Elements and Performance Criteria

This competency applies to all work environments and sectors within the plastics, rubber and cablemaking industry.

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

This unit of competency may be designated for one of the following streams where workers use that unit substantially only in that stream area:
cablemaking
blow moulding
blown film
calendering
composites
compounding
extrusion
fabrication
injection moulding
polystyrene
expanded foam polyurethane
rotational moulding
thermoforming
belt splicing
rubber Lining
tyre manufacture
tyre retreading
surface coating.

This competency includes equipment and tools such as:
measurement equipment
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.

Typical hazards include:
spills
dusts/vapours
hazardous materials
manual handling hazards
knife hazards.

'Rectify routine problems' means 'apply known solutions to a limited range of predictable problems'.

Typical process problems include:
inappropriate selection of raw materials
contamination of raw materials
incorrect formulae being selected
combining inappropriate materials.

Typical product problems include:
variations in materials
contamination of materials.

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 out of specification products, process problems and materials faults.
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:
use measuring systems, scales and calculating devices
observe storage and mixing requirements for materials to be mixed
assess production workflow in relation to materials supply requirements
recognise the focus of operation of work systems and equipment
identify and correctly use equipment, processes and procedures
plan own work including predicting consequences and identifying improvements.

Critical aspects
It is essential that competence is demonstrated in the ability to:
use measuring scales and equipment
locate, use, interpret and apply relevant formulae and information
maintain workplace records for materials used and mixes produced
identify and safely handle products and materials applying safety precautions appropriate to the task, including safe storage of materials.

Consistent performance should be demonstrated. In particular look to see that:
critical material properties and quantities are known
potential situations requiring action result in implementing appropriate action.

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 interpret specifications and measure accurately and perform simple addition and subtraction.

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 that the 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 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.