Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit of competency covers the finishing of cured concrete products. It involves checking and preparing surfaces, finishing surfaces, cleaning and sealing surfaces and identifying and resolving process malfunctions.

Application of the unit 

This unit of competency applies to operators in a concrete plant who are responsible for finishing manufactured concrete products after they have been cured.

This unit includes, but is not restricted to:

• all finishes applied to concrete after curing such as:

• blasting
• honing
• polishing
• etching
• sealing
• painting
• grit and sand blasting
• graffiti treatments
• sprayed finishes on cured concrete
• acid etching

• routine housekeeping and maintenance of equipment and area
• the operation of all ancillary equipment.

This competency is typically performed by operators working either independently or as part of a work team.

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. Check product prior to finishing

1.1. Check product identity and finish required

1.2. Check product has been cured and is ready for finishing

1.3. Check type and size of aggregate and any special characteristics of concrete mix

1.4. Check for handling and other damage and report if necessary

1.5. Set up finishing process as required

2. Undertake initial finishing as required

2.1. Perform initial finishing over product surface

2.2. Check for consistency, flatness and that other requirements have been met

2.3. Report products which are outside specification or which may not be able to be correctly finished

3. Finish surface as required

3.1. Adjust finishing process as required

3.2. Monitor progress of finishing and readjust as required

3.3. Continue finishing until surface meets specification

4. Clean and seal coat as required

4.1. Clean finished surface as required

4.2. Apply sealer coat as required

4.3. Monitor and adjust sealer coating thickness against relevant specification

4.4. Lift unit into store in accordance with occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements and support on protective pads

5. Rectify routine problems

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

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

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

5.4. Ensure appropriate records and log books of equipment operations are maintained to meet procedures/work instructions

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

6. Control hazards

6.1. Identify hazards from the job to be done

6.2. Identify other hazards in the work area

6.3. Assess the risks arising from those hazards

6.4. 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 conditions which will lead to variations to the finishing process and taking appropriate action
• implementing the enterprise's procedures within time constraints and in a manner relevant to the operation of the equipment used
• conveying information relevant to the operation clearly and effectively
• reading and numeracy to interpret workplace documents and technical information

Required knowledge 

Required knowledge includes:

• principles of concrete product formation
• principles of concrete finishing
• distinguish between causes of faults such as:

• material inconsistencies
• product variation
• finishing difficulties
• handling difficulties

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 

It is essential that the process be understood and that the importance of critical material properties and surface finishing techniques is known. Competence must be demonstrated in the ability to recognise and analyse potential situations requiring action and then in implementing appropriate corrective action.

Consistent performance should be demonstrated. In particular look to see that:

• surface finish matches specification and is consistent
• progress is continuously monitored and final finish is approached smoothly and confidently
• finished surface is cleaned and sealed as required.

Competence must be demonstrated in the operation of all ancillary equipment to the level required for this unit of competency.

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 

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

OHS 

The identification and control of hazards and the application of OHS to be in accordance with current, applicable legislation and regulations, and company procedures. All work is carried out at all times in accordance with these requirements

Unit sector 

Operational/technical

Competency field 

Co-requisite units