Assessor Resource

MSFFDT4001
Apply finishing techniques to custom furniture

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


This unit of competency covers applying finishing techniques to custom furniture involving application of skills and knowledge at a highly skilled craftsman or artisan level.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Plan and prepare for work

1.1

Applicable legislative, work health and safety (WHS), and organisational requirements relevant to finishing custom furniture are verified and complied with

1.2

Instructions, plans and design briefs are read and interpreted to identify processes and materials to complete work tasks

1.3

Tools, equipment and materials are selected and checked prior to use to ensure that they are appropriate for the work, serviceable and in a safe condition

1.4

Quality checking procedures are developed and documented for each step in the finishing process

2

Select appropriate finish technology

2.1

Design brief and furniture material, style and purpose are appraised to identify finishing technique options

2.2

Using samples of the type of material surface and specified finish, various finishing options are evaluated and the preferred option is selected

2.3

Specifications for type of finishing material to be applied are identified to determine means of application

2.4

Method of applying finishes to surfaces is identified and evaluated

2.5

Sample of material is tested with selected finishing technique to ensure appropriateness

3

Finish furniture surface

3.1

Furniture surface is prepared in accordance with the finishing specification

3.2

Imperfections, pores, nail or screw holes on the surface are rectified

3.3

Finishing processes and materials are applied in accordance with the agreed specifications

3.4

Surface is polished or buffed depending on the shine required

3.5

Work is checked against required quality standards

3.6

Any non-conformity with the required quality standards is rectified

4

Complete housekeeping

4.1

Unused materials are stored or recycled as required

4.2

Tools and equipment are cleaned and stored appropriately

4.3

Faulty and defective equipment is tagged and reported in accordance with workplace practices

4.4

Work area is cleaned and rubbish disposed of appropriately

4.5

Workplace documentation and/or reports are completed

Collect, organise and understand information related to furnishing work instructions and work orders and safety procedures

Apply safe handling requirements for equipment, products and materials, including use of personal protective equipment

Identify materials used in the work process

Follow work instructions, operating procedures and inspection processes to:

minimise the risk of injury to self or others

prevent damage to goods, equipment and products

maintain required production output and product quality

Finish a minimum of four (4) different pieces of furniture to industry standards using at least four (4) different finish technologies on each, from the processes set out in the Range of Conditions

Use mathematical ideas and techniques to correctly complete measurements, calculate area and estimate material requirements

Lead others and work effectively to improve production quality and outcomes

Communicate ideas and information to enable confirmation of work requirements and specifications and the reporting of work outcomes and problems, interpret basic plans and follow safety procedures

Use workplace technology related to the coordination, including communication equipment, time and management aids and other measuring devices

Minimise wastage of resources, including materials, time and money

Work with others and in a team by recognising dependencies and using cooperative approaches to optimise work flow and productivity and encourage participation of employees in the planning of work activities and changes

State or territory WHS legislation, regulations, standards and codes of practice relevant to the application of finishes

Organisational and site standards, requirements, policies and procedures for the selection and use of finishing materials

Finishing techniques

Characteristics, properties and selection criteria of finishing materials

Finishing characteristics and properties of timber being used

Matching requirements of adhesives and fasteners to timbers/materials used

Types of tools and equipment and procedures for their safe use, operation and maintenance

Work flow in relation to the furniture items being made or repaired

Environmental protection requirements

Established communication channels and protocols

Relevant problem identification and resolution

Assessors must:

hold training and assessment competencies as determined by the National Skills Standards Council (NSSC) or its successors

have vocational competency in the furnishing industry at least to the level being assessed with broad industry knowledge and experience, usually combined with a relevant industry qualification

be familiar with the current skills and knowledge used and have relevant, current experience in the furnishing industry.

Assessment methods must confirm consistency of performance over time rather than a single assessment event and in a range of workplace relevant contexts.

Assessment must be by observation of relevant tasks with questioning on underpinning knowledge and, where applicable, multimedia evidence, supervisor’s reports, projects and work samples.

Assessment is to be conducted on single units of competency or in conjunction with other related units of competency. Foundation skills are integral to competent performance in the unit and should not be assessed separately.

Assessment must occur on the job or in a workplace simulated facility with relevant process, equipment, materials, work instructions and deadlines.

Access is required to realistic and differing finishing tasks, materials, equipment and specifications relevant to applying finishing techniques to custom furniture.


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Plan and prepare for work

1.1

Applicable legislative, work health and safety (WHS), and organisational requirements relevant to finishing custom furniture are verified and complied with

1.2

Instructions, plans and design briefs are read and interpreted to identify processes and materials to complete work tasks

1.3

Tools, equipment and materials are selected and checked prior to use to ensure that they are appropriate for the work, serviceable and in a safe condition

1.4

Quality checking procedures are developed and documented for each step in the finishing process

2

Select appropriate finish technology

2.1

Design brief and furniture material, style and purpose are appraised to identify finishing technique options

2.2

Using samples of the type of material surface and specified finish, various finishing options are evaluated and the preferred option is selected

2.3

Specifications for type of finishing material to be applied are identified to determine means of application

2.4

Method of applying finishes to surfaces is identified and evaluated

2.5

Sample of material is tested with selected finishing technique to ensure appropriateness

3

Finish furniture surface

3.1

Furniture surface is prepared in accordance with the finishing specification

3.2

Imperfections, pores, nail or screw holes on the surface are rectified

3.3

Finishing processes and materials are applied in accordance with the agreed specifications

3.4

Surface is polished or buffed depending on the shine required

3.5

Work is checked against required quality standards

3.6

Any non-conformity with the required quality standards is rectified

4

Complete housekeeping

4.1

Unused materials are stored or recycled as required

4.2

Tools and equipment are cleaned and stored appropriately

4.3

Faulty and defective equipment is tagged and reported in accordance with workplace practices

4.4

Work area is cleaned and rubbish disposed of appropriately

4.5

Workplace documentation and/or reports are completed

Specifies different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included. Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Unit context includes:

WHS requirements, including legislation, building codes, material safety management systems, hazardous and dangerous goods codes, and local safe operating procedures or equivalent

work is carried out in accordance with legislative obligations, environmental legislation, relevant health regulations, manual handling procedures and organisation insurance requirements

work requires individuals to demonstrate conceptual and analytical ability, discretion, judgement and problem solving

Finishing custom furniture includes:

preparation technique used on the furniture surface

the processes of selection, evaluation and application of any materials to the surface

the process of polishing

other final finishing processes

Tools and equipment include:

power and hand sanders

brushes

steel wool

scrapers

rags

rubbing pads

spray guns

rottenstone

pumice

other polishing and rubbing compounds

Materials include:

timber (both indigenous and overseas)

adhesives and fasteners

shellac

lacquer

polyurethane

oil finishes

stains

oxides

bleaching compounds

ammonia

filling compounds

Furniture surface preparation includes:

sanding by hand or power sander

scraping

planing

other smoothing techniques

and is to take account of the fact that the colour of the wood may be changed by:

staining

bleaching

painting

ammonia

fuming

other techniques

Surface filling includes:

using wood putty, wood plugs or other fillers

Finishing processes and materials include:

waxing

shellacking

nitrocellulose lacquering

conversion lacquering

linseed oiling

tung oiling

alkyd varnishing

polyurethane varnishing

water-based polyurethane and/or oil-varnish mixes

Personal protective equipment includes:

that prescribed under legislation, regulations and enterprise policies and practices

Information and procedures include:

work procedures/instructions

manufacturer specifications and instructions

standard forms of workplace process and procedures

organisation work specifications and requirements

legislation, regulations and codes of practice

quality and Australian Standards and procedures

Collect, organise and understand information related to furnishing work instructions and work orders and safety procedures

Apply safe handling requirements for equipment, products and materials, including use of personal protective equipment

Identify materials used in the work process

Follow work instructions, operating procedures and inspection processes to:

minimise the risk of injury to self or others

prevent damage to goods, equipment and products

maintain required production output and product quality

Finish a minimum of four (4) different pieces of furniture to industry standards using at least four (4) different finish technologies on each, from the processes set out in the Range of Conditions

Use mathematical ideas and techniques to correctly complete measurements, calculate area and estimate material requirements

Lead others and work effectively to improve production quality and outcomes

Communicate ideas and information to enable confirmation of work requirements and specifications and the reporting of work outcomes and problems, interpret basic plans and follow safety procedures

Use workplace technology related to the coordination, including communication equipment, time and management aids and other measuring devices

Minimise wastage of resources, including materials, time and money

Work with others and in a team by recognising dependencies and using cooperative approaches to optimise work flow and productivity and encourage participation of employees in the planning of work activities and changes

State or territory WHS legislation, regulations, standards and codes of practice relevant to the application of finishes

Organisational and site standards, requirements, policies and procedures for the selection and use of finishing materials

Finishing techniques

Characteristics, properties and selection criteria of finishing materials

Finishing characteristics and properties of timber being used

Matching requirements of adhesives and fasteners to timbers/materials used

Types of tools and equipment and procedures for their safe use, operation and maintenance

Work flow in relation to the furniture items being made or repaired

Environmental protection requirements

Established communication channels and protocols

Relevant problem identification and resolution

Assessors must:

hold training and assessment competencies as determined by the National Skills Standards Council (NSSC) or its successors

have vocational competency in the furnishing industry at least to the level being assessed with broad industry knowledge and experience, usually combined with a relevant industry qualification

be familiar with the current skills and knowledge used and have relevant, current experience in the furnishing industry.

Assessment methods must confirm consistency of performance over time rather than a single assessment event and in a range of workplace relevant contexts.

Assessment must be by observation of relevant tasks with questioning on underpinning knowledge and, where applicable, multimedia evidence, supervisor’s reports, projects and work samples.

Assessment is to be conducted on single units of competency or in conjunction with other related units of competency. Foundation skills are integral to competent performance in the unit and should not be assessed separately.

Assessment must occur on the job or in a workplace simulated facility with relevant process, equipment, materials, work instructions and deadlines.

Access is required to realistic and differing finishing tasks, materials, equipment and specifications relevant to applying finishing techniques to custom furniture.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Applicable legislative, work health and safety (WHS), and organisational requirements relevant to finishing custom furniture are verified and complied with 
Instructions, plans and design briefs are read and interpreted to identify processes and materials to complete work tasks 
Tools, equipment and materials are selected and checked prior to use to ensure that they are appropriate for the work, serviceable and in a safe condition 
Quality checking procedures are developed and documented for each step in the finishing process 
Design brief and furniture material, style and purpose are appraised to identify finishing technique options 
Using samples of the type of material surface and specified finish, various finishing options are evaluated and the preferred option is selected 
Specifications for type of finishing material to be applied are identified to determine means of application 
Method of applying finishes to surfaces is identified and evaluated 
Sample of material is tested with selected finishing technique to ensure appropriateness 
Furniture surface is prepared in accordance with the finishing specification 
Imperfections, pores, nail or screw holes on the surface are rectified 
Finishing processes and materials are applied in accordance with the agreed specifications 
Surface is polished or buffed depending on the shine required 
Work is checked against required quality standards 
Any non-conformity with the required quality standards is rectified 
Unused materials are stored or recycled as required 
Tools and equipment are cleaned and stored appropriately 
Faulty and defective equipment is tagged and reported in accordance with workplace practices 
Work area is cleaned and rubbish disposed of appropriately 
Workplace documentation and/or reports are completed 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

MSFFDT4001 - Apply finishing techniques to custom furniture
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:


Assessment Record Sheet

MSFFDT4001 - Apply finishing techniques to custom furniture

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: