Elements and Performance Criteria

This competency applies to the shutdown and removal from service of equipment or lines. This competency applies to all work environments and sectors within the plastics, rubber and cablemaking industry. It includes the removal from operation of all relevant ancillary equipment.

Procedures means all relevant workplace procedures, work instructions, temporary instructions and relevant industry and government codes and standards.

This unit of competency may be designated for one of the following streams where workers use that unit substantially only in that stream area:
cablemaking
blow moulding
blown film
calendering
composites
compounding
extrusion
fabrication
injection moulding
polystyrene
expanded foam polyurethane
rotational moulding
thermoforming
belt splicing
rubber lining
tyre manufacture
tyre retreading
surface coating.

The processes covered by this unit include, but are not limited to:
ensuring that equipment and/or processes are fully shut down
isolation and/or tagging of equipment
removal and storage of dies, moulds or ancillary equipment
conveying information to personnel and management
ensuring equipment is adequately protected against corrosion.

Respond to/rectify 'non-routine problems' means 'apply known solutions to a variety of predictable problems'.

Typical problems include:
inappropriate isolation practices
site contamination.

This competency includes tools and equipment such as:
hoists/lifting equipment not requiring any special permits or licences
spanners and similar hand tools
relevant personal protective equipment.

Typical hazards include:
equipment hazards
hazardous materials
manual handling hazards.

All operations are performed in accordance with procedures.

Essential knowledge and enterprise requirements
Application of knowledge of the materials, equipment and process sufficient to recognise material and equipment conditions which may lead to out of specification production.
Knowledge of the enterprise's procedures and relevant regulatory requirements along with the ability to implement them within appropriate time constraints and work standards.

Competence includes the ability for the practical completion of the job to:
apply and/or explain:
correct equipment isolation techniques
appropriate employee communication practices
appropriate shutdown procedures
correct storage/disposal of raw materials
hazards of the materials and process and appropriate hazard control procedures
nature of mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical and electronic principles which affect machine operation
safety procedures and the use of PPE in relation to handling materials, equipment operation and cleanup
the hierarchy of control including engineering controls
waste management and importance of non-conforming materials
plan own work including predicting consequences and identifying improvements
identify and describe own role and role of others involved directly in the production process
identify hazards of the materials and process
implement appropriate procedures for hazard control
use PPE, safely handle products and materials, read relevant safety information and apply safety precautions appropriate to the task.

Critical aspects
It is essential that competence is demonstrated in the ability to:
identify critical equipment characteristics, hazards and procedures to minimise risk
plan own work process within workplace procedures and explain the reasons for the steps in the process
take appropriate action to observe equipment, components and processes, and identify problems to be reported.

Consistent performance should be demonstrated. In particular look to see that:
production requirements are understood and incorporated in plans
problems are anticipated from process and equipment observations
problems are efficiently resolved
the shutdown procedure runs consistently and smoothly.

Language, literacy and numeracy requirements
This unit requires the ability to read and interpret typical product specifications, job sheets and material labels as provided to operators.
Writing is required to the level of completing workplace forms and production reports.
Basic numeracy is required, e.g. to determine how many 2 kg, 3 kg and 5 kg bags are needed to make up a requirement for 50 kg.

Assessment method and context
Competence in this unit may be assessed:
on an operating plant allowing for operation under all normal and a range of abnormal conditions
by use of a suitable simulation and/or a range of case studies/scenarios
by a combination of these techniques.

In all cases it is expected that practical assessment will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge and theoretical assessment will be combined with appropriate practical/simulation or similar assessment.

Resource implications
This section should be read in conjunction with the range of variables for this unit of competency. Resources required include suitable access to an operating plant or equipment that allows for appropriate and realistic simulation. A bank of case studies/scenarios and questions will also be required to the extent that they form part of the assessment method. Questioning may take place either in the workplace, or in an adjacent, quiet facility such as an office or lunchroom. No other special resources are required.