Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 1:26 PM AWST
22/07/2026 1:26 PM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Produce polyurethane foam
Produce polyurethane foam
Unit of competency
National Code
PMBPROD315C
PMBPROD315C
State Code
W7628
W7628
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
07/06/2012
Field of Education
030305 - Materials Engineering
Original Release Date
07/06/2012
Nominal Hours
52
Description
This competency covers the application of knowledge of materials, product purpose and processes to the production of polyurethane foam.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan process stages for polyurethane foam production.
- 1.1 Plan the stages in the polyurethane foaming process and ensure these comply with the quality requirements for production.
- 1.2 Identify and allow for changes in materials at each stage of the polyurethane foaming process.
- 1.3 Plan the availability of the equipment and components for each production stage.
- 1.4 Anticipate the impact of the process on product characteristics and product quality and useability.
- 1.5 Plan work requirements based on procedures.
2. Identify work requirements for polyurethane foaming operations
- 2.1 Prepare materials, including base raw materials and additives.
- 2.2 Recognise hazards and follow appropriate hazard control/minimisation methods.
- 2.3 Check materials, ancillary supplies and equipment are correct Check equipment and processes used for materials preparation, production process and for the downstream operations are available.
- 2.4 Check product quality requirements for the relevant process stage(s).
- 2.5 Identify and check emergency stops, gauges, guards and controls.
- 2.6 Plan the task sequences, including times and locations for product quality checks, equipment operation and required production outputs.
- 2.7 Provide for ongoing materials input, waste management and work area housekeeping requirements.
- 2.8 Arrange any required supplementary equipment for product quality testing or routine equipment maintenance and/or adjustments.
3. Check polyurethane foaming process set-up
- 3.1 Comply with equipment information, required quality specifications and set-up procedures.
- 3.2 Set up equipment in accordance with required quality specifications and standard operating procedures.
- 3.3 Check polyurethane foaming equipment settings and adjustments and conformity to documented procedures.
- 3.4 Inspect materials for conformity with requirements including surface condition and materials thickness.
- 3.5 Discard non-conforming materials or make adjustments to processing operations in accordance with procedures.
4. Operate and make adjustments as required to the foam process
- 4.1 Start up, operate and shut down foam equipment as required by procedures.
- 4.2 Monitor polyurethane foaming operations noting product quality, production outputs, equipment operating temperature, amperage, pressures, colour, thickness and product integrity.
- 4.3 Make adjustments to remedy faults and non-conformity to production standards where applicable.
- 4.4 Collect material which is able to be reprocessed and reused, and dispose of waste and scrap in accordance with workplace procedures.
- 4.5 Clean up equipment, lubricate, and adjust in accordance with procedures.
5. Anticipate and solve problems
- 5.1 Recognise a problem or a potential problem.
- 5.2 Determine problems needing priority action.
- 5.3 Refer problems outside area of responsibility to appropriate person, with possible causes.
- 5.4 Seek information and assistance as required to solve problems.
- 5.5 Solve problems within area of responsibility.
- 5.6 Follow through items initiated until final resolution has occurred.
RANGE STATEMENT
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.
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 advanced operators working either independently or as part of a work team.
Procedures
All operations are performed in accordance with procedures.
Procedures means 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:
manual handling aids - hand carts and trolleys
knives and other bag opening equipment
hoists/lifting equipment not requiring any special permits or licences
basic hand tools required for opening of material packaging
relevant personal protective equipment
material loading equipment used for loading of raw materials.
Hazards
Typical hazards include:
spills
dusts/vapours
slip and fall, particularly due to spilt granules
temperature
hazardous materials
manual handling hazards
equipment operations.
Problems
Anticipate and solve problems means resolve a wide range of routine and non-routine problems, using product and process knowledge to develop solutions to problems which do not have a known solution/a solution recorded in the procedures.
Typical process and product problems may include:
machine malfunction
out of specification equipment operation
contamination of materials
variations in materials and/or contamination of materials
processing problems.
Variables
Key variables to be monitored include:
operating temperatures
speed
colour
cushion specification
cycle time
output rate
product weight
product integrity and general conformance to specification/sample.
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.
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 advanced operators working either independently or as part of a work team.
Procedures
All operations are performed in accordance with procedures.
Procedures means 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:
manual handling aids - hand carts and trolleys
knives and other bag opening equipment
hoists/lifting equipment not requiring any special permits or licences
basic hand tools required for opening of material packaging
relevant personal protective equipment
material loading equipment used for loading of raw materials.
Hazards
Typical hazards include:
spills
dusts/vapours
slip and fall, particularly due to spilt granules
temperature
hazardous materials
manual handling hazards
equipment operations.
Problems
Anticipate and solve problems means resolve a wide range of routine and non-routine problems, using product and process knowledge to develop solutions to problems which do not have a known solution/a solution recorded in the procedures.
Typical process and product problems may include:
machine malfunction
out of specification equipment operation
contamination of materials
variations in materials and/or contamination of materials
processing problems.
Variables
Key variables to be monitored include:
operating temperatures
speed
colour
cushion specification
cycle time
output rate
product weight
product integrity and general conformance to specification/sample.
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.
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:
identify critical materials properties and polyurethane foaming process characteristics in relation to the process requirements and the end product.
Consistent performance should be demonstrated. For example, look to see that:
production quality and output standards are met consistently
the process runs consistently and smoothly.
Assessment method and context
Assessment will occur on an industrial polyurethane foam machine(s) equipment and will be undertaken in a work-like environment.
Competence in this unit may be assessed:
on a processing plant, allowing for operation under all normal and a range of abnormal conditions
in a situation allowing for 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.
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.
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:
identify critical materials properties and polyurethane foaming process characteristics in relation to the process requirements and the end product.
Consistent performance should be demonstrated. For example, look to see that:
production quality and output standards are met consistently
the process runs consistently and smoothly.
Assessment method and context
Assessment will occur on an industrial polyurethane foam machine(s) equipment and will be undertaken in a work-like environment.
Competence in this unit may be assessed:
on a processing plant, allowing for operation under all normal and a range of abnormal conditions
in a situation allowing for 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.
Replaces
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| C5667 | PMBPROD315B | Produce polyurethane foam | Unit of competency |
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| BAI68 | PMBPROD315 | Produce polyurethane foam | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| W400 | PMB30107 | Certificate III in Polymer Processing | Qualification |
| W401 | PMB40107 | Certificate IV in Polymer Technology | Qualification |