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 decorating 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
hoists, jigs and gantries
lifting equipment not requiring any special permits or licences
relevant personal protective equipment.

Typical hazards include:
manual handling hazards
solvents and cleaning agents
humidity, air temperature, radiant heat
stationary and moving machinery, parts and components.

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

Typical process problems include:
non-supply of product
incorrect selection or supply of materials
misalignment of decals, transfers or other decorative materials.

Typical product problems include:
variations in materials
temperature of product to be finished
contamination of surfaces
decals/transfers or stamps not within specification or not fit for use.

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 problems that can occur during the hand decorating process.
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:
locate, interpret and apply relevant information to finishing process
identify and safely handle products
select and apply appropriate finishing process
apply and/or explain:
waste and recycling requirements
non-adherence of transfers, decals or stamps.

Critical aspects
It is essential that competence is demonstrated in the ability to:
understand the importance of critical material properties and quantities
recognise potential situations requiring action and then implement appropriate action.

Consistent performance should be demonstrated. In particular look to see that:
production standards are met consistently
decorations are applied consistently and at an appropriate rate.

Language, literacy and numeracy requirements
This unit requires the ability to read and interpret typical product specifications, job sheets and material labels as provided to operators.
Writing is required to the level of completing workplace forms.
Basic numeracy is also required, e.g. counting numbers of products and percentage of rejects.

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.