labels and safety information

prepare moulds, equipment and materials to meet specifications

monitor key variables, including:

mould condition

mould mounting and stability

position and securing of reinforcing cage/inserts

cover to steel

spinning speed and conditions

curing conditions

product integrity and conformance to specification

operate and adjust the equipment to meet product quality and production output specifications

identify faults that are suitable for repair and undertake repairs

demould products

handle/store products

apply safety procedures

apply housekeeping procedures

recognise out-of-specification products, process problems and materials faults

recognise routine and non-routine problems

identify when the operator is able to rectify problems, when assistance is required and who is the appropriate source for assistance

take action to resolve problems or report them to appropriate personnel

distinguish between possible causes of routine problems, including:

raw material/mix variations

mould anomalies

casting/operating conditions

process errors

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:

functions and principles of operation of spinning equipment

principles of spun pipe production

basic physics and chemistry relevant to the equipment/process/materials

moulds and their application

causes and impact of mould wear

types of faults that can be repaired and related repair methods

role of reinforcement, types of reinforcement and significance of concrete cover

the potential effects of variations in raw materials and equipment operation/processes in relation to quality of product

factors which may affect product quality or production output and appropriate remedies

start-up and shutdown processes

routine problems, their probable causes and relevant corrective 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.

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/s of equipment requiring demonstration of operation, start-up and shutdown 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 (provided a record is kept) or through an independent process such as workbooks, written assessments or interviews (provided a record is kept).

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

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 may be written, verbal, visual, computer-based or in some other form. They include one or any combination of:

job cards

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:

spinning equipment

moulds

ancillary equipment that is integral to the process.

Problems

Routine problems must be resolved by applying known solutions.

Routine problems are predictable and include one or more of:

variations in sectional thickness/distribution of materials

incorrect spinning speeds/conditions for the size of pipe being produced

incorrect type, positioning, securing of cages and inserts in moulds

mould problems.

Known solutions are drawn from one or more of:

procedures

training

remembered experience.

Non-routine problems must be reported according to according to relevant procedures.

Hazards

Hazards must be identified and controlled. Identifying hazards requires consideration of:

high temperatures

smoke, dust, vapours or other atmospheric hazards

weight, shape, volume of materials to be handled

hazardous products and materials

sharp edges, protrusions or obstructions

slippery surfaces, spills or leaks

electricity

gas

gases and liquids under pressure

noise

rotational equipment or vibration

plant services (steam, condensate, cooling water, etc)

structural hazards

equipment failures

machinery, equipment and product mass

limited head spaces or overhangs

working at heights

working in restricted or confined spaces

other hazards that might arise.

Records and reports

Records include one or more of:

log books/sheets

electronic records

job/work sheets

other records used for the smooth running of the plant.

Reports include one or more of:

paper or electronic-based logs and reports

verbal/radio reports

reporting items found which require action.


Sectors

Not applicable


Competency Field

Operations