Elements and Performance Criteria

This competency unit includes the selection and fitting of dies and cores.

This competency applies to all work environments and sectors within the plastics, rubber and cablemaking industry which use extrusion type dies and cores. It includes the operation of all relevant ancillary equipment.

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:
hand carts and trolleys
hoists/lifting equipment not requiring any special permits or licences
basic hand tools
relevant personal protective equipment.

Typical hazards include:
hazardous materials
manual handling hazards
hot surfaces.

Typical problems include:
lack of cleaning leading to corrosion
inadequate fitting
fine adjustments to optimise production.

All operations are performed in accordance with procedures.

Essential knowledge and enterprise requirements:
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 fitting
production workflow sequences
correct selection and use of equipment and procedures
hazards of the removal and fitting process and appropriate hazard control procedures
the performance of die and cores
relevant information and workplace records
safety precautions appropriate to the task
distinguish between causes of faults such as:
faulty equipment
inadequate fitting/adjustment
incorrect process variables (e.g. temperature, pressure)
plan own work including predicting consequences and identifying improvements
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 and describe own role and role of others involved directly in the process
identify factors which may affect product quality or production output and appropriate remedies
identify hazards of the materials and process and take appropriate hazard control
use PPE, safely handle products and materials, read relevant safety information and apply safety precautions appropriate to the task.

Critical aspects
It is essential that competence is demonstrated by the set-up being performed methodically and smoothly to bring the extrusion line back into full production of in-specification product in standard time.

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 and production reports.
Basic numeracy is required, e.g. to determine how many 2 kg, 3 kg and 5 kg bags are needed to make up a requirement for 50 kg.

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.