Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the skills and knowledge required to skive leather pieces.

Application of the Unit 

This unit applies to the skiving of leather pieces by machine. Discretion, initiative and judgement must be demonstrated on the job in own work, either individually or in a team environment. Competency must be demonstrated in the use of skiving operations and judgement is required to determine skiving process required.

Work may be conducted in small to large scale enterprises and may involve individual and team activities.

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 and organising for the safe and effective use of skiving processes, machines and equipment. This unit also requires the ability to check the quality and identify and report operational faults. Self management and planning and organising skills are used to ensure work complies with workplace requirements.

Prerequisites 

Employability Skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1 Prepare work pieces

1.1 Work bundle is received, checked and any follow up action assessed

1.2 Quality of received component parts is assessed

1.3 Work pieces are laid out in correct sequence in accordance with workplace procedures and specifications

2 Set up machine

2.1 Position self to achieve operator comfort and to minimise fatigue

2.2 Machine is cleaned and checked

2.3 Appropriate skiving technique is selected to reflect work specifications

2.4 Skive knife sharpening procedures are followed to manufacturers specifications and in accordance with OHS practices , as appropriate

2.5 Skiving machine, and associated equipment , is set up, started up, closed down and basic maintenance assessed following standards operating procedures and safety requirements

3 Perform machine operation

3.1 Pieces are positioned on machine, as appropriate

3.2 Skiving machine is operated following standards operating procedures and safety requirements

3.3 Finished product is checked against specifications

4 Identify poor machine performance

4.1 The performance of the machine is regularly checked for signs of faulty operations and action taken

5 Despatch completed work

5.1 Pieces are bundled, stacked, stored or despatched

5.2 Production faults are recorded as required

5.3 Records are completed

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

Demonstrates knowledge of:

• procedures for operating skiving machines
• characteristics of typical leathers, fabrics, threads, and other materials used in leather goods production
• quality standards and leather handling procedures
• material flaws of leather including veins, growth marks, tick, and scars
• safety and environmental aspects of relevant production and assembly processes
• workplace procedures
• OHS practices, including hazard identification and control measures
• quality practices
• practices for recording and reporting

Demonstrates skills to:

• interpret work specifications and patterns
• operate different types of machines and undertake basic maintenance
• use a range of materials, including quality leather
• communicate effectively within the workplace
• 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

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:

• check work against ticket information and workplace standards
• prepare workstation and work prior to commencing operations
• apply skiving and splitting machine operation
• carry out all operations using skiving machines
• check work against specifications
• apply workplace health and safety policies in work operations
• maintain accurate records

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.

Equipment for the skiving operations include

• knives and associated sharpening procedures

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