Elements and Performance Criteria

The range of variables relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that will affect performance.
Where reference is made to industry Codes of Practice, and/or Australian/international standards, it is expected the latest version will be used.
This unit of competence describes the work conducted by skilled and experienced scientific glassblowers who construct, modify and maintain high vacuum systems as part of their job.
Operations are performed in accordance with laboratory and/or enterprise procedures, and appropriate legislative requirements.

These procedures and requirements include or have been prepared from
industry Codes of Practice
environmental legislation and regulations
material safety data sheets
standard operating procedures (SOPs)
equipment manuals
equipment startup, operation and shutdown procedures
calibration and maintenance schedules
quality manuals
enterprise recording and reporting procedures
production and laboratory schedules
material, production and product specifications.

Tools and equipment may include
leak detection equipment
pumps and lubricants
pressure measuring equipment
bench, handlamp and ribbon burners, gas supplies and gas economisers
glass working lathes
annealing ovens
measuring and recording equipment
hand tools, such as carbon paddles and mandrels, range of forceps, glass tubing gauges, angle setting jigs, calipers, glass support rollers, brass shapers, carbon rods, glass knife, stainless steel gauze, vernier calipers and other measuring tools, strain viewer
mechanical glass cutters and saws
mechanical glass grinding equipment.

Vacuum apparatus includes items, such as
manometers
vacuum traps
vacuum manifolds
vacuum distillation apparatus
gas handling systems.

Maintenance includes procedures, such as
cleaning and maintaining work area, equipment and tools
checking and maintaining gas manifolds, cylinders and pumps
ensuring safety of vacuum and related equipment
evaluating and troubleshoot high vacuum systems
evaluating and restoring efficiency of systems.

Hazards may include
sharps, broken glassware
residues on used glassware, mercury
heat sources, such as burners and ovens
fluids under pressure (acetylene, oxygen)
glass dust
cuts associated with glass grinders and cutters
manual handling of heavy sample bags and containers.

Safety practices may include
use of personal protective equipment, such as heat resistant gloves, safety glasses, goggles, face guards, coveralls, respirators, safety boots
correct labelling of reagents and hazardous materials
handling, and storing hazardous materials and equipment in accordance with labels, MSDS, manufacturer's instructions, enterprise procedures and regulations
regular cleaning and/or decontamination of equipment and work areas.

Health, safety and environment
All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent health, safety and environmental (HSE) requirements, which may be imposed through State or Federal legislation, and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between performance criteria and HSE requirements, the HSE requirements take precedence.
All operations assume the potentially hazardous nature of samples and require standard precautions to be applied. Users should access and apply current industry understanding of infection control issued by the National Health and Medical Research Council and State and Territory Departments of Health. All operations are performed in accordance with standard operating procedures.

The Evidence Guide describes the underpinning knowledge and skills that must be demonstrated to prove competence.
Critical aspects of competency

Competence must be demonstrated in the ability to perform consistently at the required standard. Candidates must be able to use advanced bench/hand glasswork techniques and equipment to fabricate glass apparatus. In particular the assessor should look to see that the candidate can:

prepare and interpret blueprints, drawings, sketches, designs and customer requirements
apply theoretical concepts and practical principles to construct, modify and maintain vacuum systems
evaluate and make recommendations for modifications to vacuum systems
modify high vacuum systems to meet new requirements
use appropriate procedures to monitor and maintain high vacuum systems
follow enterprise procedures to document and communicate work details.

Underpinning knowledge

Competency includes the ability to apply and explain:

principles of design of high vacuum apparatus
principles of working with high vacuum systems
theoretical and practical knowledge of glassworking methods and procedures
practices to control stress and strain in glass systems
theory of equipment operation and use
characteristics, capabilities and limitations of glassblowing techniques
properties of glass and specific ways to join glass for high vacuum applications
ideal joint placement for high vacuum systems
ultra cleaning procedures for glass in high vacuum systems
preparation and use of glass to metal seals
safety procedures relevant to constructing and working with high vacuum systems.

Assessment context and methods
This unit of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or simulated workplace environment.
It is strongly recommended that assessment is conducted through observation over time. The time frame must allow for adequate assessment of operation under all normal and a range of abnormal conditions. Where this is not practical additional assessment techniques must be used.

The following assessment methods are suggested:

inspection of examples of glasswork and workplace documentation completed by the candidate
analysis of the candidate's work records over a period of time to ensure accurate and consistent work is obtained within required timelines
feedback from peers and supervisors
oral/written questioning.
In all cases, practical assessment should be supported by questions to assess underpinning knowledge and those aspects of competency which are difficult to assess directly. Questioning techniques should suit the language and literacy levels of the candidate.

Interdependent assessment of unit

This unit of competency may be assessed with:

PMLSCIG502B Perform glass coating, grinding and finishing operations
PMLSCIG501B Design and manufacture glass apparatus and glass systems.

Resource implications

Resources may include:

access to a scientific glassblowing facility, appropriate equipment, materials and procedures which will allow for appropriate and realistic simulation
access to more than one workplace or simulated learning environment if the primary workplace or learning environment is unable to provide a suitable range of equipment.

This competency in practice
A major research organisation has requested assistance with the design and construction of an ultra high vacuum line to work in conjunction with a recently purchased mass spectrometer. The scientific glassblower identifies the location of the backing pump, vapour jet pump, turbo molecular pump and getter pumps. After finalising the design, they manufacture the main components in the glassblowing workshop. They then take the portable glassblowing station, including hand torch, gas supplies, hand tools to the research laboratory and proceeds to link these components with various sizes of glass tubing and transition glass/metal vacuum flanges. Having completed the vacuum system, the glass blower assists with checking all joints and seals under vacuum conditions and undertakes any repairs and modifications. Finally they dispose of all waste appropriately and returns the equipment to the workshop.

The seven key competencies represent generic skills considered for effective work participation. The bracketed numbering against each of the key competencies indicates the performance level required in this unit. These are stand-alone levels and do not correspond to levels in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).
Level (1) represents the competence to undertake tasks effectively
Level (2) represents the competence to manage tasks
Level (3) represents the competence to use concepts for evaluating and reshaping tasks.
Communicating ideas and information
(2)

Collecting analysing and organising information
(2)

Planning and organising activities
(2)

Working with others and in teams
(2)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
(2)

Solving problems
(3)

Using technology
(3)