Elements and Performance Criteria

The range of variables relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that will affect performance.
Where reference is made to industry Codes of Practice, and/or Australian/international standards, it is expected the latest version will be used.
This unit of competence describes the work conducted by skilled and experienced scientific glassblowers who perform glass coating, grinding and finishing operations as part of their job.

All operations are usually performed in accordance with laboratory and/or enterprise procedures. These procedures include or have been prepared from
industry Codes of Practice
material safety data sheets
standard operating procedures (SOPs)
equipment manuals
equipment startup, operation and shutdown procedures
calibration and maintenance schedules
quality manuals
enterprise recording and reporting procedures
production and laboratory schedules
material, production and product specifications.

Tools and equipment may include
coating solutions and baths
grinding tools and abrasives
bench, handlamp and ribbon burners, gas supplies and gas economisers
glass working lathes
annealing ovens
measuring and recording equipment
hand tools, such as: carbon paddles and mandrels, range of forceps, glass tubing gauges, angle setting jigs, calipers, glass support rollers, brass shapers, carbon rods, glass knife, stainless steel gauze, vernier calipers and other measuring tools, strain viewer
mechanical glass cutters and saws
mechanical glass grinding equipment
safety clothing and equipment.

Glass coating may include operations, such as
cleaning and preparation of glass
preparing coating solutions
coating/strip coating and dedicated coating
protecting coated surfaces
electroplating
removal/partial removal of coating.

Grinding may include operations, such as
selection of abrasives and metal grinding tools
interpreting specifications for glass-ground joints
using grinding procedures
testing ground surfaces for leakage
preparing glass stopcocks.

Finishing may include operations, such as
cleaning, rinsing and drying
evacuating and sealing
metallising (if applicable)
flame and/or mechanical polishing.

Hazards may include
sharps, broken glassware
residues on used glassware, such as mercury
heat sources, such as burners and ovens
fluids under pressure (acetylene, oxygen)
glass dust
cuts associated with glass grinders and cutters
manual handling of heavy equipment and containers.

Safety practices may include
use of personal protective equipment, such as heat resistant gloves, safety glasses, goggles, face guards, coveralls, respirators, safety boots
correct labelling of reagents and hazardous materials
handling, and storing hazardous materials and equipment in accordance with labels, MSDS, manufacturer's instructions, enterprise procedures and regulations
regular cleaning and/or decontamination of equipment and work areas.

Health, safety and environment
All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent health, safety and environmental (HSE) requirements, which may be imposed through State or Federal legislation, and these must not be compromised at any time.
Where there is an apparent conflict between performance criteria and HSE requirements, the HSE requirements take precedence.
All operations assume the potentially hazardous nature of samples and require standard precautions to be applied. Users should access and apply current industry understanding of infection control issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council and State and Territory Departments of Health.
All operations are performed in accordance with standard operating procedures.

The Evidence Guide describes the underpinning knowledge and skills that must be demonstrated to prove competence.
Critical aspects of competency
Competence must be demonstrated in the ability to perform consistently at the required standard. Candidates must be able to perform glass coating, grinding and finishing operations when preparing scientific glassware.

In particular the assessor should look to see that the candidate can:

apply appropriate techniques to clean and prepare glass surfaces
apply knowledge of chemical and physical science to glassblowing situations and make appropriate conclusions
metal coat glass surfaces or apply opaque treatments to industry standards
grind and hand lap glass to be used in fabrication and for precision fit
apply finishing techniques to complete job
identify atypical situations and take appropriate action
select appropriate grades of glass, coating materials, abrasives and finishing agents for job
optimise and use materials and equipment
communicate with customers/research team to meet timeline commitments
record and report work results
follow correct OHS and GLP practice.

Underpinning knowledge

Competency includes the ability to apply and explain:

use of glassblowing materials, equipment, tools and techniques
chemistry of coating materials and coating process
theoretical and practical principles of materials and processes for glass coating, glass grinding and glass finishing
theory of equipment operation and use
common faults in coating, grinding and finishing operations and methods for control
safety procedures relevant to coating, grinding and finishing operations
waste disposal procedures
relevant health, safety and environment requirements.

Assessment context and methods
This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or simulated workplace environment.
It is strongly recommended that assessment is conducted through observation over time. The time frame must allow for adequate assessment of operation under all normal and a range of abnormal conditions. Where this is not practical additional assessment techniques must be used.

The following assessment methods are suggested:

inspection of examples of glasswork and workplace documentation completed by the candidate
analysis of the candidate's work records over a period of time to ensure accurate and consistent work is obtained within required timelines.
feedback from peers and supervisors
oral/written questioning.
In all cases, practical assessment should be supported by questions to assess underpinning knowledge and those aspects of competency which are difficult to assess directly. Questioning techniques should suit the language and literacy levels of the candidate.

Interdependent assessment of unit

This unit of competency may be assessed with:

PMLSCIG503B Construct, modify and maintain vacuum systems
PMLSCIG501B Design and manufacture glass apparatus and glass systems.

Resource implications

Resources may include:

access to scientific glassblowing facility, appropriate equipment, materials and procedures which will allow for appropriate and realistic simulation
access to more than one workplace or simulated learning environment if the primary workplace or learning environment is unable to provide a suitable range of equipment.

This competency in practice
A request has been made for a non-standard, 30mm diameter optical cell with a 125mm path length that has a silvered evacuated jacket for insulation properties and stopcock for filling. The scientific glassblower completes a full scale drawing from the schematic sketch provided with the request and determines the type of glass to be used from the transmittance wavelength properties of the light source used. The two optical discs are then ground and polished and tested for flatness. The custom dimension stopcock is manufactured and stopcock barrel and key are ground on specialised mandrel tapers using carborundum slurries. The stopcock is then tested to British Standards to ensure compliance with leakage rates. The cell is then assembled by sealing the stopcock and optical discs to the insulated jacketed glass tube. Annealing protocols are followed and then the jacket is silvered, mindful of the safety issues related to the chemicals used. The jacket is emptied of the silver solution, dried, evacuated using a vacuum line and then sealed. The optical cell is then delivered for use.

The seven key competencies represent generic skills considered for effective work participation. The bracketed numbering against each of the key competencies indicates the performance level required in this unit. These are stand-alone levels and do not correspond to levels in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).
Level (1) represents the competence to undertake tasks effectively
Level (2) represents the competence to manage tasks
Level (3) represents the competence to use concepts for evaluating and reshaping tasks.
Communicating ideas and information
(2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
(2)

Planning and organising activities
(2)

Working with others and in teams
(2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
(2)

Solving problems
(3)

Using technology
(3)