Elements and Performance Criteria

Context
This competency unit includes the operation of fibre extrusion equipment, such as -
forming equipment
size application equipment
communication equipment
hand tools
safety clothing and equipment.
Typical problems include -
winding and sliver problems
equipment problems including condition and cleaning of equipment
quality problems.
This competency includes the operation of all ancillary equipment and the operation of plant using PLCs where appropriate.
All operations are performed in accordance with standard procedures and work instructions.

OHS
All operations are subject to stringent OHS requirements and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between performance criteria and OHS requirements, the OHS requirements take precedence.

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 or case studies/scenarios may be required to allow for timely assessment of parts of this competency unit (eg, element 4 referring to the identification of a range of faults occurring during operation). 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.

Critical aspects
It is essential that the equipment and operating parameters be understood and that the importance of critical material properties 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:

equipment set up is completed in accordance with work instructions
signals and alarms are responded to immediately
process measurements are continually made, observed and interpreted
operating supply levels are maintained
equipment problems are identified and responded to immediately
quality is maintained to customer specifications.
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 forming equipment and glass quality to customer specifications sufficient to recognise process conditions which will lead to out of specification production.
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 process and equipment.

Competence includes the ability to:


apply and/or explain:

composition and nature of the glass
start up and shut down processes
construction and limitations of the equipment
out of specification situations
importance of safety procedures and PPE
quality problems which may include broken packs, mixed and damaged material, double winding, forming positions break and stoppages, and poor glass quality

distinguish between causes of faults such as:

raw materials
equipment
types of defects/faults
electrical/instrumental
as is relevant to the practical operation of the plant.

Communicating ideas and information
(1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
(2)

Planning and organising activities
(2)

Working with others and in teams
(1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
(1)

Solving problems
(1)

Using technology
(2)