Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance.
Standards and codes
Where reference is made to industry codes of practice, and/or Australian/international standards, the latest version must be used.
Context

This competency applies to operators working either independently or as part of a work team.
Procedures

All operations are performed in accordance with procedures.
Procedures mean all relevant workplace procedures, work instructions, temporary instructions and relevant industry and government codes and standards.
Tools and equipment

This competency includes use of equipment and tools, such as:
process equipment and its major components
hand tools used in the this process
material loading equipment used for loading of raw materials
relevant personal protective equipment
Hazards

Typical hazards include:
spills
dusts/vapours
slips trips and falls
temperature
hazardous substances
moving equipment
manual handling hazards
Problems

'Respond to routine problems' means 'apply known solutions to a limited range of predictable problems'. Typical process and product problems may include:
equipment malfunction
variations in process conditions
variations in materials or contamination of materials
equipment, tool, die or mould damage
routine product faults
machine malfunction
mould/tooling problems
variations in materials and/or contamination of materials
Variables

Key variables to be monitored include:
atmospheric conditions
temperature (hot/cold) variations in equipment or product
die/product tolerances
system/operating pressure
programming variables
operator variability
timing or product cycles
Product

Product includes anything produced by a process step and so includes intermediate products such as the product from one process step which then becomes the feed for another

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.
Overview of assessment

A holistic approach should be taken to the assessment.
Assessors must be satisfied that the person can consistently perform the unit as a whole, as defined by the Elements, Performance Criteria and skills and knowledge.
Assessment will occur on an industrial example of the equipment and will be undertaken in a work-like environment.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

It is essential that competence is demonstrated in the knowledge and skills defined in this unit. These may include the ability to:
operating the plant unit
following approved procedures
take appropriate action to resolve faults or report faults to appropriate personnel
explain and implement relevant emergency procedures.
Consistent performance should be demonstrated. For example, look to see that:
production standards are met consistently
upstream and downstream communication is timely and effective operating procedures and work instructions are read and interpreted correctly
problems are identified and appropriate action is taken (i.e. the problem is fixed or reported)
all safety procedures are followed.
Assessment method and context

Competence in this unit may be assessed:
in an appropriate, industrial item of equipment requiring demonstration of operation start and stop procedures
in a situation allowing the generation of evidence of the ability to respond to problems
by using a suitable simulation and/or a range of case studies/scenarios
through 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. Assessors need to be aware of any cultural issues that may affect responses to questions.
Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the oracy, language and literacy capacity of the assessee and the work being performed.
Specific resources for assessment

This section should be read in conjunction with the Range Statement 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.
Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required. Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.