Elements and Performance Criteria

This competency applies to the:
blow moulding
blown film
cablemaking
extrusion
injection moulding
polystyrene
rotational moulding and
thermoforming
sectors within the plastics and rubber industries.

Procedures means all relevant workplace procedures, work instructions, temporary instructions and relevant industry and government codes and standards.

Ancillary equipment units include:
chilled water temperature control units
chilled water units
corrugator units
haul-off units
hot water or hot oil temperature control units
in-process granulating machines
polymer feedstock desiccant drying units
pressurised air supply units
product handling robotic units
product take-off conveyors
proportional polymer feed mixing hoppers/units
reinforcement filament braiding units
run-out tables
slotting units
vacuum and/or mechanical polymer loading units
vacuum calibration/sizing units
wind-up units.

Typical hazards may include:
spills
dusts/vapours
slip and fall, particularly due to spilt polymer granules
temperature
hazardous materials
manual handling hazards
equipment operations

Typical problems include:
machine malfunction
variations in materials and/or contamination of materials.

Essential knowledge and enterprise requirements
Application of knowledge of the materials, equipment and process sufficient to recognise out of specification process problems and equipment.
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:
apply and/or explain:
operation of relevant ancillary equipment
production workflow sequences
approved hazard control and safety procedures and the use of PPE in relation to handling materials, equipment operation and cleanup
correct selection and use of equipment, materials, processes and procedures
plan own work including predicting consequences and identifying improvements
monitor equipment operation
identify when the operator is able to rectify faults, when assistance is required and who is the appropriate source for assistance
pause equipment, or shut down equipment in abnormal circumstances.

Critical aspects
It is essential that the ancillary units operate so as to support the requirements of the main production process.

Language, literacy and numeracy requirements
This unit requires the ability to read and interpret typical product specifications, job sheets, procedures, material labels and safety information as provided to operators.
Writing is required to the level of completing workplace forms.
Basic numeracy is required, e.g. to determine that two 25 kg bags are needed to make up a requirement for 50 kg.

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 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 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.