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

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Confirm required properties of compound
   • Communicate with stakeholders regarding technical and aesthetic specification
   • Identify project constraints, such as timelines and cost
   • Draft compound specification and project plan
   • Identify required tests to verify compound meets specification
   • Confirm with stakeholders and modify as appropriate
2. Develop base formulation
   • Identify appropriate base polymer/polymer blend
   • Select appropriate fillers/reinforcers and estimate required proportions
   • Select appropriate plasticisers and related materials and estimate required proportions
   • Select appropriate other materials and estimate required proportions
   • Draft initial formulation
   • Draft trial mixing procedure and order of addition
   • Identify any health, safety and environment (HSE) issues and modify as appropriate
3. Mix, test and modify formulation
   • Identify and control all hazards for laboratory development program
   • Obtain all required materials and tools/equipment
   • Produce the trial compound following the draft procedures
   • Evaluate the compound compliance with the specification
   • Modify formulation and procedure as required
   • Draft factory trial formula and procedure
4. Monitor factory trials
   • Identify and control all HSE issues for factory trials
   • Ensure all required materials and tools/equipment are available
   • Organise trials at an appropriate time
   • Ensure trial is monitored and required data collected
   • Evaluate factory trial compound and procedure
   • Modify formulation and procedure as required
5. Complete compound development
   • Ensure final formulation and procedures are recorded in standard procedures
   • Ensure all required materials and tools and equipment will be routinely available as required
   • Ensure HSE controls are standardised
   • Ensure skill needs of operators have been addressed
   • Complete all required reports and records
   • Advise stakeholders of the outcome of the project

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, materials and processes being used and products being made 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: test procedures technical specifications technical drawings 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.

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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 test results, technical information, equipment specifications and instruments/control panels

determine compound specifications

identify project stakeholders and constraints

plan the development, testing and trialling of the compound

develop appropriate mixing procedures and conditions

draft initial formulation and mixing procedures

produce laboratory trial of compound, evaluate conformance to specifications and make modifications to formulation and procedure as required

monitor factory trial of compound, evaluate formulation and procedure and make modifications as required

develop formulae for a range of compounds, including:

meeting different types of specifications

using different components and component amounts

communicate technical information verbally and in writing

communicate at all levels about technical issues and bring agreement as to requirements from the different parties

ensure final formulation and procedures are documented and resources are available for implementation

calculate proportions, product formulae and process conditions.

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Knowledge Evidence

Must provide evidence that demonstrates knowledge relevant to their job sufficient to fulfil their job role, including knowledge of:

compound components that could be used to meet specifications and:

the properties each would bring to the compound

the relative advantages and disadvantages of each

the change in compound properties with changing amounts of each component

impact of different mixing methods, order of addition and mixing conditions on the compound

types and application of tests relevant to the compound

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

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.

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