Elements and Performance Criteria

The range of variables relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that will affect performance.
Where reference is made to industry Codes of Practice, and/or Australian/international standards, it is expected the latest version will be used.
This unit of competency describes the work typically conducted by less experienced scientific glassblowers.
Operations are performed in accordance with laboratory and/or enterprise procedures, and appropriate legislative requirements.

These procedures and requirements include or have been prepared from
industry Codes of Practice
OHS and environmental legislation and standards
material safety data sheets (MSDSs)
standard operating procedures (SOPs)
equipment manuals
equipment startup, operation and shutdown procedures
calibration and maintenance schedules
quality manuals
enterprise recording and reporting procedures
production and laboratory schedules
material, production and product specifications.

This competency includes the ability to use tools, materials and equipment, such as
burners, gas supplies and gas economisers
glass working lathes
mechanical glass cutters and saws
mechanical glass grinding equipment
annealing ovens
measuring and recording equipment
hand tools, such as carbon paddles and mandrels, range of forceps, glass tubing gauges, angle setting jigs, calipers, glass support rollers, brass shapers, carbon rods, glass knife, stainless steel gauze, vernier calipers and other measuring tools, strain viewer
various glass types, including soda-lime, borosilicate, quartz, silica and special formula glasses
glass to metal seals
communication equipment.

Hazards may include
sharps, broken glassware
heat sources, such as burners and ovens
fluids under pressure (acetylene, oxygen)
glass dust
cuts associated with glass grinders and cutters
manual handling of heavy sample bags and containers.

Safe work practices may include
use of personal protective equipment, such as heat resistant gloves, safety glasses, goggles, face guards, coveralls, respirators, safety boots
correct labelling of reagents and hazardous materials
handling, and storing hazardous materials and equipment in accordance with labels, MSDS, manufacturer's instructions, enterprise procedures and regulations
regular cleaning and/or decontamination of equipment and work areas.

Health, safety and environment
All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent health, safety and environmental (HSE) requirements, which may be imposed through State or Federal legislation, and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between performance criteria and HSE requirements, the HSE requirements take precedence.
All operations assume the potentially hazardous nature of samples and require standard precautions to be applied. Users should access and apply current industry understanding of infection control issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council and State and Territory Departments of Health. All operations are performed in accordance with standard operating procedures.

The Evidence Guide describes the underpinning knowledge and skills that must be demonstrated to prove competence.
Critical aspects of competency

Competency must be demonstrated in the ability to perform consistently at the required standard. In particular, assessors should look to see that the candidate:

demonstrates a knowledge and awareness of contamination cleaning techniques to be carried out before repair operations are undertaken
demonstrates a knowledge of the use and function of the broken apparatus
safely applies appropriate glassblowing techniques to repair apparatus
follows blueprints, drawings, sketches and designs relevant to repair work
selects appropriate grades of glass and prepare for use
determines types of contaminants present on/in apparatus and use appropriate treatment process, with particular attention to risks associated with blowing used and possibly contaminated glass
prepares apparatus for repair
optimises and uses glassblowing equipment
identifies atypical or out of normal repair problems
reports problems to either supervisor or outside service technician according to enterprise procedures
records and communicates work results
follows correct OHS and GLP practice.

Underpinning knowledge

Competency includes the ability to apply and explain:

relevant glassblowing techniques
knowledge of the risks associated with blowing used and contaminated glass
contamination cleaning techniques to be carried out before repair operations are undertaken
repair materials and reason for their choice
use of appropriate tools and equipment
basic chemical and physical concepts related to behaviour of glass under heat and stress
basic knowledge of how apparatus to be repaired is used
critical material properties and appropriate glassworking parameters
pre-repair apparatus preparation procedures
annealing procedures
methods of minimising potential quality problems
relevant health, safety and environment requirements.

Assessment context and methods
This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or simulated workplace environment.
It is strongly recommended that assessment is conducted through observation over time. The time frame must allow for adequate assessment of operation under all normal and a range of abnormal conditions. Where this is not practical additional assessment techniques must be used.

The following assessment methods are suggested:

inspection of glasswork and workplace documentation completed by the candidate
analysis of work completed over a period of time to ensure accurate and consistent work is obtained within required timelines.
feedback from peers and supervisors
use of suitable simulation and/or a range of case studies/scenarios
In all cases, practical assessment should be supported by questions to assess underpinning knowledge and those aspects of competency which are difficult to assess directly. Questioning techniques should suit the language and literacy levels of the candidate.

Interdependent assessment of unit

This unit of competency may be assessed with:

PMLSCIG300B Operate basic handblowing equipment.

Resource implications

Resources may include:

access to a scientific glassblowing facility, appropriate equipment, materials and procedures
a bank of case studies where these form part of the assessment method.

This competency in practice
A trainee glass blower has been asked by his/her supervisor to repair several pieces of used and broken laboratory glassware as part of a cost saving exercise. Firstly, he/she determines whether the glassware will be used for general tasks or for qualitative analysis and how urgently the job is required. He/she then clarifies whether any hazardous material has been used in the equipment and applies the correct cleaning procedures. After determining the nature of the glass and the appropriate glass working parameters, he/she repairs the equipment using safe apparatus. Finally the glass blower subjects the equipment to the appropriate annealing/conditioning process and checks the final outcome with his/her supervisor. Any contaminated or used glass waste is disposed of appropriately.

The seven key competencies represent generic skills considered for effective work participation. The bracketed numbering against each of the key competencies indicates the performance level required in this unit. These are stand-alone levels and do not correspond to the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).
Level (1) represents the competence to undertake tasks effectively
Level (2) represents the competence to manage tasks
Level (3) represents the competence to use concepts for evaluating and reshaping tasks.
Communicating ideas and information
(1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
(1)

Planning and organising activities
(1)

Working with others and in teams
(1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
(1)

Solving problems
(1)

Using technology
(2)