Elements and Performance Criteria

RANGE STATEMENT
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Add any 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.
Where reference is made to industry codes of practice and/or Australian/international standards, the latest version must be used.
Context
This unit covers the making of a resistant/retardant laminate in a factory environment on a mould, or the laying up of a composite surface on a substrate such as a tank surface.
This unit covers both the selection of the appropriate resin, matrix and process from the standard systems available from the technician's enterprise, and the making of the resistant/ retardant product. It does not extend to the developing of totally new products using new resin/matrix systems for new (to the enterprise) end use environments. PMB TECH 505 or TECH 601 are more appropriate units in these circumstances.
Procedures
All operations are performed in accordance with procedures.
Procedures include all relevant workplace procedures, work instructions, temporary instructions and relevant industry and government codes and standards. These may include:
waterproofing
alkali and acid resistance
heat resistance
fire retardancy
smoke generation
abrasion resistance
AS/NZ standards as applicable
cold weather performance and curing.
Tools and equipment
This competency includes use of equipment and tools such as:
moulds
hand mixing tools such as stirrers
knives and cutters to trim fibres
hand application tools such as rollers, trowels, brushes etc.
relevant personal protective equipment.
Hazards
Typical hazards include:
temperature
hazardous materials
manual handling hazards
equipment operations
working at heights
working in confined spaces.
Problems
'Anticipate and solve problems' means resolve a range of complex, non-routine problems using process and product knowledge to develop solutions to problems which do not have a known solution/s recorded in the procedures.
Typical process and product problems may include:
cracks, dents or imperfections of the mould/substrate
variations in materials, colour, consistency or mix
adjustment and settings of the applicator (where used)
application of the materials to the mould/substrate as required
contamination of materials
equipment malfunctions
pin holes or other imperfections leading to barrier problems.
Appropriate action for problems outside of area of responsibility may be reporting to an appropriate person.
Appropriate action for solving problems within area of responsibility includes asking questions and seeking assistance from appropriate persons/sources.
Variables
Key variables to be monitored include:
surface finish
colour
thickness
product integrity and general conformance to specifications.

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, the range statement and the assessment guidelines for this training package.
Overview of assessment
A holistic approach should be taken to the assessment.
Assessors must be satisfied that the person can consistently perform the unit as a whole, as defined by the Elements, Performance Criteria and skills and knowledge.
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
It is essential that competence is demonstrated in the knowledge and skills defined in this unit. These may include the ability to:
select and apply the appropriate laminate to meet the cost and performance specification for the particular job
identify critical materials properties and process variables in relation to the process requirements and the end product
make adjustments to the process as required
identify and take appropriate action on problems and potential problems.
Consistent performance should be demonstrated. For example, look to see that:
the process runs consistently and smoothly, with minimum need for intervention
all safety procedures are always followed.
Assessment method and context
Assessment will occur on special purpose chemical resistant/fire retardant lamination method and equipment and will be undertaken in a work-like environment
Competence in this unit may be assessed:
over a range of actual special purpose lamination methods which are undertaken in the workplace
in a situation allowing the for generation of evidence of the ability to recognise, anticipate and solve problems
using a suitable simulation and/or a range of case studies/scenarios
through 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. Assessors need to be aware of any cultural issues that may affect responses to questions.
Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the oracy, language and literacy capacity of the assessee and the work being performed.
Specific resources for assessment
This section should be read in conjunction with the Range Statement 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. No other special resources are required.
Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required. Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.