Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit of competency covers the finishing operations for clay and ceramic products to prepare them for further processing or packaging.

Application of the unit 

This unit of competency applies to operators who are responsible for carrying out the final inspections and repairs, if necessary, to fired products. The operator must be able to determine production requirements from documents (e.g. production schedules) and product requirements from product specifications and procedures.

This unit was developed for larger production contexts but it may also be relevant to craft practitioners producing ceramic work.

It does NOT include initial forming or firing, or packaging.

Prerequisite units 

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. Inspect and sort products

1.1. Grade products to ensure enterprise standards are met

1.2. Mark items with code to indicate grade/batch

2. Finish and assemble products

2.1. Apply finishing techniques to produce a properly finished product, as required

2.2. Assemble products to specification, as required

2.3. Maintain appropriate records and log books of equipment operations to meet procedures/work instructions

3. Rectify routine problems

3.1. Identify the range of faults that can occur during the operation

3.2. Determine and rectify fault causes in accordance with procedures/work instructions

3.3. Identify and rectify equipment failure causes in accordance with procedures/work instructions

3.4. Identify non-routine problems and report to designated person

4. Control hazards

4.1. Identify hazards from the job to be done

4.2. Identify other hazards in the work area

4.3. Assess the risks arising from those hazards

4.4. Implement measures to control those risks in line with procedures

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

Required skills include:

• recognising potential problems and taking appropriate action
• implementing enterprise's standard procedures and work instructions and relevant regulatory requirements within time constraints and in a manner relevant to the operation of the equipment
• reading and numeracy to interpret workplace documents and technical information

Required knowledge 

Required knowledge includes:

• attributes of in-specification product
• types of manufacturing blemishes
• use of finishing equipment
• distinguish between causes of faults such as:

• forming
• firing
• finishing

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.

Overview of assessment 

The unit will be assessed in as holistic a manner as is practical and may be integrated with the assessment of other relevant units of competency.

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

Competence must be demonstrated in the ability to recognise situations requiring action and then in implementing appropriate corrective action. Consistent performance should be demonstrated. In particular look to see that:

• defects capable of rectification are recognised and dealt with
• defects unable to be rectified are identified and product rejected
• product is handled appropriately.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Assessment will require access to an operating plant over an extended period of time, or a suitable method of gathering evidence of operating ability over a range of situations.

Assessment will occur over a range of situations which will include disruptions to normal, smooth operation.

Simulation or case studies/scenarios may be required to allow for timely assessment of parts of this unit of competency. Simulation should be based on the actual plant and will include 'walk-throughs' of the relevant competency components. A bank of scenarios/case studies/what ifs and questions will be required to probe the reasoning behind observable actions.

Method of assessment 

This unit may be assessed in conjunction with:

• PMC561080B Organise self
• MSAPMSUP106A Work in a team
• MSAPMOHS200A Work safely.

Individual enterprises may choose to add prerequisites and co-requisites relevant to their processes

Guidance information for assessment 

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

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.

Procedures 

All operations are performed in accordance with standard procedures and work instructions

Enterprise standards 

Enterprise standards include:

• colour is to standard
• shape is satisfactory
• structural appearance is to specification
• surface finish is to specification
• product is to specified size, squareness, profile, concentricity, straightness and flatness

Products 

This unit includes all products after firing, such as:

• bisque
• glost
• decoration

Materials and processes 

This unit includes:

• materials from:

• adhesives
• cisterns
• inserts
• insulators
• jugs
• switch gear
• tiles
• tessellations
• pipes

• processes including:

• foot polishing
• hand assembly
• measurements
• pin grinding
• sorting
• tile splitting

• operation of all ancillary equipment including:

• automatic and manual foot polishers
• bench and hand grinders
• colour standards
• jigs
• rulers and tapes
• templates
• PLCs (but not control panels)

Typical problems 

Typical problems may include:

• determination of surface quality within specification
• colour, shape, structure and surface finish faults
• repairing or scrapping of damaged parts

Occupational health and safety  (OHS )

All operations are subject to stringent OHS requirements and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between performance criteria and OHS requirements, the OHS requirements take precedence

Unit sector 

Operational/technical

Competency field 

Co-requisite units