Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 10:16 AM 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.

Mistake proof an operational process

Mistake proof an operational process

Unit of competency
National Code
MSS403051A
State Code
WD535
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
02/05/2012
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
24/10/2014
Field of Education
080317 - Quality Management
Original Release Date
24/10/2014
Nominal Hours
50
Description
This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to make changes to own and others work in a work area which prevents errors and/or backsliding to a pre-improvement level of practice.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Analyse process
  • 1.1 Identify sources of variability/non-conformance in the process
  • 1.2 Identify critical control points in process
  • 1.3 Analyse causes of variability/non-conformance
2 Develop preventative techniques/systems
  • 2.1 Liaise with team members and other people to develop mistake proof options for performing operation
  • 2.2 Test and validate mistake proofing options
3 Implement permanent fix
  • 3.1 Liaise with relevant people to have systems/procedures changed to implement solution
  • 3.2 Liaise with relevant people to implement the solution
  • 3.3 Liaise with relevant people to ensure self and others in the team or work area have an appropriate skills set
  • 3.4 Follow through to ensure implementation occurs
4 Monitor implementation
  • 4.1 Critically observe the implementation
  • 4.2 Compare the results of the implementation against the expected outcomes
  • 4.3 Modify solution to improve outcomes
  • 4.4 Ensure procedures reflect change
  • 4.5 Ensure training/assessment reflects change
  • 4.6 Audit change at agreed period/cycle
  • 4.7 Take action on any observed deviation
5 Seek improvements
  • 5.1 Observe changes
  • 5.2 Analyse process again, if required, to ensure improvements are sustained
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. 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) may also be included.
Competitive systems and practices

Competitive systems and practices may include, but are not limited to:
lean operations
agile operations
preventative and predictive maintenance approaches
monitoring and data gathering systems, such as Systems Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) software, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, Materials Resource Planning (MRP) and proprietary systems
statistical process control systems, including six sigma and three sigma
Just in Time (JIT), kanban and other pull-related operations control systems
supply, value, and demand chain monitoring and analysis
5S
continuous improvement (kaizen)
breakthrough improvement (kaizen blitz)
cause/effect diagrams
overall equipment effectiveness (OEE)
takt time
process mapping
problem solving
run charts
standard procedures
current reality tree
Competitive systems and practices should be interpreted so as to take into account:
the stage of implementation of competitive systems and practices
the size of the enterprise
the work organisation, culture, regulatory environment and the industry sector
Mistake proofing
Mistake proofing is based on the concept of zero defects. The first priority is to eliminate the possibility of an error occurring. However, where this is not feasible mistake proofing can be used to reduce the occurrence of errors and/or to minimise their impact.
Mistake proofing should target an error in the following priority order:
eliminate the possibility of the error via changes to the process
prevent the error from occurring via physical or virtual barriers,
reduce likelihood of the error by encouraging correct action (e.g. through warning systems)
mitigate the impact of the error if it does occur
Mistake proofing is also called error proofing or baka-yoke or poka-yoke
Options for mistake proofing
Factors to consider when prioritising options for mistake proofing will vary according to the process and may include:
success rate in eliminating errors
feasibility
skills required by employees
cost
capacity to reduce waste
Procedures
Procedures may include:
all work instructions
standard operating procedures
formulas/recipes
batch sheet
temporary instructions and similar instructions provided for the operation of the plant
good operating practice as may be defined by industry codes of practice (e.g. good manufacturing practice (GMP) and responsible care)
government regulations
Procedures may be:
written, verbal, computer-based or in some other format
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of the ability to:
analyse variability and non-conformances
identify, analyse and evaluate information from a variety of sources to identify errors and options for mistake proofing
facilitate implementation of mistake proofing activities that reduce waste
facilitate sustaining the mistake proofing activities.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment of performance must be undertaken in a workplace using or implementing one or more competitive systems and practices.
Access may be required to:
workplace procedures and plans relevant to work area
specifications and documentation relating to planned, currently being implemented, or implemented changes to work processes and procedures relevant to the assessee
documentation and information in relation to production, waste, overheads and hazard control/management
reports from supervisors/managers
case studies and scenarios to assess responses to contingencies.
Method of assessment
A holistic approach should be taken to the assessment.
Competence in this unit may be assessed by using a combination of the following to generate evidence:
demonstration in the workplace
workplace projects
suitable simulation
case studies/scenarios (particularly for assessment of contingencies, improvement scenarios, and so on)
targeted questioning
reports from supervisors, peers and colleagues (third-party reports)
portfolio of evidence.
In all cases it is expected that practical assessment will be combined with targeted questioning to assess underpinning knowledge.
Where applicable, reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity, age, gender, demographics and disability.
Guidance information for assessment
Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the oracy, language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
W9005 MSACMT451A Mistake proof a production process Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
BAK16 MSS403051 Mistake proof an operational process Unit of competency
State Code National Code Title Type
J831 AUM40113 Certificate IV in Automotive Manufacturing Qualification
W382 LMT40307 Certificate IV in Clothing Production Qualification
W371 LMT30507 Certificate III in Clothing Production Qualification
J130 MSS40312 Certificate IV in Competitive Systems and Practices Qualification
J132 MSS50312 Diploma of Competitive Systems and Practices Qualification
J133 MSS60312 Advanced Diploma of Competitive Systems and Practices Qualification
J129 MSS30312 Certificate III in Competitive Systems and Practices Qualification
W383 LMT40407 Certificate IV in Custom-made Footwear Qualification
W896 LMT31210 Certificate III in Dry Cleaning Operations Qualification
J368 MEM60112 Advanced Diploma of Engineering Qualification
J367 MEM50212 Diploma of Engineering - Technical Qualification
AWX7 DEF42315 Certificate IV in Explosive Ordnance Manufacture Qualification
AWW7 DEF32115 Certificate III in Explosive Ordnance Manufacture Qualification
J263 FDF41012 Certificate IV in Flour Milling Qualification
D682 FDF30111 Certificate III in Food Processing Qualification
S772 FDF30910 Certificate III in Food Processing (Sales) Qualification
W373 LMT30707 Certificate III in Footwear Production Qualification
W374 LMT30807 Certificate III in Footwear Repair Qualification
W895 LMT31110 Certificate III in Laundry Operations Qualification
W897 LMT40810 Certificate IV in Laundry Operations and Supervision Qualification
W375 LMT30907 Certificate III in Leather Production Qualification
W750 PMC40110 Certificate IV in Manufactured Mineral Products Qualification
W528 MSA60108 Advanced Diploma of Manufacturing Technology Qualification
W526 MSA50108 Diploma of Manufacturing Technology Qualification
BAH0 PPM40216 Certificate IV in Papermaking Operations Qualification
BAH2 PPM30216 Certificate III in Papermaking Operations Qualification
S767 FDF30210 Certificate III in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Qualification
S774 FDF40210 Certificate IV in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Qualification
S768 FDF30310 Certificate III in Plant Baking Qualification
W401 PMB40107 Certificate IV in Polymer Technology Qualification
D688 MSA40311 Certificate IV in Process Manufacturing Qualification
BAM7 MSM40116 Certificate IV in Process Manufacturing Qualification
J571 PMA40113 Certificate IV in Process Plant Technology Qualification
BAN5 PMA50116 Diploma of Process Plant Technology Qualification
W519 PMA60108 Advanced Diploma of Process Plant Technology Qualification
W518 PMA50108 Diploma of Process Plant Technology Qualification
BAN0 PMA40116 Certificate IV in Process Plant Technology Qualification
BAM9 PMA60116 Advanced Diploma of Process Plant Technology Qualification
BAH1 PPM30116 Certificate III in Pulping Operations Qualification
BAK2 PPM40116 Certificate IV in Pulping Operations Qualification
W955 MSA40510 Certificate IV in Recreational Vehicles Qualification
AZG5 MSM41015 Certificate IV in Recreational Vehicles Qualification
D627 SFI40511 Certificate IV in Seafood Processing Qualification
D623 SFI30511 Certificate III in Seafood Processing Qualification
J131 MSS50112 Diploma of Sustainable Operations Qualification
D550 MSS40111 Certificate IV in Sustainable Operations Qualification
W379 LMT31807 Certificate III in Technical Textiles and Non-wovens Qualification
W370 LMT30407 Certificate III in Textile Fabrication Qualification
W368 LMT30107 Certificate III in Textile Production Qualification
W380 LMT40107 Certificate IV in Textile Technology and Production Qualification
W392 LMT50407 Diploma of Textile Technology and Production Management Qualification
J749 MSF30313 Certificate III in Timber and Composites Machining Qualification
J473 FPI30911 Certificate III in Timber Truss and Frame Design and Manufacture Qualification
BAK6 FWP30916 Certificate III in Timber Truss and Frame Design and Manufacture Qualification