Application
This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to produce architectural precast concrete products.
This competency applies to operators who are required to prepare mould assemblies, fittings and reinforcement (not pre-stressed); mould, cure and strip the product; 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 | Prepare mould for casting | 1.1 | Check casting schedule, drawings and job specification |
1.2 | Check finish and veneer requirements for any or all faces, edges or surfaces | ||
1.3 | Prepare veneering equipment and formwork to temporarily support veneers and backing concrete | ||
2 | Prepare reinforcement | 2.1 | Check quantities, type, size and shape of reinforcement supplied against drawings and schedules |
2.2 | Place reinforcement and check concrete covers | ||
2.3 | Complete mould assembly | ||
2.4 | Insert lifting devices, lugs, fixing and other fittings according to drawings and specifications | ||
2.5 | Seal mould | ||
3 | Cast concrete | 3.1 | Ensure that concretes are poured in correct sequence according to work schedule |
3.2 | Ensure adequate vibration | ||
3.3 | Complete casting process to plans and specification | ||
3.4 | Prepare test samples/cylinder as required by work instructions | ||
3.5 | Screed to a flat, accurate surface in preparation for finishing | ||
3.6 | Finish green concrete as required | ||
3.7 | Wet patch as required | ||
4 | Cure product | 4.1 | Cover and cure mould in accordance with standard procedure and any special requirements |
4.2 | Monitor curing to achieve specified stripping strength | ||
5 | Strip and store product | 5.1 | Remove mould parts at appropriate time, with care, and inspect for damage |
5.2 | Lift unit using appropriate lifting equipment and lifting methods | ||
5.3 | Use good work health and safety (WHS) practice | ||
5.4 | Arrange storage using protective pads to ensure against damage | ||
6 | Respond to problems | 6.1 | Identify possible routine and non-routine problems in the equipment or process |
6.2 | Determine problems needing action | ||
6.3 | Determine possible fault causes | ||
6.4 | Rectify problem using appropriate solution within area of responsibility | ||
6.5 | Report problems outside area of responsibility to designated person | ||
7 | Control hazards | 7.1 | Identify hazards from the job to be done |
7.2 | Identify other hazards in the work area | ||
7.3 | Assess the risks arising from those hazards | ||
7.4 | Implement measures to control those risks in line with 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 plans/steel drawings, test results, product specifications, casting schedules, job sheets, procedures, material labels and safety information
check and prepare/position materials, moulds, formwork, fittings, veneers, reinforcement and equipment to meet specifications
cast the product and take samples
cure, strip and store product
monitor key variables, including:
mould condition
amount and consistency of concrete mix
placement of reinforcement and fittings
concrete cover
compaction/vibration
curing conditions
curing time/rate
stripping strength
product integrity and conformance to specification
make adjustments to meet product quality and production output specifications
identify hazards and apply relevant hazard controls
apply safety procedures
apply housekeeping procedures
recognise out-of-specification products, process problems and materials faults
recognise routine and non-routine problems
identify when the operator is able to rectify problems, when assistance is required and who is the appropriate source for assistance
take action to resolve problems or report them to appropriate personnel
distinguish between possible causes of routine problems, including:
raw material/mix variations
mould anomalies
casting/operating conditions
process errors
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:
principles of casting process
significance to architectural concrete products of key factors, including:
veneer adhesion
concrete cover
role of reinforcement
placement of reinforcement and fittings
curing
compaction and vibration
mould design
mould condition/wear
water-cement ratio
concrete finishing
methods of curing
compaction methods
fabrication methodologies
concrete sampling and testing procedures
physics and chemistry relevant to the equipment/process/materials
the potential effects of variations in raw materials and equipment operation/processes in relation to quality of product
factors which may affect product quality or production output and appropriate remedies
quality requirements at each stage of production
common adjustments in variables and their impact on product quality and production output
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.
Assessment Conditions
The unit should be assessed holistically and the judgement of competence shall be based on a holistic assessment of the evidence.
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, focussing 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/s of equipment requiring demonstration of operation, start-up and shutdown 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 (provided a record is kept) or through an independent process such as workbooks, written assessments or interviews (provided a record is kept).
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, 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: manufacturer's technical information job cards drawings 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. |
Hazards | Hazards must be identified and controlled. Identifying hazards requires consideration of: heat, smoke, dust, vapours or other atmospheric hazards weight, shape, volume of materials to be handled hazardous products and materials sharp edges, protrusions or obstructions slippery surfaces, spills or leaks electricity gas gases and liquids under pressure noise rotational equipment or vibration plant services (steam, condensate, cooling water, etc) structural hazards equipment failures machinery, equipment and product mass limited head spaces or overhangs working at heights working in restricted or confined spaces other hazards that might arise. |
Problems | Routine and non-routine problems must be resolved. Routine problems are predictable and have known solutions and include one or more of: compact product with tight bends/clearances loss of fluids (concrete leakage) variations in cement/water ratio backing concrete that penetrates veneers raw materials supply product quality problems. Non-routine problems are unexpected problems or variations of previous 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. 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. |
Records and reports | Records include one or more of: log books/sheets electronic records job/work sheets other records used for the smooth running of the plant. Reports include one or more of: paper or electronic-based logs and reports verbal/radio reports reporting items found which require action. |
Sectors
Not applicable
Competency Field
Operations