Google Links

Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Check work requirements
   • Identify work requirements from work schedule
   • Identify product, materials and equipment requirements for job
   • Recognise hazards and apply appropriate controls
   • Check with supervisor/appropriate person if requirements are not in accordance with usual practice
2. Conduct pre-start checks to procedures
   • Check safety gates and guards are in position and working
   • Check green products/belt are correct
   • Undertake other pre-start checks
3. Operate equipment to procedures
   • Start vulcaniser as required
   • Check process is within required limits
   • Remove products/belt and store/coil as required
   • Check product meets requirements
   • Maintain supply of green product as required
   • Complete logs and records when required
   • Collect and reprocess/discard scrap/trim and other materials
   • Clean up equipment and work area
   • Pause equipment, or stop equipment in an emergency, as required
4. Respond to routine problems to procedures
   • Recognise known faults that occur during the operation
   • Identify and take action on causes of routine faults
   • Log problems as required
   • Identify non-routine process and quality problems and take appropriate action

Range Statement

This field allows for 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.
Regulatory framework	The latest version of all legislation, regulations, industry codes of practice and Australian/international standards, or the version specified by the local regulatory authority, must be used. Applicable legislation, regulations, standards and codes of practice include: health, safety and environmental (HSE) legislation, regulations and codes of practice relevant to the workplace, equipment and production processes and hazardous materials Australian/international standards relevant to the materials being used and products being made any relevant licence and certification requirements. All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent HSE requirements, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation, and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between performance criteria and such requirements the legislative requirements take precedence.
Procedures	All operations must be performed in accordance with relevant procedures. Procedures are written, verbal, visual, computer-based or in some other form, and include one or any combination of: emergency procedures work instructions standard operating procedures (SOPs) safe work method statements (SWMS) formulae/recipes batch sheets temporary instructions any similar instructions provided for the smooth running of the plant.
Tools and equipment	Tools and equipment include: the continuous press/autoclave ancillary equipment that is integral to the process, such as feed and reeling equipment. Additional tools and equipment will be selected as required from: monitoring and control equipment tools for taking samples relevant personal protective equipment (PPE).
Hazards	Hazards must be identified and controlled. Identifying hazards requires consideration of: hazardous products and materials sharp edges, protrusions or obstructions slippery surfaces, spills or leaks rotational equipment or vibration high temperatures smoke, dust, vapours or other atmospheric hazards electricity gas gases and liquids under pressure structural hazards equipment failures machinery, equipment and product mass other hazards that might arise.
Routine problems	Routine problems must be resolved by applying known solutions. Routine problems are predictable and include one or more of: variations in feed material scorched materials contamination of materials temperature variations pressure variations entrapped particulates or air insufficient bond achieved uncured rubber exposed reinforcing or wire. Known solutions are drawn from one or more of: procedures training remembered experience. Non-routine problems must be reported according to according to relevant procedures.

---

Performance Evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy the requirements of the elements and performance criteria and demonstrate the ability to:

read and interpret procedures, job specifications, basic machine control panels, material labels and safety data sheets (SDS)

select and use materials, procedures, tools and equipment to meet job specifications

monitor vulcanising and ancillary equipment using measured/indicated data and smell, sight, sound and feel as appropriate

monitor and interpret key variables, including:

pressure

temperature

clamp/press cycle

feed rate

output rate

product integrity and general conformance to specification/sample

operate and adjust the equipment to meet product quality and production output specifications

pause the equipment or shut down equipment in normal and abnormal circumstances

identify hazards and apply relevant hazard controls

apply safety procedures

apply housekeeping procedures

apply waste management procedures

recognise early warning signs of equipment/processes needing attention or with potential problems

recognise routine and non-routine problems

identify when the operator is able to rectify faults, when assistance is required and who is the appropriate source for assistance

take action to resolve faults or report faults to appropriate personnel

distinguish between possible causes of routine faults, including:

raw material variations/contamination

process abnormalities

procedural errors

mechanical abnormalities

communicate effectively with team/work group and supervisors

complete workplace records

do basic arithmetical manipulations, including additions, subtractions, divisions, fractions and percentages.

---

Knowledge Evidence

Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge relevant to their job sufficient to operate under routine only supervision and to solve routine problems, including knowledge of:

the function of vulcanising equipment, machine components and guides

principles of operation of the equipment

the potential effects of variations in raw materials and equipment operation on quality of product

reasons for checking process control panels and reporting readings which are outside of normal range of process variability

the role of retarders, fillers and extenders, processing aids and protective agents commonly used in rubber compounds

the influence of the mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical and electronic principles on vulcanising equipment operation and product curing

the impact of vulcanising machine speed, pressure, time, temperature and tension on product quality and production output

the role of heat and pressure in relation to providing strength, stiffness, resistance to deformation, fatigue and abrasion

impact of chemical reactions/mechanical processes on the state, form and condition of the vulcanised materials

processing behaviour of polymers and the role of additives

production workflow sequences and materials demand

factors which may affect product quality or production output and appropriate remedies

routine problems, their probable causes and relevant corrective actions

organisation procedures relevant to the work environment/job role

hierarchy of control

hazards that may arise in the job/work environment and:

their possible causes

potential consequences

appropriate risk controls.

---