Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the skills and knowledge required in assisting a specialist technician during the overhaul or repair, in or out of season, of hydraulic and pneumatic equipment associated with machinery used in the cotton ginning process.

Application of the 

Unit 

This unit applies to assisting with the overhaul or repair of fluid power (pneumatic or hydraulic) equipment used in the cotton ginning process.

Work can relate to both scheduled maintenance during the ginning off-season and unscheduled maintenance during ginning.

Work may be conducted in small to large scale ginning enterprises and, while the application of the unit will normally be as part of a team, there may also be individual activities required. Work is performed within defined procedures under direct supervision.

The application of this unit is according to OHS practices of the enterprise and workplace practices, which may include:

• requirements prescribed by legislation, awards, agreements and conditions of employment
• standard operating procedures
• work instructions
• oral, written and visual communication
• quality practices, including responsibility for maintenance of own work quality and contribution to quality improvement of team or section output
• housekeeping
• tasks related to environmental protection, waste disposal, pollution control and recycling

This unit requires knowledge of the ginning process and ginning machinery. In addition, problem solving skills, initiative and enterprise are required to assist in identifying faults and determining causes. Skills associated with planning and organising are also required.

This unit requires communication abilities to interpret and complete maintenance reports and team work skills to provide technical assistance. Learning skills are applied when gathering information to inform fault diagnosis.

Prerequisites 

Application of the 

Unit 

Employability Skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1 Assist in diagnosing and locating fluid power faults

1.1 Consultation with machine operator, technicians and other relevant workplace personnel is undertaken to assist in locating faults

1.2 Maintenance reports are checked and reviewed to aid fault diagnosis

1.3 Machine or equipment  is isolated safely or checked for correct isolation, where appropriate

1.4 Relevant test equipment and procedures are used as directed to localise fault at component level

1.5 Hydraulic or pneumatic component faults are accurately located and the causes of the faults are clearly identified

1.6 Fault rectification requirements are determined to assist in planning the repair

1.7 Fault and repair requirements are reported

2 Assist in repairing or overhauling fluid power system

2.1 System or sub-assembly is isolated safely or checked for correct isolation in accordance with prescribed procedures and OHS practices 

2.2 Faulty component or sub-assembly is isolated safely or checked for correct isolation in accordance with prescribed procedures

2.3 Replacement items are selected from stock or manufacturer catalogues and obtained

2.4 Consumable products (oils etc.) are disposed of in accordance with workplace and environmental requirements

2.5 Component or sub-assembly is refitted to ginning equipment and tested for correct operation

3 Recommission fluid power system

3.1 System or sub-assembly is correctly recommissioned in accordance with prescribed procedures and specifications

3.2 Correct operation of the system is verified to ensure compliance with specifications and ginning requirements

3.3 Maintenance records or service reports are updated and completed

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Demonstrates knowledge of:

• cotton ginning equipment, processes and procedures
• techniques and procedures for repair or overhaul of fluid power equipment (pneumatic or hydraulic)
• technical specifications manuals
• safety and environmental aspects related to fluid power equipment
• waste disposal procedures
• OHS practices, including hazard identification and control measures
• quality practices
• workplace practices
• practices for recording and reporting

Demonstrates skills to either assist with or under supervision to:

• diagnose and locate fluid power (pneumatic or hydraulic) faults
• safely isolate machine or equipment safely
• repair and rectify fluid power systems (pneumatic or hydraulic)
• overhaul fluid power system according to specification
• check components for compliance with specifications
• test fluid power equipment for correct operation
• read, interpret, and follow information on work specifications, , standard operating procedures and work instructions, and other reference material
• maintain accurate records
• communicate within the workplace
• sequence operations
• meet specifications
• clarify and check task-related information
• carry out work according to OHS practices

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Critical aspects of evidence to be considered 

Demonstrates skills and knowledge to either as part of a team or under direct supervision:

• diagnose, locate and repair fluid power faults
• overhaul fluid power system
• dispose of wastes appropriately
• complete records accurately
• apply OHS policies in work procedures

Consistency in performance 

Consistently applies skills and knowledge when:

• organising work
• completing tasks
• identifying improvements
• using workplace practices
• using OHS practices
• recording and reporting accidents and incidents
• assessing operational readiness of equipment used and work processes
• recognising and adapting to cultural differences in the workplace, including modes of behaviour and interactions
• completing work systematically with attention to detail and without damage to goods and equipment

Resource implications 

Access is required to real or appropriately simulated situations, including work areas, materials and equipment, and to information on workplace practices and OHS practices.

Context for assessment 

Assessment may occur on the job or in an appropriately simulated environment.

Interdependent assessment 

This unit may be assessed independently or in combination with other relevant units.

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. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs if the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.

Legislative/regulatory requirements

All work must comply with relevant Federal and State or Territory legislative or regulatory requirements.

Machine or equipment may include:

• feeder systems
• cleaners
• gin stand
• lint cleaner
• battery condenser
• air and drying system
• bale and mote press
• trash handling equipment
• load shifting equipment

Equipment also includes control systems (micro-processor or computer controlled).

OHS practices

OHS practices must include hazard identification and control, risk assessment and implementation of risk reduction measures specific to the tasks described by this unit, and may include:

• manual handling techniques
• standard operating procedures
• personal protective equipment
• safe materials handling
• taking of rest breaks
• ergonomic arrangement of workplaces
• following marked walkways
• safe storage of equipment
• housekeeping
• reporting accidents and incidents
• other OHS practices relevant to the job and enterprise

Sector 

Cotton Ginning