Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the competency required to apply finishing techniques to custom furniture.

Application of the unit 

This unit supports the attainment of skills and knowledge required to research, select and apply appropriate finishes for custom furniture. The competency applies to a work room and on site environment and involves application of skills and knowledge at a highly skilled craftsman or artisan level. These skills and knowledge are to be used within the scope of the individual's job and authority.

This unit requires employability skills in initiative and enterprise and problem solving in order to select suitable finishes. Communication skills are used to access and interpret information. Technology is used to access information and apply finishes.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance Criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the Element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge and/or the Range Statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the Evidence Guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Plan and prepare for work

1.1. Applicable legislative , OHS  and organisational  requirements relevant to finishing custom furniture  are verified and complied with

1.2. Instructions , plans and design briefs are read and interpreted to identify processes and materials to complete work tasks.

1.3. Tools , equipment  and materials  are selected and checked prior to use to ensure that they are appropriate for the work, serviceable and in a safe condition

1.4. Quality checking procedures are developed and documented for each step in the finishing process

2. Select appropriate finish technology

2.1. Design brief and furniture material, style and purpose are appraised to identify finishing technique options

2.2. Using samples of the type of material surface and specified finish, various finishing options are evaluated and the preferred option is selected

2.3. Specifications for type of finishing material to be applied are identified to determine means of application

2.4. Method of applying finishes to surfaces is identified and evaluated

2.5. Sample of material is tested with selected finishing technique to ensure appropriateness

3. Finish furniture surface

3.1. Furniture surface is prepared  in accordance with the finishing specification

3.2. Imperfections, pores, nail or screw holes on the surface are rectified 

3.3. Finishing processes and materials  are applied in accordance with the agreed specifications

3.4. Surface is polished or buffed depending on the shine required

3.5. Work is checked against required quality standards

3.6. Any non-conformity with the required quality standards is rectified

4. Complete housekeeping

4.1. Unused materials are stored or recycled as required

4.2. Tools and equipment are cleaned and stored appropriately

4.3. Faulty and defective equipment is tagged and reported in accordance with workplace practices

4.4. Work area is cleaned and rubbish disposed of appropriately

4.5. Workplace documentation and/or reports are completed

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required skills 

• collect, organise and understand information related to work orders, basic plans and finishing procedures
• communicate ideas and information to enable confirmation of finishing requirements and specifications, coordination of work with site supervisor, other workers and customers, and the reporting of work outcomes and problems
• work with others and in a team by recognising dependencies and using cooperative approaches to optimise work flow and productivity
• use pre-checking and inspection techniques to anticipate finishing problems to avoid re-work and wastage
• recognise and respond to circumstances outside instructions or personal competence
• innovate and modify existing finishing techniques to suit the aesthetic and functional requirements of the product
• plan and organise activities, including the preparation and layout of the worksite and the obtaining of equipment and materials to avoid any back tracking, work flow interruptions or wastage
• use mathematical ideas and techniques to correctly complete measurements, calculate area and estimate other material requirements
• clarify and confirm work instructions
• plan work within given task parameters
• accept responsibility for given tasks
• set, monitor and satisfy personal work goals
• satisfy the competency requirements for the job
• maintain current knowledge of tools and materials
• maintain current knowledge of installation techniques
• seek learning opportunities
• use the workplace technology related to finishing operations, including tools, equipment, calculators and measuring devices
• evaluate finishing materials to confirm compatibility and feasibility of material usage.

Required knowledge 

• State or Territory OHS legislation, regulations, standards and codes of practice relevant to the application of finishes
• organisational and site standards, requirements, policies and procedures for the selection and use of finishing materials
• finishing techniques
• characteristics, properties and selection criteria of finishing materials
• finishing characteristics and properties of timber being used
• matching requirements of adhesives and fasteners to timbers/materials used
• types of tools and equipment and procedures for their safe use, operation and maintenance
• work flow in relation to the furniture items being made or repaired
• environmental protection requirements
• established communication channels and protocols
• problem identification and resolution

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

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 the relevant Training Package.

Overview of assessment 

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

• Comply with legislation, regulations, standards, codes of practice and established safe practices and procedures for finishing the surface of timber furniture
• Interpret work order and locate and apply relevant information
• Apply safe handling requirements for equipment, products and materials, including use of personal protective equipment
• Follow work instructions, operating procedures and inspection practices to:

• prevent damage to goods, equipment and products
• maintain required production output and product quality
• minimise the risk of injury to self and others

• Finish a minimum of four different pieces of furniture using different finish technologies on each as specified in the Range Statement in accordance with industry standards
• Work effectively with others
• Modify activities to cater for variations in workplace contexts and environment

Context of , and specific resources for assessment 

• The application of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or simulated workplace
• Assessment is to occur under standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints
• Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge, other than confirmatory questions, will usually be conducted in an off-site context
• Assessment is to comply with relevant regulatory or Australian Standards requirements
• The following resources should be made available:

• workplace location or simulated workplace
• four realistic and differing finishing tasks
• materials and equipment relevant to applying finishing techniques to custom furniture
• specifications and work instructions

Method of assessment 

• Assessment must satisfy the endorsed assessment guidelines of the Furnishing Industry Training Package
• Assessment methods must confirm consistency and accuracy of performance (over time and in a range of workplace relevant contexts) together with application of underpinning knowledge
• Assessment methods must be by direct observation of tasks and include questioning on underpinning knowledge to ensure its correct interpretation and application
• Assessment may be applied under project related conditions (real or simulated) and require evidence of process
• Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competency is able not only to be satisfied under the particular circumstance, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances
• Assessment may be in conjunction with assessment of other units of competency where finishing is involved

Guidance information for assessment 

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 in the Performance Criteria is detailed below. 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.

Legislative requirements 

• are to be in accordance with applicable legislation from all levels of government that affect organisational operation. Requirements may include but not be limited to award and enterprise agreements, industrial relations, Australian Standards, confidentiality and privacy, OHS, the environment, equal opportunity, anti-discrimination, relevant industry codes of practice, duty of care and heritage

OHS requirements 

• are to be in accordance with Commonwealth, State or Territory legislation and regulations, organisational safety policies and procedures.
• Requirements may include but not be limited to the use of personal protective equipment and clothing, fire fighting equipment, first aid equipment, hazard and risk control and elimination, control of hazardous materials and substances, manual handling, including lifting and carrying

Organisational requirements 

• may include but not be limited to legal, organisational and site guidelines, policies and procedures relating to own role and responsibility, quality assurance, procedural manuals, quality and continuous improvement processes and standards, OHS, emergency and evacuation, ethical standards, recording and reporting, access and equity principles and practices, equipment use, maintenance and storage, environmental management (waste disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines)

Finishing custom furniture 

• refers to the preparation technique used on the furniture surface, the processes of selection, evaluation and application of any materials to the surface, the process of polishing and other final finishing processes

Instructions 

• workplace procedures relating to the use and operation of tools and equipment
• production planning figures
• workplace instructions, including job sheets, plans, specifications, drawings and designs
• workplace procedures relating to reporting and communications
• manufacturer instructions for the use of equipment and materials

Tools and equipment 

• may include power and hand sanders, brushes, steel wool, scrapers, rags, rubbing pads, brushes, spray guns, rottenstone, pumice and other polishing and rubbing compounds

Materials 

• may include timber (both indigenous and overseas), adhesives and fasteners, shellac, lacquer, polyurethane, oil finishes, stains, oxides, bleaching compounds, ammonia and filling compounds

Furniture surface preparation 

• may be by sanding by hand or power sander, scraping, planing or other smoothing technique
• is to take account of the fact that the colour of the wood may be changed by staining, bleaching, painting, ammonia fuming and/or a number of other techniques

Surface may be filled 

• using wood putty, wood plugs or other fillers

Finishing processes and materials 

• may include waxing, shellacking, nitrocellulose lacquering, conversion lacquering, linseed oiling, tung oiling, alkyd varnishing, polyurethane varnishing, water-based polyurethane and/or oil-varnish mixes, depending on the finish required, the furniture's use and the timber type used.

Unit sector 

Furniture design and technology.

Competency field 

Co-requisite units