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. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. 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) may also be included.
Procedures
All operations are performed in accordance with standard procedures and work instructions
Greenware and green products
Greenware and green products may include:
clay and ceramics products prior to firing
fibre reinforced cement products prior to autoclaving
concrete products such as masonry curing
Equipment
Equipment may include:
hand tools
templates
drying area, cabinets, tunnel, curing kiln
transfer cars, kiln cars, trolleys, shelving or racks
temperature measuring equipment
moisture measuring equipment (e.g. infra-red moisture meter)
Finishing
Finishing includes operations, such as:
brushing
dressing
fettling
linishing
sanding
sponging
stacking
edge trimming
Typical problems
Typical problems may include:
inspecting and finishing to ensure surfaces are to specification
ensuring moisture content is within requirements
ensuring product strength has been obtained
temperature and humidity control
distribution of product in drying/curing area
Occupational health and safety (OHS)
The identification and control of hazards and the application of OHS is to be in accordance with current, applicable legislation and regulations, and company procedures. All work is carried out at all times in accordance with these requirements

EVIDENCE GUIDE
The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment
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.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Competence must be demonstrated in the ability to recognise situations requiring action and then in implementing appropriate corrective action. Consistent performance should be demonstrated. In particular look to see that:
greenware is ready for next stage of the process
drying achieves the specified moisture content
curing achieves the specified strength
drying/curing area loaded to requirements
temperature and humidity are within limits
product waste levels are low.

Context of and specific resources for assessment
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.
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 (e.g. those parts referring to safety of equipment). Simulation should be based on the actual plant and will include 'walk-throughs' of the relevant competency components. 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.

Method of assessment
Individual enterprises may choose to add prerequisites and co-requisites relevant to their processes.

Guidance information for assessment
Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the work being performed and must take into consideration the language and literacy capacity of the candidate.