Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to mix plastering compounds using hand or mechanical mixing techniques.

Application of the unit 

This unit supports the attainment of skills and knowledge to safely and efficiently mix a variety of commonly using compounds for plastering work while working with others as a member of a team.

Prerequisite units 

CPCCOHS2001A

Apply OHS requirements, policies and procedures in the construction industry

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Plan and prepare.

1.1. Work instructions and operational details are obtained using relevant information , confirmed and applied for planning and preparation  purposes.

1.2. Safety  (OHS ) requirements are followed in accordance with safety plans and policies.

1.3. Signage and barricade requirements are identified and implemented.

1.4. Tools and equipment  selected to carry out tasks are consistent with the requirements of the job, checked for serviceability and any faults are rectified or reported prior to commencement.

1.5. Material quantity requirements are calculated in accordance with plans and specifications and quality requirements .

1.6. Materials  appropriate to the work application are identified, obtained, prepared, safely handled and located ready for use.

1.7. Environmental requirements  are identified for the project in accordance with environmental plans and regulatory obligations and applied.

2. Select materials, equipment and work area.

2.1. Types of finishing compounds  compatible with system performance are identified and selected to match work requirements and manufacturer specifications.

2.2. Processes and equipment for mixing compounds are identified and selected to match tasks from manufacturer recommendations.

2.3. Suitable work area is selected to minimise dust exposure to self and others and to minimise manual handling risks when shifting, mixing and blending.

3. Mix compound.

3.1. Work sequences and mixing requirements are followed.

3.2. Mixture consistency is adjusted to suit intended use.

3.3. Completed work is checked to ensure work meets manufacturer specifications and requirements for intended use.

4. Clean up.

4.1. Mixing equipment is cleaned using employer-approved work practices, disposing of silica-based material following required environmental controls.

4.2. Site area is cleaned up, with waste materials collected for recycling or disposal, containers covered to prevent spills and contamination.

4.3. Hazardous material is identified for separate handling.

4.4. Non-toxic materials are removed using correct procedures.

4.5. Tools and equipment are cleaned, checked, maintained and stored in accordance with manufacturer recommendations, regulatory and standard work practices.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

Required skills for this unit are:

• communication skills to:

• follow instructions
• read and interpret:

• documentation from a variety of sources
• drawings and specifications

• recognise procedures
• report faults
• enable clear and direct communication, using questioning to identify and confirm requirements, share information, listen and understand
• use language and concepts appropriate to cultural differences
• use and interpret non-verbal communication, such as hand signals
• written skills to record results of checks and tests and relevant work completion procedures

• evaluate own actions and make judgments about performance and necessary improvements
• identifying and accurately reporting to appropriate personnel any faults in tools, equipment or materials
• organisational skills, including the ability to plan and set out work
• respond to change and contribute to workplace responsibilities, such as current work site environmental and sustainability frameworks and management systems
• teamwork skills to work with others to action tasks and relate to people from a range of cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with varying physical and mental abilities
• technological skills to:

• use a range of mobile technology, such as two-way radio and mobile phones
• voice and hand signals to access and understand site-specific instructions.

Required knowledge 

Required knowledge for this unit is:

• application of product and process knowledge to predict consequences and identify improvements
• identifying and applying appropriate safety precautions to safely use equipment, and shift and handle products and materials
• identifying and reading manufacturers' product installation procedures and nominated specifications for the work process
• identifying by name and function equipment, components and materials
• identifying potential for health and safety risks from workplace information and labels
• job safety analysis (JSA) and safe work method statements
• requirements for a systematic approach to planning own work.

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 

This unit of competency could be assessed in the workplace or a close simulation of the workplace environment, provided that simulated or project-based assessment techniques fully replicate construction workplace conditions, materials, activities, responsibilities and procedures.

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

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of the ability to:

• select and use appropriate compounds, consistency and mixing methods
• apply a broad knowledge of industry products to identify:

• manufacturers' components and materials
• reasons why manufacturers recommend a three coat system for finishing plaster joins
• finished textures for hand and mechanical finishing of joints
• impact of glancing light on finished joins
• suitable materials for a wide range of applications

• follow work instructions, operating procedures and inspection practices to:

• prevent damage to goods, equipment or products
• meet required work output and product quality
• select and use appropriate personal protective equipment
• minimise the risk of injury to self or others

• work effectively with other workers on and off site
• follow safe handling requirements of equipment, products and materials.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

This competency is to be assessed using standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints.

Assessment of essential underpinning knowledge will usually be conducted in an off-site context.

Assessment is to comply with relevant regulatory or Australian standards' requirements.

Resource implications for assessment include:

• building framework
• finishing materials
• tools and equipment.

Assessment of this unit of competency may be in conjunction with assessment of other units commonly performed at the same time in normal job roles.

Reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities must be made to assessment processes where required. This could include access to modified equipment and other physical resources, and the provision of appropriate assessment support.

Method of assessment 

Assessment methods must:

• satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Construction, Plumbing and Services Training Package
• include direct observation of tasks in real or simulated work conditions, with questioning to confirm the ability to consistently identify and correctly interpret the essential underpinning knowledge required for practical application
• reinforce the integration of employability skills with workplace tasks and job roles
• confirm that competency is verified and able to be transferred to other circumstances and environments.

Validity and sufficiency of evidence requires that:

• competency will need to be demonstrated over a period of time reflecting the scope of the role and the practical requirements of the workplace
• where the assessment is part of a structured learning experience the evidence collected must relate to a number of performances assessed at different points in time and separated by further learning and practice, with a decision on competency only taken at the point when the assessor has complete confidence in the person's demonstrated ability and applied knowledge
• all assessment that is part of a structured learning experience must include a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary evidence.

Assessment processes and techniques should as far as is practical take into account the language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate in relation to the competency being assessed.

Supplementary evidence of competency may be obtained from relevant authenticated documentation from third parties, such as existing supervisors, team leaders or specialist training staff.

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.

Information  includes:

• diagrams or sketches
• instructions issued by authorised organisational or external personnel
• manufacturer specifications and instructions, where specified
• material safety data sheets (MSDS)
• memos
• regulatory and legislative requirements pertaining to mixing plaster compounds
• relevant Australian standards
• safe work procedures relating to mixing plaster compounds
• signage
• verbal, written and graphical instructions
• work bulletins
• work schedules, plans and specifications.

Planning and preparation  include:

• assessment of conditions and hazards
• determination of work requirements and safety plans and policies
• equipment defect identification
• work site inspection.

Safety  (OHS ) is to be in accordance with state and territory legislation and regulations and project safety plan and may include:

• emergency procedures, including extinguishing fires, organisational first aid requirements and evacuation
• hazard control
• hazardous materials and substances
• organisational first aid
• PPE prescribed under legislation, regulations and workplace policies and practices
• safe operating procedures, including the conduct of operational risk assessment and treatments associated with:

• concealed services (water, power and gas)
• lighting
• traffic control
• restricted access barriers
• trip hazards
• work site visitors and the public
• working at heights
• working in confined spaces
• working in proximity to others

• use of firefighting equipment
• use of tools and equipment
• workplace environmental requirements and safety.

Tools and equipment  include:

• broad knives
• brooms
• electric screw guns
• hand and power drills
• hand saws
• keyhole saws
• measuring tapes and rules
• paintbrushes
• plasterboard hammers
• plasterer's trowels
• scaffold planks
• T squares
• taping knives
• trestles.

Quality requirements  include relevant regulations, including:

• Australian standards
• internal company quality policy and standards
• manufacturer specifications
• workplace operations and procedures.

Materials  include:

• beads
• cement render
• fibre cement sheets
• finishing materials
• plaster compounds
• plasterboard
• plasterglass sheets
• water resistant plasterboard.

Environmental requirements  include:

• clean-up management
• dust and noise
• vibration
• waste management.

Finishing compounds  include:

• join finishing materials
• quality checks for compound
• sequences and number of coats.

Work sequences and mixing requirements  include:

• facilitate finishing techniques appropriate to system
• maximise board use
• minimise finishing problems
• minimise joints
• minimise waste.

Unit sector 

Construction

Functional area