Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the skills and knowledge skills required to perform the range of activities associated with the various finishing processes for hides, skins or leather. They include machine finishing and manual application.

Application of the Unit 

This unit applies to relating to the activities for the finishing of hides, skins or leather.

Work may be conducted in small to large scale enterprises and may involve individual and team activities. Work is performed within defined procedures under direct supervision.

The application of this unit is according to OHS practices of the enterprise and workplace practices, which may include:

• requirements prescribed by legislation, awards, agreements and conditions of employment
• standard operating procedures
• work instructions
• oral, written and visual communication
• quality practices, including responsibility for maintenance of own work quality and contribution to quality improvement of team or section output
• housekeeping
• tasks related to environmental protection, waste disposal, pollution control and recycling

This unit requires the application of communication skills to confirm and communicate production requirements, planning and organising of production processes to meet requirements as well as applying knowledge of equipment and machinery used in finishing operations. Self management skills are used to ensure work complies with workplace requirements.

Prerequisites 

Employability Skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1 Confirm instructions

1.1 Requirements for the finishing of hides, skins or leather are identified or confirmed

1.2 Clarification is assessed, where necessary, to ensure accuracy of requirements

2 Prepare for finishing task

2.1 Equipment , protective clothing and other necessary requirements are obtained and checked for serviceability

2.2 Hides, skins or leather to be finished are appropriately prepared

2.3 Coating/s to be applied are selected or obtained and mixed, where required, in accordance with workplace and suppliers instructions or procedures

3 Operate machines to finish hides, skins or leather, where applicable

3.1 All necessary settings and preparation for machine operation  are identified and assessed in accordance with specifications and workplace procedures

3.2 Machine operated safely in accordance with workplace standard operating procedures, and any malfunctions are reported

3.3 Hides, skins or leather are fed through or into the machine in the appropriate manner and in accordance with OHS practices 

3.4 Hides, skins or leather are removed from machine, where required, using correct manual handling procedures

3.5 Hides, skins or leather are directed to correct area for next process or storage

3.6 Work area around the machine is cleaned and maintained to meet workplace and safety standards

4 Apply finishing coats by hand , where applicable

4.1 Bottom, effect and top coats are applied manually in accordance with OHS practices and workplace procedures

4.2 Protective and other relevant safety equipment is used appropriately

4.3 Hides, skins or leather are directed to correct area drying process or storage

4.4 Equipment is cleaned and stored

5 Monitor product quality

5.1 Quality requirements for the hides, skins or leather are correctly identified and applied for all stages of the process

5.2 Quality is visually checked continuously to ensure standard is maintained

5.3 Any deviations from normal are recognised, isolated and reported

6 Dispose of waste materials

6.1 Waste is kept to a minimum through correct application of workplace procedures

6.2 Machine waste is disposed of in accordance with environmental and workplace procedures

7 Communicate process information

7.1 Records are completed

7.2 Information regarding production status and problems is accurately transferred between changes in shifts, where required

7.3 Documentation is maintained to expedite movement of the hides, skins and leather through the various phases of treatment

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

Demonstrates knowledge of:

• industry and product processes and equipment
• preparation procedures and requirements
• characteristics, uses, and hazards, of coatings and related materials
• monitoring processes and operator instructions
• quality standards and manual handling procedures
• safety and environmental aspects of relevant processes, including handling and using coatings and waste disposal
• workplace procedures
• OHS practices, including hazard identification and control measures
• practices for recording and reporting

Demonstrates skills to:

• mix and apply coatings
• set and prepare machine
• feed hides, skins, or leather at appropriate rates
• continuously check quality and recognise and isolate deviations from normal
• clean and store equipment
• communicate effectively within the workplace
• apply established procedures
• document and transfer information
• read, interpret, and follow information on work specifications, standard operating procedures and work instructions, and other reference material
• maintain accurate records
• sequence operations
• meet specifications
• clarify and check task-related information
• carry out work according to OHS practices

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 Training Package.

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

Demonstrates skills and knowledge to:

• prepare hides, skins or leather for finishing
• adjust and operate machines, where applicable
• apply coatings manually, where applicable
• monitor quality of process, and minimise and dispose of waste

Consistently applies skills and knowledge when:

• organising work
• completing tasks
• identifying improvements
• using workplace practices
• using OHS practices
• recording and reporting accidents and incidents
• assessing operational readiness of equipment used and work processes
• recognising and adapting to cultural differences in the workplace, including modes of behaviour and interactions
• completing work systematically with attention to detail without damage to goods and equipment

Context and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment may occur on the job or in an appropriately simulated environment and requires access to work areas, materials and equipment and to information on workplace practices and OHS practices.

Guidance information for assessment 

This unit may be assessed independently or in combination with other relevant units.

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. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs if the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.

Legislative/regulatory requirements

All work must comply with relevant Federal and State or Territory legislative or regulatory requirements.

Prepare for finishing may include

• confirming requirements and instructions
• checking equipment serviceability
• preparing the hides, skins or leather
• obtaining and mixing the coatings

Equipment may include

• electronic monitoring and metering systems
• manual chart recording systems
• basic hand tools
• laboratory testing and sampling equipment

Machine operation may include

• applying finishing coats which involves:
• colour mixing and matching
• mechanical application (roller coating, curtain coating, laminating - film application)
• applying heat or pressure (iron, embossing, plate, burnishing, polishing, glazing)
• softening processes (staking, drumming)
• wool finishing (combing and polishing, clipping)

Finishing coats by hand may include

• padding
• spraying
• brushing

OHS practices

OHS practices must include hazard identification and control, risk assessment and implementation of risk reduction measures specific to the tasks described by this unit, and may include:

• manual handling techniques
• standard operating procedures
• personal protective equipment
• safe materials handling
• taking of rest breaks
• ergonomic arrangement of workplaces
• following marked walkways
• safe storage of equipment
• housekeeping
• reporting accidents and incidents
• other OHS practices relevant to the job and enterprise

Sector 

Leather Production