Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the competency to operate basic woodworking machines used for sawing, planing, sanding and drilling in the production of furniture

Application of the unit 

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 work

1.1. Work instructions are used to identify job requirements, including quality, materials, equipment, and quantities

1.2. Workplace health and safety requirements, including ventilation requirements and personal protection needs, are observed throughout the work

1.3. Material for machining is selected and inspected for quality

1.4. Machines, cutting tools and jigs are identified and checked for safe and effective operation

2. Operate machines

2.1. Safety equipment, including emergency stops, gauges, guards and controls are checked

2.2. Machine start-up procedure is carried out in accordance with manufacturers' instructions

2.3. Material is fed into machine in accordance with manufacturers' instructions, safe handling procedures and standard workplace operating procedures

2.4. Machine is operated in accordance with its designed capacity and purpose, tooling requirements and to manufacturers' recommendations

2.5. Machine operation is monitored to ensure product quality and output

2.6. Waste quantities are checked and minimised

2.7. Items that do not meet quality requirements are recycled or discarded according to workplace procedures

2.8. Problems with the required work and/or the operation of the machine are identified and reported to appropriate persons

3. Clean up work area and maintain equipment

3.1. Material that can be reused is collected and stored

3.2. Waste and scrap are removed following workplace procedures

3.3. Equipment and work area are cleaned and inspected for serviceable condition in accordance with workplace procedures

3.4. Unserviceable equipment is reported in accordance with workplace procedures

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, machine operations, basic plans and safety procedures
• communicate ideas and information to enable confirmation of work requirements and specifications and the reporting of work outcomes and problems
• plan and organise activities, including the preparation of the worksite and the obtaining of equipment and materials to avoid any back tracking, or wastage
• work with others and in a team by recognising dependencies and using cooperative approaches to optimise workflow and productivity
• apply basic arithmetical processes
• use checking techniques to identify, avoid or solve work problems
• use the workplace technology related to machine operations, including tools, equipment and basic measuring devices

Required knowledge 

• the characteristics, uses and limitations of basic woodworking machines
• general workplace quality standards and procedures
• workplace safety policies and procedures
• procedures for reporting machinery faults and material defects

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 of Evidence 

• Identify work requirements
• Apply safe handling requirements for equipment, products and materials, including use of personal protective equipment
• Identify materials used in the work process
• Follow work instructions, operating procedures and inspection processes to:

• minimise the risk of injury to self or others
• prevent damage to goods, equipment and products
• maintain required production output and product quality

• Operate and monitor the machines and complete the tasks identified in the Range Statement for:

• one saw
• one planer
• one drill
• one sander

• Work effectively with others

Resource Implications 

Access to basic woodworking machinery as identified in the Range Statement, standard operating procedures, and unprocessed materials.

Method of Assessment 

Assessment methods must confirm consistency of performance over time and in a range of workplace relevant contexts.

Assessment should be by direct observation of tasks and questioning on underpinning knowledge.

Assessment should be conducted over time and may be in conjunction with assessment of other units of competency.

Context of Assessment 

Assessment may occur on the job or in a workplace simulated facility with relevant process equipment, materials, work instructions and deadlines.

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.

The unit scope is to cover a minimum of one saw , one planer , one drill and one sander and related tasks from the following list :

• cross cut saw
• docking (oversize + 20mm)
• docking (accurate to +/- 0.25mm)
• docking square (no tolerance)
• rip saw
• parallel rip (oversize by 5mm+)
• scroll band saw
• off fence ripping
• freehand ripping
• freehand curve cutting
• panel saw
• cut flat panel board (off rip fence using scribe saw)
• cut flat panel board (off cross-cut fence using scribe saw)
• surface planer (buzzer/jointer)
• machine face
• machine edge
• panel planer (thicknesser)
• parallel plane width
• parallel plane thickness
• bobbin sander
• sand concave surface
• disc sander
• sand straight surface
• sand end grain
• belt sander (linisher)
• sand flat surfaces
• vertical drill press
• drill holes to pre-determined depths vertically
• select and replace drill bits
• hinge boring
• horizontal borer (single bit)
• drill holes to pre-determined depths horizontally
• select and replace drill bits

Unit context 

• OH&S requirements include legislation, building codes, material safety management systems, hazardous substances and dangerous goods code and local safe operating procedures
• Work is carried out in accordance with legislative obligations, environmental legislation, relevant health regulations, manual handling procedures and organisation insurance requirements
• Competency may be demonstrated in workplaces involved in the manufacture of solid timber furniture, domestic furniture, commercial furniture, kitchen and bathroom cabinets and/or furniture components

Material to be machined may include but is not limited to :

• solid timber and manufactured board

Personal protective equipment 

Personal protective equipment is to include that prescribed under legislation, regulations and enterprise policies and practices

Information and procedures 

• 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
• Manufacturers' specifications and operational procedures

Unit sector 

Furniture Making

Competency field 

Co-requisite units