Elements and Performance Criteria

This competency applies to the inspection and testing of tyres within the rubber industry. It includes the operation of all relevant additional equipment where that equipment is integral to the inspection/testing process.

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

This competency includes equipment and tools such as:
x-ray machines
hand tools used in the inspection/testing process
material loading equipment used for loading of tyres
relevant personal protective equipment.

Typical hazards include:
manual handling hazards
equipment operations.

Typical process and product faults include:
variations in materials and/or contamination of materials
processing problems.

Key variables to be monitored include:
colour
product weight
product integrity and general conformance to specification/sample.

All operations are performed in accordance with procedures.

Essential knowledge and enterprise requirements
Application of knowledge of the materials, equipment and testing 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:
products, materials and material characteristics
quality requirements of different types of tyres
function and operating principles of tyre testing equipment, machine components and ancillary equipment
safety procedures and the use of PPE in relation to handling materials, equipment operation and clean up
the hierarchy of control including engineering controls
impact of variations in raw materials and equipment operation in relation to final product
waste management and importance of repairing non-conforming products
plan own work including predicting consequences and identifying improvements
maintain output and product quality using appropriate instruments, controls, test information and readings
make adjustments to equipment operation to rectify variations in equipment operation
check machine for correct set up to job specifications and implement adjustments or report deviations immediately
start up equipment and make appropriate adjustments
safely shut down equipment in normal or abnormal circumstances
identify and describe own role and role of others involved directly in the inspection/testing process
identify factors which may affect product quality and appropriate remedies
identify what faults the operator is able to recognise manually and when assistance by equipment is required
identify hazards of the materials and process and take appropriate hazard control
use PPE, safely handle products and materials, read relevant safety information and apply safety precautions appropriate to the task
distinguish between causes of faults such as:
routine faults - short mouldings, sink marks, voids, burn marks, mica, splash marks, warping, silver streaking, blistering, flow marks, poor surface finish, windows, erratic cycles, poor colour dispersion, ejection damage, colour contamination, black spots
incorrect quantity of materials
contaminated materials.

Critical aspects
It is essential that competence is demonstrated in the ability to:
identify critical materials properties and process characteristics in relation to the end product
plan own work process within workplace procedures and explain the reasons for the steps in the process.

Consistent performance should be demonstrated. In particular look to see that:
quality and output standards are met consistently
faults are anticipated from observations
the process 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.