Elements and Performance Criteria

This competency applies to belt carcass repair activities in either on-site or repair facility circumstances and may include the use of portable power generating equipment. It includes the operation of all relevant additional equipment where that equipment is integral to the conveyor belt carcass repair process.

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

This competency includes tools and equipment such as:
knives and cutting tools
hoists/lifting equipment not requiring any special permits or licences
pliers, brushes and other ancillary hand tools
vulcanising equipment
relevant personal protective equipment
belt restraining devices.

Typical hazards include:
damaged rubber and cords
dusts/vapours
manual handling hazards
cutting hazards
working on belts in-situ (where appropriate).

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

Typical process and product problems include:
difficulties arising from the location
contamination of materials
communication problems (on-site)
tool problems
variations in materials and/or contamination of materials
vulcanising problems.

Key variables to be monitored include:
belt condition
belt location
degree of damage
mass of the belt
forces acting on the conveyor belt
environmental conditions
lock-out of equipment.

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:
impact of incorrect or faulty materials
workflow sequences and materials requirements
causes of damage to belt carcasses
correct selection and use of equipment, materials, processes and procedures
hazards of the materials and process and appropriate hazard control procedures
distinguish between causes of faults such as:
abrasion, impact, tearing or other damage
mechanical problems
materials failure
apply and/or explain:
products, materials and material characteristics
safety procedures and the use of PPE in relation to handling materials, equipment operation and clean up
the hierarchy of control including engineering controls
plan own work including predicting consequences and identifying improvements
interpret from production requests the correct selection and use of equipment, materials, processes and procedures
make adjustments to equipment operation to rectify variations in equipment operation or product quality
check conveyor belts for correct set-up to specifications and implement adjustments or report deviations immediately
start up equipment and make appropriate adjustments to bring process on line
take samples when required and identify product out of specification
safely shut down equipment in normal or abnormal circumstances
identify factors which may affect product quality or production output and appropriate remedies
identify when the operator is able to rectify faults and when assistance is required
identify hazards of the conveyor situation and take appropriate hazard control measures
apply safety precautions appropriate to the task.

Critical aspects
It is essential that competence is demonstrated in the ability to:
identify critical materials properties and conveyor operating characteristics in relation to the condition of the belt
plan own work process within organisational procedures and explain the reasons for the steps in the process
take appropriate action to observe equipment, materials and products for out of specification results, make repairs and identify problems to be reported.

Consistent performance should be demonstrated. In particular look to see that:
production quality and output standards are met consistently
problems are anticipated from process observations
problems are efficiently resolved
the repair 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.
Numeracy is also required, e.g. to determine stresses and forces on cords and plies under load.

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.