Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit specifies the outcomes required for the production of barrels or other coopering products, and includes the preparation, machining, assembly and finishing of the products.

Application of the unit 

This unit supports the attainment of skills and knowledge required for competent workplace performance of the fundamentals of coopering operations. This unit generally applies to a factory or plant environment and involves application of skills and knowledge at a production worker level. These skills and knowledge are to be used within the scope of the individual's job and authority.

Prerequisite units 

Nil

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. Prepare for production

1.1. Applicable OH &S , legislative  and organisational  requirements relevant to coopering operations are verified and complied with

1.2. Work order  is reviewed, confirmed and clarified with appropriate personnel 

1.3. Barrel production sequence  is planned

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

1.5. Suitable work area is selected for the task

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

2. Select and prepare components

2.1. Materials , hardware, fittings and attachments are collected

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

2.3. Jigs  are selected and checked for suitability of purpose

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

3. Assemble components

3.1. Components  are laid out and joined using jigs, appropriate fastenings and clamping devices

3.2. Hand and/or power tools, equipment are used as required

3.3. Assembled components are checked  for compliance with specifications

3.4. Components are prepared, assembled, fitted and checked as per specification

4. Finish the product

4.1. Product is lined  in accordance with specification

4.2. Product is tested  for leakage and faults are repaired 

4.3. Decorative features or fittings  are fitted and secured to specification

4.4. Product is sanded and prepared for coating 

4.5. Product is coated in accordance with specification and intended commercial application

5. Clean work area/s and maintain equipment

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

5.2. Finished products are organised and stored  in holding area

5.3. Waste  and scrap is removed following workplace procedures

5.4. Tools and equipment used is cleaned; inspected for serviceable condition and stored appropriately in accordance with workplace procedures

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

5.6. Records and reports  are completed to workplace requirements

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• collect, organise and understand information related to work orders, basic plans and safety procedures
• communicate ideas and information to enable confirmation of work 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 co-operative approaches to optimise work flow and productivity
• use checking and inspection techniques to ensure barrels comply with specifications and that instances of non-compliance are remedied
• recognise and respond to circumstances outside instructions or personal competence
• plan and organise activities including the preparation and layout of own worksite and the obtaining and use of tools and materials to avoid any backtracking, work flow interruptions or wastage during the production cycle
• use mathematical ideas and techniques to correctly complete measurements, calculate area and volume, and estimate other material requirements
• clarify and confirm work instructions
• plan own work within the 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 barrel production materials
• maintain current knowledge of barrel production techniques
• seek learning opportunities
• use the workplace technology related to the production of barrels including hand and power tools, calculators and measuring devices

Required knowledge 

• State or Territory OH&S legislation, regulations, standards and codes of practice relevant to the full range of processes for coopering operation
• basic barrel construction terminology and techniques
• basic barrel repair terminology and techniques
• organisational and site standards, requirements, policies and procedures for coopering
• types of coopering tools and equipment and procedures for their safe use, operation and maintenance
• characteristics of timber, timber products and defects
• coopering components standard shapes and forms
• environmental protection requirements relating to the disposal of waste material
• established communication channels and protocols
• problem identification and resolution
• set up and operation of machining equipment
• cutting patterns and sequences
• cutting tool condition assessment
• storage systems and labelling
• procedures for the recording, reporting and maintenance of workplace records and information
• appropriate mathematical procedures for estimation and measurement

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.

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

• Read and interpret a work/job specification
• Complete a minimum of two non-fired and fully finished barrel or equivalent products to specification
• Effectively conduct operator maintenance on tools and equipment
• Comply with legislation, regulations, standards, codes of practice and established safe practices and procedures for coopering operations
• Communicate effectively and work safely with others in the work area

Context of , and specific resources for assessment 

• The application of competency is to be assessed in the workplace or realistically 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
• materials and equipment relevant to producing a coopering product
• 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

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.

OH &S 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 of hazardous materials and substances, manual handling including lifting and carrying

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, OH&S, the environment, equal opportunity, anti-discrimination, relevant industry codes of practice, duty of care and heritage

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, OH&S, 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)

Work order 

• is used to determine job requirements including design, tolerances, process, materials, finish and quantity

Appropriate personnel 

• may include but not be limited to supervisors, suppliers, clients, colleagues and managers

Barrel 

• at this level may refer to the traditional barrel or equivalent products such as vats, casks, tubs, bars or baths

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 and testing

Tools and equipment 

• hand tools for coopering are to include, but not be limited to hand plane, chisels, hand saws, spokeshave, hammer, mallet, auger, croze, driver, knives (belly, crum, heading, hollow), cooper's hammer, maul, adze(s), hollowing knives, shaves (hoop, inside, heading), swift, marking-out tools, files, rasps, scraper, screwdrivers and hand drill
• power tools for coopering are to include, but not be limited to bench grinder, drop saw, circular power saw, planer, drill, jig saw, router, trimmer, biscuit machine, brad/nail and staple gun, and sanders

Materials 

• may include solid timber, caulking cotton, wedges, workhole pegs, tooth picks and metal wedges

Jigs 

• may include but not be limited to shaped templates for routing

Coopering Components 

• are to include heads, staves and hoops and may include decorative features or fittings in steel, stainless steel or copper

Checking 

• is to cover:

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

Lining 

• may include plastics, foil and sealing coating

Testing 

• is to include standard hot water leakage testing

Repair of leakage faults 

• may include plugging, caulking or re-machining

Decorative features or fittings 

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

Coating 

• may include paint, lacquer, polyurethane and varnish

Storage 

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

Waste 

• may include but not be limited to off-cuts, shavings and sawdust

Records and reports 

• may include but not be limited to the machining method, product type, size, inspection, grading and labelling outcomes, storage locations, quality outcomes, hazards, incidents or equipment malfunctions

Unit sector 

Coopering

Competency field 

Co-requisite units