Elements and Performance Criteria

This unit of competency includes all such items of equipment and unit operations which form part of the plasterboard manufacturing process.

Context
For your plant this may include (select relevant items) -
mixers
moulds or formers
lifting equipment
cutting equipment
drying and other equipment integral to the manufacture of fibrous plasterboard.
Typical problems for your plant may include -
inappropriate material specifications
introduction of contaminants
inclusion of air
distortion or section thickness variations.

OHS
The identification and control of hazards and the application of OHS are 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 may be required to allow for timely assessment of parts of this unit of competency (eg, elements 1 to 4). 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.
This unit of competency requires a significant body of knowledge which will be assessed through questioning and the use of 'what if' scenarios both on the plant (during demonstration of normal operations and walk-throughs of abnormal operations) and off the plant.

Critical aspects
It is essential that the forming equipment be understood and that the importance of critical material properties, settings and readings is known. Competence must be demonstrated in the ability to recognise and analyse potential situations requiring action and then in implementing appropriate corrective action.

Consistent performance should be demonstrated. In particular look to see that:

process and equipment are operated in accordance with work instructions and process parameters
quality is monitored to minimise wastage
drying profiles/operations are maintained
process measurements and tests are continually made, observed and interpreted
all OHS requirements are followed.
Competence must be demonstrated in the operation of all ancillary equipment to the level required for this competency unit. 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
In all plants it may be appropriate to assess this unit concurrently with relevant teamwork and communication units.

Essential knowledge
Knowledge and understanding of the fibrous plaster production process sufficient to recognise process conditions which will lead to out of specification production and to take appropriate action.
Knowledge of the enterprise's standard procedures and work instructions and relevant regulatory requirements along with the ability to implement them within appropriate time constraints and in a manner relevant to the operation of the melting equipment.

Competence includes the ability to:


apply and/or explain:

composition and nature of materials being utilised
equipment start up and shut down processes
drying times and conditions
out of specification situations

distinguish between causes of faults such as:

incorrect raw materials
equipment maladjustment
contamination or poor maintenance
as is relevant to the practical production of fibrous plasterboard.

Communicating ideas and information
(1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
(2)

Planning and organising activities
(1)

Working with others and in teams
(2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
(1)

Solving problems
(2)

Using technology
(2)