Elements and Performance Criteria

This competency applies to all work environments and sectors within the plastics, rubber and cablemaking industry. It includes the operation of all relevant additional equipment where that equipment is integral to the preparation process.

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

This competency includes equipment and tools such as:
hand carts and trolleys
knives and other bag opening equipment
hoists/lifting equipment not requiring any special permits or licences
bung spanners and similar
basic hand tools required for opening of material packaging
relevant personal protective equipment.

Typical hazards include:
spills
dusts/vapours
slip and fall, particularly due to spilt granules
temperature
hazardous substances
moving equipment
manual handling hazards
knife hazards.

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

Typical process problems include:
equipment malfunction
non-supply or incorrect supply of materials
misreading labels or instructions.

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, processes and material 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:
apply and/or explain:
basic units of measurements such as additions, subtractions, divisions, fractions, percentages
dial, scale and digital read-outs
materials safety data sheets
a limited knowledge and application of polymer materials
definitions of thermoplastics and thermosetting materials
trade names of common plastic materials
formulas of common plastics
end use examples of plastics by type and common family names
hazard and safety precautions for common polymer family characteristics
dangerous goods Act, regulations, as relevant
Hazchem requirements as relevant to the job
safe working practices in handling polymers
PPE equipment requirements
impact of incorrect or faulty materials
production workflow sequences and materials demand
focus of operation of work systems and equipment
correct selection and use of equipment, materials, processes and procedures
hazards of the materials and process and appropriate hazard control procedures
distinguish between causes of faults such as:
wrong raw materials/additives
incorrect quantity of materials/additives
contaminated materials/additives.

Critical aspects
It is essential that competence is demonstrated in the ability to:
identify trade names and grades of polymers and arrange workplace delivery as required for the production operator
understand the procedures
recognise the importance of critical material properties and quantities
recognise potential situations requiring action and then in implementing appropriate action.

Consistent performance should be demonstrated. In particular look to see that:
production standards are met consistently
correct materials are being assembled.

Language, literacy and numeracy requirements
This unit requires the ability to read and interpret typical product specifications, job sheets, procedures, material labels and safety information as provided to operators.
Writing is required to the level of completing workplace forms.
Basic numeracy is required, e.g. to determine that two 25 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 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.