Elements and Performance Criteria

This competency unit includes the operation of items of equipment where the operator is expected to demonstrate an understanding of the process and the equipment operation.

Context
The processes covered by this unit include -
fibre cement board
plaster board
machine cornices.
For your plant this may include tools and equipment such as -
curing ovens
transfer machines
scoring
PBL unwinders/burners
setting belts
forming plates/dams
mixers
pizza cutters/blades
hand tools
safety clothing and equipment.
All operations are performed in accordance with standard procedures and work instructions.

OHS
All operations are subject to stringent OHS requirements and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between performance criteria and OHS requirements, the OHS requirements take precedence.

Assessment context and methods
Assessment for this unit of competency will be on an operating plant. The unit will be assessed in as holistic a manner as is practical and may be integrated with the assessment of other relevant units of competency. Assessment will occur over a range of situations which will include disruptions to normal, smooth operation.
Simulation or case studies/scenarios may be required to allow for timely assessment of parts of this competency unit (eg, element 3 referring to the identification of a range of faults occurring during operation). Simulation should be based on the actual plant and will include 'walk-throughs' of the relevant competency components. Simulations may also include the use of case studies/scenarios and role plays.

Critical aspects
It is essential that the forming equipment be understood and that the importance of critical material properties, settings and readings is known. Competence must be demonstrated in the ability to recognise and analyse potential situations requiring action and then in implementing appropriate corrective action.

Consistent performance should be demonstrated. In particular look to see that:

process and equipment are operated in accordance with work instructions and process parameters
quality is monitored to minimise wastage
start up and shut down occur first time
signals and alarms are responded to immediately
process measurements and tests are continually made, observed and interpreted
all OHS requirements are followed.
Competence must be demonstrated in the operation of all ancillary equipment to the level required for this competency unit. These aspects may be best assessed using a range of scenarios/case studies/what ifs as the stimulus, with a walk-through forming part of the response. The assessment activities should include responding to a range of problems.

Resource implications
Assessment will require access to an operating plant over an extended period of time, or a suitable method of gathering evidence of operating ability over a range of situations. A bank of scenarios/case studies/what ifs will be required as will a bank of questions which will be used to probe the reasoning behind the observable actions.

Other assessment advice
In all plants it may be appropriate to assess this unit concurrently with relevant teamwork and communication units.

Essential knowledge
Knowledge and understanding of the melting process sufficient to recognise process conditions which will lead to out of specification production and to take appropriate action.
Knowledge of the enterprise's standard procedures and work instructions and relevant regulatory requirements along with the ability to implement them within appropriate time constraints and in a manner relevant to the operation of the melting equipment.

Competence includes the ability to:


apply and/or explain:

composition and nature of products being manufactured
start up and shut down processes
construction and limitations of the equipment
identification of required adjustments to keep process within specifications
identification of out of specification situations

distinguish between causes of faults such as:

raw material
equipment adjustment set up
maintenance issues
as is relevant to the practical operation of the forming process.

Communicating ideas and information
(1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
(2)

Planning and organising activities
(2)

Working with others and in teams
(1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
(1)

Solving problems
(1)

Using technology
(1)