Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the skills and knowledge required to perform the tasks associated with operating and conducting operator maintenance of machines used for crusting hides, skins or leathers.

Application of the Unit 

This unit applies to operating machines to crust hides, skins or leather. Work may be conducted in restricted spaces or exposed conditions or controlled or open environments.

Work may be conducted in small to large scale enterprises and may involve individual and team activities. 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 the application of skills associated with planning, organising and problem solving for the operation and maintenance of machinery and technology used to crust hide, skin or leather. This unit also requires an ability to monitor quality outcomes and communicate process information with others. Self management skills are used to ensure work complies with workplace requirements.

Prerequisites 

Employability Skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1 Operate machine to crust hides, skins or leather

1.1 All necessary settings and preparation for machine  operation are identified and assessed in accordance with specifications and workplace standard procedures

1.2 Machine is started in accordance with workplace standard operating procedures

1.3 Hides, skins or leather are fed through or into the machine in the appropriate manner and in accordance with OHS practices  and workplace procedures

1.4 Hides or skins are directed to correct area for next process

1.5 Work area around the machine is cleaned and maintained to meet workplace and safety standards

1.6 Equipment  is stopped or shut down in accordance with all safety and workplace standard procedures

2 Monitor product quality

2.1 Quality requirements for the hides, skins or leather are correctly identified and applied for all stages of the process

2.2 Quality is visually checked continuously to ensure standard is maintained

2.3 Any deviations from normal are recognised and isolated

2.4 Variations to product quality are reported

3 Carry out operator maintenance

3.1 Minor running problems are identified and reported according to workplace and equipment manufacturer procedures

3.2 Major machine and equipment or product faults are reported

3.3 Minor maintenance and cleaning are performed in accordance with manufacturer specifications and workplace procedures

4 Dispose of waste materials

4.1 Waste is kept to a minimum through correct application of industry standard and workplace procedures

4.2 Machine waste is disposed of in accordance with environmental and workplace procedures

5 Communicate process information

5.1 Records and other documentation are clearly and accurately completed where required

5.2 Documentation is maintained to expedite movement of the hides, skins and leather through the various phases of treatment

5.3 Information regarding production status and problems is accurately transferred between changes in shifts, where required

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

Demonstrates knowledge of:

• industry and product processes and equipment
• characteristics and hazards of chemicals and other materials used on hides and skins or in the process
• procedures for machine preparation and operation
• maintenance procedures and specifications
• quality standards and manual handling procedures
• safety and environmental aspects of relevant processes, particularly waste disposal
• workplace procedures
• OHS practices, including hazard identification and control measures
• practices for recording and reporting

Demonstrates skills to:

• interpret specifications and set machine for operation
• operate machine and feed hides or skins correctly
• recognise and isolate deviations from normal
• identify minor running problems and report major machine/equipment or product faults
• minimise waste
• communicate effectively within the workplace
• interpret and apply established procedures
• document, assess, and transfer information
• read, interpret, and follow information on work specifications, standard operating procedures and work instructions, and other reference material
• maintain accurate records
• sequence operations
• meet specifications
• clarify and check task-related information
• carry out work according to OHS practices

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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 for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

Demonstrates skills and knowledge to:

• prepare and operate machines for crusting, including perform basic operator maintenance
• monitor product to ensure quality requirements are applied for all stages of process
• dispose of waste materials appropriately
• transfer relevant production information between shift changes, where required

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 without damage to goods and equipment

Context and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment may occur on the job or in an appropriately simulated environment and requires access to work areas, materials and equipment and to information on workplace practices and OHS practices.

Guidance information for 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.

Settings and preparation for machines may include

• pre-start up visual checks, including safety requirements
• basic maintenance checks and product setting requirements
• start up procedures and feeding rate
• machine cleaning

Equipment may include

• electronic monitoring and metering systems
• manual chart recording systems
• basic hand tools
• laboratory testing and sampling equipment

Processes may relate to

• samming
• splitting
• shaving
• setting/samming (striking out)
• softening (vibration staking, drumming)
• buffing

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 

Leather Production