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 competency applies to processes required to fabricate plastic products by welding or otherwise weld plastic materials or pipe to specified requirements. It includes welding the processes of:
butt fusion welding
electro fusion welding
extrusion welding
heated wedge welding
high speed nozzle
hot gas welding
infrared welding
socket fusion welding.
Materials may be from a range of thermoplastic materials for which a compatible welding polymer rod or filler can be provided to form a homogeneous melt. The material may be in any form: sheet, pipe, formed tube, solid section, formed profile, etc
It also includes the operation of hot air and other hand held welding equipment of various types and all relevant ancillary equipment. Procedures means all relevant workplace procedures, work instructions, temporary instructions and relevant industry and government codes and standards
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.
Tools and equipment
This competency includes use of equipment and tools such as:
welding equipment
hand tools as required
jigs, clamps and other fixing devices
relevant personal protective equipment
Hazards
Typical hazards include:
fumes from overheating or poor ventilation
cuts from sharp edges on components
burns from manual handling
eye injury
power tools, leads and power supplies
welding equipment, parts and attachments
Problems
'Respond to routine problems' means 'apply known solutions to a limited range of predictable problems'. Typical process and product problems may include:
pattern incorrect or inaccurate assembly or clamping
incorrect filler rods selected
poor surface preparation
incorrect selection of welding nozzle or attachments
moisture contacting welding devices
burns to electrical leads
sequencing problems, weld run too fast or too slow
bonding problems, weld deposit incomplete or plastication not achieved.
Variables
Key variables to be monitored include:
weld temperature
feed rate of filler rod
variations in materials being welded
thickness of materials being welded.

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:
recognise the importance of material properties and qualities in the welding process
apply approved procedures
respond to routine problems.
Consistent performance should be demonstrated. For example, look to see that:
welding production standards are met consistently
upstream and downstream communication is timely and effective operating procedures and work instructions are read and interpreted correctly.
Assessment method and context
Assessment will occur on an industrial plastics welding machine(s) equipment and will be undertaken in a work-like environment.
Competence in this unit may be assessed
by use of an appropriate, industrial plastics welding equipment requiring demonstration of operation
in a situation allowing for the generation of evidence of the ability to respond to problems
by 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.