Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Identify and respond to timber and material properties

1.1

Types of timber and inherent characteristics are analysed to select the optimum timber for the product

1.2

Characteristics and properties of oak are identified and considered

1.3

Properties and impacts of metals are identified and considered

2

Respond to the impact of the barrel properties on wine product

2.1

Cause and effects on the product of controlled oxidation is considered and responded to

2.2

Cause and effects on the product of barrel maturation is considered and responded to

2.3

Cause and effect of the fermentation in barrel is considered and responded to

2.4

Impact of toasting on the barrel and the product are responded to as a factor in the toasting operation

2.5

Impact of seasoning on the barrel timber components and the product are considered as a factor in determination of seasoning requirements

3

Prepare for production

3.1

Applicable work health and safety (WHS), legislative and organisational requirements relevant to coopering operations are verified and complied with

3.2

Work order is reviewed, confirmed and clarified with appropriate personnel

3.3

Barrel production sequence is planned

3.4

Procedures are determined for checking quality at each stage of the process

3.5

Suitable work area is selected for the task

3.6

Tools and equipment suitable for the work are selected and checked for safe operation

4

Select and prepare components

4.1

Materials, hardware, fittings and attachments are collected

4.2

Fixing and joining devices are selected in accordance with work instructions and type of materials to be joined

4.3

Jigs are selected and checked for suitability of purpose

4.4

Components, including staves and heads, are machined and prepared to specification

5

Pre-assemble barrel components

5.1

Components are laid out inspected and selected for use and joined using jigs

5.2

Heads are joined and clamped

5.3

Staves are fitted and hooped

5.4

Hand and/or power tools and equipment are used as required

5.5

Assembled components are checked for compliance with specifications

6

Fire the barrel

6.1

Barrel’s intended use and related technical instructions are analysed to determine the toasting technique and timing

6.2

Barrel interior is toasted to specification

6.3

Tensioning processes are applied

6.4

Hoops are fitted

6.5

Crozing is completed to specification

6.6

Heads are cut, bevelled to size and fitted

7

Finish the product

7.1

Barrel is finished using belt, disk or machine sander and hand tools

7.2

Final hoops and decorative features or fittings are fitted and secured to specification

7.3

Barrel is tested for leakage and faults are repaired

8

Clean work area and maintain equipment

8.1

Faulty and/or defective equipment is tagged and reported in accordance with workplace procedures

8.2

Finished products are organised and stored in holding area

8.3

Waste and scrap are removed following workplace procedures

8.4

Tools and equipment used are cleaned, inspected for serviceable condition and stored appropriately in accordance with workplace procedures

8.5

Equipment and work area clean-up is maintained in accordance with workplace procedures

Records and reports are completed to workplace requirements

8.6

Faulty and/or defective equipment is tagged and reported in accordance with workplace procedures

Specifies different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included. Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Unit context includes: 

• WHS requirements, including legislation, building codes, material safety management systems, hazardous and dangerous goods codes and local safe operating procedures or equivalent
• work is carried out in accordance with legislative obligations, environmental legislation, relevant health regulations, manual handling procedures and organisation insurance requirements
• work requires individuals to demonstrate some discretion, judgement and problem-solving skills

Appropriate personnel include: 

• supervisors
• suppliers
• clients
• colleagues
• managers

Barrels include: 

• traditional barrel or equivalent products, such as:

• vats
• casks
• tubs
• bars
• baths

Timbers include: 

• French/American/Australian oak
• red gum
• maple spruce
• jarrah
• birch
• cyprus
• elm
• fir

Oak properties include: 

• types and sources
• composition
• medullary rays
• tyloses

Metals include: 

• steel
• stainless steel
• copper
• other alloys

Barrel maturation: 

• contributes to extraction of flavours from the oak which enhance the complexity and intensity of the wine flavour

Production sequence includes: 

• docking and grading staves
• dressing staves
• jointing staves
• rising or assembling barrel
• bending the barrel
• crozing
• making heads
• cutting the head
• fitting the head
• finishing the barrel
• fitting final hoops
• testing

Tools and equipment include: 

• hand tools:

• hand plane
• chisels
• hand saws
• spokeshave
• hammer
• mallet
• auger
• croze
• driver
• knives (belly, crum, heading and hollow)
• cooper’s hammer
• maul
• bradawal
• adze(s)
• shaves (hoop, inside and heading)
• swift
• marking-out tools
• files
• rasps
• scraper
• screwdrivers
• hand drill

• power tools:

• bench grinder
• presses (hoops)
• head making machine
• drop saw
• circular power saw
• planer
• double sided planer
• drill
• jig saw
• computer numeric controlled (CNC) router
• laser cutter
• trimmer
• biscuit machine
• brad/nail and staple gun
• sanders (long belt, disk and machine)

Materials include: 

• solid timber
• caulking cotton
• wedges
• workhole pegs
• tooth picks
• metal wedges

Jigs include: 

• shaped templates for routing

Coopering components include: 

• heads
• staves and hoops
• decorative features or fittings in steel, stainless steel or copper

Checking includes: 

• fitting
• correct number and fitting of staves
• hoop and hardware, fittings and attachments
• conformity to work instruction and quality requirements

Decorative features or fittings include: 

• final hoops and taps which may be steel, stainless steel or copper

Testing includes: 

• standard hot water leakage testing

Repair of leakage faults include: 

• plugging
• caulking
• re-machining

Storage includes: 

• ensuring that there is no obstruction of traffic
• components and products are not damaged in storage
• products are accessible for further distribution/despatch

Waste includes: 

• off-cuts
• shavings
• sawdust

Records and reports include: 

• the machining method
• product type
• size
• inspection
• grading and labelling outcomes
• storage locations
• quality outcomes
• hazards
• incidents
• equipment malfunctions

Personal protective equipment includes: 

• that prescribed under legislation, regulations and enterprise policies and practices

Information and procedures include: 

• workplace procedures relating to the use of tools and equipment
• work instructions, including job sheets, cutting lists, plans, drawings and designs
• workplace procedures relating to reporting and communication
• manufacturer specifications and operational procedures