Application
This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to operate and adjust equipment to print or decorate rigid products.
This unit of competency applies to experienced operators who are required to plan the process stages, start up and shut down printing equipment, monitor equipment operation, make adjustments to remedy faults and non-conformity and solve problems within area of responsibility.
This unit of competency applies to an experienced operator demonstrating theoretical and technical knowledge and well developed skills in situations that require some discretion and judgement. The experienced operator may work alone or as a member of a team or group and will work in liaison with other shift team members, team leader and supervisor, as appropriate.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. | ||
1 | Plan process stages for printing and decorating | 1.1 | Plan the stages in the printing and decorating process and ensure these comply with the quality requirements for production |
1.2 | Identify and allow for changes in materials at each stage of the printing and decorating process | ||
1.3 | Plan the availability of the equipment and components for each production stage | ||
1.4 | Anticipate the impact of the process on product characteristics and product quality and usability | ||
1.5 | Plan work requirements based on procedures | ||
2 | Identify work requirements for printing and decorating operations | 2.1 | Prepare materials, including base raw materials and additives |
2.2 | Identify and address hazards connected with both production materials and process | ||
2.3 | Check materials inputs and outputs, dyes and print chemical colours, ancillary supplies and equipment are within specifications | ||
2.4 | Check product quality requirements for the relevant process stage | ||
2.5 | Identify and check equipment emergency stops, gauges, guards and controls | ||
2.6 | Plan the task sequences, including times and locations for product quality checks, equipment operation and required production outputs | ||
2.7 | Provide for ongoing materials input, waste management and work area housekeeping requirements | ||
2.8 | Arrange any required supplementary equipment for product quality testing or routine equipment maintenance and/or adjustments | ||
3 | Set up and check printing and decorating equipment | 3.1 | Comply with equipment information, required quality specifications and set-up procedures |
3.2 | Set up equipment in accordance with required specifications and procedures | ||
3.3 | Check printing and decorating equipment settings and adjustments and conformity to procedures | ||
3.4 | Check materials are correct | ||
3.5 | Check that surface preparation operations provide for an even and consistent surface for printing | ||
3.6 | Discard non-conforming materials or make adjustments to processing operations in accordance with workplace procedures | ||
4 | Monitor printing and decorating operation | 4.1 | Start up, operate and shut down equipment as required by procedures |
4.2 | Monitor printing and decorating operations | ||
4.3 | Make adjustments to remedy faults and non-conformity to production standards where applicable | ||
4.4 | Collect material which is able to be reprocessed and reused, and dispose of waste and scrap in accordance with procedures | ||
4.5 | Clean up equipment, lubricate, and adjust in accordance with workplace procedures |
Evidence of Performance
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, instruments/control panels, material labels and safety data sheets (SDS)
set up printing equipment and materials to meet specifications
start up and operate the equipment
monitor key variables, including:
equipment operating conditions
condition of graphics and lettering film
colour
output rate
product quality
ink adherence
production outputs
equipment operating pressures
colour
thickness
product integrity and general conformance to specification
make adjustments to remedy faults and non-conformity
maintain output and product quality using appropriate instruments, controls, test information and readings
safely shut down equipment in normal and abnormal circumstances
leave machine in appropriate condition with any required locks, tags or notices
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
equipment design deficiencies
materials properties
process variables
recognise and prioritise problems requiring action
resolve 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.
Evidence of Knowledge
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:
printing/decorating process and stages of production
characteristics of materials and their behaviour in relation to process conditions and stages of production
quality requirements at each production stage
mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical and electronic principles which effect machine operation
common adjustments in process variables and their impact on product quality and production output
impact of variations in raw materials and equipment operation in relation to final product
possible changes to materials properties to better suit specific process requirements
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.
Assessment Conditions
The unit should be assessed holistically and the judgement of competence shall be based on a holistic assessment of the evidence.
In all plants it may be appropriate to assess this unit concurrently with units such as:
teamwork
communication.
Where the assessee does not currently possess evidence of competency in PMBPROD217 Operate printing equipment, it may be co-assessed with this unit.
The collection of performance evidence:
should occur over a range of situations which include typical disruptions to normal, smooth operation of an operating plant
will typically include a supervisor/third-party report or other evidence, focusing on consistent performance and problem recognition and solving. A supervisor/third-party report must be prepared by someone who has a direct, relevant, current relationship with the person being assessed and who is in a position to form a judgement on workplace performance relevant to the unit of competency
must include the use of an appropriate industrial item of equipment requiring demonstration of operation, start and stop procedures and responding to problems
may use industry-based simulation for all or part of the unit particularly where safety, lack of opportunity or significant cost is an issue.
Assessment should occur in operational workplace situations. Where this is not possible or where personal safety or environmental damage are limiting factors assessment must occur in a sufficiently rigorous simulated environment that reflects realistic operational workplace conditions. This must cover all aspects of workplace performance, including environment, task skills, task management skills, contingency management skills and job role environment skills.
Assessment in a simulated environment should use evidence collected from demonstration of skills and one or more of:
walk-throughs
pilot plant operation
industry-based case studies/scenarios
‘what ifs’.
Knowledge evidence may be collected concurrently with performance evidence or through an independent process, such as workbooks, written assessments or interviews.
Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.
Conditions for assessment must include access to all tools, equipment, materials and documentation required, including relevant workplace procedures, product and manufacturing specifications associated with this unit.
The regulatory framework will be reflected in workplace policies and procedures and is not required to be independently assessed.
Foundation skills are integral to competent performance of the unit and should not be assessed separately.
Assessors must satisfy the assessor competency requirements that are in place at the time of the assessment as set by the VET regulator.
In addition the assessor or anyone acting in subject matter expert role in assessment shall demonstrate both technical competency and currency. If the assessor cannot demonstrate technical competency and currency they shall assess with a subject matter expert who does meet these requirements.
Technical competence can be demonstrated through one or more of:
relevant VET or other qualification/Statement of Attainment
appropriate workplace experience undertaking the type of work being assessed under routine and non-routine conditions
appropriate workplace experience supervising/evaluating the type of work being assessed under routine and non-routine conditions
Currency can be demonstrated through one or more of:
being currently employed undertaking the type of work being assessed
being employed by the organisation undertaking the type of work being assessed and having maintained currency in accordance with that organisation’s policies and procedures
having consulted/had contact with an organisation undertaking the type of work being assessed within the last twelve months, the consultation/contact being related to assessment
conducting on the job training/assessments of the type of work being assessed
being an active member of a relevant professional body and participating in activities relevant to the assessment of this type of work.
Foundation Skills
This section describes those required skills (language, literacy and numeracy) that are essential to performance.
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
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 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: printing equipment and its major components. Additional tools and equipment will be selected as required from: hand tools used in the 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: fumes/vapours weight, shape, volume of materials to be handled hazardous products and materials rotational equipment or vibration sharp edges, protrusions or obstructions slippery surfaces, spills or leaks smoke, dust 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 | 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: unstable process variables sub-optimal operation variations in feed rates 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. |
Sectors
Not applicable
Competency Field
Production