Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to manually signwrite to decorative forms using a range of techniques and materials.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Application of the unit 

This unit of competency supports the achievement of skills and knowledge to produce decorative signs manually and using specialist equipment, and may include working with others and 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 work.

1.1. Quality assurance requirements  of signage operations are recognised and adhered to.

1.2. Safety  (OHS ) requirements in accordance with application tasks and workplace operations are recognised and adhered to.

1.3. Job requirements  are identified from drawings, specifications, instructions and client briefs.

1.4. Specifications, drawings and instructions are interpreted and job requirements and sequence, determined.

1.5. Layout is set out to scale using setting out techniques applicable to sign design.

1.6. Product range is assessed and selected in accordance with job requirements and relevant Australian standards .

1.7. Tools , equipment  and materials are selected to carry out tasks consistent with job requirements.

1.8. Substrates  are identified and prepared in accordance with planned material application.

1.9. Colour selection is determined, consistent with job requirements.

1.10. Any scaffold requirements are identified to comply with OHS regulations and safe work practices.

1.11. Routine maintenance requirements of equipment are identified and implemented in accordance with workplace and quality assurance procedures.

1.12. Temporary or permanent application of materials is determined from job requirements.

2. Apply layout methods for lettering.

2.1. Direct and indirect layout methods  are identified and applied.

2.2. Pounce method of lettering is identified and applied.

3. Use signwriting equipment.

3.1. Mahl stick and paint pot combination is used correctly observing ergonomic principles.

3.2. Signwriting pencils and brushes and marking pencils are used correctly.

4. Draw alphabets and add in letter decoration.

4.1. Range of decorative alphabets  is used for the specified signwriting job.

4.2. Principles of letter spacing are identified and applied.

4.3. Range of on and off -face decorative effects  are used where required by job specifications.

5. Clean up finished sign.

5.1. Sign and surrounding surface environment/area is cleaned and waste materials removed in accordance with statutory and regulatory authority requirements .

5.2. Tools and equipment, including personal protective equipment, are cleaned, maintained and stored.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

Required skills for this unit are:

• ability to recognise procedures, respond to change and contribute to workplace responsibilities, such as current work site environmental and sustainability frameworks or management systems
• ability to signwrite to decorative forms using correct applicators and materials
• applying signwriting using brush stokes
• communication skills to:

• determine requirements
• enable clear and direct communication, using questioning to identify and confirm requirements, share information, listen and understand
• follow instructions
• read and interpret:

• charts and hand drawings
• job drawings
• manufacturer specifications and instructions
• organisational work specifications
• requirements and instructions issued by authorised organisational or external personnel

• report faults
• use and interpret non-verbal communication
• use language and concepts appropriate to cultural differences

• innovation skills to select appropriate tools and equipment, respond to workplace challenges and put ideas into action
• organisational skills, including the ability to plan and set out work
• problem solving skills to recognise, and take action to rectify, minor faults and problems
• teamwork skills to be able to coordinate with others, action tasks and relate to people from a range of social, cultural, ethnic backgrounds and with varying physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge 

Required knowledge for this unit is:

• alphabet construction
• identification of dimensions, symbols, abbreviations and key features of signage
• job safety analysis (JSA) and safe work method statements
• layout methods for signwriting
• layout of various types of lettering
• material safety data sheets (MSDS)
• OHS legislation applicable to workplace activity/operation
• signwriting equipment
• relevant Australian and New Zealand standards, and:

• manufacturer specifications
• OHS requirements
• other applicable codes or standard operating procedures relevant to the sector

• statutory and regulatory authority requirements, particularly those relating to:

• removal of waste products
• storage of chemicals and materials

• sound techniques to produce layout accurately to balanced design
• terminology and definitions used in signage
• theory of letter spacing.

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 understanding and applying in a range of signwriting activities:

• principles of sign layout
• construction of alphabets
• theory of letter spacing
• decorative techniques.

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:

• an induction procedure and requirement
• realistic tasks or simulated tasks covering the mandatory task requirements
• relevant specifications and work instructions
• tools and equipment appropriate to signwriting to decorative forms
• support materials appropriate to activity
• workplace instructions relating to signwriting to decorative forms
• material safety data sheets
• research resources, including industry-related systems information.

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.

Quality assurance requirements  include:

• attention to work specifications
• Australian and international standards relevant to the sign industry
• control of handling procedures
• internal company quality assurance policy and risk management strategies
• procedures for installing and finishing
• quality of materials
• use and maintenance of equipment
• workplace operations and procedures.

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
• restricted access barriers
• traffic control
• work site visitors and the public
• working at heights
• working in confined spaces
• working in proximity to others

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

Job requirements  include:

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

Relevant Australian standards  include:

• Australian standards:

• AS2311 General workmanship - painting
• AS2700 Colour range - painting
• AS1530.3 Fire retardant systems
• AS1319 Safety signs for the occupational environment

• regulatory requirements
• standard drawings and details
• urban design manuals.

Tools and equipment  include:

• cutting knives
• Mahl stick
• oils
• signwriting pencils, pens and brushes
• stirring sticks
• tape measures and rulers
• tapes
• work pots.

Substrates  include:

• corflute
• glass
• masonry
• metals
• plastics
• wood.

Layout methods  include:

• computer-generated layout
• direct onto substrate
• overhead projection
• pounce method.

Decorative alphabets  include:

• formal script alphabets
• freestyle alphabets
• informal script alphabets
• sans serif alphabets
• serif alphabets.

On and off -face decorative effects  include:

• 3-D effects
• blocking
• colour effects
• shading.

Statutory and regulatory authority requirements  include:

• federal, state and local authorities administering applicable Acts, regulations and codes of practice and also can pertain to:

• removal of waste products
• storage of chemicals.

Unit sector 

Construction

Co-requisite units 

Nil

Functional area