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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Identify compatibility of commercial electrofusion control systems
  2. Maintain and calibrate electrofusion control unit equipment
  3. Perform electrofusion welding to required standard
  4. Assess quality of completed electrofusion joints

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, manual handling and hazardous materials

Australian/international standards relevant to the materials being used and products being made, including one or more of:

AS/NZS 4129:2000 Fittings for polyethylene (PE) pipes for pressure applications, or its replacement

AS/NZS 4130:2009 Polyethylene (PE) pipes for pressure applications, or its replacement

AS/NZS 4131:2010 Polyethylene (PE) compounds for pressure pipes and fittings, or its replacement

AS/NZS 4401:2006 Plastics piping systems for soil and waste discharge (low and high temperature) inside buildings - Polyethylene (PE), or its replacement

ISO 21307:2011 Plastics pipes and fittings -- Butt fusion jointing procedures for polyethylene (PE) pipes and fittings used in the construction of gas and water distribution systems, or its replacement

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)

formulas/recipes

batch sheets

temporary instructions

any similar instructions provided for the smooth running of the plant.

Tools and equipment

Tools and equipment include:

calibrated output electrofusion control units

pipe clamp supports

measurement devices, including one or more of:

timers

temperature probes

callipers

computer-based output monitors

cleaning equipment

spray equipment.

Additional tools and equipment will be selected as required from:

hand tools used in this process

hoists/lifting equipment not requiring any special permits or licences

manual handling aids, such as hand carts and trolleys

relevant personal protective equipment (PPE).

Hazards

Hazards must be identified and controlled. Identifying hazards requires consideration of:

power tools, leads and power supplies

hazardous products and materials

cutting equipment

sharp edges, swarf and scrap

protrusions or obstructions

slippery surfaces, spills or leaks

rotational equipment or vibration

smoke, dust, vapours or other atmospheric hazards

high temperatures

electricity

gas

gases and liquids under pressure

structural hazards

equipment failures

machinery, equipment and product mass

other hazards that might arise.

Problems

Routine and non-routine problems must be resolved.

Non-routine problems must be resolved by applying operational knowledge to develop new solutions, either individually or in collaboration with relevant experts, to:

determine problems needing action

determine possible fault causes

develop solutions to problems which do not have a known solution

follow through items initiated until final resolution has occurred

report problems outside area of responsibility to designated person.

Non-routine problems are unexpected problems or variations of previous problems and include one or more of:

variations in quality

emergency situations

intermittent faults.

Operational knowledge includes one or more of:

procedures

training

technical information, such as journals and engineering specifications

remembered experience

relevant knowledge obtained from appropriate people.

Routine problems are predictable and have known solutions and include one or more of:

variable PE materials and pipes as supplied

equipment malfunction or wear and tear

variable field site conditions.


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 designs, plans, patterns, procedures, job specifications, instruments/control panels, material labels and safety data sheets (SDS)

plan the welding process and sequence tasks

set up electrofusion welding equipment and materials/components to meet specifications

prepare electrofusion joint assemblies

operate the electrofusion control unit to weld the materials/components

monitor key variables, including:

voltage

fusion time

cooling time

alignment

product output rate

product integrity and general conformance to specification

maintain and calibrate equipment according to procedures

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

distinguish between causes of problems, including:

operational problems

instrument failure/malfunction

electrical failure/malfunction

mechanical failure/malfunction

wrong readings

materials properties

process variables

raw material variations/contamination

procedural errors

recognise and prioritise problems requiring action

resolve routine and non-routine problems

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 independently and to solve routine and non-routine problems, including knowledge of:

function and operating principles of electrofusion welding equipment, components and ancillary equipment

impact of variations in welding process variables and raw materials on product quality and production output

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

characteristics of materials and their behaviour in relation to welding process variables and stages of production

quality requirements at each production stage

common adjustments in process variables and their impact on product quality and production output

routine and non-routine problems that may arise, the range of possible causes and appropriate 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.