Elements and Performance Criteria

This competency unit applies to greenware and green products such as :
clay and ceramics products prior to firing
fibre reinforced cement products prior to autoclaving
concrete products such as masonry curing.

This competency unit includes the operation of equipment, such as :
hand tools
templates
drying area, cabinets, tunnel, curing 'kiln'
transfer cars,
temperature measuring equipment
moisture measuring equipment (eg, infra-red moisture meter).

This competency includes operations, such as :
brushing
dressing
fettling
linishing
sanding
sponging
stacking
edge trimming.

Typical problems include :
inspecting and finishing to ensure surfaces are to specification
ensuring moisture content is within requirements
ensuring product strength has been obtained
temperature and humidity control
distribution of product in drying/curing area.
All operations are performed to

OHS
The identification and control of hazards and the application of OHS is to be in accordance with current, applicable legislation and regulations, and company

Assessment context and methods
Assessment for this unit of competency will be on an operating plant. The unit will be assessed in as holistic a manner as is practical and may be integrated with the assessment of other relevant units of competency. Assessment will occur over a range of situations which will include disruptions to normal, smooth operation.
Simulation or case studies/scenarios may be required to allow for timely assessment of parts of this competency unit (eg, those parts of element 1 referring to safety of equipment). Simulation should be based on the actual plant and will include 'walk-throughs' of the relevant competency components. Simulations may also include the use of case studies/scenarios and role plays.

Critical aspects

Competence must be demonstrated in the ability to recognise situations requiring action and then in implementing appropriate corrective action. Consistent performance should be demonstrated. In particular look to see that:

greenware is ready for next stage of the process
drying achieves the specified moisture content
curing achieves the specified strength
drying/curing area loaded to requirements
temperature and humidity are within limits
product waste levels are low.
These aspects may be best assessed using a range of scenarios/case studies/what ifs as the stimulus, with a walk-through forming part of the response. The assessment activities should include responding to a range of problems.

Resource implications
Assessment will require access to an operating plant over an extended period of time, or a suitable method of gathering evidence of operating ability over a range of situations. A bank of scenarios/case studies/what ifs will be required as will a bank of questions which will be used to probe the reasoning behind the observable actions.

Other assessment advice
This unit has no prerequisite competencies.
Individual enterprises may choose to add prerequisites and corequisites relevant to their processes.

Essential knowledge
Knowledge and understanding of the equipment and process sufficient to recognise conditions which will lead to out of specification product.
Knowledge of the enterprise's

Competence includes the ability to:


apply and/or describe:

surface finish requirements and terms
nature and purpose of the drying/curing stage
importance of correct moisture content
importance of correct temperature and air circulation
consequences of poor stacking

distinguish between causes of faults such as:

dryer/curing 'kiln'
air flow/temperature
materials
as is relevant to the practical operation of the equipment.

Communicating ideas and information
(1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
(2)

Planning and organising activities
(0)

Working with others and in teams
(1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
(1)

Solving problems
(1)

Using technology
(1)